Dr. Mark D. Black

to 65 percent, depending on the size of the unit. Some households are waiting up to 14 years for an affordable housing opportunity.

2024 Budget

Historically, Kawartha Lakes has encouraged affordable housing by waiving development fees. Due to increased costs to construct new developments, these incentives are not enough to make a significant impact, representing only 3 to 6 percent of total costs for an affordable housing unit.

Property tax exemptions, land donation, rent subsidies, and capital funding are just a few ways the municipality can financially support development of affordable housing. Other opportunities include purchasing and converting rental properties to affordable units and supporting innovative building systems. The municipality can reserve servicing capacity for affordable housing, streamline planning processes, implement costs and fees for vacant or underdeveloped land and buildings, and advocate upper levels of government for support.

For the first time, the 2024 budget will include an affordable housing reserve, allowing the municipality to make meaningful investments in affordable housing. The presentation was concluded with a list of priority action items to bring us closer to achieving the plan’s targets.

UPDATE ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS

Next steps for the implementation of the new Short Term Rental (STR) Licensing Program have started. Once program details are finalized, more information on how to register your STR will be circulated.

While City of Kawartha Lakes staff work on finalizing those details, here is the anticipated STR program implementation timeline for the rest of the year:

Phase 1: July to August 2023

• Complete guidance and educational documents for STR owners

• Launch updated licensing and complaint tools

• Liaise with owners and start to register them

• Collect location data and begin STR mapping work

• Budget allocation

• Hire STR support staff

• Office space and equipment allocation for new staff

Phase 2: September to October 2023

• Launch STR call centre and 24/7 complaint line

• Utilize mapping and location data gathered in Phase 1 to engage STR owners for licensing purposes using compliance notices

• Train new staff

• Issue STR Business Licenses to registrants

Phase 3: November to December 2023

• Review the STR policy, by-law and processes

• Analyse collected STR data

• Invoice any offence fees to owners

• Full Program: January 2024 onwards Council will be provided with a progress report by

March 30, 2024

The report will potentially include any recommended program or by-law changes based off of the data that gets collected throughout the remainder of 2023

Although Staff will be sticking to the above timeline as closely as possible, please note that the implementation timeline is subject to change.

For more information about Short Term Rentals in Kawartha Lakes visit the Short Term Rental page on the City’s website.

Swing Bridge Status

City of Kawartha Lakes Ward 2 Councillor Pat Warren is keeping a close eye on the status of the Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge Project. On August 4, she posted this on her Facebook feed:

Good afternoon everyone,

I’m writing to provide an update on the Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge project.

As previously noted the bridge is now swinging. The end reaction testing (determining loads at the end of the bridge under different temperature scenarios) was completed this week. These results provide an indication of the required hydraulic power needed to push the bridge into the closed position. These results are being reviewed by the consultant engineer to determine if additional adjustments to the system are required. Results of this review are expected next week and will determine timing for the final pours on the abutments and paving.

A number of stakeholders have noted the messy condition of the construction site. In order to ensure that the project continues to move forward while the aforementioned analysis is occurring, the contractor has indicated that the following work will be undertaken next week:

• Site clean up, backfilling and landscape work

• Adjustments to various trench plating

• Completion of install of the flashing on the bridge

As noted in last week’s update, we continue to keep Parks Canada senior management updated on the status of this project. Earlier this week two senior engineers from Parks Canada’s national office visited the site to review the current status of the project and their feedback will be incorporated in the ongoing management of the project. Our priority remains to bring this project to a conclusion as soon as possible.

In term of public communications, we will be sending out another broad public update next week. The request for a public meeting of some kind is still under consideration and I’ll circle back on this point next week.

David Britton

Battery Safety

Improperly disposing of lithium-ion batteries, or electronics containing lithium-ion batteries, in your household recycling or waste is very dangerous and can lead to fires. All batteries are considered hazardous waste and should be treated as such. Batteries should never be recycled in your blue-box recycling.

them.”