A Report to Council in 2018 on Beach Roads:
Years ago, farmers and lakefront land owners developed their lake front properties into summer cottages. In some instances, no engineering was utilized to develop a proper subdivision with consideration to traffic flow, utility services, or road allowances. As a result, a variety of road designs and conditions exist.
Around the 60’s and 70’s, these cottages began to turn into permanent homes. It was understood that these roads were not maintained by the Town and the owners had to accept the problems associated with them. (i.e. drainage, maintenance).
Currently there are over forty beach roads not assumed by the town, seventeen of which are owned but not assumed, and the remaining are not owned and not assumed (essentially private). Most of the roads in which the Town owns but does not assume were registered to the Town under an old plan of subdivision. Again, these roads have not been assumed and therefore not maintained by the Town. There is a variety of ownership patterns for those roads not assumed and not owned by the Town.
Before 2010, a Private Beach Road Committee was formed to tackle the issues faced with assuming beach roads. At the time there was discussion around the Town eventually assuming all beach roads but our current policy states that we require that the road first be developed to meet certain minimum standards prior to the Town’s assumption.
- Road width: 7m min
- Granular Road Base; 300mm min
- Investigate Drainage. If none exists, storm system must be installed with quality treatment to prevent natural channels.
- Address conditions of existing road crossing culverts and bridges.
- Removal of existing obstructions (trees, roots, brush, boulders, etc).
- Acquire additional land or easements to bring the road allowance to Municipal Standards.
- Removal/improvement of dead ends.
- Signage.
- Lighting.
Developing the items above will mean the road will meet minimum standards and allow for proper operations and maintenance. Emergency services and essential services will also improve.
How do we, and who pays to develop the road to a minimum standard?
The residents can petition the municipality into drainage systems under the Drainage Act. In order for a Drainage Report to be generated, approval from 51% of the landowners or 60% of the area requiring drainage must be achieved. The town can also propose the works under the Local Improvement Act. Similarly, 51% of the property owners would have to approve the works in order to proceed. The costs of construction are typically split based on a formula which is usually derived from lot frontage.
The Town needs to be consistent in their approach. Although each beach road is unique and will require various levels of upgrade, the approach should be similar; road width, base, drainage, etc. It is also important to note that the residents must want the Town to assume and maintain the road. If the majority of residents are opposed, neither of the methods for payment described above will allow the project to proceed to construction.
Town of Essex Beach Roads Maps:
