Lanark County Media Release - June 8, 2022

Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held Wednesday, June 8.

Changes to Planning Consent Process: Council has approved a by-law to allow the county planner to grant consents and validation certificates as part of the land use planning process.

This follows various presentations to the economic development committee regarding the process for certain planning applications. Staff had been directed to examine the process of consent approvals in other municipalities and to report options back to the committee. In February, an overview of the county’s planning functions was presented by County Planner Julie Stewart, along with background information and possible options.

Council recommended the establishment of a planning working group. It met in May and Stewart presented a definition for “undisputed consent applications.” These applications are considered to be straightforward and in compliance with the Provincial Policy Statement, local official plans and municipal zoning by-laws, as well as having received recommended approval by the local municipality and having no unresolved objections or concerns raised by agencies or the public. Such applications would not require approval by the full land division committee and could instead be delegated to county staff. Stewart noted the by-law is consistent with other jurisdictions. For more information, contact Julie Stewart, County Planner, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1520.

Hydrogeologic Peer Review Contract to be Awarded: Council has authorized a contract for the provision of hydrogeological peer review studies be awarded to BluMetric Environmental and Jp2G Consultants Inc.

In a report to the economic development committee last month, Clerk Jasmin Ralph said the studies are a requirement in the process of approving subdivisions, consents and other planning activities. “They are essential in the planning process to ensure the proposed developments have appropriate water quantity and quality to support the development.”

The peer review service, which allows for submitted studies to be examined by a second party, was previously provided for local municipalities and the county by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority but has been discontinued. The county issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the service that also included five local municipalities. The RFP was structured to provide a principal and secondary firm so that if the principal firm has a conflict of interest, municipalities can access the service of the secondary firm (e.g., if the firm was already engaged with the developer or landowner).

Five submissions were received. Each participating municipality will bring the RFP results back to respective councils for ratification of an individual contract. The county served as a central body to assist with the proposal process. For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502.

2022 Vegetation Management Updates Received: Council has accepted a report on the 2022 Vegetation Management Plan activities, as well as pollinator habitat restoration projects and activities.

The report was presented to the public works committee last month by Michelle Vala, Climate Environmental Coordinator. The county adopted the Integrated Pest Management Vegetation Management Plan in 2016, which provides a long-term, multi-faceted approach to managing vegetation to keep roadsides safe.

Vala noted there has been no boom spraying since 2020 and the amount of spot spraying has dropped dramatically while hand removal efforts have increased significantly. “This year the program includes five summer students, one vegetation management intern and one temporary full-time staff person. Multiple county crews are pulling wild parsnip by hand this summer on 59 per cent of the county road system.”

Monitoring of phragmites cells is ongoing. Vala said the county is using a remote-controlled mower on tracks for wet areas to mow cells two to four times per year to prevent spread and seed production. “New, young or very small cells identified by the inventory will be spaded by hand.” She said a few dry cells may be selected for spraying in the fall. “Herbicide control has been the only effective strategy to eradicate phragmites at dry sites.”

Pollinator habitat restoration projects have included such work as mowing, invasive plant control, hydroseeding, planting and restoration activities. “We are hydroseeding construction projects with a custom wildflower mix, which promotes desirable, pollinator-friendly plants and prevents the growth of invasive plants,” she said. About 15.5 acres of road have been hydroseeded over four years.

The county has partnered with the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) to restore pollinator habitat on a stretch of County Road 21 (Elm Grove Road) following wild parsnip control. This year staff will monitor and control invasive plants on the site and CWF will monitor the quality of the pollinator habitat. A new restoration project is planned for a section of County Road 1 (Rideau Ferry Road) close to the Perth landfill site. Vala said in addition to seeding with native wildflowers and a cover crop, mycorrhizae (fungi) will be added to half the patch as an experiment funded by CWF. “This will help with native plant growth by bringing water and nutrients to plants and improve habitat quality.”

Work also continues on a 3-acre pollinator patch near the county administration building. The site was seeded with a native seed mix for pollinators in the fall. This year staff will add a cover crop and will monitor and remove invasive plants. In addition, four pollinator patches have been planted at urban locations along the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail. For more information, contact Michelle Vala, Climate Environmental Coordinator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3114.

Upcoming Meetings: County Council, Wednesday, June 22, 5 p.m.; Public Works, June 22 (following County Council); Economic Development, June 22 (following Public Works). Please note there are no regular meetings in July. County Council, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 5 p.m.; Community Services, Aug. 10 (following County Council); Corporate Services, Aug. 10 (following Community Services). Watch for details about public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications. For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like "LanarkCounty1" on Facebook and follow "@LanarkCounty1" on Twitter!