Council's discussion was explicit - they should ensure that the policy never apply to new builds.
In a Bluewater Special Council Meeting held on Monday, (October 30th) they got into some nasty business – the Septic System Holding Tank Policy was brought forward for comprehensive discussion.
Councilor Lamport initiated the discussion, citing several areas in the policy that needed attention, particularly regarding its alignment with the Ontario Building Code. He stressed that the policy should not solely apply to lakefront properties, as certain non-lakefront locations might also require temporary solutions. He provided an example of properties fronting a ravine that flows into the lake.
Councilor Whetstone expressed concern that if this were to happen, the policy might be applied more broadly than was appropriate.
Lamport countered this by highlighting that the Ontario Building Code’s requirements would limit such cases. He emphasized that the circumstances for installing holding tanks are very limited, with 98% of cases pertaining to Lake Huron fronted properties.
Development Manager Aaron Stewardson highlighted the importance of ensuring that holding tanks remain a temporary solution and shouldn’t facilitate substantial property expansions.
The discussion also addressed the need to adhere to the building code, with Mayor Paul Klopp stressing that the code should serve as their guide.
Councilors Lamport and Harris argued against limiting the size of future homes, acknowledging existing rules and the conservation authority’s restrictions.
Stewardson pointed out that if the policy is not explicit, people might interpret it in ways that the municipality would not want them to.
It was agreed that, in general, holding tanks should be discouraged for environmental and logistical reasons.
Amendments to the draft bylaw will be made based on the meeting and will be discussed further in a future council meeting for final approval.
Written by: B. Shakyaver