Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee - 16 Aug 2023 - Agenda

Body: Planning Committee Type: Agenda Meeting: Regular Date: August 16, 2023 Collection: Council Agendas Municipality: Frontenac County

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Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Wednesday, August 16, 2023 –10:00 a.m. Township of South Frontenac Council Chamber, 4432 George Street, Sydenham, ON https://youtube.com/live/lfJTne72shg?feature=share

AGENDA Page 1.

Call to Order We begin this gathering by acknowledging and celebrating these traditional lands as a gathering place of the first peoples and their ancestors who are entrusted to care for mother earth since time immemorial. We do so respecting both the land and the Indigenous People who continue to walk with us through this world. Today, the County is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.

Adoption of the Agenda a) That the agenda for the August 16, 2023 meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee be adopted.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

Adoption of Minutes a) Minutes of Meeting held July 5, 2023

5 - 11

That the minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting held July 5, 2023 be adopted.

12 - 19

Deputations and/or Presentations

Briefings

Reports to the Planning Advisory Committee a) Mr. Jeff Buell, Internet Performance Testing Program Manager, CIRA, will address the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee regarding the CIRA Internet Performance Testing Program.

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Page [See Reports to the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee, clause b)] 20 - 21

b)

2023-094 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Business Updates Recommendation Be it Resolved That the committee recommends that Frontenac County participates in the Community Broadband Testing Program offered by CIRA And Further That the cost of the program be included in the Economic Development Department budget, And Further That staff report back to the committee on the state of broadband in Frontenac County annually.

22 - 31

c)

Staff Briefing: Mr. Richard Allen will provide a briefing to the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee on the Destination Development Plan. [See Reports to the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee, clause d)]

32 - 38

d)

2023-095 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Destination Development Plan Implementation Recommendation Be It Resolved That the Committee recommend to County Council that the Economic Development Team continue implementation of the Destination Development Plan, And Further That staff be directed to include Destination Plan implementation in the Planning & Economic Development Budget and Business Plan 2024- 2028, And Further That this committee supports the addition of a staff resource to start in 2024 to oversee tourism efforts in the County and to lead the implementation of this plan.

39 - 45

e)

2023-096 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee K&P Trail - Management Plan Maintenance Updates Recommendation

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Page Be It Resolved That the Planning and Economic Development Committee recommend that County Council update the maintenance requirements in section 4.1 of the Frontenac K&P Trail Management plan as outlined in this report, And Further That the committee recommend to County Council that the 2024 K&P Trail Annual Maintenance Budget be adjusted accordingly, And Further That a comprehensive review of the K&P Trail Management Plan be presented to the Planning and Economic Development Committee in early 2024. 46 - 48

f)

2023-097 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Physician Recruitment Update Recommendation Be It Resolved That the Planning and Economic Development Committee advises County Council to establish a Physician Recruitment Reserve; And Further That the committee recommends to County Council that an annual contribution of $20,000 placed in the physician recruitment reserve, including the 2023 budget allocation; And Further That the County formally include Physician Recruitment as part of its 2024-2028 Workplan

49 - 54

g)

2023-098 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Visit Frontenac Recommendation Be It Resolved That the Planning and Economic Development Committee recommends that County Council proceed with the development of a new tourism website for Visit Frontenac in 2024

55 - 60

h)

2023-100 Planning and Economic Development Department Official Plan Amendment No. 3 – County of Frontenac Official Plan – Communal Services Policies Recommendation Be It Resolved That the County of Frontenac Planning Advisory Committee set a date for a Public Meeting with respect to Official Plan

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Page Amendment #3 to the Frontenac County Official Plan – Communal Services Policies; And Further that the Committee set the date for the Public Meeting to be Wednesday, October 4th to be held at South Frontenac Township Council Chambers; And Further that the Committee direct staff to prepare the public meeting notice and circulate the notice to technical agencies and advertise as per the requirements of the Planning Act. 61 - 89

i)

2023-099 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee DRAFT Director of Planning and Economic Development - 2024 Work Plan Recommendation That the County of Frontenac Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee recommend to County Council the approval of the 2024 work plan for the Planning and Economic Development; and Further, that the Director provide an overview to County Council as part of the 2024 budget deliberations as well as the Councils of the three municipalities which the department provides planning services.

Communications a) Correspondence received from Debbi Miller, Community Development Officer regarding the 2023 Open Farms News Release [Distributed to Members of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee August 3, 2023]

Other Business

Next Meeting a) Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Adjournment

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Minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting July 5, 2023 A meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee was held in the Verona Lions Hall, 4504 Sand Rd, Verona, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at 10:00 AM Present: Councillor Fred Fowler Councillor Judy Greenwood-Speers Deputy Warden Fran Smith Warden Ron Vandewal Leona Fleischmann Mike Hage Phil Leonard Jim McIntosh Staff Present: Brieanna McEathron, Executive Assistant to the CAO (Recording Secretary) Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development Sonya Bolton, Manager of Community Planning Debbi Miller, Community Development Officer Joe Gallivan, Director of Planning and Economic Development Kelly Pender, Chief Administrative Officer 1.

Call to Order

The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. 2.

Public Meeting

Notice of Collection – Personal information collected as a result of this public meeting is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act and will be used to assist in making a decision on these matters. All names, addresses, opinions and comments may be collected and may form part of the minutes which will be available to the public. Questions regarding this collection should be forwarded to Jannette Amini, Manager of Legislative Services/Clerk. The following is a public meeting to present the request to extend the allowance of ATV’s on the K&P Trial south of Verona to Harrowsmith in a public forum. Following the

Minutes of Meeting held July 5, 2023

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presentation by staff on the history and use of the K&P Trail, the meeting was opened to the public for comments and questions. a)

2023-079 K&P Trail Request to Extend ATV Access on the K&P Trail, Verona to Harrowsmith The following is a Public Meeting regarding the request to extend ATV use on the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. The following individuals have registered to speak:

1. John Abrams
2. Heather Keeling
3. Pat McNamee
4. Marc Moeys

Deputy Warden Smith explained the purpose of the public meeting and reviewed the procedure for the public meeting. Mr. Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development, provided a presentation on the history and use of the K&P Trail. Deputy Warden Smith provided members of the public with an opportunity to provide comment, beginning with those who registered in advance with the Clerk. John Abrams spoke against the request to extend ATV use on the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. Mr. Abrams provided the results of his petition which was signed by 369 members of the community. He noted that he walked past the wide section of the K&P Trail at Graham Road and that himself and his family were almost ran off the road. Councillor Greenwood-Speers asked if any members of the survey were business owners. Mr. Abrams noted that he did not specifically go to businesses to ask for this information. Heather Keeling spoke against the request to extend ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. Ms. Keeling provided a presentation to the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee which can be found in the clerk’s office. Pat McNamee spoke against the request to extend ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. Mr. McNamee provided a written submission to the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee which will be available in the clerk’s office. Mr. McNamee asked the committee if the public is allowed to carry firearms on the K&P Trail. Councillor Fowler noted that you can carry firearms in a case on the trail but, you are not able to fire the weapon from those trails.

Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 5, 2023

Minutes of Meeting held July 5, 2023

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Marc Moeys spoke in support of the extension of ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith and provided the committee with information regarding the Verona ATVs Trail Warden program to implement safe usage of the trail. Councillor Greenwood-Speers asked about the Verona ATVs Trail Warden program and if any of these members have taken the By-Law enforcement course. Mr. Moeys noted that no, these members have not taken this course. Councillor Greenwood-Speers asked about the speed limits of ATVs. Mr. Moeys noted that in-community zones ATVs are required to reduce their speed. Rod Wallace spoke against the request to extend ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. Councillor Greenwood-Speers asked about the snowmobile liability insurance amounts. A member of the snowmobile club noted that it was 15 million. Councillor GreenwoodSpeers asked for Mr. Moeys to provide the insurance amount for the ATV club. Mr. Moeys answer to the question regarding the liability insurance amount for ATVs was deferred and will be provided to Councillor Greenwood-Speers by Mr. Moeys. Gordan Smith spoke against the request to extend ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. Warden Ron Vandewal noted that it is not fair to state that the trail is exclusively not motorized as there are many cyclists that have purchased motorized bikes which are used on this trail. Councillor Greenwood-Speers asked about the liability insurance that the cyclist is required to carry. Mr. Smith noted that the cyclist club carries 2 million dollars. Robin Ellis spoke against the request to extend ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. Margaret Cowton spoke against the request to extend ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. Tim Ross spoke against the request to extend ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. Mr. Ross noted that snowmobile users as well as ATV users that are not registered with the clubs that have been mentioned and would not have access to the liability claims mentioned. Councillor Greenwood-Speers noted that her research has indicated that insurance is not required by young drivers and motorized vehicles on trails which is concerning. Mike Veryzer spoke against the request to extend ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith.

Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 5, 2023

Minutes of Meeting held July 5, 2023

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Councillor Greenwood-Speers asked if a survey has been conducted by the County. Mr. Allen noted that there was a letter sent out to the adjacent landowners asking them to provide note or comment and attend this meeting. Miriam Delaney spoke against the request to extend ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. Todd Norris spoke against the request to extend ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. Bob Brown spoke against the request to extend ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. Carolyn Bonta spoke against the request to extend ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. Ms. Bonta noted that the agenda package that was provided lacked prior and post data that would indicate how the use has changed for other users since the pilot program began. Councillor Greenwood-Speers asked about the methodology used to conduct the pilot program produced by the County which usually includes the pre and post information. She noted that since she is not a prior council member that she would like to request that Mr. Allen provide this information to the committee. Mr. Allen noted that he will forward previous recommendations and considerations that were made by the previous council and committee members. Mr. Hage asked if there are any comparisons between pedestrian and motorized vehicles sharing trails and the number of incidents or casualties that have taken place. Mr. Allen noted that he is not aware of any of those data sets but, that many of these trails whether they are motorized or non-motorized are normally managed by outside membership. Mr. Hage asked if there are any records from this pilot about the number of accidents or incidents that occurred. Deputy Warden Smith noted that from Central Frontenac to North Frontenac we have had multi-use trails both north, south, east, and west for 20 years now and that there have been very few accidents. Mr. Hage asked if the committee can receive a study that relates to the potential hazards, safety and accidents on the trail which would allow them to make a better decision in going forward with the extension of ATV use of the K&P Trail south of Verona to Harrowsmith. Councillor Fowler noted that these incidents are handled by the OPP and would have an incident log in their data base for this research. Councillor Greenwood-Speers wanted to note that she conducted her own research and on Stats Canada in 2013-2019 on terrain vehicle fatalities and 60% of the fatalities for males are for 35 and over and 26% was at the 20 to 34 year-old range and 85% of accidents were male. This information does not include the catastrophic injuries just the fatalities and of that 51% alcohol and drug related 33% road conditions or curve

Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 5, 2023

Minutes of Meeting held July 5, 2023

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unreported fatalities. She also noted that 33% were not wearing a helmet or safely wearing a helmet so there are states that can be obtained. Deputy Warden Smith noted that if the committee wishes to defer this decision and get more information this will be provided by Mr. Allen. Full comments from the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee and Public participants can be viewed on the livestream link at: https://youtube.com/live/fax7upxXx1k?feature=share Moved By: Seconded By:

Mr. Leonard Councillor Fowler

That the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee defer the decision to extend the ATV use on the K&P Trail South of Verona to Harrowsmith until the committee receives more information from the Manager of Economic Development on the safety, liability, bylaw enforcement, comparables and additional use data. Carried 3.

Adoption of the Agenda

Moved By: Seconded By:

Warden Vandewal Mr. McIntosh

That the agenda for the July 5, 2023 meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee be adopted. Carried 4.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were none. 5.

Adoption of Minutes a)

Minutes of Meeting held May 3, 2023

Moved By: Seconded By:

Mr. Leonard Ms. Fleischmann

That the minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting held May 3, 2023 be adopted. Carried

Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 5, 2023

Minutes of Meeting held July 5, 2023

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6.

Deputations and/or Presentations

Briefings

Reports to the Planning Advisory Committee a)

2023-078 Planning and Economic Development Department Application for Extension of Draft Plan of Condominium Approval, Ardoch Lake Condominium, Township of North Frontenac (File Number 10CD-2012-001) Moved By: Mr. Leonard Seconded By: Mr. McIntosh Be It Resolved That the report titled Planning and Economic Development – Application for Extension of Draft Plan of Condominium Approval, Ardoch Lake Condominium, Township of North Frontenac (File Number 10CD-2012-001) be received; and, Further That the Council of the County of Frontenac extend the draft approval for the plan of condominium for Ardoch Lake for a period of two years, to July 19, 2025. Carried Warden Vandewal noted that were was another subdivision in South Frontenac that was extended several times then County Council decided that all the previous conditions would not be applicable now and it was turned down. He noted that the applicants can still appeal this decision and wanted to know if this is the case with this application and do they meet the current conditions. Ms. Bolton noted that with respect to this application, it was only approved in 2020 and within this time there was a pandemic. She noted that the department is cautious about the approval of extensions due to the change in regulations and outdated studies but feels that since this application has only been approved for two-years an extension is warranted. Councillor Greenwood-Speers asked about clarification regarding this file start date and timeline. Mr. Gallivan noted that this file has gone through two different owners. He noted that originally this application had 40 lots on this property, and it became very clear that neither the County of the township would support that kind of density. Councillor Fowler noted that this application had a lot of resistance from outside groups. He noted that he would like to see this project move forward. North Frontenac Township did pass a resolution to support this application which will come forward to County Council. Mr. Jim McIntosh asked if a 2-year extension is adequate for them to complete all requirements. Ms. Bolton noted that a 2-year extension should be sufficient for this application. Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 5, 2023

Minutes of Meeting held July 5, 2023

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b)

2023-080 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Business Updates Moved By: Councillor Greenwood-Speers Seconded By: Councillor Fowler Be it Resolved That FAM Tours to Wolfe Island and other areas of Frontenac County be included as part of Economic Development 2024 Business Plan, subject to available budget and staff time. Carried 9.

Communications a)

b)

d)

Correspondence received from Peter Lublink regarding his opposition to extend the allowance of ATV’s on the K&P Trial south of Verona to Harrowsmith [Distributed to Members of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee July 4, 2023] Correspondence received from Jim Pond regarding his position to extend the allowance of ATV’s on the K&P Trial south of Verona to Harrowsmith [Distributed to Members of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee July 4, 2023] Correspondence received from Dave Coughlan regarding his opposition to extend the allowance of ATV’s on the K&P Trial south of Verona to Harrowsmith [Distributed to Members of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee July 4, 2023]

Other Business

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Township of South Frontenac Council Chamber. 12.

Adjournment

Moved By: Seconded By:

Mr. Hage Ms. Fleischmann

That the meeting here adjourn at 1:00 p.m. Carried

Minutes of Meeting held July 5, 2023

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Mr. Jeff Buell , Internet Performance Testing Program Manager, CIRA, wil… Page 12 of 89

Community Broadband Performance

Testing Program Frontenac County Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee

Copyright © 2022 Canadian Internet Registration Authority (“CIRA”). All rights reserved. This material is proprietary to CIRA, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in either electronic or printed formats, without the prior written authorization of CIRA.

CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL

1

Mr. Jeff Buell , Internet Performance Testing Program Manager, CIRA, wil… Page 13 of 89

C I R A’ S I N T E R N E T P E R F O R M AN C E T E S T

Introducing the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) CIRA is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a trusted and secure internet for all Canadians.

Best known as the managers of the .CA internet domain. We offer products and services that leverage all the internet has to offer.

Re-invest in the Canadian Internet through programs like CIRA Grants, The Internet Performance Test and participate in internet governance and policy engagements.

2 CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Jeff Buell , Internet Performance Testing Program Manager, CIRA, wil… Page 14 of 89

C I R A’ S I N T E R N E T P E R F O R M AN C E T E S T

What is the Internet Performance Test? Test developed by CIRA and internet researchers. Unique neutral view of Canadian internet performance. The IPT assesses the quality of internet connections, providing valuable insights into network performance, and overall internet health. Browser based test available to all Canadians Nearly 1.5 million tests across Canada.

The test data is designed to help Canadian communities understand barriers in access, and work with stakeholders at resolving them.

3 CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Jeff Buell , Internet Performance Testing Program Manager, CIRA, wil… Page 15 of 89

Key Features: • • • • • •

User accounts Auto-run tests Test server select Location confirmation Test history Interactive map • Custom region and subregions (communities, wards, neighborhoods)

Authorized users: • • •

•

Data dashboard Reports download Data tables • Reports to council/committees • Mappable, internal/external GIS Ongoing support

Mr. Jeff Buell , Internet Performance Testing Program Manager, CIRA, wil… Page 16 of 89

C I R A’s I N T E R N E T P E R F O R M AN C E T E S T

Benefits for Canadian Communities

Network Health Assessment

Performance Comparison

Evaluate the quality of your internet connection, identifying areas that may require attention or improvement.

Compare your municipality’s internet performance against others in the region and across Canada.

Pinpoint potential bottlenecks, latency issues, or connectivity gaps within your community.

Benchmark your standing and set realistic goals for improvement.

5 CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Jeff Buell , Internet Performance Testing Program Manager, CIRA, wil… Page 17 of 89

C I R A’ S I N T E R N E T P E R F O R M AN C E T E S T

Benefits for Canadian Communities

Data-Driven Decision Making

Improved Transparency

Make informed decisions on resource allocation, strategic planning and lobbying efforts with government and ISPs.

Engage citizens to be part of the solution by soliciting their feedback through testing, while providing performance data back.

Utilize accurate and up-to-date information about internet infrastructure and services.

