County News
Roots
Huyck’s Pt. Road family discover the limitations of property ownership
The Root family has lived on County Road 20 or Huyck’s Point Road since it was called Lakeshore Road. Each summer, they host a gathering of friends and family for the weekend. Sometimes two. They arrive on Friday with trailers, RVs and tents. They sit around in large circles of folding lawn chairs—sharing stories, reuniting, and visiting. “What grade are you in now?”, “You’re growing like a bad weed.” sort of thing. On Sunday, sometimes Monday, they pack up and head home.
It all happens on Root land, a pretty spot overlooking the wide expanse of Lake Ontario.
But no more. On the long weekend, County bylaw enforcement officials informed them their gathering was illegal. They allowed the assembly to stay until Monday—but could never do this again.
Marilyn Root doesn’t know if the intervention by the County arose as a result of a complaint or a general increase in enforcement aimed at tourism and visitors. In any event, they are disappointed that a harmless gathering that impacted no one must be terminated. And for what? It is their land. They own the liability exposure if something went awry. They see this as a needless and harmful incursion to the rights and private enjoyment of their property.
According to Andy Harrison, Chief Bylaw Enforcement Official, use of travel trailers for habitation is not permitted on property within the Rural Residential 2 as the Root property is zoned.
“The aim of the restriction is to prevent unofficial campgrounds from popping up across the County where facilities (water, sewer, etc.) do not exist to support them,” said Harrison in a statement. “The illegal camping bylaw was also adjusted to deter people from camping or setting up their RVs wherever they choose. This was done in part to manage nuisance behaviour (garbage, noise, etc.) and discourage property owners from renting out their land to illegal campers.”
He added that when appropriate, bylaw enforcement attempts to educate the public about the rules that are in place in order to encourage compliance in the future.
“Because this was the first time this matter had come to the attention of bylaw enforcement, the officer opted to take the education approach, and no fines were levied, and the RVs were allowed to stay on the site for the weekend.”
He suggested tourism management strategies remain a work in progress.
“Like all new measures put in place this summer as part of the Tourism Management Plan, we continue to evaluate and monitor their implementation to ensure they are having the desired effect and to avoid any unintended consequences,” said Harrison. “Following the peak tourism season, we will undertake a fulsome review to determine if any adjustments need to be made in the future.”
Absolutely ludicrous! It’s plain to tell the Bylaw officer has not one once of compassion or discretion. Furthermore has no clue how to interpret the bylaw! Canada has a big problem with this.
Mayor today on 99.3 FM said this type situation to go ahead.
The County has lost their darn minds trying to run around implementing and enforcing such idiocies. This Bylaw has nothing to actually do with a weekend gathering on a privately owned property, this was enforced in an absolutely incorrect manner. As stated above “use of travel trailers for habitation is not permitted on property within the Rural Residential 2 as the Root property is zoned.” These trailers were not being used for “habitation”, that’s absurd. They were being used to accommodate sleeping guests for a weekend. Completely different. The County is spending far too much time running around trying to implement these sorts of things that don’t even have merit rather than addressing some of the real issues at hand. We own significant property in Demorestville, over the long weekend we had the fire chief attend our property because I refused to extinguish a camp fire my kids had to roast marshmallows. Apparently the smoke “bothered a neighbour” so they called the fire department. My husband is ON the fire department for Pete sake. They told me if I didn’t extinguish my fire I would face thousands in fines, so I had no choice. So there sat 4 children with tears streaming down their faces, on the second Canada Day where we could do nothing, because someone didn’t like our fire?! This way of thinking and better yet enforcing bylaws on benign situations is an asinine way of thinking. It will chase out of the county many of the people who built and worked to create the place we love. We very clearly need some new blood on council, someone who actually has the future of the County at heart. Someone who wants to being back the ethics and values that built this beautiful place. Trying to tell residents who own and pay their taxes that they cannot have a family gathering own their own property is absolutely not the direction we should be headed.
its family gathering, not like they were making money the government was not getting a part of! OMG , lots of people have reunions and family get together’s . they just happen to have a place for them to stay with out costing money and they are all together. the county has changed so much since i moved away , but this is rediculious, they have nothing better to do, really !! leave them alone !! what next , the kids cant play hockey in the street!! they are making to much noise, get a grip!
The County should be embarrassed. This is coming on Global News for all to hear.
So what the heck happened to allowing trailer on property as long as not a permanent dwelling. I call bullshit. Beyond unreal Commies!!!!
This is just ridiculous, they own the property and probably pay hudge landtaxes and there not allowed to have a gathering and a few campers over for a weekend so they can enjoy themselves, this is just nonsense totally just ludicrous. Have the gathering anyways and dont pay any fines screw em it’s your property not theres.
This is absolutely ridiculous! THEY OWN THE PROPERTY! If they were ranting their property to strangers, that’s one thing, but this was for a family get together!! Like seriously how far is the county going to go?? They have already damaged the tourism market, are they going to damage the local market too? I guess so. Just leave people be and worry about other spots like Point Petre where people are dumping and partying all summer long. Leave people alone on their own damn property!
Welcome to “The New” County…
If you aren’t from the 416, you aren’t welcome anymore.
I’d say this needs an evaluation. Ontario says that a place of residence staying anywhere without a 5 day break in a month.
Meaning you must leave for 5 days.
Family reunions/gatherings, blood relative or otherwise should not be discouraged.
Worry about other things like vandalism, building without permits, fire permit enforcement, fireworks enforcement, handicap parking, license plate sticker renewal. Only to name some things that have been in place for decades yet I see an awful lot of.
Let our families be.
Mayor Ferguson owes this family a personal, face-to-face apology. Period!
So… pitching a tent in the back yard for grandkids to sleep in is now illegal ???
What has happened to common sense.
If I own the land ,.. I clean the garbage up after the gathering is over ..I make sure that no sewage is released in to the ground…I have a controlled bonfire , with a permit…. i havemusic playing as well as yard games …I put my property back the way it was ….I pay the taxes , I obey the rules and I’ve worked to own property to call my own ..I should be able to have as many Family and friends as I would like !
100% agree
I have been having issues with bylaw for months!!!! They do not do the jobs they actually should and do whatever they want. They were supposed to be enforcing bylaw back the end of June at a county property that is breaking several laws including dumping human waste Onto the land and obviously then into drinking water of neighbours and a nearby camping ground. This has been going on for decades and andy Harrison still does nothing. How he keeps his job is beyond me.
County should be taken to Court on Constitutional rights. This move to control land owners has to end.
Private Property rights protection was purposely left out of the Constitution to satisfy Quebec and Manitoba .
Last straw, I want property rights back. What is Council doing and who are they really representing? Time to clean house and get some common sense that looks after locals, the hard working taxpayer.
Obviously, a mindless, erroneous interpretation of a bylaw, which is aimed at strangers setting up an overflow camp ground, not an innocent and might I say overdue family reunion get together . This apparent officer of municipal bylaws should be versed in the art of bylaw interpretation before he goes out and doing willy nilly interpreting. He should be ashamed of his lack of compassion for Family. Our hearts go out to the Roots family, especially for those not from PEC, is this the kind of advertising we want to convey to those from away ?
This municipal government currently in power is out of touch with the local community. Not only can we not enjoy our local attractions any longer but now we can’t even enjoy our own property with friends and family. This is the most ludicrous thing this council has come up with yet! I believe we need to clean house and get people on council that represent the people of the county and not the needs of tourists and imports.
David Markland, well said, I couldn’t agree with you more. It seems that county council has gotten more than they bargained for as far as attracting tourists to this area. Unfortunately that’s all they care about anymore, never mind the people who have lived and worked here for many many years.
Wait – What? So if everyone stayed in a tent instead of a trailer would that have been okay?
So, what is the deal then with the new pop-up site on Cty Rd18 when the park is full – is this one legal?
Seriously, we cannot get anyone to come out when someone camps illegally in our hay field but they don’t mind harassing long time, tax payment residents. Me thinks we duth run amuck in this County at the moment.
This is stupid its a family reunion type of thing and its not hurting anything. Its time to stop such BS from happening and let families get together
That’s very disturbing! Telling landowners they can’t have a few trailers on their Own Private Property for a weekend, Unbelievable!
According to Andy Harrison, Chief Bylaw Enforcement Official, use of travel trailers for habitation is not permitted
Definition of Habitation
: the act of inhabiting
: a dwelling place
: settlement, colony
“The aim of the restriction is to prevent unofficial campgrounds from popping up across the County
discourage property owners from renting out their land
Do the Roots intent to inhabit, dwell, settle or colonize by having family gather their trailers for the weekend?
