MUSKOKA LAKES — Waterfront residential property developers will see stronger rules on preserving trees and vegetation in the Township of Muskoka Lakes.
The municipality is currently reviewing and strengthening language in its existing site plan agreements, said David Pink, senior planner for the township.
A large number of properties are subject to site plan control when new development is proposed, Pink explained. Large commercial developments are subject to detailed site plans, but waterfront residential properties are also subject to site plan agreements.
“Site plan agreements are becoming more and more common and a more important planning tool to control development around the lakes,” said Pink.
In its first review of site plan agreements in approximately 10 years, the planning department decided to strengthen policies in areas such as tree preservation and landscaping.
Tree preservation is central to the site plan agreement, Pink indicated. “Really, that is the main goal of site plan agreements on waterfront residential properties: to retain the shoreline vegetative buffer.”
Currently, provisions on tree preservation are brief.
In the new agreements, when vegetation dies over time due to environmental conditions or other matters, the property owner should attempt to replace the tree or allow that vegetation to regenerate, Pink said.
At a recent planning committee meeting, councillor Nancy Thompson said she had concerns about requiring the owner to both plant and allow areas to regenerate.
“It seems quite a penalty if you have to do both,” said Thompson.
Pink said most property owners follow site plan provisions because it is in their best interest. He did not think the township would be revisiting all properties. The stronger provisions will allow the township to address property owners who have had a number of complaints.
“I don’t think we will be going out to every property … but if there was a large concern (they would),” Pink said.
Under the new landscaping provisions, owners must replace “unsatisfactory landscape components, trees and/or plant material not in a healthy growing state, as soon as possible.” The provision continues to say all proposed planting and landscaping features shall utilize native tree, shrub and grass species, and all proposed trees shall be a minimum of five feet in height when planted.
Pink proposed to make a change to extend construction mitigation measures and stormwater management to residential construction, rather than just larger developments. Under the new provisions property owners must take measures to prevent run-off and slope erosion.
“I feel it is really important to protect against erosion and protect the water quality even during residential construction,” said Pink.
The garbage collection provision now specifies the owner should use animal-proof garbage containers.
For snow removal, owners should not reduce the number of parking spaces or cause damage through snow removal. No snow can be deposited on municipal, district or provincial property.
There is also a new clause, which states property owners must allow the entry of an authorized township employee onto the property for the purpose of carrying out an inspection to ensure compliance with the site plan agreement.
There are more provisions on accessibility, securities and servicing.
Pink said the new provisions won’t be a huge expense to property owners. “I don’t think anything is too onerous,” he said.
The new language on site plan agreements will be passed to the township solicitor for review.