The people have spoken.
Following vociferous opposition from community members, at its January 14 meeting, Lake of Bays Council agreed to move forward with repealing its Roads License Agreement byalw.
Existing Lake of Bays properties that require an unopened municipal road allowance for access will be grandfathered. Property owners will no longer be required to enter into an access agreement with the Township, survey the land, pay annual fees, and insure it.
Pending further public input and final approval scheduled for the February 11 meeting of council, the program will essentially revert to its original application, requiring agreements on a one-time basis for new access only during the construction stage in order to get permission for improvements such as the addition of culverts, removal of vegetation or the building of a road.
“If they require a legal title for sale or purchase of land, then they will either be required to enter into an agreement, or they can apply to purchase the land,” explained Township Director of Corporate Services/Clerk Carrie Sykes, who submitted the staff report to council along with the Superintendent of Public Works, Steve Peace.
Sykes told councillors that the recommendations being made “remove the increased scope of the License Agreement Program and essentially peel it back to its original intent under the Unassumed Road Improvement Agreement. This should alleviate the majority of concerns raised over the Roads License Agreement Program.”
She also said staff will consider potentially reimbursing those applicants who did apply under the Program. She said more information will be provided at the February 11 council meeting.
Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover acknowledged how difficult the issue has been for those affected and gave thanks to those who helped clarify the situation. “One thing I haven’t said, and I think needs to be said, is that I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the hardships this may have caused, along with the frustration and uncertainty experienced by those affected. Councils have an important role in shaping policies that serve our community. When a policy causes division or damages the relationship between the public and the Township, we are responsible for reassessing and making things right. That’s where we are now,” he said. “The recommendations in the report will help us move away from the Roads License Agreement bylaw and start repairing relationships.”
Glover said the original goal of the policy was to protect residents, “and while legal advice is essential, it is clear we need to find a balance… we welcome your feedback as we work to fix what went wrong. It’s not just about refining policy; it’s about rebuilding trust and closing this issue properly.”
He said residents will have a month to express any further concerns before council makes final decisions.
“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,” he added. “In the coming months, we will also prioritize training for both staff and council on best practices for implementing new programs that affect specific groups.”
Councillor George Anderson declared a conflict at the beginning of the discussions and left the table.
You can find the staff report HERE (pfd).
How to Participate
- Review the draft report titled “Future of the Roads License Agreement Program”
- If you wish to share your feedback, submit written comments to the Clerk’s Office. Email your submissions to [email protected].
- If you wish to speak at the February 11, 2025, Council meeting, submit a delegation request.
- Attend or view online the February 11, 2025, Council Meeting, where Council will review public feedback and may proceed with finalizing and adopting the proposed changes to the RLA Program.
Related
Former mayors question the need for Roads License Agreements in LOB
Lake of Bays holds off on road license agreements for 180 days
Lake of Bays residents up in arms over required access agreements
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Thank goodness this whole RLA matter is ending, once and for all. Repeal of the by-law was always the right thing to do, with unanimous agreement RLA’s were never needed for existing roads. This removes the noose around the neck of the many, many affected taxpayers. It is also greatly appreciated the tone and comments from the mayor, working to rebuild trust with residents.