I just received an email from a Captain Estates Rd. Resident. This is as follows (once again, I have removed the name to protect privacy) .Dear candidates, I wish to bring to your attention an issue that has been created as a result of the Municpal Short term rental bylaws enacted and ask for your response before I vote. Captain Estates Road, Dunchurch is a Private Road which is maintained by a small collective of owners. The road is not maintained by the Municipality other than a contribution through the Roads Grant system which I am greatful for. I am not apposed to rentals however the conditions created by council for rental permits does not take into consideration the road infrasturcture, both road condition and tenure. There is a steep hill that is has a significant grade that some find difficult to navigate and there have been frequent incidents where tow trucks have been needed, I myself came to the aid of several tenants this year as did my brother. There are site distance and the road is maintained to a very minimal standard (if you can call it that). Please consider this and let me and the other (ccd) property owners know if you think this is something that council should deal with or the private road owners. If it is the council, how would you propose to deal with it? Some suggestions may be increased municipal rental permit fees with the funds going into the road maintenance, elimination of rentals on unassumed roads, eliminating rentals if they are beyond (physically) a identified road maintenance concern/challenge until that challenge is corrected, increasing the road grants for roads with rental permit properties. Thanks for your consideration. (name withheld for privacy) Captain Estate Rd. Resident MY REPLY: Good Evening --------- My apologies for the tardy reply as this has just arrived in my mailbox due to slow internet. (Another part of my agenda should I be elected) To address your concerns about private roads and cottage rentals. Two separate issues that are intertwined. I would like to take a stand on both of these issues as I feel that they are extremely relevant to our residents, seasonal and permanent. In my eyes, there should be no designation, we are all rate payers, we all support this so called infrastructure in Dunchurch/Whitestone and in many situations the seasonal residents contribute the majority of the tax base. To me, this is very discriminatory and should not be so, Both should have equal say and amenities. Should we not be doing everything we can to build, create, to invite our seasonal residents to retire and live here full time? To address the short term rental issue: I realize that my thoughts and focus on this will not be the popular vote. In fact today, I was confronted by a Lady who identified herself as a Renter and she asked my feelings. I stated that I was NOT IN FAVOUR of short term rentals, I cannot see that they do anything good for the Municipality of Whitestone, our waterways, our roads, our conservation, and our rate payers that purchased their properties to enjoy them. I advised her that Whitestone is one of the few designations that even entertain this thinking as it has been closed in areas such as many of the Muskoka villages that border us. I stood on my ground that this is killing any economy for small business cottage rentals, resorts etc and that private rentals DO NOT FOLLOW THE SAME RULES as those designated commercial properties. I also reminded her that we have many residents that DO NOT and WILL not rent out their properties. I also reminded her that the permit that is currently in place, (that of which I feel needs attention in a serious manner) designates no less than a one month rental. I was informed that she would have to sell, she can only afford her cottage as she rents it out many weeks to pay for it. I suggested that she pay commercial taxes, commercial mortgage , have proof of septic assurance, provide monthly Govt water testing as well as pay commercial insurance on this property. I am sorry, I do not side with the thought that this is my property and I can do what I like. I would happily see the Municipality pass a law that there are NO PRIVATE COTTAGE RENTALS, unless all documentation is supplied and approved by neighbours on all sides and roads. I would like to make note that although we own a cottage resort in Whitestone on Hwy 124, all of our cabins have been rented full time from May thru October by returning families for the past three years. My thoughts on private rentals do not affect our business. Our roads need to be dealt with. Captain Estates is in a deplorable state. My husband and I were recently stuck with a four wheel drive truck and had to be rescued by a resident, Dom Murphy. The damage we did on the road, due to being stuck caused hardship and I am certain that this happens daily. Any rental cottager would have no idea of the disrepair of this road and would continue to erode the already poorest of road conditions within Whitestone.I ask, what happens if someone requires medical intervention and they cannot be reached due to impassible roads in a Municipality? We need to assume this road and make it navigable at least and without the use of a military HUM V. My concern with rental permits is, who will enforce this? the Lady I spoke with today already told me that she NEVER RENTS FOR ONE MONTH.. she rents weekly if that... there goes the permit she claims she has. We would have to enforce this. (more money spent) Private roads need much more attention, I will go forward to say that I will do everything I can to push this and assure that all roads occupied with homes or cottages are passable. I hope I have addressed your concerns, please contact me with any questions and concerns. Thank you, Cyndi
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 00:44:50 +0000
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