COUNCIL THINKING DEVELOPMENT
By Kirk Winter
At the April 9 Committee of the Whole Meeting a number of important issues including the ever-vexing question of development charges were discussed by the Mayor and Council during their 75-minute meeting.
Dock Encroachment – 14 William Booth Crescent
Oanali Zavery presented a deputation to the City regarding a dock that he has on his property. The dock has been in its current location for many years and Zavery is aware that there is a small strip of City-owned land between his property and the Scugog River on which his dock is encroaching. Zavery requested that he be permitted to enter into a licensing agreement with the City to allow continued use of the dock. In a motion moved by Councillor Veale and seconded by Councillor Seymour-Fagan, the City will refer the issue to staff for a report to be brought back to Council by the end of Quarter 2, 2019.
In the meantime no action will be taken to remove the dock until the report is heard by Council, hopefully at the next Regular Council Meeting.
Scenic Hill Road
A deputation was presented by Michael Cara, who used video to illustrate the condition of Scenic Hill Road. Cara expressed his concern that the road does not meet minimum standards, despite efforts by the City to make interim repairs. Cara believes that the road condition is negatively impacting vehicle maintenance needs, property values and the quality of life for local residents. Cara advised Council that the residents are seeking a more permanent solution to the problem.
In a motion moved by Deputy Mayor Doug Elmslie and seconded by Councillor Richardson, the deputation from Mr. Cara will be received and sent to staff for a report back by the end of Q 2, 2019. Staff was also directed to investigate interim maintenance options to provide some immediate relief to residents living on Scenic Hill Road.
Frank Hill Road Public Water Access
Nick Lasch advised Council that he was speaking on behalf of concerned residents in the area who were concerned about the future of this well-used community boat launch. There is community concern about access to this boat launch being restricted by adjacent property owners, and Lasch wants the property declared an Official Municipal Boat Launch. If the City accepts this designation the City would be responsible for garbage pickup, grass cutting and some limited docking and parking amenities.
With the support of Director of Community Craig Shanks, a motion was put forward by Councillor Richardson and seconded by Councillor Veale that the Frank Hill Public Access property be designated and recognized as a Category C City Boat Launch. This recommendation will be brought to a full Council vote at the next Regular Council Meeting.
Reports were received from the 2019 Million Dollar Makeover group operating under the auspices of the Economic Development Department, the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee, and the Line Fence Act Review.
Federal/Provincial Windfall for CKL
Jennifer Stover, Director of Corporate Services, reported to Council that the City received one-time-only funding from the Federal Gas Tax reserve of $4.66 million and $725,000 in one-time only provincial funding. Stover proposed that staff report back to Council upon completion of the update to the Long Range Financial Plan as to the best use for these funds. Those staff recommendations are to be considered at the next Regular Council Meeting.
Work plans from the Downtown Revitalization Committee, the Municipal Heritage Committee, the Waste Advisory Committee and the Curbside Collection Contract – Private Roads for 2019 were accepted for approval at the next Regular Council Meeting.
Review of Development Charges for New 2020 By-law Changes
Mayor Letham informed Council of his intent to leave the Chair to move this motion. Deputy Mayor Elmslie was called upon to sit as chair while this item was being discussed. In a motion moved by Mayor Letham and seconded by Councillor O’Reilly, the memorandum from Mayor Letham was received calling for the Development Charges Task Force to consider the following issues when making recommendations on the new development charges by-law to take effect in January 2020.
Payment deferral options currently in place for residential developments and their effectiveness
Affordable housing incentive options for private sector development
The appropriateness of discounting commercial and industrial development charges from 50 to 100 percent, where job creation goals are met
Supporting of projects that are “population serving” rather than just “growth incenting”
Look at derelict buildings and extend the development waiver up to 10 years to encourage demolition and protect development rights
Consider development charges currently being charged within the existing zone categories like storage units
Reduce the development charge supported projects to specific user groups
Create a long-term development charges plan that affordably funds growth related projects over a realistic timeline without relying on deficit funding to meet projected growth
The motion was carried and will be brought back to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.