Data is easily summarized in a variety of formats for reports to council and committees

6 CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Jeff Buell , Internet Performance Testing Program Manager, CIRA, wil… Page 18 of 89

C I R A’ S I N T E R N E T P E R F O R M AN C E T E S T

Next Steps • Determine participation and cost • •

Pricing is based on community size and test volume As a NFP, we look for municipal participation as cost recovery

• Report or present to appropriate council or committee • If approved… • • •

Annual agreement executed Will require community logos, URL Determine boundary and sub boundaries (collection buckets)

• Training to access and interpret test data and reports • Support for ongoing promotion and awareness of test page 7 CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Jeff Buell , Internet Performance Testing Program Manager, CIRA, wil… Page 19 of 89

Thank You! jeff.buell@cira.ca

Copyright © 2022 Canadian Internet Registration Authority (“CIRA”). All rights reserved. This material is proprietary to CIRA, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in either electronic or printed formats, without the prior written authorization of CIRA.

CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL

8

Report 2023-094 Committee Information Report To:

Chair and Members of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee

From:

Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development

Date of meeting:

August 16, 2023

Re:

Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee – Business Updates

Recommendation Be it Resolved That the committee recommends that Frontenac County participates in the Community Broadband Testing Program offered by CIRA And Further That the cost of the program be included in the Economic Development Department budget, And Further That staff report back to the committee on the state of broadband in Frontenac County annually. Background The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) is a non-profit organization responsible for managing the .ca domain name and providing various Domain Names and Cybersecurity Services. This report highlights CIRA’s key initiatives, including the Internet Performance Test (IPT), and its significance in evaluating the quality of internet connections. CIRA’s Initiatives:

1. Support of Internet Exchange Points: CIRA actively promotes the establishment and maintenance of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), which facilitate efficient internet traffic exchange within Canada. By supporting IXPs, CIRA contributes to improving internet performance and reliability.
2. CIRA Grants Program: CIRA operates a Grants Program that invests back into the Canadian internet. This program provides funding for projects aimed at enhancing internet infrastructure, digital literacy, and cybersecurity across the country.

2023-094 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Business U…

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3. Participation in the Canadian Internet Governance Forum: CIRA actively participates in the Canadian Internet Governance Forum, contributing to discussions and policy development related to internet governance issues. This involvement helps shape Canada’s internet landscape and ensures the interests of Canadian internet users are represented. 4. Internet Performance Test (IPT): The IPT is an “Off Network” test developed by CIRA to assess the quality of internet connections in Canada. It simulates the daily internet usage patterns of Canadians and focuses on various metrics that are essential for measuring connection performance. Key statistics include download and upload speed, packet loss, latency, and jitter. Comments Staff recommend that the County participate in the Community Broadband Testing program. This program will provide a customized landing page for residents to test the quality and speed of their connection. These tests are then aggregated to be able to produce reports demonstrating overall broadband speed and quality across the County and other geographies, such as Township or ward. These reports can provide historical data as to whether new broadband projects are moving the needle in Frontenac and its constituent communities. The custom IPT portals can be promoted by the County and Townships to encourage residents and visitors to frequently run tests. By doing so, valuable data can be collected, and the reports generated by the program can provide more reliable information on overall internet performance and access within their area. Staff members can easily access reports and test data directly from the test page. The IPT data also enables the identification of whether consumers are receiving the internet service they are paying for. Communities can utilize this data to map and graph internet access across their entire area, gaining insights into areas of improvement and potential disparities. The costs associated with implementing the IPT at the County level typically ranges from $3,000 to $4,000 annually. These fees cover operational costs and the maintenance of the testing infrastructure. The investment is justified by the valuable data and insights gained, allowing the County and Townships to make informed decisions regarding internet infrastructure and service providers. Strategic Priorities Priority 2: Contribute to the Progress of Sustainable Economic Growth and Prosperity Throughout the County Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Frontenac Economic Development Working Table Information Report Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee – CIRA Internet Performance Testing August 16, 2023

2023-094 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Business U…

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Staff Briefing: Mr. Richard Allen will provide a briefing to the Plannin…

FRONTENAC COUNTY 5-YEAR DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT PLAN Approved April 2022

Page 22 of 89 Planning & Economic Development Committee 5-Year Destination Development Plan Briefing August 16, 2023

Staff Briefing: Mr. Richard Allen will provide a briefing to the Plannin…

Purpose The Frontenac County Destination Development Plan is a 5-year strategic road map that balances the needs of local residents and tourism businesses. The primary purpose of the Plan is to establish Frontenac County as a viable tourism destination by focusing on three key directives to inform all strategic decision-making: • Increase year-round revenue for small businesses involved in tourism • Identify high-level strategies for the County to lead tourism and destination development in collaboration with industry and community partners • Improve environmental sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion

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The plan builds on recommendations established in the 2017 Accommodation Review, as well as consistent feedback from the local business community around the need to strengthen tourism opportunities in Frontenac.

Staff Briefing: Mr. Richard Allen will provide a briefing to the Plannin…

Process •

1 year process (March 2021 – April 2022)

•

Engagement Targeted DestinationNEXT Survey to Tourism Partners 10 Workshops & Focus Groups 40 individual interviews Dedicated Steering Committee

•

Funded in partnership with Regional Tourism Organizations (RTO9 & RTO11)

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Staff Briefing: Mr. Richard Allen will provide a briefing to the Plannin…

Principles

1. Align the four Townships around common themes
2. Every strategy should benefit all visitors and locals
3. Optimize clusters of existing infrastructure and community networks
4. Weave an Indigenous narrative throughout the Plan
5. Maintain what makes Frontenac County’s quality of life special
6. Define the Frontenac County brand narrative

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Staff Briefing: Mr. Richard Allen will provide a briefing to the Plannin…

Goal #1

Establish a dedicated tourism resource to promote local small businesses and optimize the visitor experience A. Hire personnel to steward all the

elements in the Frontenac County Destination Development Plan

B. Align tourism and event development

strategy with existing community and economic development initiatives

C. Establish a consumer-facing, visitor-

friendly tourism website as a central hub for promoting travel-related businesses, experiences and events

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D. Enhance promotional partnerships

within Frontenac County and with domestic and international source

Staff Briefing: Mr. Richard Allen will provide a briefing to the Plannin…

Goal #2

Develop and promote a trail-based, sustainable outdoor recreation ecosystem to help locals and visitors navigate the County A. Create dedicated industry content,

mapping and consumer storytelling to inventory and promote County trails network, events and experiences

B. Further develop and promote a branded

“Rail Trails” network to help locals and visitors navigate the County

C. Develop a public-private environmental

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sustainability taskforce to help steward sustainable tourism development

Staff Briefing: Mr. Richard Allen will provide a briefing to the Plannin…

Goal #3

Support local organizations communities that promote the County’s diverse identity, arts, culture and heritage A. Create dedicated industry content,

mapping and consumer storytelling to inventory and promote arts, culture and heritage-related businesses, experiences and events

B. Develop an Arts, Culture & Heritage

organization to pool the collective resources of the public, private and nonprofit sectors

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C. Identify processes to engage with First

Nations and other Indigenous communities

Staff Briefing: Mr. Richard Allen will provide a briefing to the Plannin…

Goal #4

Develop a County-wide culinary experience and educational road map that celebrates local producers and sustainable supply chains A. Create dedicated industry content,

mapping and consumer storytelling to inventory and promote culinary tourism businesses, experiences and related events

B. Support the growth of the existing farm-

to-table ecosystem to create new and innovative culinary tourism experiences

C. Collaborate with regional and Provincial Page 29 of 89

organizations leading the food and beverage tourism industry, including the Culinary Tourism Alliance

Staff Briefing: Mr. Richard Allen will provide a briefing to the Plannin…

Implementation

Include Destination Development Initiatives in the 2024-2028 Budget and Business Plan, with a new staff resource to coordinate and drive progress Critical to implementation of the Destination Plan are the redevelopment of www.visitfrontenac.ca into a map-based online tourism guide, and the addition of a full-time resource to the Economic Development team provide project leadership. •

Goals 2,3,4 all include initiatives requiring a consumer friendly, map-based website to connect regional assets related to trails, culinary tourism, culture, arts and heritage. The website (as defined in Goal 1A) is a critical hub for collecting, managing, and promoting these assets.

•

Goals 2,3,4 collectively recommend the creation and coordination of a sustainability taskforce, a cultural/heritage organization and participation in regional culinary networks. Goal 1D recommends collaboration with regional tourism organizations and other partners such as Tourism Kingston.

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These new groups and relationships require time and capacity to be of value to the County and tourism partners, as well as the residents and visitors who will benefit from them.

Staff Briefing: Mr. Richard Allen will provide a briefing to the Plannin…

Progress to Date

Tourism Brand Standards Some progress has been made on Destination Development initiatives, primarily concerning the expansion of the Frontenac Brand to strengthen its position and narrative in the visitor marketplace. This effort is foundational to the redevelopment of www.visitfrontenac.ca and any subsequent marketing efforts around tourism.

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The committee reviewed and recommended the adoption of the Tourism Brand Standards at its meeting on March 29, 2023.

