Hamlets in King Township
Land Use in Hamlets and Rural areas
Though smaller than villages, our hamlets are friendly communities that are known for their passion and fun country events su
ch as country dances at the Laskay Hall, skating parties at the Pottageville pond or whooping it up at the Kettleby Fair www.village.kettleby.on.ca.
In 2003, the Township undertook official plan amendment (OPA) # 230 to revise the policies and land use designations of the Hamlet Secondary Plan to ensure their conformity with the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan. www.king.ca/files/documents/OPA 230 Hamlet.pdf
Rural areas comprise most of the Township, with 70% of the Township in the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Holland Marsh within the Greenbelt, there are few areas in King not covered by Provincial Planning Acts. Official Plan #58 is the rural area plan, in 2003 it was updated to conform the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan. www.king.ca/files/documents/Amendment to OPA 580 FINAL 2.pdf
Land uses in the rural areas range from estate residential to agriculture, institutional to light industrial and commercial uses. One of the largest problems in rural areas is compatibility issues between neighbours with differing land uses. While planning tries to solve this, there are many existing non-conforming uses or 'grandfathered uses throughout King.
Current Issues in Our Rural Areas
Kettleby News
NO
HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT FOR KETTLEBY. On October 20th,
2008, King
Council decided to conclude the attempt to establish a heritage
conservation
district for
disappointed at this outcome but agreed that there were flaws in the
process
that had been followed. They have advised Council that they would
like to
see the issue re-opened at a later date.
427
If the 427 is extended to Highway 9 it will bring a number of threats to our rural areas in addition to its disastrous impact on the moraine. Just as highway 400 .....an extended 427 will increase traffic volumes throughout the west side of King. Dozens of farms and businesses will be lost, in addition to the potential contamination of water wells with salt runoff and traffic noise. See the transportation section for more information on the potential 427 extension.
Water issues
King currently has seven golf courses operating in our rural areas. A recently released report addresses the serious concerns regarding water taking by golf courses. www.ecojustice.ca/publications/ontarios-water-hazard/attachment
Well contamination from road salt is another issue affecting some landowners adjacent to commuter roads. For information on maintaining and monitoring the quality and quantity of well water, visit www.wellwise.ca
Trespassing on rural land
ATV's running over farmers fields, on trails and illegal activities such as dumping are a big concern. If you spot questionable activity, please report it.
Fill and Tree cutting by-laws
The Township of King requires a permit before dumping fill or site alteration takes place. Please contact the Township ( 905-833-5321) if you see illegal filling of wetlands, ditches or on land where no permit is visible. www.king.ca/public/bylaws.cfm
A permit must be obtained before cutting a tree in King. www.york.ca/Services/Environmental/Tree-By-law/default+tree+by+law.htm Contact Cat Cybulski, R.P.F. Area Forester (905) 895-1200 extension 5275 to report a violation or to request a permit.
Trails and Conservation
It is evident that most of King's landowners care for the land in many ways, some contact Ducks Unlimited to restore a wetland, while others manage a forest or leave hedgerows. The Happy Valley forest, (www.fightingforcanada.ca/feature4.html) is one of the largest (1,500 acre) remaining intact deciduous forests on the Oak Ridges Moraine. Many landowners in this area have been contacted by the Nature Conservancy of Canada to make a donation of land or to place a conservation easement on their property. Hundreds of acres of land in King is protected through the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
One of the best ways to experience King is by walking on the Oak Ridges Trail (www.oakridgestrail.org). Fortunately for us, many landowners in King host the Oak Ridge Trail on their property allowing us all to experience nature firsthand and get some great exercise. Our forests and wetlands are valuable and are increasingly under the microscope at the University of Toronto Koffler Scientific Research Centre in the north east corner of the Township. www.zoo.utoronto.ca/jokershill/jh.html.
In order to view all site content, a recent version of the Flash player and Adobe Reader are required