Planning 101
by Heather Brooks-Hill
Changes, that is new buildings, additions/renovations to existing buildings, and severances, are considered to be "development". Development often comes at the expense of the environment.
Is there a vision for the future of the Township of North Kawartha? At present, each planning application, or proposal
for development, is considered by Council. Each must conform to existing
by-laws, the County and the Township Official Plans, and the Provincial
Policy Statement (PPS).
The policies in these documents attempt to balance the costs to the environment against the benefits of growth. When development proposals conflict with these policies, professional planning advice is needed. In North Kawartha,
too often the simple and fallback solution is to go for an amendment to the Official Plans, to the By-laws or to grant a variance.
Some developers, and some citizens, craft their application within the regulations. Others do not feel bound by the existing parameters. Any "variance" is simply viewed as an extra step in achieving the goal and can be applied for through a request to Council. There are, of course, requests for variances that are worthy and the PPA provides the process for these.
Do North Kawartha residents want to be part of determining the future of our local communities? North Kawartha does not have any "professional "planners who are in positions of authourity or responsibility. North Kawartha has no planner on staff, nor on Council, and no planning subcommittee of Council.
What is unique about North Kawartha and why do we have to be extra careful? The dramatic landscape is everywhere. Local residents love the rural and remote lifestyle and enormous numbers of tourists and cottagers swell the Township numbers in the summer months.
How do we sustain this beautiful environment? It is precious and vulnerable. Following a precautionary principled approach would ensure sustainability for North Kawartha The precautionary principle ensures the sustainability of the natural world. On the other hand, a rapid increase in uncharted development could ruin it all.
North Kawartha is part of an extraordinary mosaic ecotone, an ecologically diverse east-west landscape, that includes endless transitions between granite and limestone, lakes, woodlots and wetlands from Gananoque to Georgian Bay. It is largely unprotected, understudied and relatively unknown to present day authourities of all levels of government. It is called The Land Between and North Kawartha is on it.
Of course, development impacts other dimensions, such as, lifestyle, socio-economic well-being, aesthetics, and the general happiness and comfort of all in the community. All of these are part of the “thinking and planning” for a safe, healthy and sustainable community.
Suspend fatigue, abandon disinterest and imagine, for a moment. What is it that each of us cherishes, and hopes for, now and in the future? This collective vision could be the guide for planning in North Kawartha.
Thanks So Much!
From Denise McCormick
On behalf of the fundraising organizers and the Best Family, we thank you for all your support in the fundraising efforts for Jayde. Your support and generosity has been overwhelming!
Thank you again for making our fundraising vents a tremendous success!!
by Heather Brooks-Hill
Changes, that is new buildings, additions/renovations to existing buildings, and severances, are considered to be "development". Development often comes at the expense of the environment.
Is there a vision for the future of the Township of North Kawartha? At present, each planning application, or proposal
for development, is considered by Council. Each must conform to existing
by-laws, the County and the Township Official Plans, and the Provincial
Policy Statement (PPS). The policies in these documents attempt to balance the costs to the environment against the benefits of growth. When development proposals conflict with these policies, professional planning advice is needed. In North Kawartha,
too often the simple and fallback solution is to go for an amendment to the Official Plans, to the By-laws or to grant a variance.
Some developers, and some citizens, craft their application within the regulations. Others do not feel bound by the existing parameters. Any "variance" is simply viewed as an extra step in achieving the goal and can be applied for through a request to Council. There are, of course, requests for variances that are worthy and the PPA provides the process for these.
Do North Kawartha residents want to be part of determining the future of our local communities? North Kawartha does not have any "professional "planners who are in positions of authourity or responsibility. North Kawartha has no planner on staff, nor on Council, and no planning subcommittee of Council.
What is unique about North Kawartha and why do we have to be extra careful? The dramatic landscape is everywhere. Local residents love the rural and remote lifestyle and enormous numbers of tourists and cottagers swell the Township numbers in the summer months.
How do we sustain this beautiful environment? It is precious and vulnerable. Following a precautionary principled approach would ensure sustainability for North Kawartha The precautionary principle ensures the sustainability of the natural world. On the other hand, a rapid increase in uncharted development could ruin it all.
North Kawartha is part of an extraordinary mosaic ecotone, an ecologically diverse east-west landscape, that includes endless transitions between granite and limestone, lakes, woodlots and wetlands from Gananoque to Georgian Bay. It is largely unprotected, understudied and relatively unknown to present day authourities of all levels of government. It is called The Land Between and North Kawartha is on it.
Of course, development impacts other dimensions, such as, lifestyle, socio-economic well-being, aesthetics, and the general happiness and comfort of all in the community. All of these are part of the “thinking and planning” for a safe, healthy and sustainable community.
Suspend fatigue, abandon disinterest and imagine, for a moment. What is it that each of us cherishes, and hopes for, now and in the future? This collective vision could be the guide for planning in North Kawartha.
The picture at the top shows a standard building
permit
which must be displayed during construction. The picture
above is the “Land Between”.
which must be displayed during construction. The picture
above is the “Land Between”.
Thanks So Much!
From Denise McCormick
On behalf of the fundraising organizers and the Best Family, we thank you for all your support in the fundraising efforts for Jayde. Your support and generosity has been overwhelming!
Thank you again for making our fundraising vents a tremendous success!!
Citizen's Input for Local Planning
Decisions:
Understanding the Process
by Heather Brooks-Hill
The process that allows for citizens to comment on North Kawartha planning applications is mandated by the Provincial Planning Act. Development/planning applications that require any change to existing regulations are available for review by the public.
Public comment and citizen responses to proposed official plan amendments, new zoning by-laws and minor variances of existing by-laws are the rights of all citizens.
All citizens adjacent to the proposed development/changes receive a township mailing. It is also possible for any citizen to ask, in writing to the township, for notification of all planning applications and decisions that require a Council decision.
Make an appointment at the township office. This visit is highly recommended because the preliminary information circulated is often sketchy, incomplete, or has omissions. This step is part of getting informed.
One must attend the public meeting and/or write in advance of the public meeting that deals with the relevant planning application.
The Provincial Planning Act, through the Ontario Municipal Board appeal process, also provides the opportunity to challenge, with reasonable grounds, successful Council motions of Township applications for development. No building permits can be granted until the process reaches its conclusion.
Youth Committee “CLEAN’S UP”
On Saturday May 28th you may have seen several orange vests making their way through the Village. The Youth Committee volunteered their time that morning to lend a helping hand by picking up garbage that was laying about after a long winter. The Youth Committee would like to thank Gary Geraldi and his loyal team with Parks & Recreation for their assistance, as they supplied those pretty vests and some garbage bags. The Committee would like to thank two other outstanding citizens whovolunteered their time to help out with this worthy cause, and they are Pat Hoffman and Mike Jackson, a big THANKS for the memories goes out to them.
This team of wonder kids also held a benefit BBQ for young Jayde later that afternoon. What a great resource for this Township - Our Youth! If you have a good cause that the Youth Committee may be able to help with, you can email them at apsleyouth@kawarthanorth.org.
Understanding the Process
by Heather Brooks-Hill
The process that allows for citizens to comment on North Kawartha planning applications is mandated by the Provincial Planning Act. Development/planning applications that require any change to existing regulations are available for review by the public.
Public comment and citizen responses to proposed official plan amendments, new zoning by-laws and minor variances of existing by-laws are the rights of all citizens.
All citizens adjacent to the proposed development/changes receive a township mailing. It is also possible for any citizen to ask, in writing to the township, for notification of all planning applications and decisions that require a Council decision.
Make an appointment at the township office. This visit is highly recommended because the preliminary information circulated is often sketchy, incomplete, or has omissions. This step is part of getting informed.
One must attend the public meeting and/or write in advance of the public meeting that deals with the relevant planning application.
The Provincial Planning Act, through the Ontario Municipal Board appeal process, also provides the opportunity to challenge, with reasonable grounds, successful Council motions of Township applications for development. No building permits can be granted until the process reaches its conclusion.
Youth Committee “CLEAN’S UP”
On Saturday May 28th you may have seen several orange vests making their way through the Village. The Youth Committee volunteered their time that morning to lend a helping hand by picking up garbage that was laying about after a long winter. The Youth Committee would like to thank Gary Geraldi and his loyal team with Parks & Recreation for their assistance, as they supplied those pretty vests and some garbage bags. The Committee would like to thank two other outstanding citizens whovolunteered their time to help out with this worthy cause, and they are Pat Hoffman and Mike Jackson, a big THANKS for the memories goes out to them.
Pictured above from left to right are Lori
White, Christine Everett, Andrew Swift, Kayla Boricic, Laura Woodbeck, Courtney
Everett, Richard Humphries , Patty Hoffman, and Mike Jackson.
This team of wonder kids also held a benefit BBQ for young Jayde later that afternoon. What a great resource for this Township - Our Youth! If you have a good cause that the Youth Committee may be able to help with, you can email them at apsleyouth@kawarthanorth.org.
Good Fun in the Name of the Medical Centre
by Cal Taillefer
Things are happening and quickly as we look forward to an amazing Summer and forget that challenge of a season that we left behind. So, after that wonderful kick-start of $50,000 from the Lipperts, other things have started to happen as we move towards our goal. Although we have only been into this for a year, we are almost at 2/3 of our total for fundraising---we are at $214,000 Raised!
Some pleasant surprises have included a cheque for $500 from the Anglican W. I….great stuff from a small group! I have also had many calls in regard to donations and ideas.
The following are a couple of activities:
- Inter-lake and Area Golf Tournaments - 4 person scramble at Marvel Rapids Golf Course. See the Marvel Rapids Advert for details, and Many Thanks to the Osbornes.
- August 6 - Cottage/Home Tour on Chandos Lake: Cost $15.00 . Thanks to Donna Krug & friends.
- August 13- 5 K. Race and Walk . Thanks to Neil Longhurst
and team. Watch for additional information.