🏡 Faraday Township Council Breakdown: Multi-Unit Zoning, Rising OPP Costs & Key Local Updates! 🌲

Keeping our community informed is essential to protect property values, understand municipal tax impacts, and stay ahead of local growth! 📜✨ Below is a deep dive into the decisions, debates, and staff reports from the Faraday Township Council Meeting on September 2, 2026.

🏛️ Summary of Impactful Decisions for Residents

• Multi-Unit Rezoning Approved: Council passed By-law 51-2026, approving a rezoning application for 27466 Highway 28 (Part Lot 32, Concession 8) from Rural (RU) to Rural Exception No. 15 (RU-15). This allows a principal dwelling plus two additional residential units (ARUs) in standalone accessory structures.

• Delegation of Sickness/Poverty Tax Appeals: Council voted to delegate tax reduction/cancellation applications under Section 357(1)(d.1) of the Municipal Act (based on sickness or extreme poverty) directly to the Assessment Review Board (ARB).

• New Bottle & Can Recycling Schedule: Following the Municipal Dog Pound Board's exit from collecting empty alcohol containers at the landfill and community centre, Council voted to set up a rotating schedule for local non-profit groups to collect empties and retain the fundraising proceeds.

• November Council Meeting Cancelled: Due to the upcoming municipal election on October 26, 2026, and the new Council term taking effect on November 15, Council officially cancelled the November 4, 2026 meeting.

• CBO & Joint Enforcement Shared Agreement: Council passed By-law 52-2026, executing a shared Chief Building Official (CBO) and By-law Enforcement agreement with the Townships of Tudor & Cashel and Wollaston.

• Operations Leadership Appointment: Following closed session discussions, Council appointed Bill Mackey on a full-time, permanent basis as working Roads Superintendent.

🔥 The Big News & Controversy: 3 Dwellings on One Rural Parcel!

💥 What Was Debated?

The public meeting featured a detailed review of the rezoning application at 27466 Highway 28. The applicant requested permission to establish three separate residential buildings on an 89.1-acre (36.1-hectare) parcel located near Paudash Lake.

While County Planning, the Crowe Valley Conservation Authority, and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) had no objections, neighbour feedback raised eyebrows regarding early construction activities and proximity to neighbouring lot lines. Planning staff clarified that all three dwellings will share a single entrance onto Highway 28, no additional dwelling units can be attached or added to any of the structures, and future severance is prevented due to the single access point.

🤔 Why It Matters to Locals

As housing shortages affect rural areas across Ontario, municipalities are balancing density needs against rural lifestyle and environmental preservation. Allowing up to three independent residential structures on a single rural lot sets a notable local precedent for property use while maintaining strict limits against unbridled severances or multi-driveway expansions onto Highway 28.

📈 The Real Estate Impact

• Unlocking Multi-Generational & Rental Potential: Multi-unit zoning flexibility enhances property utility. Landowners with large acreages can house multi-generational families or create additional long-term rental income without needing to undergo costly severance processes.

• Strict Limits Prevent Over-Development: The specific RU-15 zoning exception explicitly prohibits attaching further secondary suites inside the buildings, preserving local density standards and environmental limits near Paudash Lake and Crowe River tributaries.

• Property Value Protection: Delegating tax appeal reviews to the ARB ensures standardized, expert handling of complex financial hardship claims without burdening municipal property tax resources.

🌲 The Local Perspective: Life in the Kawarthas & Highlands

• Lake & Watershed Health: Crowe Valley Conservation Authority confirmed the new structure falls outside mapped natural hazards and unevaluated wetlands. Planning staff emphasized keeping septic systems positioned as far back from waterfront features as possible to safeguard Paudash Lake water quality.

• Highway 28 Road Safety: Safety along the Highway 28 corridor remains top-of-mind. Faraday Township continues to coordinate with neighbouring municipalities and the MTO regarding traffic flow, turning lanes, and corridor safety improvements.

• Community Recycling Support: Transitioning the landfill bottle return program to local groups—such as Minor Hockey, Community Care, and the WoodShare program—turns waste management into thousands of dollars in direct local fundraising! 🏒🪵

📊 Summary of Staff Reports

• CAO / Clerk-Treasurer Report:

  • OPP Policing Costs: Received notice from the Solicitor General that 2027 OPP municipal policing costs will see an increase capped at 11% over 2026. For Faraday, an 11% increase on 2026's $481,561 cost equals an estimated $52,971.71 increase (~1.77% municipal tax impact).

  • 2026 Municipal Election: Official candidate list certified. Mayor Dennis Purcell and Deputy Mayor Marg Nicholson have been acclaimed. Seven candidates are running for three Councillor seats. Telephone and internet voting runs October 13–26, 2026. Inaugural meeting for the new Council is set for November 16, 2026.

• Operations Department Report:

  • Roads Work: Monck Road construction (pavement and shouldering) is complete. Cross culverts were installed on Bierworth & Fuller Road.

  • Winter Prep: 2,700 tonnes of winter sand and 74.83 tonnes of salt have been stocked.

• Building & By-law Department Report:

  • Permit Activity: Issued 9 building permits in August (including 2 single-family dwellings and 2 septic systems) with a construction value of $1,150,040.00. Conducted 27 site inspections.

• Fire Department Report:

  • Responded to 2 alarm calls in August. Annual safety checks for equipment are scheduled for November.

🏡 Real Estate Integration & Property Impact

Property Impact Note: Thinking about adding an additional dwelling unit, build-out, or secondary cabin on your rural or waterfront property in Faraday Township? Navigating local zoning exceptions, environmental setbacks, and MTO entrance permits is critical to protecting your land value and sale potential! 🛠️🌲

📞 Call 

Questions about anything REAL ESTATE?? Call me for a consultation to help you get to the path of YOUR success….

📞 705-927-6236

👤 Brad Sinclair | Realtor® Re/Max Professionals North

📍 Might as well have the BEST to accomplish your goals.

Families love the Kawarthas/Highlands. Let’s find your place in it.

👇 Help keep our community informed—hit Share to pass this update along to your neighbours. 🏫✨