Review-Mirror

By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror The Big Rideau Lake Association (BRLA) will be appealing a decision by the Township of Rideau Lakes Committee of Adjustment to allow the development of an under- sized lot on the Big Rideau. The three minor vari- ances included relief from a 30m setback from the water to eight meters, a relief of 15m from the required 30m setback from waterfront for a septic sys- tem and a reduction of the 7.5m rear-yard setback to 1m. The lot, owned by Richard Earle, has an area of .24 acres, 100 feet of frontage, and an irregular shape with a maximum depth of 70 feet. An evaluation of the development by the Rideau Waterway Devel- opment Review Team, a partnership of Parks Cana- da and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority rejected the development as not addressing or accommodating the stan- dards of the Official Plan, Zoning By-law or a minor variance. The Review Team com- ments recommended against reducing the 30 m water setback to 8 m, it indicated that site condi- tions, thin soils and a slope, warranted a 40 m water setback. "Our suggestion is if you can accommodate a greater setback by adding to the rear of the lot it would solve some issues," said Martha Raeburn, the RVCA planner who made the site visit evaluating the property. BRLA directors met last Saturday to make the decision on proceeding with the appeal to the OMB . "We are celebrating our 100 anniversary. One thing we have said is we have been protecting our lake. This is a blatant con- tradiction," said Doug Good, who is also a coun- cillor representing the Ward of Bastard and South Burgess. The appeal has also gotten the support of the Lake Networking group which includes the Big Rideau, Lower Beverley, Otter Lake, Upper Rideau and Newboro- Loon Lake. Members of the group are surprised at the deci- sion in light of a state of the watershed report by the RVCA which rated the Upper Rideau as 'poor', By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Westport Mayor Robin Jones intends to open dis- cussions with the OPP to change deployment of their officers from the Leeds detachment in Brockville to the Lanark detachment in Perth. A recent decision by Township of Rideau Lakes council to discontinue a contract with the OPP has made service from the OPP detachment in Lom- bardy uncertain. "The real concern we have is with the Lombardy office closing at some time. At the current time there is no dedicated offi- cer in Rideau Lakes," said Mayor Jones. After months of com- munication with the OPP Rideau Lakes could not get, in their contract, an assurance of service levels which would be provided if they paid the extra $80,000 for a detachment administrative clerk. (DAC). The council initially agreed to keep a civilian administrator at the detachment as an enhance- ment, a move which they Justin Martin President 613-530-0773 RR 2 Westport, ON K0G 1X0 jtmartin@kingston.net 4 Septic Systems 4 Excavating 4 Landscaping 4 Road Work 4 Rock Excavating 4 Trucking 4 Residential & Commercial Snow Plowing & Sanding 4 Damp Proofing LTD. 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 43 Bedford St., Westport 613-273-8848 soho@rideau.net Mirror The Review Thursday, June 18, 2015 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 123, No. 24 $1 incl. tax Lake association taking Rideau Lakes to OMB over under-sized lot decision TLTI Council investigated over activities in post-election period "In the depths of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." Albert Camus Overlooking Lake, Locks & Falls at Jones Falls, Elgin Exceptional Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner 613-359-5500 Reservations Recommended. HOTEL KENNEY Since 1877 Westport seeks switch to Lanark OPP •Continued on page 3 •Continued on page 3 Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES Gas Range •5.0 cu. ft. •Quick Bake Convection •Easy™ Temperature Probe •Full Width Grates Regular 1149.95 Model #FGGF3032MW $ 949 95 Glass Top Range •Effortless™ Temperature Probe •Quick Clean •Fits-More™ Oven Regular 1399.95 Model #CGEF3055MW $ 1099 95 Leeds and the Thou- sand Islands council has been under the scrutiny of the Ontario Ombudsman after a complaint coun- cilors held illegal meet- ings between their elec- tion and swearing in. The complaint was lodged after, according to the complainant, a coun- cillor at a public council meeting on January 12 stated a matter had already been discussed in private. They believed that council had met behind closed doors to discuss and decide on the Deputy Mayor's compensation in contravention of open meeting provisions of the Municipal Act. In their investigation the Ombudsman discov- ered the councilors-elect and the mayor-elect met twice before the Decem- ber swearing in and dis- cussed via serial email the remuneration for the Deputy Mayor position. The subject was one that all councillors knew would be addressed at one of their first council meet- ings. In the office's investi- gation councillors acknowledged and clearly knew that this type of business could not be con- ducted via email once they were sworn in. "They chose to take advantage of the situation to discuss the matter ahead of time. Although not technically in violation of the Act, the discussions were inconsistent with its underlying principles of openness and transparen- cy," said the Ombudsman report. An email discussion of This sunrise along with the sun peeking through the clouds, and early morn- ing fog, made for a striking scene over Westport Harbor last week. Photo by Jeremy Barr •Continued on page 3

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