Report 2023-095 Committee Recommendation Report To:

Chair and Members of the Planning & Economic Development Advisory Committee

From:

Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development

Date of meeting:

August 16, 2023

Re:

Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Destination Development Plan Implementation

Recommendation Be It Resolved That the Committee recommend to County Council that the Economic Development Team continue implementation of the Destination Development Plan, And Further That staff be directed to include Destination Plan implementation in the Planning & Economic Development Budget and Business Plan 2024- 2028, And Further That this committee supports the addition of a staff resource to start in 2024 to oversee tourism efforts in the County and to lead the implementation of this plan. Background Since the closure of the Land O’Lakes Tourist Association in 2018, Frontenac County has assumed the role of Destination Management Organization for the region, with the Economic Development Team promoting the region as a visitor destination as part of the department’s regular responsibilities. Tourism development involves both marketing as well as development activities addressing the infrastructure, connectivity, experience, and coordination of visitor-based activities in the region. Since 2017, the Frontenac Economic Development team has conducted annual surveys with the business community and have consistently seen the attraction of visitors as a priority for small businesses in Frontenac. As a result, the Frontenac Ambassador Handbook defines tourism as one of five key focus areas. In 2021, County Council authorized the agreement with Regional Tourism Organization 9 and Ontario’s Highland’s Tourism Organization for the purpose of developing a Destination Development Plan for Frontenac County with an authorized expenditure of $38,000 from the Community Development Reserve for the project

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execution. The background on the Destination Development Plan is available in Report 2021-018. Links to material and process associated with the Destination Development Plan can be found at the project webpage. The Frontenac County Destination Development Plan was approved at County Council on April 20, 2022 and Report 2022-059 with a detailed implementation plan was presented to the Community Development Advisory Committee at its regular meeting in June of 2022. The committee recommended the inclusion of the Destination Plan implementation in the 2023 budget. However, due to significant inflationary pressure, the destination plan was not proposed to Council for implementation in 2023. A successful application to the Tourism Relief Fund in late 2022 resulted in one project related to the recommendations of Destination Plan, an expansion of the Frontenac Brand to support tourism marketing efforts. Comment The 5-Year Destination Development plan consists of several initiatives that would be developed, launched, and then continue to be updated and improved over time creating additional demand for staff time. The plan recommends that a dedicated resource, such as a Tourism Development Officer, be put in place to ensure consistent effort and attention is paid to these initiatives and to the various partners and groups involved, as well as to ensure the overall success of the plan. The Destination Plan is in alignment with County Council’s new strategic priority regarding Sustainable Economic Growth. The Plan “seeks to balance tourism investment and increased visitation to the region with the objective of sustaining the pristine nature of the environment and the small scale of our communities. Sustainable tourism development is about building community and finding opportunities to collaborate, overcoming the distances and differences between our diverse community elements.” One of the guiding principles of the plan is to “Maintain what makes Frontenac County special” by having tourism partners participate in and lead initiatives to maintain the pristine lakes, dense forest and natural environment, and to take steps not over-commercialize the region. The plan furthers this commitment by recommending that the County develop a public-private environmental sustainability taskforce to help steward sustainable tourism development. This would provide a County-level information hub for pooling and sharing sustainability data, including visitor tracking as well as forest and watershed health. This information could then support the development of educational materials to help locals and visitors travel more responsibly. Finally, the plan outlines a significant commitment to connect with local First Nations and other members of the indigenous community to seek opportunities to consult, collaborate and co-create. Developing these relationships and this approach takes time and a commitment to listen and be open to directions or approaches to initiatives outside the County’s original conceptions. In Appendix A, the timeline chart indicates a significant commitment to this work throughout every year of implementation of the plan.

Recommendation Report to Planning & Economic Development Committee Destination Development Plan Implementation August 16, 2023

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Strategic Priorities Priority 2: Contribute to the Progress of Sustainable Economic Growth and Prosperity Throughout the County •

Develop regional tools and policies to support long-term protection of lakes, rivers, and other important environmental features in Frontenac.

•

Provide business support and resources to existing and prospective businesses.

•

Attract new investments and businesses to Frontenac County.

Financial Implications The addition of a new team member to the Economic Development Team is budgeted to cost approximately $120,000 annually. Other costs associated with the implementation of the Destination Plan, such as the development of a new Tourism Website are expected to be funded through the Community Development Reserve. Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Frontenac County Council and Staff Frontenac Township Councils and Staff Regional Tourism Organization 9 Regional Tourism Organization 11 Tourism Kingston Culinary Tourism Association Tourism Operators Business and Community Leaders Frontenac County residents

Recommendation Report to Planning & Economic Development Committee Destination Development Plan Implementation August 16, 2023

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2023-095 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Destinatio…

Destination Development Plan Implementation Strategic Framework

Initiative

A. Hire personnel to steward

1. Establish a all the elements in the dedicated tourism Frontenac County resource to Destination Development promote local small Plan businesses and optimize the visitor experience

Tasks

2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028

Comments

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Hire a Tourism Development Officers to: • Engage directly with community members, small businesses, and regional and provincial tourism partners • Strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities • Develop travel packaging with industry partners • Share data/business intelligence, industry information and progress • Access tourism resources and funding • Manage community portals and public forums

A dedicated tourism staff or entity is required to manage the long-term success of the destination development plan. Many initiatives require coordination and collaboration with stakeholders, and several require a multi-year implementation approach in order to achieve sustainable and iterative success. Many of the strategic initiatives are not single projects, but efforts that require continued input and management once in place. (ie. Website)

B. Align tourism and event development strategy with existing community and economic development initiatives

• Invest in wayfinding and public amenities to improve the destination experience for locals and visitors • Leverage tourism to support Main Street improvement initiatives • Develop strategy to address lack of year-round accommodations

Partners in multiple townships are interested in coordinating efforts to strengthen wayfinding in the region. County staff will support the development and design of a regional system, and Township partners will identify locations and coordinate installation.

C. Establish a consumerfacing, visitor-friendly tourism website as a central hub for promoting travel-related businesses, experiences and events

• Invest in data management tools to optimize marketing efforts • Develop various formats of consumer travel content for all channels • Develop community-facing content to educate residents about tourism

Additional work to position the Frontenac brand towards visitor markets is necessary prior to pursuing the redevelopment of www.visitfrontenac.ca. In addition, the updated website will need to be able to make use of a strong mapping and wayfinding engine to support strategic initiatives 2A, 3A and 4A. In order to prepare for the development of this map-based website, staff will need to work closely with the Tourism Industry, GIS Department and Information Services to procure an appropriate solution that meets visitor expectations.

D. Enhance promotional partnerships within Frontenac County and with domestic and international source markets

• Collaborate with Tourism Kingston to encourage city visitors to explore rural areas • Educate local industry suppliers about business strategy • Host media and travel trade familiarization trips

The Economic Development Team already has a strong relationship with Tourism Kingston and have partnered on various initiatives that promote local food and local farms alongside culinary opportunities in Kingston. The CDO is part of the Tourism Kingston Destination Marketing Committee. A familiarization tour was held in June 2023, on Wolfe Island for travel trade.

2023-095 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Destinatio…

Destination Development Plan Implementation Strategic Framework

2. Develop and promote a trailbased, sustainable outdoor recreation ecosystem to help locals and visitors navigate the County

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3. Support local organizations communities that promote the County’s diverse identity, arts, culture and heritage

Initiative

Tasks

2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028

Comments

A. Create dedicated industry content, mapping and consumer storytelling to inventory and promote County trails network, events and experiences

• Develop and curate related travel itineraries and packages • Expand social media and usergenerated content tools to help people imagine and book outdoor recreation and adventure travel • Collaborate with 3rd-party tech companies that specialize in digital mapping for hiking and biking trails

The development of the visitor facing website and mapping platform is critical to advancing this initiative, however much work is already underway on trails and much of the data collection work will integrate quickly into the platform and other promotional products/tools.

B. Further develop and promote a branded “Rail Trails” network to help locals and visitors navigate the County

• Engage neighbouring counties and regional/provincial partners to support the development of Rail Trails-related content and marketing initiatives • Support the development of educational content about the ancestral First Nations history of trails • Work with local service associations to enhance trails, i.e., branded benches, gazebos, etc. • Explore options for catering to the exponential rise in demand for e-bikes and other forms of e-mobility

The Tourism Relief Fund application outlines that a key part of the project will be to advance trail activation through facilitating events and experiences along the trail, as well as continuing to improve trail wayfinding tools and interactive mobile applications. This work will focus on connecting visitors and community members to the trails, while also identifying opportunities for investment. By working with Lanark, Renfrew and Leeds & Grenville, iconic trail experiences along the rail-trail network could be developed, strengthened, and marketed to visitors.

C. Develop a public-private environmental sustainability taskforce to help steward sustainable tourism development

• Provide a County-level information hub for pooling and sharing sustainability data, including visitor tracking • Develop educational materials to help locals and visitors travel more responsibly

A. Create dedicated industry content, mapping and consumer storytelling to inventory and promote arts, culture and heritagerelated businesses, experiences, and events

• Develop and curate related travel itineraries and packages • Expand social media and usergenerated content efforts to help people imagine and book arts, culture and heritage travel

The development of the visitor facing website (Initiative 1C) and mapping platform is critical to advancing this initiative. Once the website is in place, an inventory and application of cultural assets, and experiences is essential prior to launch.

