Township and District
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Skeleton Lake island property owners ask the Township for help with mainland parking. General/Finance Committee members request more time before recommending approval of the 2022 Draft Budget to Council. Port Carling and Bala Community Improvement Plans adopted by Council. Township vaccination policy for COVID-19 adopted. Two new building inspectors appointed. Official Plan Amendment No 56 ~ Minett adopted by the Township and forwarded to the District for their approval. Draft Site Alteration By-Law increases fines to the maximum allowed under the Municipal Act for violations. In a recorded vote of 6 to 4, Planning Committee recommends to Council approval of a Race Boat Museum and Event Centre (Algonquin International Corporation).  -  Read more about Township Watch - December 2021

Following multiple budget meetings, public input is to be received on a net levy increase of 6.6% over the 2021 Township budget on November 30th. The Muskoka Lakes Public Library continues to offer services during COVID 19. General/Finance Committee votes to rehabilitate Burgess 1 Dam and power generator. Public request for ice in the Bala arena received a position outcome. Although Township Community Centres may re-open Township staff must be present to confirm vaccination status and supervise events. No Parking on Beaumaris Road reinstated. Township hires a new building inspector. Community Improvement Plans for Bala and Port Carling receive support from the Planning Committee. Township to review seven by-laws including site alteration and tree preservation by-laws.  -  Read more about Township Watch - November 2021

Bala Falls Bridge design is to be Option 2. Director of Legislative Services retiring after 34 years. New Director of Legislative Services hired. Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Muskoka Lakes Museum, Walker’s Point Community Library and Milford Bay Community Library make budget requests. On street parking to be reviewed in Official Plan and Transportation Projects, while parking by-law and signage on Beaumaris Road to be aligned. Township receives clean 2020 audit review. Integrity Commissioner provides annual report to Committing including complaints received. Options for Burgess 1 Dam presented to Council. Township seeks public input on new on site sewage system draft policy. Enforcement policy and procedure manual presented to the Planning Committee who put forward by-laws to be reviewed. Township seeking input on draft fireworks by-law.  -  Read more about Township Watch - October 2021

New deputy clerk named for the Township. Special Planning Meeting held to discuss changes to the Official Plan, public input to be received this fall. Fire Department administration to be relocated to the Port Carling Fire Station to optimize space in the Township offices. Were you ticketed for parking on Beaumaris Road? Public input on the Bala Falls Bridge design brought to Council. Swift River Energy Limit completes rehabilitation of Portage Landing Parkette. Township to seek public input on Port Carling and Bala community improvement plan. Public voiced major concerns on draft by-law for legal non-complying lot provisions and accessory building provisions. 2021 septic system re-inspections program annual report. Draft fireworks by-law suggests ban on fireworks except for five specific days.  -  Read more about Township Watch - September 2021

Planning Committee makes recommendations for Official Plan Amendment 56 ~ Minett. Further discussions take place regarding parking on Marina Road and Beaumaris Road. Township Fire Stations may become sites for Food Rescue. 2022 budget proposes a tax increase of 5% over 2021 budget. Township office to open for 15 minute by appointment meetings. Proposed Race Boat Museum deferred a second time for further discussions. Draft Community Improvement Plan approved by Planning Committee. Request to limit fireworks to statutory holidays or by permit. Official Plan Review and By-law enforcement for site alteration and tree preservation discussions rescheduled.  -  Read more about Township Watch - August 2021

No parking on Beaumaris Road a concern to island property owners. Members of the public question transparency of No Parking signs erected on Marina Road. License agreement defeat on Moon River Road. Township to seek public input on Bala Falls Bridge design. 2021 Bala Cranberry Festival request to the Township. Proposed Rogers cell tower on Highway 141 deferred. Bell cell tower on the north shore of Skeleton Lake issued letter of concurrence. Lengthy discussion on site alteration and tree preservation. New waste management strategy for the District of Muskoka.  -  Read more about Township Watch - July 2021

Township hires new planner. New Traffic By-Law approved by Committee includes a section limiting vehicle idling to five minutes. Committee to discuss establishing a budget committee. Members of the General/Finance Committee vote not to “opt-in” regarding licensed cannabis retail stores in the Township. Staff to look into and report to Council on campfires on Township property by the Torrance Barrens. Bandwidth capacity to increase in Bala with the placement of a temporary cell tower. Council asks for more details on design of Bala Falls Bridge. Parking restrictions to be placed on Juddhaven Road. Township of review accessory building use in the waterfront area. Electric car charging stations coming to Bala! The District of Muskoka falls short on its garbage diversion rate of 35% versus top municipalities at 70%.  -  Read more about Township Watch - June 2021

What was being referred to as the “Bala Creek Bridge” is to be renamed the “Mill Stream Bridge”. Update on the Torrance Barrens Special Committee. Committee recommends that the Township proceeds with heritage building plaques. Does Muskoka Lakes want licensed cannabis retail locations? Council further discusses the use of shipping containers as retail space. New Building Inspector and By-Law Officers hired. Committee defers decision on race boat museum.  -  Read more about Township Watch - May 2021

Plaques to be offered to historic structures in the Township. Changes being made to on-street parking on Currie Street in Bala. Repairs scheduled to Bala Creek (Mill Stream) bridge. Township requests the District conduct an operational review on Mortimer’s Point Road and Township limits use of heavy trucks on Eveleigh Road. 2022 Municipal Election Voting. Site plan approval for use of “sea cans” as retail space on the Indian River deferred a month. Staff to return to Council with options for the repair of Bala Falls Bridge. Public dock parking restrictions renewed. New Chief Building Official. Planning and building department staff will ONLY reply to formal applications due to overwhelming workload. Proposed cell tower at Crystal Beach on Lake Muskoka. Jayne McCaw talks about short term rentals. Do you know what the role of a municipal planner is? Brandy Lake presents their lake plan. Planning Committee and Official Plan Review Committee meet to discuss Draft 1 of the Official Plan. Curbside garbage pick to begin at 7 AM or earlier during heat waves.  -  Read more about Township Watch - April 2021