By Chad Ingram
Published April 11 2017
After a lengthy process that has included multiple deferrals and public meetings the planning committee for Dysart et al is recommending that council approve a zoning amendment for four lots on Wenona Lake.
“It’s been challenging but I think we are quite close to coming up to something that everyone can agree with” said Dysart et al Deputy-reeve and planning committee chairwoman Andrea Roberts during an April 3 public meeting.
The committee has been discussing the zoning amendment application which would change the zoning on a collective 55 acres from rural Type 1 and environmental protection to a waterfront residential zoning with environmental protection during the past few months.
The severance of the 55-acre parcel into four lots was approved by the Haliburton County land division committee last summer.
The recommendation for the zoning amendment approval comes with a few caveats.
“Two outstanding issues remain” said Dysart et al director of planning and development Patricia Martin. “The first is the wetlands.”
Two inland wetlands have been identified on the property and must be protected by 30-metre-wide no-development setbacks.
Also Lot 1 will be zoned so that no dock is permitted on the property. That doesn’t prevent small watercraft from being pulled up along shore.
In addition concerns have been raised that American ginseng an endangered plant species may be located on the subject properties.
Michael Michalski an environmental consultant hired by applicant Mumtaz Sunderji will investigate prescribed areas on the property for the presence of the plant and Sunderji must provide a financial security that the work will be completed.
“If American ginseng is discovered on any of the lands that are surveyed what would be the consequence of that?” asked resident Keith Hay who retained the services of biologist Paul Heaven to work on the file.
Michalski who was also at last week’s meeting said that if American ginseng was discovered then he must meet with reps from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to determine an appropriate course of action.
“I just wanted to thank the committee and Pat [Martin] for listening to all our concerns over the past weeks and months” said Miskwabi Area Community Association president Andy Mosher. “I think we’re very happy to see that there’s not going to be a dock in the Lot 1 area and I want to thank the applicant as well for being willing to compromise on that.”
Mosher said the association still has some concerns about docks on the other properties.
Docks occupying more than 15 square metres do not require permits from the MNRF.
