Township and District
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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

Township passes the 2021 budget. Planning Committee votes to circulate the Official Plan Amendment for Minett to receive public input. MPAC assessments remain at market value as of January 1st, 2016. Township has $77 million in primary and secondary infrastructure. Winter-spring 2021 water levels. Ontario Fire College in Gravenhurst to close. Learn more about the national decibel coalition. Steering committee to be established for recreation, parks, trails and facilities master plan/strategy. Ever wonder what the Mayor and Councillors earn? “A New Leaf” Muskoka’s climate change strategy. District of Muskoka passes their 2021 tax supported budget. New Treasurer hired for the District.  -  Read more about Township Watch - March 2021

Special Planning meeting to be called to review the Draft Official Plan Amendment for the Resort Village of Minett. District monitors water quality on our behalf. Cell tower proposed for Glen Orchard. Bell Mobility proposes a cell tower 200 feet above Skeleton Lake according to Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization. Year end statics for Development Services and Environmental Sustainability including building, planning and by-law enforcement. Township budget currently at $14.36 per $500,000.00 assessed property values. No Parking Zone to be installed in vicinity of Hardy Lake Park.  -  Read more about Township Watch - February 2021

New Planner II and Deputy Treasurer hired at the Township. It’s more than just a library. Update on Township asset management. MP Scott Aitchison speaks to Council. Strategic Plan approved by Council. New dentist in Port Carling Health Hub. Our Muskoka Stakeholders Association introduce themselves. Leonard Lake – Lake Plan. Changes requested to the Official Plan Amendment in Minett. Letter of concurrence for cell tower on Camel Lake Road. Special Council meeting for public input on the 2021 budget Tuesday, February 2nd at 4 PM.  -  Read more about Township Watch - January 2021

“A working group” to be established for the Torrance Barrens. Safe Quiet Lakes work hard on reducing wakes and speed, as well as a “Decibel Coalition”. Active Transportation route requested on Muskoka Road 169 from Torrance to Gravenhurst. Municipal operating update during COVID19. Condominium agreement reached between the Township and Legacy Cottages. Three lake plans submitted for consideration in the Official Plan. Servicing in Minett Official Plan update.  -  Read more about Township Watch - December 2020

Councillors receive mid-term training from the Township Integrity Commissioner. Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce Annual Report to the Township. Township forecasting a small financial surplus in 2020. Minett Firefighters Association receive a donation. Remembrance Day. Township receives a clean audit in 2019. New Chief Building Official promoted. New Parks Use By-law approved by Council. No Parking Zone on Milford Bay Road. Proposal cell tower on the Joseph River. Will your property rights change with changes to grandfathering provisions? New Manager of Planning. Speed reduction for two kilometres on Peninsula Road. Committee follows District staff recommendation to not circulate Official Plan Amendment 49 for Minett.  -  Read more about Township Watch - November 2020

Is habitable space permitted in the first storey of boathouses? Staff recognized for their hard work. New regulations on park usage coming to the Township of Muskoka Lakes. New budget guiding principles policy put in place. 2021 Township budget guidelines set. Legacy Cottages condominium agreement negotiations continue. Five Township Community Centres to re-open. The Township continues to work on their Official Plan. Does the Township enforce their by-laws or is it perceived that they do not ~ staff undertake a functional review. Minett Official Plan Amendment continues to be in the hands of the District.  -  Read more about Township Watch - October 2020