The Township Watch committee has been formed to:
- Attend council meetings regularly as well as the district council
- Report on ongoing issues
- Monitor changes in the township by-laws and regulations.
What happened in Township Council, September 2009
COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT:
The members of the Committee, which is Chaired by Councillor Hare and includes two other Councillors and two lay people, heard a number of small, non-controversial variance requests, all of which were passed after thorough discussion, and recommended for Council approval. (Where Bylaws will be forthcoming, it might be useful to have the Chair present the Committee's rationale to Council to assist in the deliberations).
COUNCIL:
Over the past 2 years, Township Council and a variety of professional consultants have wrestled with amending the Township's Official Plan. Last March, the amendments, which included an eastern expansion of the Township boundary to accommodate future growth, were unanimously approved by Council, and sent to District for comment. District responded with a number of suggestions, and those proposed modifications were the subject of further Council meetings in July, and again on September 1, 2009. Delegations were heard on September 1st, and focused on Clear Lake, and the boundary expansion.
- Clear Lake Development — Proponent Greg Knight has agreed to limit the Clear Lake development to 20 units. Brenda Buck's concerns of water taking from Clear Lake for the development and the swimming pool were thoroughly discussed but it is the MOE who have the final say in this regard.
- Eastern Boundary Expansion — District modifications to the Township OPA included reducing the area to be included in the expansion, achieved by lopping off 10 acres of land at the southern end of the Hanna's Landing proposed development on the site of the former Glenwood Trailer Park, but leaving the density at 12 units per acre, and introducing the concept of an Open Space designation within the Hanna's Landing holding. After much discussion, Council agreed unanimously to the eastern boundary expansion as suggested by District, but agreed also to remove the Open Space designation as an actual area, leaving it to be described textually by the planners.
Approval of the Township Official Plan, as modified, will be considered by District in October.
PLANNING COMMITTEE:
Dealt with requests for refunds of securities on properties this week. The owners of these properties felt that their site plan agreements had been completed as required by Township. It is now becoming evident that staff and Council need to be much more detailed in describing what is needed on their site plan agreements.
IN MEMORIUM — Councillor Stewart Martin
Finally we must report that one of our most loved and respected Township and District Councillors has died. Stewart Martin, Councillor for Ward C died Saturday morning, September 5th. Stewart worked with dedication and fervor for many causes and for his constituents in Muskoka. He was a Captain of both the Segwun and the Wenona for many years and truly loved our wonderful part of the world. His attention to detail and understanding of the many influences which affect decisions here in Muskoka will be missed by all. There will be a Memorial or Celebration of Stewart's life on Sunday, October 25 at the Port Carling Community Centre from 2pm until 5pm. Please come and help all of us, family and friends, to remember him.
