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Residents oppose Poplar Beach cottages

Huron-Kinloss council

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The owners of seven Poplar Beach cottages, along Boiler Beach Road, may want to remain, but other residents of Huron-Kinloss say those buildings should go.

At the July council meeting, the township agreed to allow the cottagers until Aug. 20 to make a last-ditch effort to convince council that the leases on the cottages should be renewed. Otherwise, they expire on Sept. 25.

At the general committee meeting last night (Aug. 4), Dale Walden, whose family has owned two cottages on Poplar Beach for 50 years, told the township the leases should not be renewed because the damage done to the beach area by these cottagers has never been addressed.

"Back in the mid-1980s, when the lake level was very high, these cottagers took it upon themselves to create a series of 'groynes' which are essentially piles of rocks that run perpendicular to the beach which stretch a few hundred feet out into the lake," said Walden. "These groynes were created by using a bulldozer to clear openings in front of the cottages and create a breakwater against the waves."

He said these changes were done without approval from the township, Bruce County, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, or the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority.

"The impacts of these changes are obvious if you visit the area today," said Walden. "They block walking access along the beach and the water is stagnant and full of algae. The beach cannot be naturally swept clean by the waves as the groynes prevent the waves from getting to the shore."

He said the groynes are now overgrown with grass and weeds and are an eyesore. "Extending these leases just rewards this group for the damage they have done. I also feel that they should be made to correct the damage as part of the end of the leases."

Walden said one of the most enjoyable parts of having a cottage in the area is being able to walk along the beach. "The damage that has been done to the beach creates the only obstruction that prevents a person from walking all the way from Kincardine to Pine River. During the high water level (period), you had to walk on the road to get around these cottages."

He is also concerned about the septic systems, and noted that these properties are close to the water table and only a short distance from the shoreline so should not have conventional septic systems.

"The township has started inspecting septic systems on a regular basis to help address the problem and is to be commended for this program," he said. "Let's not start making special deals for a specific group of cottagers that could further jeopardize the quality of the lake water."

In addition, Walden is concerned with the variation in the lake level. The present lake elevation is 578 feet above sea level, he said. "Seasonally, this elevation varies by about six to nine inches. In 1985, the elevation rose to 585 feet - which is seven feet higher than it is now. I remember seeing the waves come within feet of the porches of these cottagers during that time. It makes one wonder what will happen the next time the lake elevation rises and how high the water will go."

 

And that brings into question liablity, he said. "What liability will the township have if it extends these leases and these properties are damaged by the high water level or worse yet, the water is contaminated due to septic leakage?"

Finally, Walden said the special treatment for the seven cottages has gone on long enough. The neighbourhood has changed drastically and the fact that the cottagers are paying anywhere from $10 to $200 per year to lease the land for these cottages is "ridiculous.

"Cottages in the area rent for more than $200 per night," he said. "This 'sweet deal' is only available to these cottagers, none of which are original, and hardly seems fair to all those of us who have had to pay full market value for our properties."

He urged council to uphold its decision to let the leases expire and he looks forward to seeing the beach area return to a public beach for all to enjoy.

Patti and Peter Richards, who live on the east side of Boiler Beach Road, across from the cottages, wrote a letter to council, stating their objection to these cottages remaining.

Besides the concerns about the damage to the lake and septic systems, the Richards said there are vehicles parked virtually on the beach, year round, and the cottages jeopardize the long-term health of Lake Huron.

"Regardless of the history noted by Carl Mowbray, these cottages are not safe for the environment and pose significant risk to the lake and surrounding habitat," they wrote. "Council made the correct decision in allowing these leases to expire Sept. 25 and then demolishing these structures.."

In response to Walden's presentation, Mowbray noted that the piles of rocks (groynes) have been there since 1950 and have not changed. They were cleaned out in 1988, two years after the last high lake level incident, he said, and the ministry of natural resources was involved, not the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority.

"Council needs to look at the true data," he said.


 

 
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Wednesday, August 04, 2010