The best question is…. Do the Roots charge rent for the trailers?
Bylaw Enforcement needs to look closer at the infraction and understand what is truly happening.
“Tourist management plan” = Bureaucratic manipulation way beyond the scope of your election or authority. Total infringement of property owner rights. This is a family and friends gathering, not a business.
Lawyer up folks!
The only winners in this game are lawyers.
That’s deplorable, that locals can’t hold a family gathering on their own property. I could understand if it was every wkend but once or twice a year should be allowed. This bylaw needs to target tourists not locals.
Right on!!
Yes probably adjustments will be something like you pay us we will let you for a few if x amount I am sure . If people are only doing it once a year there should be no problem ! What’s next we have to call up the county and ask to have company stay over ?
Yes probably adjustments will be something like you pay us we will let you for a few if x amount I am sure . If people are only doing it once a year there should be no problem ! What’s next we have to call up the county and ask to have company stay over ?
It seems like the bylaw has missed it’s objective in this situation. If no money is changing hands, then people should be able to use their property for any temporary use they see fit.
This is absolutely unbelievable but when it comes to this county nothing surprises me anymore. It’s is their property and they can and should continue to use it as they see fit. Family reunion and weekend get together with friends that you may not see often is what real life and living is all about. This county is pushing its luck in terms of overreach of its purpose.
Sorry to hear of this ridiculous action. I would follow up on the actual bylaw as this same officer came to our property some years ago and when we asked for the actual bylaw information he didn’t know !!!!
Hey,Come On ……..IT’S THEIR OWN LAND
I would think that the rural area would be the best scenario for such happiness, instead of my city property…I guess paying taxes on a person’s own land means WHAT??
PETITION, PETITION PETITION!!
This is just absolutely ridiculous and I am so disappointed in The County. We pay property taxes and own our properties- we should be able to do what we like with said properties as long as it’s not hurting anyone..
WOW!! That doesn’t seem right. But a simple permit procedure could be set up so that it could deter those pop-up campgrounds and still allow families to do an annual gathering on their own property.
When we have a FAMILY reunion here in Cherry Valley the same thing will happen. We rent a John. No one uses our house. We do not make money off of anyone. We are not hurting anyone else. It’s our land and I see nothing wrong with that. Some one had better go back to the drawing board and amend this.
I doubt the bylaw is intended for private property if not for permanent habitation. I would petition County officials for an exemption next year. On the other hand kudos to the bylaw officials for checking it out.
Ridiculous… good people quietly enjoying and sharing their lakeside property with friends!
WOW I know a lot of people in the county that have family weekend fun including lots of trailers. For every long week to be precise. This is a bum wrap
Illegal camping and pop up camping is wrong and that should be enforced.
But inviting friends and or family for a few days on your own property must be allowed.
For years people have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, reunions while camping.
Rules that make sense are necessary…..this however is a travesty.
This is absolutely absurd! I’m new to the county, wanting to buy my first home within the next year, if I can’t have my own family and friends come visit without being fined or told to leave, I don’t think I’ll be looking to purchase here that is for darn sure! Sad too because my four children love their friends here and their school!
It’s too bad that the County has made a bylaw that affects County residents in such a detrimental way. Maybe getting a special permit would absolve the County of any problem.
So, that explains why the Chief Bylaw Enforcement Official removed his trailer from the private property in Cherry Valley that he illegally parked on for two summers. Interesting indeed! Shame on you Andy Harrison.
You’ve enjoyed numerous camping on private property for your enjoyment over the years. We all know staying over is way safer than driving.
Another reason to pack up and leave this county
Yep, I can’t, stand it here anymore.
Agreed Sharon!
Pretty bad when you can’t do what you want on your own property.
What if the county gave a weekend/max 7 day exemption to local home owners. Maybe they can register with the county in advance when having these types of personal gatherings. Ridiculous but a solution!?
Unbelievable how this Council is hurting locals while promoting tourism.
Id be happy to contribute to help pay the fine associated with the county’s enforcement. Encourage you to continue to use your land as you see fit.
This is clearly what you call bull shit! We really do not own our property anymore as big Government takes control of our lives.