TLTI considers easing waterfront setback rules

Waterfront property owners in the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands could soon have more flexibility to install small structures such as gazebos, hot tubs and decks closer to the shoreline without having to seek costly minor variances.

During Monday’s committee of the whole meeting, township council held a statutory public meeting on a proposed amendment to the township’s zoning bylaw that would permit certain detached accessory structures within the municipality’s 30-metre setback from the high-water mark of lakes and rivers.

If approved, the amendment would allow detached structures with a combined maximum footprint of 14 square metres (151 square feet) to be located within the setback without requiring a minor variance application.

The proposed changes stem from recommendations made earlier this year by the township’s committee of adjustment, after members reviewed several applications involving small waterfront structures.

Coun. Todd Robertson, who sits on the committee of adjustment, said the recommendation was intended to strike a balance between maintaining planning oversight and reducing costs for homeowners.

“The genesis of this whole recommendation to council from that committee was to strike a balance between continued oversight from a planning perspective, with the financial burden on a taxpayer who may be required to spend $1,000 to put up a $1,000 shed, in effect doubling the cost of something because of location of it,” Robertson said.

Planning staff told council the proposed amendment is the first step in the formal planning process. Monday’s public meeting was held to receive public input before a recommendation is brought forward for council’s consideration at a future meeting.

As of Monday, the township had not received any written comments from the public. The proposed amendment has also been circulated to township departments and external agencies for technical review.

Following the public meeting, no members of the public came forward to speak on the proposal. A final decision will be made at a future council meeting after staff review any technical comments received.

Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.