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The Township of Lake of Bays has potentially escaped an expensive legal action.
During the township’s Jan. 14 meeting, council approved amendments to the Roads License Agreement Program, effectively repealing the current bylaw and saving residents on unopened roads hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“If the proposal remains unchanged after public input next month, we hope to pass the new agreement repealing the current road license agreement bylaw and returning to the way things were for many decades,” said Mayor Terry Glover during the council meeting.
Roads, streets, and lanes from subdivision plans will be removed and the Road License Agreement and be updated with new terms allowing construction access without renewal fees, eliminating the need for agreements for existing roads, and simplifying the language in the agreement.
The Road Purchasing policy will also be reviewed. The proposed changes will be presented for public feedback before final approval at the Feb. 11 council meeting
New construction and new development are what the unassumed road improvement agreement will focus on. If property owners need to construct new roads or new driveways, they will need to enter an agreement with the township.
Glover also issued a verbal statement of apology to residents.
“One thing I haven’t said, and I think needs to be said, is that I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry for the hardships this may have caused along with the frustration and uncertainty experienced by those affected.”
He added that it is council’s responsibility to set things right when a policy causes division between the township and its residents, emphasizing that the recommendations will help everyone move forward while beginning to repair relationships.
Formal actions or complaints taken by residents against the township:
- Seven Freedom of Information requests from July to Dec. 2024.
- Four complaints to the Ontario Ombudsman office.
- One complaint to the Office of the Integrity Commissioner.
- One appeal to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
- There is an ongoing Notice of Application to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Andrew Mullins, a property owner who is directly impacted and also initiated the legal challenge, said that if staff and council stay on this path, the court application will be withdrawn.
He also expressed appreciation following the mayor’s apology.
“This was a major relief; the issue has been ever-present for some time and the attitude and approach really helped to rebuild the trust with our elected representatives,” Mullins said.
Carrie Sykes, director of corporate services/clerk, said anyone with further questions should reach out to her or Steve Peace, the township’s superintendent of public works.
“Staff will consider potentially reimbursing those applicants that did apply under the road license agreement program as a road or street under a plan of subdivision or a previously existing privately maintained road and will provide those potential numbers at the Feb. 11 meeting as well,” Skyes said.
To learn more, watch the council meeting on YouTube or read the staff report: Future of the Roads License Agreement Program.
Megan Hederson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Huntsville and Lake of Bays for MuskokaRegion.com. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
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