Loyalist Township

White office desk shown in doctors office setting. Patient table in background. White doctors coat is draped over the back of the office chair behind the desk. Office supplies and various items cover the desk.

Family physician recruitment program a success in Loyalist, staff look ahead to further growth

October 25, 2024 by Ted Evans

Loyalist Township’s family physician recruitment incentive program has brought three new doctors to the area in just over a year. The success of the program means it’s reserve fund is now spent, and staff are now looking at other funding options, incentives, and the potential of adding funds to the township’s 2025 budget. Council received staff’s report at their meeting this week.

All three new physicians have joined the Loyalist Family Health Team in Amherstview to replace three
physicians who recently retired. Council staff also noted there are ongoing discussions with two more physicians interested in relocating their practices to Loyalist under the program.

In May 2023, a reserve fund was established for the program that included $100,000 to be paid over five years in return for five years of practice in Loyalist, with a patient roster of at least 1,200. Staff are also considering other models of providing primary healthcare for residents.

Municipal building in background with flags and flower bed in foreground.

Community grant applications approved by council

October 25, 2024 by Ted Evans

At their meeting this week, Loyalist Township council accepted the recommendations made by the community grant committee on which applications to approve or deny. In total, 5 applications were approved, while 3 were denied.

The Partners in Mission Foodbank will be receiving the largest of the grants, at $50,000. The Amherst Island Recreation Association was approved in the amount of $2,565, and Lennox and Addington Resources for Children was approved in the amount of $2,000.

The 1st Amherstview Bath Scouts Group will receive $5,239.75, as well as in-kind services of $1,486.14, and the Loyalist Skating Club of Amherstview will see $2,597.87 along with in-kind services of $1,402.13.

The denied applications included the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority looking for $60,000, Kingston Gets Active for $9,700, and the Ernestown Barracudas Swim Club for $3000.

Trees line the road, spanning from left to right across the entire image. A water tower is shown in the right portion of the photo reading "Loyalist. Odessa" Blue sky with few clouds in background.

Council denies applications to advance proposed development in Odessa

October 25, 2024 by Ted Evans

Loyalist Township council denied staff’s recommendation this week to approve applications for an amendment to a zoning by-law and the township Official Plan that would allow a proposed 45-unit development in Odessa. Brookland Fine Homes Ltd. has been looking to build three 4-storey stacked row dwelling house condominiums on William Street since 2022.

Residents have expressed numerous concerns with the project at open houses and a pre-consultation meeting in January 2022. Those concerns were related to traffic, safety, water and sewer infrastructure, proximity to the 401 highway and emergency service access.

The proposed amendment to the official plan was to redesignate the property from commercial and low density residential to medium density residential. The zoning by-law amendment would have been to address a number of site-specific performance standards to facilitate the development. Council voted 4-2 against the motion, and put forth a motion to deny the company’s applications.

Produce shown in wooden crates. Broccoli in background, green bell peppers on the right. Oranges are seen in front of the peppers. Lemons in bottom left corner.

Community grant committee backs $50,000 request from Partners in Mission Foodbank

October 18, 2024 by Ted Evans

At their meeting this week, the community grant committee at Loyalist Township agreed on supporting a $50,000 request from the Partners in Mission Foodbank in Kingston. The recommendation will be brought to council next week.

The food bank provides food hampers to residents in Kingston and Loyalist Township that include seven
days of food. According to the report, they provided 155 food hampers, supporting 117 households and 234 people in 2020. In 2023, that increased to 265 food hampers, 131 households and 311 people.

Due to growth, Partners in Mission Foodbank has outgrown its current space, and has had to purchase a larger one. The new building requires renovations such as new walk-in freezers, offices, a client shopping area, and larger spaces for volunteers to sort food and build food orders.

The food bank’s original location in 1984 was in the religious hospitallers of St. Joseph motherhouse in Amherstview.

Welcome sign for Lennox and Addington County and Loyalist Township is standing in grass beside road. Telephone poles line the road into the distance. Minimal clouds in mostly clear blue sky.

Some policies still a concern for council as 2024 Provincial Planning Statement comes into effect

October 10, 2024 by Ted Evans

Loyalist Township council noted concerns regarding policies within the 2024 Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) at their meeting this week. Council received the report from the economic growth and community development services department, outlining changes that will affect the township. The new PPS comes into effect on October 20.

Policies that remain a concern for staff include flexible settlement area boundary expansions, and no longer requiring comprehensive reviews in regards to settlement area changes and employment area conversions at the municipal level. The township will be doing their own official plan review in 2026.

Staff also noted a new policy that has been incorporated for large and fast growing municipalities who are encouraged to plan for a target of 50 residents and jobs per gross hectare in designated growth areas. The PPS identifies 29 municipalities to be large and fast growing, but does not include Loyalist Township.

Glass of water shown next to water filters on a white table.

Loyalist looks to second round of water systems funding to upgrade water pollution control plant

October 10, 2024 by Ted Evans

Loyalist Township will be applying to round 2 of the provincial Housing Enabling Water Systems (HEWS) fund in the coming weeks to help with the Amherstview Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP). The funding staff is seeking will help with peak flow equalization and headworks upgrades. Their application to round 1 was unsuccessful.

At their meeting this week, council decided to go ahead with the application, while leaving an application to the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program off the table. The township secured $16.5 million in funding for the W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre under the first round of this program, so staff did not recommend making application under this program, noting that approval of additional funding is unlikely.

According to the Ontario Government, the HEWS fund supports municipalities to develop, repair, and expand infrastructure for critical drinking water, wastewater and stormwater. This helps communities unlock more housing opportunities.

