‘Status quo’ was the decision by Tiny council to wait for a staff report on the municipal areas of Wahnekewening Beach.
Council discussed a deputation brought forward last month by representative Mark Vanderheyden of the Wahnekewening Beach Association (WBA) about intrusive delineation markers on owners’ properties, which the beach group felt would impede views and easement rights.
The delineation program by Tiny is aimed at accurately defining municipally-owned lands, including the vegetation and dunes of Plan 763 Block A, and the private lots of Wahnekewening Drive in Block B, and the area of public beach located to the north of Concession 13.
Vanderheyden noted that construction at property edges would disrupt views, easement rights, and could disrupt service lines for wells and pumps.
Coun. Cindy Hastings had looked closely at Vanderheyden’s letter to council and noted concern in the construction.
“I just want to clarify,” explained Hastings, “our intent was simply to survey, put in the delineation posts, and not to put any structures. The whole goal of this is to make sure no one has structures that’s impeding the use for anyone to use that particular piece of beach.”
Public works director Tim Leitch agreed, adding that the three-inch galvanized posts were “a nice soft way of identifying where property boundaries are” without the need for kilometres of fencing, railing, structures, or buildings for the time being.
Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma supported the continuity of beaches throughout the municipality.
“We have, in the past, had lots of altercations at numerous beaches with regards to OPP not knowing where public property ends and private property begins, and this is a very non-invasive way of showing that,” said Walma. “Hopefully to decrease some of that confusion on some of those trespassing calls, and it will also show our public where the municipal land is.”
Both Coun. John Bryant and Gibb Wishart cautioned for flexibility from staff in handling existing wells, to make sure that safety and security were of importance for the public and the private owners. Leitch confirmed that due to pre-existing fencing and already constructed structures within private properties, delineation would require a case-by-case basis of examination for items identified in the process.
Regarding encroachment agreements and limitations, Leitch noted, “We will work with all the owners along our shoreline that have these situations, to make sure that all parties including themselves are covered.”
Council voted in favour of proceeding with the previous direction to remain status quo with the delineation, with a report from staff anticipated for an upcoming meeting.
Previously, Vanderheyden sought to clarify that the WBA had welcomed public use on the beach for years prior to Tiny acquiring the property in 2001.
The deputation and slideshow information from the WBA can be viewed within the agenda page located on the Tiny Township website.
Archives of council meetings are available to view on Tiny township’s YouTube channel.
