Development

Develop our lakes sustainably, prioritizing the environment and community well-being.

The Town's Official Plan and Comprehensive Zoning By-law have Kahshe Lake-specific sections, driven mainly by the Kahshe Lake Plan. The KBLA’s active intervention has influenced rules that apply to most development activities.

Change is inevitable because lake residents’ needs and visions inevitably change. However, no one wants untrammeled development that could run roughshod over our lake lifestyle. The Town of Gravenhurst is responsible for ensuring change falls within the guidelines set out in its Official Plan and Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw. The good news is that both have sections specific to Kahshe Lake and Bass Lake, driven largely by the Kahshe Lake Plan, a comprehensive and ambitious document undertaken by the KBLA in 2000 (published 2003). The association continues to play a role in the way our lakeside community grows.

KBLA Town and District Liaison Committee

The KBLA Town and District Liaison Committee has a mandate that allows it to view and comment on any minor variances and zoning amendment applications for properties bordering on both lakes. The committee can involve other committees and KBLA members in reviewing large or sensitive applications. It sends its recommendations to the KBLA board, which, in turn, may decide to send a letter to the Town stating its stance.

Over time, the committee will analyze the applications to seek amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw to either reduce unreasonable demands on residents seeking building permits or fix bylaw weaknesses.

Guiding Criteria

Environmental Impact

  • How does the proposed development affect the forest, shoreline, and adjacent water quality?
  • Would there be material, long-term damage that would be unacceptable to the communities?

Visual Impact

  • Within reason, would the project negatively affect the appearance of the property and its enjoyment by community members?

Property Value

  • Would anything about the project lower the property value of its immediate neighbors or of the lake community in general?

Compatability

  • Is the project a good fit in terms of the use and appearance of its neighbors – and of the property use generally about the lakes.

Neighbors

  • To the best of the committee’s knowledge, are the neighbors on board?
  • Do they want to see this get the go-ahead?

Town Staff

  • Is there information available from staff that would help inform the committee’s opinion?

Limiting Factors

  • What alternatives are there to this proposal?
  • Are there factors, such as the nature of the shoreline, terrain, property line location, and rights of way, that restrict the development options?

Zoning Amendments and Minor Variances

The Town of Gravenhurst holds the responsibility of ensuring that modifications to properties align with its regulations, as outlined in key documents like the Official Plan and the Comprehensive Zoning By-law.

Changes that are consistent with these rules will be approved by the Town. When proposed changes aren’t consistent with the rules, a zoning amendment or minor variance may be requested by the resident proposing the change.

In 2012, the KBLA Board of Directors adopted the following policy for reviewing Minor Variance and Zoning Amendment Applications:

  • The KBLA will request that the Town of Gravenhurst inform it of each Minor Variance and Zoning Amendment Application (“Application”) for properties bordering Kahshe and Bass Lakes.
  • The KBLA’s Town and District Liaison Committee may review each Application, and while doing so, will inquire with the Town’s Development Services staff to determine its stance on the Application.
  • In reviewing an Application, the Town and District Liaison Committee will be guided by these criteria:
  • Impact on the biological environment: Would the proposed development damage the natural environment in a way that is material, long-term, and unacceptable to the members of the Kahshe community? This criterion would be applied separately to the impact on the forest, the shoreline, and the quality of the adjacent water.
    • Impact on the visual environment: Would the proposed development permanently diminish the appearance of the property to the extent that other members of the community, acting reasonably, would report that their enjoyment of the location had been materially and negatively affected?
    • Property value: Would anything about the development diminish the property values of the immediate neighbors or the general Kahshe community?
    • Compatibility: Is the requested change reasonably compatible with the use and appearance of the immediately surrounding properties? And with the general property use in the Kahshe community?
    • Neighbors: To the best of our knowledge do any of the immediate neighbours object to the application? Conversely, are they in favor of it? Do they consider the proposed change to be good for the immediate area and wish to see it approved?
    • Town Staff: Do we have any information from Town staff or members of the Council that would make us better informed about the application and help us to render a more reasoned opinion?
    • Limiting factors: Are there any aspects of the property – e.g. terrain, nature of the shoreline, location of property lines, location of power lines, rights of way – that restrict the development options of the owner and make the proposed application the only reasonable alternative?
  • The Town and District Liaison Committee will involve other KLRA organizational components in reviewing large or sensitive Applications.
  • The KBLA’s Town and District Liaison Committee will provide a recommendation regarding the application to the KBLA Board. The KBLA Board (or a designated subset of it) may decide to send a letter to the Town indicating its stance on the Application. If a letter is to be sent, it will be prepared and sent by the KBLA President, and a copy will be provided to the KBLA Secretary for archival purposes.
  • The KBLA’s Town and District Liaison Committee will analyze the nature of Applications over time to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw to a) reduce unreasonable demands on residents seeking building permits, and b) fix weaknesses that may become apparent.

Building and Renovation Projects

Building Permits

Building permits are required for most building or renovation projects on your property, including some demolition projects. You also need a permit for the installation, repair, or replacement of a septic system, dock, or deck.

If you are in doubt about whether or not you need a permit, call the Town of Gravenhurst Building Department: at 705-687-3412 or visit the Applications, Licences and Permits section of the Town of Gravenhurst website.

Even if a building permit is not required for the work you want to do, you are still required to meet the Zoning By-law and Building Code requirements. Some shoreline construction projects may also require approvals/permits from the Ministry of Natural Resources or the Federal Dept of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Town of Gravenhurst will advise you when this is necessary.

Building Permit Application

You apply for a building permit at the Town Office. You will need a site plan or scaled drawing showing what you propose to construct, and a cost estimate of the project.

Planning Your Project

The Zoning By-law establishes several restrictions that you have to meet. The yard and setback requirements for buildings vary depending on the zone that you are in and the type of building. Before you prepare your plans, make sure you check the zone requirements that apply to your property.

Always check with the town building department to confirm the actual requirements that you need to follow.

Maintaining Undeveloped Shoreline

A major priority of the KBLA Lake Plan is the conservation of a reasonable portion of an environmentally important shoreline in its natural state. This is a challenge because less than 15% of our shoreline is public land, including government road allowances. (The MNR regards at least 25% as desirable.) A priority is to take appropriate steps towards assuring that this land is secure from development.

In addition, there are various possibilities for protecting important portions of the land. These include encouraging large landowners to set up land trusts, conservation easements, forest management arrangements, or stewardship programs. Many of these programs offer tax incentives. The Muskoka Heritage Foundation plays a key role in a number of these programs and has a wealth of information on them. The KBLA is keen to explore possibilities with interested persons.

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