MasoniCHIP program back in South Dundas

The Council of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry announced March 16, that the operations of the Roads and Planning Departments will be merged into a new Department called “Transportation and Planning Services”. 

The actions necessary to implement the change were approved at the March session of County Council and are effective immediately.

SDG County Planner Michael Otis has retired. 

The County is not replacing this Department Head position, but instead will be hiring a Manager of Planning, who will report to the Director of Transportation and Planning Services. 

The new mid-level position will manage the day-to-day operations of the planning services section of the new Department.

The restructuring of the two departments will not impact services levels or operations, either for roads or planning services.

The County will continue to oversee the County Official Plan, as well as land division (land severances and plans of subdivision).

County Engineer, Benjamin de Haan, will assume overall responsibility for the new Department. 

de Haan’s title has changed to Director of Transportation and Planning Services.

“It is always important to be looking for efficiencies when opportunities come up, and these changes to our senior management team demonstrate our commitment to that. There are cost savings and many synergies, both internally and to the public, to be gained by the merging of the two departments,” said Eric Duncan, Warden, United Counties of SD&G.

“We have appreciated Mr. Otis’ service to the County and we look forward to working closely with Mr. de Haan in moving the new Department forward. There is a lot of potential with these changes and we are anxious to implement some new ideas,” said T.J. Simpson, Chief Administrative Officer, United Counties of SD&G

[…]

The Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary sees at least 60,000 visitors a year, and The Friends of the Sanctuary, a volunteer group, is working towards renovating the boardwalk and revitalizing the Sanctuary to further increase the popularity of the destination.

Last week, local MP Guy Lauzon was at the Sanctuary to announce $45,000 in funding towards Boardwalk improvements, being undertaken by the St. Lawrence Parks Commission and the Friends group.

“This is just a small step forward, but a big step towards realizing your dream,” Lauzon told the small group of volunteers who gathered for the announcement Friday.

“Our Government is pleased to support the St. Lawrence Park Commission, and specifically the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sancutary, as part of our efforts to expand and improve recreational and multi-purpose trails across the country.”

This $45,000 funding allocation comes from the $10 million National Trails Coalition Fund.

Pauline Gagnon of the Friends said that the entire project to replace the boardwalks is estimated to cost $400,000 but it is being undertaken piece by piece.

With the Blue Heron boardwalk trail already condemned at the Redwing trail deteriorating quickly, the Friends and the Parks are actively seeking funding partnerships and help for the project.

Planning work on the Redwing trail is already underway. 

The work will see a 550 section of the trail, one of the most heavily used sections, redesigned and reconstructed for better accessibility and increased longevity.

Along with the NTC funding, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission will contribute $69,000 and the Friends of the Sanctuary will provide $6,000 from their ‘Get on Board’ fundraising initiative towards the $120,000 phase one project.

“This Sanctuary is an incredible benefit for the surrounding community, so it’s a positive move to resurrect this jewel,” said Chuck Clavet, president of the Friends.

“The Friends of the Sanctuary’s ‘Get on Board’ initiative really got the ball rolling for this project,” said Lou Seiler, manager, parks and recreation facilities wit the SLPC.

Along with resurrecting the boardwalk infrastructure, the incredibly dedicated board of 14, are working diligently to increase membership numbers from 100 they have now. 

Most of the board members are from the South Stormont area.

The Friends want to build awareness of the natural asset of the Sanctuary and extensive programming it offers. 

Their next moonlight ski and snowshoe event is scheduled for March 7. 

During March break, March 16-21 daily activities are planned at the visitor centre.

The Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary offers more than eight kilometers of self-guided nature trails were visitors can get up close to nature seeing countless species of birds, wildlife and natural habitat. 

Access to the trails is free. 

Skis and snowshoes are available to rent at the visitor centre which is open from noon until 4 p.m. weekends. 

Small donations to the Friends organization are often requested from those participating in various programs.

[…]

 

A crowd of 30 residents of the Lockewood Heights subdivision in Morrisburg packed South Dundas council chambers December 5 to express their objections to a minor variance application.

This was the second consecutive Wednesday evening that the group raised their concerns with the minor variance committee.

Those who are neighbours to the house for which the variance is being sought see the minor variance being applied for as anything but minor.

The house, which is already built, is  a rental property. It has an accessory apartment, which is allowed, but the owner wants a minor variance to allow that apartment to be much larger than the 25 per cent size of the primary dwelling unit which is allowable. He applied to have the apartment be about 75 per cent of the size of the primary dwelling unit.

The property owner said that he was not aware of the apartment size limitation when he built the home, but neighbours say he is simply trying to use the minor variance application process as a loop hole to allow him to legally have, what is essentially a horizontal duplex, in a part of the subdivision, not zoned for multi-residential housing.

The minor variance committee, stating that they could not ignore the objections of area homeowners, denied the minor variance application.

The decision can be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.

[…]