Development

Change is Inevitable

Change around the lakes is inevitable because residents’ needs and visions change over time.

The Town of Gravenhurst is responsible for ensuring change to properties meets its rules, as defined in documents such as the Official Plan and the Comprehensive Zoning By-law.  Change that is consistent with these rules will be approved by the Town.

When proposed changes aren’t consistent with the rules, a zoning amendment or minor variance may be requested by the resident proposing the change.

KLRA Role in Change

It is a core role of ratepayers’ associations in general to play a role in development in its community – the KLRA is no exception.  According to our recent survey, residents strongly support this role, which involves two primary areas of activity.

Influencing Planning and By-Law Development

The KLRA has been very involved with the Town on the topic of development, over a long period of time.  The Official Plan has a Kahshe Lake-specific section, driven largely by the Kahshe Lake Plan.  The Association has also been very involved in the Town’s new Comprehensive Zoning By-law, to be passed by Council in 2010. 

It is through this activity that the KLRA has sought to influence the rules that apply to most development activities.

Commenting on Applications

When zoning amendments or minor variance applications are made, the Town advises the KLRA so that we may provide input into the Town’s decision.  Our principal interface with the Town is through letters signed by the President and through two committees: The Town and District Liaison Committee and The Kahshe Lake Plan Implementation Committee.

Town and District Liaison Committee

The Town and District Liaison Committee is a standing committee established to work with the Town of Gravenhurst and the District of Muskoka on municipal planning and by-law enforcement issues.  You can learn more about the Committee by clicking here [link to OPR content].

Goals

• To maintain an effective, on-going liaison system to monitor new Town and District proposals that are relevant to the lake.
• To support the Town in its efforts to enforce the official plan, zoning and other regulatory bylaws, regulations and law enforcement programs.

Strategies

• Monitor the activities of the Town and District as they apply to the Kahshe Lake .
• Monitor development activity on the lake to encourage compliance with the bylaws by property owners and service workers.

Kahshe Lake Plan Implementation Committee

The Kahshe Lake Plan Implementation Committee (KLPIC) is a long-term ad hoc committee focussed on change initiatives necessary to realize the Lake Plan.  It has been the KLRA’s primary agent in influencing the Town’s Official Plan and Comprehensive Zoning By-Law.  KLPIC members have considerable expertise in these matters.  You can learn more about the Committee by clicking here [link to OPR content].

Reviewing Applications

The Town provides the KLRA President and the Chair of the Town and District Liaison Committee with all applications for by-law amendments and minor variances that apply to waterfront properties on Kahshe and Bass Lakes.

The KLRA will research the details/specifics of each application and respond to the Town either supporting the request or opposing it. The application is analysed with reference to the principles and the specific limitations set out in the Lake Plan.

Application Review Process

A “response group”, comprised of KLRA Board of Directors members and the Committees mentioned above, reviews each application.  The response group will consider the application and the drawings, and the Town’s Planning Department report.  If feasible, site visits and discussion with neighbours will take place.  A draft response will be vetted by the group for acceptability, and when finalized, sent to the Town’s Planning Department and the local Councillors.  This official e-mail will be filed together with any responses from the Town, as well as the decision of the Council on the application.

The KLRA liaison may attend the meeting at which the application is presented to Council and may address the Council regarding the application. The group will assess the Council decision and decide on whether or not further action is needed.

Role of The Kahshe Lake Plan

Before applications come to the KLRA, the Town has already determined that the application isn’t a perfect fit with the Official Plan and/or the Comprehensive Zoning By-Law (or, perhaps, other applicable regulations).  Other “filters” are necessary for a decision to be reached.

The bases on which the KLRA makes its comments are the Lake Plan and input received from area residents.

The detailed Lake Plan, which has broad support of the KLRA membership, provides guidance regarding many specific details of the development or redevelopment of waterfront properties on Kahshe and Bass Lakes.  Furthermore, the Lake Study provided the KLRA with essential goals and directions in preserving the quality of life on Kahshe Lake, based on positive social values and aesthetics, as well as the scientific health of the lake and its surroundings.

The details of The Kahshe Lake Plan are available here.

TOWN OF GRAVENHURST PLANNING

A key source of information is the Gravenhurst planning department, which manages official plan and zoning bylaw information.  Here is the link to their site: http://www.gravenhurst.ca/municipal-services/departments/planning/.