2025 Labour Day Holiday Weekend edition
This issue:
Some key response deadlines (Sept 2 for comprehensive zoning bylaw review!)
Annual General Meeting recap
October Town Hall date TBA!
Remember to pay your dues if you haven’t already
As we broadcast this morning, the mist is still rising off the lake after another cool night. Reminiscent of years past! Labour Day weekend has traditionally been the end of the summer season for many, but in more recent years the season is much longer. This issue offers some reporting back, but most importantly reminders that there are deadlines imminent for:
Proposed Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw change (Sept 2 ! link to comment form https://www.thearchipelago.on.ca/p/comprehensive-zoning-by-law-review-
Respond to the Vison 2050 GBA strategic plan survey. https://georgianbay.ca/news/help-shape-the-future-of-georgian-bay-take-the-vision-2050-survey
Consent form for free connectivity infrastructure. See Councillor Darlene Cade’s communiciations on this if form link doesn’t work. https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=OeMDwZsUjk2iZpykoEMZiJ7cexqN589Ipg93zDkq0qBUMVNRODJNQTQ1RlZUVUU1MDVKWTlEV1NTNi4u&route=shorturl
We hope as many ratepayers as possible will be able to join a zoom town hall in October. The online format will allow broader participation and a more formal vote track methodology for proposals coming forward.. As previously reported, proposals will include any action on the TOA fire response contract that renews in 2026, plus any changes to membership fees and related dues. to oter bodies.
But for now, HAVE A GREAT, SAFE long weekend!
COMPREHENSIVE ZONING BYLAW -proposed
The deadline for feedback is Tuesday, September 2nd. As explained by Councillor Darlene Cade at the Annual General Meeting, the one substantive change is to increase the setback from 7.5 metres to 15 metres - consistent with the last decade or so of discussion around “the ribbon of life. Here is a link to the information and response form.
https://www.thearchipelago.on.ca/p/comprehensive-zoning-by-law-review-
The primary concern that has arisen so far is around implications to properties where main buildings might now fall within the increased setback. Here is a verbatim summary from TOA staff:
“Any building that legally exists, but does not comply to a new setback, would be classified as legally non-complying and would be “grandfathered”.
Sections of the By-law have provisions that address these situations and allow for those buildings to be maintained and rebuilt at the existing footprint. Further, with respect to existing main dwellings that do not comply with the front yard setback, there is an additional provision that allows for their expansion, provided the expansion is no more then 50% of the existing size and does not further encroach into the front yard setback. These regulations are outlined in the existing Section 5.22 c) (which is now Proposed section 5.25 b) due to renumbering in the draft by-law). “
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - recap
An online 2025 dues payment and membership application can be found on our website. Electronic contactless payment of annual dues very much appreciated. E-transfer $100.00 to blackstone.lake115@gmail.com. Your dues must be paid to have a legal vote at the AGM or other member meetings.
The Annual Meeting of the Blackstone Lake Cottagers Association was held on August 16th on Myrtle Island. Highlights included:
election of four new board members
thanking retiring Board member Barb Metelka for decades of service
honouring Carolyn Rymel’s memory and as an inaugural Champion of the Bay (2024)
nominating Andy Metelka for the Champion of the Bay for 2025
approval to purchase an additional AED to be housed with first responders
updates on invasive species, internet connectivity, proposed Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw and more.
The Annual General Meeting minutes can be found here .https://blackstonelakeca.ca/annual-general-meetings
:Thank you to Kevin McCarthy for again agreeing to host. To Mary Hudson for annual signage, Cheryl Ward and Kathy Watts for organizing the meeting, and to all that helped out. Special thanks Kai Deuitch and first responders.
STAY TUNED FOR A “SAVE THE DATE” MESSAGE AND DETAILS FOR OCTOBER ZOOM TOWN HALL.
Other Legal Stuff to know about:
New Boat Licensing requirement if your motor is greater than 10 horsepower. You can learn more here.
A reminder to subscribe to Councillor Darlene Cade’s communication list for the latest and most time sensitive news.
Catch up on the latest from the Georgian Bay Association and the Federation of Ontario Cottagers. Good info on all kinds of topics.
Add to our mailing list!
ARE WE SENDING TO THE RIGHT EMAIL? Want to add family members?
Your Board of Directors from all parts of the lake:
Kathy Watts,, Andy Metelka, Cheryl Ward, Erik Mathiesen, Kai Deuitch, Kevin McCarthy, June Kingston, Rob Moos
