More work required on outdoor furnace regulations

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Craig Bakay

EMC News It's back to the drawing board for South Frontenac's policy makers when it comes to regulating outdoor furnaces, following a discussion at last week's Committee of the Whole meeting in Sydenham.

In a report to Council, Planner Lindsay Mills said a proposed zoning bylaw amendment in June of 2007 had not been passed because Council at the time wanted more discussion on the matter.

"The report had been brought forward because of concerns that too many such furnaces were locating in built-up areas where their emissions were affecting residents nearby," Mills' report said. "Property owners expressed fears that no one knew what was being burned in the furnaces and that some of the material may be toxic affecting the health of them and their children.

"Thus, by regulating their use, the Township could at least require future proposed furnaces to locate in rural areas away from concentrated residential development."

Under the proposed bylaw amendment, an outdoor furnace would be defined as an accessory stand-alone building or structure that operates as a heat source for domestic and/or hot water for associated buildings on the same parcel.

The amending bylaw proposed the following regulations:

- An outdoor furnace shall only be permitted in an Agricultural Zone or Rural Zone

- Setback form any abutting lot whose only permitted used is residential will be 50 metres (164 feet) minimum

- Setback from any other lot line will be 30 metres (98.4 feet)

- The installation of such building/structure shall require a building permit

- The operation of outdoor furnaces is prohibited between May 1 and Oct. 1

The report noted that the May-October restriction may not be practical as some residents used the furnace to heat their water and/or swimming pools.

"I can't support this the way it is," said Coun. Ron Vandewal. "When I come into Sydenham in the winter, you can't see Sydenham for all the wood stoves burning."

"I quite agree with Ron," said Coun. Bill Robinson. "I don't think we can tell people they can't have one."

"We have had increasing complaints," said Mayor Gary Davison. "We need to get into committee and have a look at policies of other municipalities."