Official Plan Amendment - Farren & Adam Lakes

In 2011, at the request of seven Lake Associations in the Township, the Ministry of Environment used their Lake Capacity Handbook methodology to assess the capacity of those lakes for further development. Farren Lake was found to be the most sensitive to future development impacts from nutrient loading (i.e. phosphorus). Adam Lake was also found to be sensitive to phosphorous loading.

In response to severance enquiries on Farren and Adam Lakes, and concern expressed by the Lake Associations, Council enacted an Interim Control By-Law in 2017. The By-Law was enacted to temporarily freeze new severances and new development on the two lakes. As required under the Planning Act, an Interagency Advisory Group was organized under the Interim Control By-Law to study the implications of the high phosphorus levels in the two lakes.

The Interagency Advisory Group consisted of representatives from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MOECP); Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MNRF); Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA); Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA); Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office (MRSSO); and Tay Valley Township with participation from the Adam and Farren Lake Associations.

Council accepted, for public comment, the following four of six recommendations from the Interagency Advisory Group that would allow development but reduce phosphorous loading in Adam and Farren Lakes:

1. Increase lot size for new severances on both lakes to 0.8 ha (2 acres);

2. Increase lot frontage on Farren to match Adam Lake’s 91m frontage;

3. Require new or replacement septic systems on both lakes to achieve maximum phosphorus removal (either by an added treatment unit in a septic system or by using soils high in iron and aluminum and low in calcium that bind phosphorous);

4. Create a Site Alteration By-Law for the Township.

Amendments to the Official Plan would be required to implement the first three recommendations listed above.