B. Develop an Arts, Culture & Heritage organization to pool the collective resources of the public, private and non-profit

• Collaborate with educational institutions and civic sector organizations to support the County’s arts and maker communities • Collaborate with regional, provincial

The process of collecting and organizing arts, culture and heritage information (Initiative 3A) will also serve as a relationship building exercise between the County and the cultural community. These relationships can then be

2023-095 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Destinatio…

Destination Development Plan Implementation Strategic Framework

Initiative sectors

2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028

Comments

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and national Indigenous organizations (eg. ITO, ITAC) to celebrate Indigenous community members in arts, culture and heritage • Establish regular connections with Indigenous leaders to strengthen relationships with local tourism leaders • Support the development of Indigenous tourism experiences, and integrate an Indigenous voice into existing travel experiences where appropriate with the help of public and private sector partners

foundational to the development of an artistic organization or partnership to support and lead the support for these sectors and communities. Relationships with Indigenous leaders and community members is foundational to the success of the Destination Development Plan. Developing these relationships will take time, effort, and resources.

D. Collaborate with the travel industry and Indigenous organizations to offer opportunities for training and awareness around the Truth & Reconciliation Report

• This is a long-term strategy but there is a new crop of tourism leaders nationally who are eager to leverage industry networks and resources to advance Reconciliation

County staff will continue to develop its relationship with Indigenous Tourism Ontario and seek to establish connections with similar organizations.

A. Create dedicated industry content, mapping and consumer storytelling to inventory and promote culinary tourism businesses, experiences and related events

• Develop and curate related travel itineraries and packages • Develop specific “Buy Local” campaigns to promote small independent businesses • Expand social media and usergenerated content efforts to help people imagine and book arts, culture and heritage travel

The development of the visitor facing website (Initiative 1C) and mapping platform is critical to advancing this initiative. In addition, work is necessary to strengthen culinary experiences throughout Frontenac County, both as primary and secondary attractions to the region. New restaurants and owners are beginning to appear in 2022 and if this trend can be extended, a rich culinary web application can be developed.

B. Support the growth of the existing farm-to-table ecosystem to create new and innovative culinary tourism experiences

• Highlight Indigenous food traditions with dedicated content and events • Increase investments in agritourism and brewery tourism, and develop educational materials to help more farms, breweries and related facilities become market-ready to service visitors professionally • Develop dedicated educational and promotional materials to encourage private sector investment in culinarythemed businesses • Highlight innovative food producers and sustainable growing collectives • Develop gala culinary events

This market-ready preparation along with investment attraction is already beginning to take place with the launch of the Food and Beverage Frontenac initiative, as well as through the purchase of several restaurants and food businesses by new owners. Working with this group to develop a marketfriendly set of products and experiences is essential prior to launch of any campaigns (4A).

C. Identify processes to engage with First Nations and other Indigenous communities

4. Develop a Countywide culinary experience and educational road map that celebrates local producers and sustainable supply chains

Tasks

In addition, the growth of Open Farms and related events is strengthening the regions reputation for local food and demonstrating to many growers and food businesses that there is an opportunity to benefit from offering

2023-095 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Destinatio…

Destination Development Plan Implementation Strategic Framework

Initiative

Tasks

2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028

Comments education and other hands-on experiences to a hungry market of locals and visitors.

C. Collaborate with regional and Provincial organizations leading the food and beverage tourism industry, including the Culinary Tourism Alliance

• Support the growth of the farm-to-table

ecosystem; encourage new partnerships with growers and tourism businesses; and develop new promotions and packages related to “Buy Local.” • Leverage Ontario’s Artisan Food & Beverage Region (FAB) program to increase and educate culinary tourism businesses

Initiative Start Up Phase Ongoing Initiative Maintenance & Management

Developing pan-regional partnerships to strengthen the connection between growers, restaurants and retailers will continue to be a core activity of staff. By bringing in experts and successful businesses from other markets to support Frontenac’s emerging culinary scene will be an important step in developing strong culinary experiences to market as part of Initiative 4A.

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Report 2023-096 Committee Recommend Report To:

Chair and Members of the Planning & Economic Development Committee

From:

Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development

Prepared by:

Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development

Date of meeting:

August 16, 2023

Re:

Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee K&P Trail – Management Plan Maintenance Updates

Recommendation Be It Resolved That the Planning and Economic Development Committee recommend that County Council update the maintenance requirements in section 4.1 of the Frontenac K&P Trail Management plan as outlined in this report, And Further That the committee recommend to County Council that the 2024 K&P Trail Annual Maintenance Budget be adjusted accordingly, And Further That a comprehensive review of the K&P Trail Management Plan be presented to the Planning and Economic Development Committee in early 2024. Background In October of 2021, Frontenac County Council approved the Frontenac K&P Trail Management Plan. This plan provides the policy and processes related to maintenance and management of the K&P Trail, as well as guidance with respect to the ongoing development and promotion of the trail as a regional tourism attraction. As the K&P Trail evolves, the management plan will also need to be updated to reflect maintenance standards, changing policies, increased use, or the development of new infrastructure and amenities. Since the approval of the plan, several development and management standards have been identified for update in the plan. This report outlines changes that will impact the K&P Trail budget and business plan in 2024.

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Comment Dust Suppression Program At it’s regular meeting on April 19th, 2023, County Council received Report 2023-058 Plan for Enhanced Dust Mitigation in Verona which described the increasing impact of dust from the trail on the quality of life for neighbours and outlined three strategies for reducing dust in the village and along the trail. The primary strategy involved the application of calcium chloride in flake form on a regular basis by the Verona District ATV Club. After several weeks of application, this method of suppression appeared to have had little or no effect. After consulting with various Township Public Works officials and receiving advice from the Director of Frontenac Transportation Services, the decision was made to employ a liquid calcium chloride solution through a qualified vendor using available budget resources. This approach appears to have been effective, as complaints and comments regarding dust have not resumed since application in late June. In 2022, liquid calcium was also procured, but controls were not in place to monitor the rate of application and quality of solution at that time. This year the Liquid Calcium Chloride solution was applied at a rate of 0.8 litres per square meter, and in areas of particular concern at a rate of 1.2 litres per square meter. Using available budget, the County was able to apply the solution to approximately 20 kilometres of trail, at an average cost of $1000 per kilometer. The maps included in Appendix ‘A’ demonstrate the locations where dust suppression have been completed on the K&P Trail in 2023. The Frontenac K&P Trail currently is 70 kilometres long, 55 of those kilometers open to summer motorized use by Off-Highway Recreational Vehicles such as ATV’s and side by sides and more susceptible to dust. To effectively treat the entire motorized section of the K&P Trail, a budget of $55,000 is necessary. The K&P Trail Management Plan provides guidance for the annual maintenance budget, including $15,000 per year for dust suppression. This report recommends that the annual budget for dust suppression be increased to address the entire section used by motorized off-highway recreational vehicles. The neighbouring counties of Lanark and Renfrew also have begun the process of dust suppression on the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT) in response to drier conditions and increased use of the trail since it opened. Lanark County treats 50% of their portion of the trail every other year (approximately 15 km each year) and Renfrew County provides suppression as needed in built up areas, however the Renfrew did indicate that this year’s supply would be used up earlier than anticipated. Frontenac County could consider a strategy of dust suppression similar to Lanark County in order to manage overall costs, rotating the areas addressed with Calcium Chloride every other year, but treating villages and built-up areas annually. This approach is not recommended, at least initially, as areas without treatment will be dusty and impact the quality of the trail experience for both motorized and non-motorized users in these areas. Recommend Report to Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee K&P Trail Management Plan Updates August 16, 2023

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Surface Grading, Shaping and Packing The County began its program of surface grading, shaping, and packing in 2021 and the Frontenac K&P Trail Management plan provides guidance regarding the desired outcome of the maintenance work. This report recommends that the management plan be updated to include more specifics regarding appropriate equipment for grading, shaping, and packing and coordinating the completion of this work over a repeating multi-year schedule. In 2021 and 2022 the County graded the entire K&P Trail using a box grader and compaction roller equipment. While cost effective, this approach appears to have only provided a surface treatment rather than a full restoration and reshaping of the trail. It is possible that this method of grading and shaping also contributed to the issue of dust. County staff amended the 2023 tender package to require use of a motor grader and vibratory roller. This approach resulted in an improved outcome, restoring both trail width and surface quality, however the prescribed budget envelope of $17,000 limited the scope of this work to approximately 26.5 kilometres (or 1/3 of the trail.) Motorized sections require more frequent grading to mitigate the channels formed from the weight of the off-highway recreational vehicle traffic. These channels can lead to washouts or other hazards which are unanticipated costs ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 per incident. Regular grading will mitigate the potential damage caused by these hazards. In the sections where OHRV’s are not permitted, regular grading is also required in response to erosion over time and the loss of trail width due to propagation of vegetation. Staff propose amending the K&P Management plan to prescribe that grading of motorized sections will take place every 2-3 years and non-motorized sections will be graded every 3-5 years using a motor grader. Each year approximately 33% of the trail will be graded, in order to establish a consistent annual budget expectation. It is also the recommendation of this report that the Management Plan be updated to include the following language regarding grading, shaping and packing: The trail surface will be sloped wherever possible at a 0 to 5% grade nominally 2% from the trail centerline using three passes of the grader, material from the edges of the trail pulled in and re-shaped to meet standard trail cross-section as per Figure 1. Compaction will be completed with a vibratory roller which is to take place immediately after grading in each section. The surface shall be compacted to a nominal 95% SPMDD.

