Lakefield Herald Special Report

SEL moves closer to sale of road allowance

by Simon Conolly

Sale of an 800 metre section of the Smith 18th Line road allowance leading to Buckhorn Lake to facilitate a multi-million dollar condominium development appeared to move a step closer at Tuesday evening’s meeting of Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield Council.

Nancy Fairweather spoke for a large delegation of neighbourhood residents, saying they are not opposed to development.

They are concerned, she said, that council is considering the sale when there is no binding plan in place to govern the development.

She pointed out that six waterfront lots proposed by the developer – Brett Steranko – cannot be created unless council sells him the road allowance.

Representing the developer, lawyer Richard Taylor agreed that sale of the allowance should be conditional on draft approval of the condominium plan.

He also agreed with a recommendation by township planning manager Rob Lamarre that proceeds of the sale be used to either acquire a replacement public waterfront access, or to improve an existing access.

Smith Ward Councillor Sherry Senis asked if the township had ever sold a road allowance which provided public waterfront access.

CAO Janice Lavalley said it had happened a few years ago, but in that case the purchaser had deeded an alternative access to the township.

Lakefield Ward Councillor Anita Locke warned that it could be a precedent-setting situation. Apparently there are 55 road allowances in the township leading to waterfront.

Councillor Locke also took Mr. Taylor to task for comments he made at a July 30 public meeting, when he suggested that if council did not agree to the sale, the developer would return with “... a more adverserial approach.”

Councillor Senis called the proposal “... the thin edge of the wedge. If we go ahead, we’re opening the door for others. We’re not here to pave the way for developers at a cost to our residents.”

Deputy Reeve Mary Smith said, “We have to look at the bigger picture. I can’t see we’ll ever spend taxpayers’ dollars pushing a road in there. It isn’t feasible as a waterfront park.”

Ennismore Councillor Donna Ballantyne added, “I feel comfortable with the safeguards we’re going to build in. It’s certainly going to improve the esthetics of the property. I’m willing to support it.”

With an apparently split council, Reeve Ron Millen weighed in.

“I think this is good land use planning,” he said. “In principle, I’m satisfied. It would give us a lot of money to develop another waterfront access in the north of Smith.”

The Reeve engaged Mr. Taylor in a lengthy discussion on how a value could be set for the road allowance property.

Mr. Taylor suggested it all comes down to the date of the appraisal, and that could be set for the day the developer receives draft plan approval.

Mr. Millen won council support for a suggestion that council should get more information on the appraisal process.

A staff report is expected to be presented to council in September.

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