Metal tubing leads to a water tap in the middle of the frame, in front of blurred dirt ground.

Township keeps water rates low for new water station

September 27, 2024 by Ted Evans

Loyalist Township council approved the classification of a new water station this week to include lower, bulk water rates for users. The station is expected to be fully operational this fall.

The new low-volume bulk water station will be located alongside the existing bulk water station at County road 6 and Taylor-Kidd Boulevard. This site was selected for the convenience of the vehicles being able to fill up their containers and existing infrastructure to support installation. The existing bulk water station isn’t capable of filling low-volume containers due to the high rate of flow.

The station will be open year round with the ability to fill containers up to 1000 liters. Staff expect significant interest in the station, as many members of the public have requested the service specifically.

Since 2016, residents have been able to fill small containers of water at the Odessa Office during the summer months.

Runners of all ages shown across entire frame. Trees and blue starting-line tent in background.

Amherst Island Recreation Association to receive $5000 annually for programming

September 26, 2024 by Ted Evans

Loyalist Township and The Amherst Island Recreation Association (AIRA) have entered into a three year agreement that includes $5000 for the association each year. The agreement will automatically renew for one year after its three year term is up.

According to staff’s report, the delivery of recreation and leisure programming on the island has
been challenging for the township in the past. Originally, the former Amherst Island Recreation
Committee would organize and implement programming on the island suitable for all ages and abilities, which is difficult for the township to take over and facilitate.

The committee has now re-established itself as a not-for-profit volunteer organization known as the
AIRA. Under the new agreement, the AIRA will provide inclusive and accessible recreation and leisure services on Amherst Island for residents of all ages, while the township will provide a $5,000 annual operating fee upon receipt of an acceptable annual report.

A graphic illustrates rising housing costs with stacks of coins growing in size leading up to illustration of a house

County to explore $15M affordable housing project

September 24, 2024 by Ted Evans

Staff at Lennox and Addington county are exploring a partnership with one or more of the lower-tier municipalities for a $15.7M affordable housing project. Council received the report at their meeting on Sept. 18.

With a 42-unit building mentioned in the report, staff also spoke to council about other multi-unit options in one or more of the municipalities. The estimated total cost is based on the partnership including the donation of land and an exemption for development charges.

As of July, there are 477 individuals/families on the centralized waitlist for rent-geared-to-income housing. The largest need based on the centralized waitlist is for one-bedroom units.

Staff noted that if the project were to move forward, all funding opportunities would be applied for. The working group has also reviewed existing county-owned properties, but noted no suitable properties for this type of project.

Amherst Island is seen across Lake Ontario at evening time, as sky is filled with pink and blue. Windmills and the ferry are seen in the distance along with the island.

Great Lakes Islands Alliance announces first ever strategic plan, aims for growth

September 12, 2024 by Ted Evans

After its recent founding, the Great Lakes Islands Alliance (GLIA) announced its first ever strategic plan on Sept. 3.

The plan, spanning to 2034, looks to address challenges facing Great Lakes islands, such as emergency preparedness and general communications.

The alliance’s foundational charter helped shape the creation of the plan, and their focus on growth. The four goals within the charter are: facilitating connection between island communities, improving information access, encouraging multi-island collaboration, and amplifying island voices. With the plan, GLIA also looks to improve its long-term sustainability, as well as its environmental and socio-economic program areas.

CJAI has more on the story.

Loyalist Township introduces new online engagement platform for residents

September 6, 2024 by Ted Evans

Loyalist Township launched a new online engagement platform yesterday and are encouraging residents to have their say.

Engage Loyalist features a number of current initiatives that the township has opened up for public input.

The platform features seven current initiatives including public transit improvements, the 2025 municipal budget, the township’s solid waste management master plan, as well as various construction and reconstruction projects. There is background information and current statistics available alongside each initiative, as well as a form to submit comments or questions directly related to the initiative.

Staff at Loyalist Township believe the platform is a more proactive way to engage with members of the public. They hope it will encourage more questions and feedback to come in before decisions are made by council. The platform asks users to sign-up in order to have their say, and stay up to date.

L&A Studio Tour to host live music for first time

August 30, 2024 by Ted Evans

The L&A Studio Tour will feature live music at the studios for the first time this year.

The weekend features 32 artists in 17 studios located in Lennox and Addington County. The tour runs Sept. 7- 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, and participants are invited to visit different studios throughout the county.

With a chance to meet artists in their studios and homes, there will also be live music taking place in various spaces from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day. Participants can learn about each artist’s artistic process, see demos in various mediums, and purchase new artworks from the artists. The musical acts to be featured throughout the weekend are Kathryn McConnell, Tim Babcock, The Cork Sniffers, Jen Calder, Steve Giberson, Kay Francis, and Steve Tanner.

It is a self-guided tour with no cost for admission. A tour map and guide-book are available for download on the event website.

Family physician recruitment program a success in Loyalist, staff look ahead to further growth

Community grant applications approved by council

Council denies applications to advance proposed development in Odessa

Community grant committee backs $50,000 request from Partners in Mission Foodbank

Some policies still a concern for council as 2024 Provincial Planning Statement comes into effect

Loyalist looks to second round of water systems funding to upgrade water pollution control plant

Township keeps water rates low for new water station

Amherst Island Recreation Association to receive $5000 annually for programming

County to explore $15M affordable housing project

Great Lakes Islands Alliance announces first ever strategic plan, aims for growth

Loyalist Township introduces new online engagement platform for residents

L&A Studio Tour to host live music for first time

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