Recommend Report to Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee K&P Trail Management Plan Updates August 16, 2023

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Corridor Width Included with the Frontenac K&P Trail Management Plan is Figure 1 (above), which describes the typical trail detail for the traveled portion of the K&P Trail, with a clear width of 4 meters. However, Figure 1, and the Management Plan itself, do not describe the typical width of the entire trail corridor and right-of-way which, in most cases, is 21.1 meters or 66 feet. This distance provides an appropriate buffer between adjacent land uses and the trail, in many cases providing screening between trail users and neighbouring landowners. This space also provides reasonable space to support maintenance, drainage and as the trail develops, amenities such as benches, parking or rest areas. The 21.1-meter width has been consistent in the 15 years of development, over the course of over 40 property transactions. There have been a few instances where alternate widths were adopted to reflect unique property lines or physical obstructions. For example, In the case of the planned acquisition of the portion of the K&P Trail owned by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, the existing lot lines are 30.5 meters (100 feet) wide. This report recommends that the Frontenac K&P Trail Management Plan be updated to reflect the standard width of the corridor or right-of-way be set at 21.1 meters. Recommend Report to Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee K&P Trail Management Plan Updates August 16, 2023

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Management Plan Review The Frontenac K&P Trail Management Plan was developed and approved in 2021, but as a living document it requires regular updates and review. Several projects and policies have evolved since the approval of the plan. Staff are recommending a full review of the policy be scheduled over the winter. Staff will present the committee with proposed updates and after committee review the updated plan will be shared with the public for input via www.engagefrontenac.ca before final approval by County Council. Strategic Priorities Priority 1: Develop a Regional Approach to Overcome Infrastructure Issues and Maximize Infrastructure Development Opportunities Financial Implications The anticipated annual cost for dust suppression is $1000/km over 55 km of trail open to OHRV, resulting in an annual budget increase from $15,000 to $55,000. It is expected that the cost of grading, shaping and compaction to remain consistent at $17,000 annually by completing the work on a rotating schedule, addressing different sections of trail every 3 years. There are no financial implications regarding the establishment of a standard corridor width for the K&P Trail in the Management Plan. Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Gerald Courneya, Project Manager

Recommend Report to Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee K&P Trail Management Plan Updates August 16, 2023

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Eagle Lake Long Lake

LAKE R O BOBS

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Lower Holleford

Knowlton Lake

Gould Lake Gould Lake

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ROAD

Report 2023-097 Committee Recommend Report To:

Chair and Members of the Planning & Economic Development Advisory Committee

From:

Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development

Date of meeting:

August 16, 2023

Re:

Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Physician Recruitment Update

Recommendation Be It Resolved That the Planning and Economic Development Committee advises County Council to establish a Physician Recruitment Reserve; And Further That the committee recommends to County Council that an annual contribution of $20,000 placed in the physician recruitment reserve, including the 2023 budget allocation; And Further That the County formally include Physician Recruitment as part of its 2024-2028 Workplan Background At their regular meeting on March 16, 2022 County Council was presented with Report 2022-029 Report to Frontenac Townships on Physician Recruitment. This report describes local concerns regarding access to comprehensive primary care within the larger Frontenac Lennox and Addington Ontario Health Team (FLA OHT) region and locally within Frontenac townships. Some key statistics from a 2020 report prepared by the City of Kingston indicate a dire family physician shortage. This is relevant as almost 20,000 patients from Frontenac townships receive their care outside the townships, many in Kingston. Information from the report: •

Kingston has almost 37,000 unattached patients.

•

Out of 295 family physicians listed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Kingston, only 139 (47%) are actively practicing comprehensive family medicine. The others are teaching, doing research, sub-specialties, or other activities.

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•

Approximately 26% of patients cared for by family physicians in Kingston live outside of Kingston.

•

Twenty-one (21) family physicians in Kingston (with average patient rosters of 1230 patients) plan to retire within the next 3-5 years. If these physicians are not replaced, they would ‘orphan’ a total of 25,830 patients, with 26% or 6,725 patients living outside of Kingston. It is likely that many of these are from Frontenac, and we may face thousands of extra patients requiring care in the next few years.

There is a current shortage of family physicians within the region which is expected to become worse with impending retirements. There is one clinic within our region with only one physician with rostered patients which is a highly unstable and unsustainable situation, as a car accident, severe illness, burnout, or retirement could easily lead to these clinics closing. In 2023, the Council of the County of Frontenac received and granted a budget request for $22,000 to assist with physician recruitment from the local health team representing clinics in Sydenham, Sharbot Lake and Verona. The presentation is available for review on the County’s YouTube channel and the presentation slides can be downloaded from the County’s Civic Web Portal. This report provides recommendations concerning these funds and next steps regarding physician recruitment. Comment Access to local primary care is important for communities to stay healthy and vibrant. These clinics are also important sources of local employment and provide referrals to support other local businesses including pharmacies and physiotherapy. From and economic development perspective, the availability of primary medical care is a key consideration for the attraction of new residents to any given region, especially for couples with school aged children who rely on convenient access to medical advice, vaccinations, check-ups and other support. Individuals who retire to the region may also require regular and convenient access to physicians. In 2022 and 2023 Economic Development staff were asked to assist with recruitment efforts by providing materials to the local clinics to assist in their efforts. A recruitment flyer and video have been developed, and the County’s trade show booth supplies havealso been provided to the local clinics to support upcoming efforts. In 2023, the booth featured a raffle basket of local products donated by the local business community, including a free stay in local accommodation and a local massage experience. This effort was seen as authentic and genuine in the competitive landscape. Replacement efforts are typically led by the physicians themselves, and some of the work associated with attending trade shows and conferences can detract from providing attention to their existing full roster of patients. The Verona and Sharbot Lake Clinics are both already short at least one physician, and the current physicians are eligible for retirement and could be replaced if qualified and interested candidates were secured.

Recommend Report Planning & Economic Development Advisory Committee – Physician Recruitment Update August 16, 2023

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As part of its budget deliberations, County Council had allocated $22,000 to be used for physician recruitment, ideally as a fee provided to recruitment firm for successful placement. There is one such firm in Canada that specializes in physician placement, and after an initial request for services was submitted, the County was declined service. The service was declined due to the difficulty in securing a placement for rural health practices with no clear incentives available to potential candidates. In many other jurisdictions there is either more demand from candidates, or attractive incentives in place to secure those candidates. In addition to establishing competitive recruitment bonuses, the Rural Kingston Family Health Organization indicated the need for assistance in preparing for and attending recruitment fairs, hosting familiarization tours, providing social media support, and supporting spousal employment for interested candidates. These activities are aligned with Economic Development skillsets and could be assumed more formally by the department at the direction of County Council. The Economic Development Team is currently working at capacity and cannot increase the support it currently provides for Physician Recruitment unless more human resources are added to the unit. If capacity were increased to support Tourism or another element of the operation, additional attention and support could be included formally in the business plan to assist with physician recruitment. Financial Implications $22,000 has been budgeted for physician recruitment in 2023, and this report recommends that County Council make this allocation an annual one and establish a reserve in order to support physician recruitment. Should a physician be recruited, competitive placement bonuses in nearby regions are typically in the range of $100,000 over 4-5 years. The Economic Development Team is currently working at capacity and cannot increase the support it currently provides for Physician Recruitment unless more human resources are added to the unit. If capacity were increased to support Tourism or another element of the operation, additional attention and support could be provided to assist with physician recruitment. Strategic Priorities Priority 2: Contribute to the Progress of Sustainable Economic Growth and Prosperity Throughout the County •

Support workforce development initiatives to create job opportunities and retain talent.

Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Rural Kingston Family Health Organization

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Report 2023-098 Committee Recommendation Report To:

Chair and Members of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee

From:

Debbi Miller, Community Development Officer

Date of meeting:

August 16, 2023

Re:

Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee – Visit Frontenac Website

Recommendation Be It Resolved That the Planning and Economic Development Committee recommends that County Council proceed with the development of a new tourism website for Visit Frontenac in 2024 Background Frontenac County Economic Development is the Destination Marketing Organization for our region. Since the closure of the Land O’Lakes Tourist Association in 2018, Frontenac County has assumed the role for the region, with the Economic Development Team promoting the region as a visitor destination as part of the department’s regular responsibilities. Tourism development involves both marketing as well as development activities addressing the infrastructure, connectivity, experience, and coordination of visitor-based activities in the region. The Frontenac County brand was established in 2017 and in 2022 with engagement across the region, the Tourism Brand Standards were developed to outline the storytelling and visuals. The toolkit for this project will roll out in the fall of 2023 for businesses. Establishing the Tourism Brand Standards was a foundational step in the Destination Development Plan and will guide the website development and marketing efforts. In 2017, the website “ www.infrontenac.ca” was created as an Economic Development web portal, but in 2020 and 2021 the site transitioned to be www.visitfrontenac.ca as a tourism website. The Visit Frontenac website currently uses the same provider, eSolutions Group GHD as the County of Frontenac and the Townships for their municipal websites.

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The Visit Frontenac website is intended to be a visitor facing, tourism focused website to share information for visitors about trip planning and moving around Frontenac County. A visitor is defined as anyone that lives more than 40 km away. Comment When the 5-year Destination Development Plan was created and approved by County Council in 2022, four Primary Goals of the Destination Development Plan were identified:

1. Establish a dedicated tourism resource to promote local small businesses and optimize the visitor experience.
2. Develop and promote a trail-based, sustainable outdoor recreation ecosystem to help locals and visitors navigate the County.
3. Support local organizations and communities that promote the County’s diverse identity, arts, culture, and heritage.
4. Develop a County-wide culinary experience and educational road map that celebrates local producers and sustainable supply chains. Throughout the Destination Development Plan several of the initiatives rely on a strong digital presence to achieve these goals. Creating dedicated industry content, mapping and consumer storytelling to inventory and promote County trails network, events and experiences. One of the plan’s strategic initiatives, under Goal #1 is: •

Establish a consumer-facing, visitor friendly tourism website as a central hub for promoting travel-related businesses, experiences, and events. o Invest in data management tools to optimize marketing efforts, o Develop various formats of consumer travel content for all channels, o Develop community-facing content to educate residents about tourism.

The strategic initiative below is within Goals #2, #3 and #4 of the plan. Each of these initiatives rely on a new tourism website. •

Create dedicated industry content, mapping and consumer storytelling to inventory and promote: o County trails network, events, and experiences. o Arts, culture and heritage-related businesses, experiences, and events. o Culinary tourism businesses, experiences, and related events.

The tourism sector plays a significant role in the economic impact in Frontenac County. Having a strong digital presence is critical for the County of Frontenac for both Tourism and Economic Development. Tourism websites influence a visitor’s perception of the area as they determine their travel plans and as they plan their itineraries of places to stay, things to do and places to eat. A tourism website is often the first impression of an area for a visitor. If the site does not have the information visitors are looking for, is not Recommend Report Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee - Visit Frontenac Website August 16, 2023

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visual, and doesn’t offer a good user experience to navigate the site, the visitor will quickly move to another website for another destination. The website will also play an important role in driving incremental revenue to small businesses, including more times of the year and across more parts of the region. Currently, the primary audience for tourism in Frontenac is residents within Frontenac County, Kingston, and neighbouring regions. A tourism website is also a valuable tool for Frontenac County residents for key information around trails and other information around our region. A key priority for the website is to expand the awareness of the Frontenac County brand nationally and internationally. With a stronger, more current digital presence the reach will broaden. As digital tools for travel planning evolve and increase functionality, it is important for the Frontenac County Economic Development resources to be brought in line with current tools. It should be noted that while Tourism information could be included in a municipal website, such as www.frontenaccounty.ca, the audience of a tourism website has different needs then the local residents those who are using the municipal website to find information on planning services, bylaws, election or Council meetings. Tourism websites require different functionality than municipal government sites that are used for operational needs of a corporation. The development of a tourism focused consumer facing website include alignment with digital marketing strategy to maximize the return on investment, and the integration of online resources for travel planning. Some of the functionality that the Tourism website needs to include are outlined here: Accessibility and other Legislation •

Ensuring the website is WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliant at minimum will be a requirement of the procurement. As of January 1, 2021, all public sector websites must conform with WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

•

Having a tool that will scan the site to check for broken links and accessibility issues and provide a report to staff will assist in ensuring compliance and the best user experience on the website.

•

Ensuring compliance with Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) and Privacy Acts for data collection. This will need to be considered both for the website and integrations with the site for newsletter subscriptions.

Mobile optimized •

Most users access websites using their mobile devices. Have a mobile optimized website is no longer an option, but a requirement. Having a mobile first and shareable approach needs to be considered. In 2023 72% of users that visited Visit Frontenac were using a mobile device.

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Search Engine Optimization (SEO) •

Ensuring the site is built in a way that supports SEO so that the site and its content are easily found and ranked by Google. This includes, but it not limited to things like alt tags, meta descriptions, links (internal and external), meta tags.

Digital Mapping •

Digital mapping allows visitors to plan their visits and build their own trip itineraries in a visual way using online maps.

Content •

The use of influencers for tourism marketing is very impactful and would be considered as marketing the region is developed.

•

Having the ability for influencers to write a post, take photos and share it through our channels. Approval levels for content integrations so that content is populated to the website with staff awareness.

•

A visual website with video functionality. This requirement will be balanced with considering load times for images and tools on the site.

Social media integration •

Supports memory-sharing of images and stories through the website from visitors.

•

Allows visitors to the site to learn about things taking place from others as well as our community and staff.

Events Calendar •

Including a calendar that businesses and organizations can add and submit events for review and publishing by staff. Ensuring the calendar is a visual asset that allows events across the region to be highlighted and discovered by visitors.

Newsletter •

The ability to have a customer facing newsletter with sign up to allow visitors to receive updates and information related to tourism.

Industry Portal •

A space for the industry community to find resources, submit content, and edit their content.

Customer Relationship Management

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•

A new website should maintain some of the core functionality of the business listings that are searchable by category and location and connected to the Township websites. Having the ability for businesses to add, update and publish content is important.

•

The business listing element could be reimagined and improved but needs to be able to pull from the existing directory that has been established. Certain integrations with the site would include the business directory. Business contact information to also serve as a CRM would be useful for multi purposes.

Google Analytics •

The ability to run reports, track trends or changes, and measure success.

Training •

Staff training on the backend of the website to allow staff to make timely updates to content.

Certain functionality on the website may be built out in a phased approach. The website content will need to be researched, developed, and created. There is existing content on the Visit Frontenac website, but the recommendations for the new site will include a complete review to update existing content, greater functionality and additional content be developed. Working with a company that will analyse the digital tools that are scoped in the Request for Proposal and offer the best recommendation to fulfill the needs for Tourism with a phased approach will be important for this project. A company that has a proven track record on innovative, professional website design and demonstrated capabilities to support, enhance and continuously improve the online presence for Visit Frontenac will be important to success of the project. Leveraging new technology to help visitors with trip planning, questions, discovery and sharing their memories is important to consider with the core functionality of a new tourism website.

Internal Capacity This site would require ongoing support through the development, implementation and ongoing from the IT department to support various aspects to ensure compliance. However, the project management for designing the website and determining its functionality will be led by the Economic Development Team. In addition, the website will require regular updates and reviews to remain current and competitive in the modern tourism landscape. Report 2023-XXX identifies the need for the Economic Development team to grow in order to implement the Destination Development plan, and that includes this website. The hard costs for developing the site can be funded through the Community Recommend Report Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee - Visit Frontenac Website August 16, 2023

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Development Reserve, however the human resource to oversee the development and ongoing management of the website will also need to be in place for this project to proceed. Financial Implications Recommendations for future budget considerations will be brought forward through the budget and planning process. A new Tourism website to replace the existing one at www.visitfrontenac.ca including content development, creation, design, training and support is anticipated to cost between $50,000 and $70,000. The ongoing maintenance, support and upgrades are already incorporated into the Economic Development annual budget to maintain the existing website. This amount will not be known until the RFP closes. A project proposal will be presented to County Council to replace www.visitfrontenac.ca with a new Tourism Website would be included in the 2024 budget and is expected to be funded through the Community Development Reserve in 2024, contingent on the economic development team having appropriate staff capacity to lead the project. Strategic PrioritiesPriority 2: Contribute to the Progress of Sustainable Economic Growth and Prosperity Throughout the County •

Provide business support and resources to existing and prospective businesses.

•

Attract new investments and businesses to Frontenac County.

Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Frontenac County Businesses Frontenac County Residents Visitors to Frontenac County DestinationNEXT/MMGY Tourism Kingston Ontario’s Highland’s Tourism Organization Matt Mills, Communications Officer David Millard, Manager of Information Services

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Report 2023-100 Committee Recommend Report To:

Chair and Members of Planning & Economic Advisory Committee

Prepared by:

Joe Gallivan, Director, Planning & Economic Development

Date of meeting:

August 16, 2023

Re:

Planning and Economic Development Department Official Plan Amendment No. 3 – County of Frontenac Official Plan – Communal Services Policies

Recommendation Be It Resolved That the County of Frontenac Planning Advisory Committee set a date for a Public Meeting with respect to Official Plan Amendment #3 to the Frontenac County Official Plan – Communal Services Policies; And Further that the Committee set the date for the Public Meeting to be Wednesday, October 4th to be held at South Frontenac Township Council Chambers; And Further that the Committee direct staff to prepare the public meeting notice and circulate the notice to technical agencies and advertise as per the requirements of the Planning Act. Background The purpose of the Official Plan Amendment No. 3 is to add policies to the County Official Plan to support new development using communal water and wastewater services. A copy of the draft by-law for the amendment is included as Attachment 1 to this report. Communal services are systems that provide water and wastewater treatment to clusters of residences or businesses. They can be a less expensive alternative to centralized municipal services and a more environmentally-friendly alternative to private

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on-site services. However, perceived obstacles have slowed the implementation of communal services in many jurisdictions. A key benefit of communal services is that they represent alternative water and wastewater servicing approaches that can provide the County and Townships with the innovative technology and flexibility to accommodate growth and achieve planning, environmental, and economic objectives. County Council originally supported the initiation of the Communal Services Study as part of the 2017 budget process. One of the primary purposes of initiating this work was to demonstrate that the perceived obstacles - engineering, financial, risk management, planning - are just that, and to equip Frontenac with the tools necessary to enable redevelopment and new development on the basis of communal services. Communal water and wastewater servicing offers the potential to allow for new development and infill across the County, including on village and hamlet mainstreets, addressing some of the challenges associated with centralized municipal services and with private on-site services. Most importantly, communal servicing has the potential to support more compact, landefficient development than is possible with private servicing, at a lower cost than is possible with centralized municipal services, and enable revitalization of the Frontenac’s communities. As demonstrated in the work that has done by Frontenac in the past six years, the implementation of development on communal services has many potential benefits for Frontenac. For the Frontenac region, communal servicing enables: • • • • •

Increased development potential, growing the tax base; More water-sensitive design and other approaches to meet sustainability objectives; A broader range of housing typologies and commercial development to allow for complete communities; Reduced municipal service delivery costs to residents (e.g. garbage collection, snow removal); and A new approach to managing financial risk.

For developers, communal servicing allows for more: • • •

Flexibility to address different market segments; Feasible servicing approaches for developments in hard-to-service areas; and Guidance and certainty on servicing.

And citizens that have the potential to reside in a communal service neighbourhood can: • •

Be confident in their water and wastewater treatment systems; Have a wider choice of housing options, allowing for aging in place; and

Recommend Report to Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Official Plan Amendment No. 3 – Communal Services Policies August 16th, 2023

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•

Be confident that water resources are being appropriately stewarded.

The proposed Official Plan amendment is to formally recognize in policy the work that has been done by Frontenac on this initiative, that the County supports communal services as a preferred form of servicing, options where new development on communal services may take place, and confirm that the Township Official Plans will establish new policy to determine where communal service development should be permitted. Strategic Priority Implications Regional planning policies supporting new development on communal services is aligned with strategic priority #2 of the Frontenac County Strategic Plan (2023-2026): “Contribute to the Progress of Sustainable Economic Growth and Prosperity Throughout the County”. Financial Implications Not applicable Attachments

1. Draft Official Plan Amendment to the County of Frontenac Official Plan (Amendment Number 3) to recognize communal services as a preferred form of municipal servicing.

Recommend Report to Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Official Plan Amendment No. 3 – Communal Services Policies August 16th, 2023

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Appendix 1 Draft Official Plan Amendment #3 – Frontenac County Official Plan Communal Services 4.2.1.4.2

Communal Servicing

Communal services are systems that provide water and wastewater treatment to clusters of residences or businesses. They can be a less expensive alternative to centralized municipal services and a more environmentally friendly alternative to private on-site services. However, perceived obstacles have slowed the implementation of communal services in many jurisdictions. A key benefit of communal services is that they represent alternative water and wastewater servicing approaches that can provide the County and Townships with the innovative technology and flexibility to accommodate growth and achieve planning, environmental, and economic objectives. Frontenac County has completed a Communal Servicing Study to demonstrate that the perceived obstacles - engineering, financial, risk management, planning - are just that, and to equip Frontenac with the tools necessary to enable redevelopment and new development on communal services. Communal water and wastewater servicing (also known as decentralized servicing) offers the potential to allow for new development and infill across the County, including on village and hamlet main streets, addressing some of the challenges associated with centralized municipal services and with private on-site services. Most importantly, communal servicing has the potential to support more compact, land-efficient development than is possible with private servicing, at a lower cost than is possible with centralized municipal services, and enable the revitalization of Frontenac’s communities. The Communal Servicing Study demonstrated that development on communal services has many potential benefits for Frontenac and rural development. For the Frontenac region, communal servicing enables: • • • • •

Increased development potential and growing the tax base; More water-sensitive design and other approaches to meet sustainability objectives; A broader range of housing types and commercial development to allow for complete communities; Reduced municipal service delivery costs to residents (e.g. garbage collection, snow removal); and A new approach to managing financial risk.

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For builders, communal servicing allows for more: • • •

Flexibility to address different market segments; Feasible servicing approaches for developments in hard-to-service areas; and Guidance and certainty on servicing.

Citizens that reside in a neighbourhood with communal services can: • • •

Have stable and continual safe operation in their water and wastewater treatment systems; Have a wider choice of housing options, allowing for aging in place; and Recognize that water resources are being appropriately stewarded.

Frontenac has created a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) under the Ontario Municipal Act, with the County and four Townships as shareholders. The MSC allows for the operation of a public utility that will manage and operate all future development on communal services. Frontenac County is the first regional jurisdiction in Ontario that has created a utility to develop a singular approach to supporting new development on communal services.

4.2.1.4.2.1

Policies

a. The County supports new development on communal services across the entire region, with the Municipal Service Corporation assuming and maintaining new water and wastewater services. b. New residential subdivision proposals in settlement areas identified in the Township Official Plans shall be created on communal services, wherever feasible, to achieve a density that is compatible. c. Communal services may also be considered by the Townships to service parts or the whole of existing villages, including main street improvements. d. Communal services shall be the primary servicing method for new large scale commercial development and industrial/business parks. e. Township Official Plans shall include policies to support the use and location of communal services, including:

1. Specific settlement areas where communal services shall be required;
2. How communal services can be used to create new forms of housing in settlement areas, and the requirement for different forms of housing (e.g.,

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apartments, townhouses, tiny homes, mixed use development, etc.), including policies about the scale and density of development; 3) Rural areas, with policies that establish criteria for the type and maximum density of rural residential development; 4) Waterfront development or redevelopment, including policies about the scale and density of development; and 5) The studies and plans required to demonstrate that communal servicing for a proposed project is appropriate and will have no negative impacts.

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Report 2023-099 Committee Recommend Report To:

Chair and Member, Planning Advisory Committee

From:

Kelly Pender, Chief Administrative Officer

Prepared by:

Joe Gallivan, Director of Planning and Economic Development

Date of meeting:

August 16, 2023

Re:

Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee – Director of Planning and Economic Development – 2024 Work Plan

Recommendation That the County of Frontenac Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee recommend to County Council the approval of the 2024 work plan for the Planning and Economic Development Department; and Further, that the Director provide an overview to County Council as part of the 2024 budget deliberations as well as the Councils of the three municipalities which the department provides planning services. Background The purpose of this report is to provide the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee with a projection of the workload and key initiatives for the Department. This report is intended to provide the Committee with the opportunity to provide input and help set priorities for the work plan for the department.

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Comment As we enter 2024, the department is at a turning point in the delivery of economic development services, and there are decisions required in how the department operates and the ability to advance economic development issues, particularly those that are tourism related. The department continues to be committed to continuous improvement and quality service to citizens, investors, visitors, and both Township and County Councils. On the planning side we are expecting to work with the three Townships for which we provide day-to-day planning services in 2024 to bring in new ways of managing planning applications and improving efficiencies in approval times. This is a continuation of the work that began in 2023, in part driven by changes to the Planning Act by the Province with the goal of building more housing in Ontario at a faster rate. At the regional planning level work priorities in 2024 include the start of a regional Natural Heritage Study, the commencement of development of a Community Planning Permit System for all four Townships, and continued implementation of the Frontenac communal services initiative. The economic development team continue to work on numerous projects across multiple areas. Some of the areas that require considerable staff resources include: •

Management of the 70-kilometre-long K&P Trail, including the development and maintenance of the trail, and promotional materials to attract citizens and tourists to the trail and businesses. As the trail continues to see an increase in use, there is increased demand for maintenance, signage, and other amenities along the trail.

•

The Open Farms project in 2023 is taking place over 6 weeks, commencing September 1, and running until October 15, 2023. The project includes partnerships and outreach with the farms and businesses, as well as the City of Kingston, South Frontenac, and Tourism Kingston. This project includes a new webpage that hosts the events in a calendar format. https://openfarms.ca/.

•

Business Support in Frontenac County is ongoing and continues to see increased demand. There is ongoing support, through discussions and connections for businesses that are looking for support through resources or with other agencies. Business communication includes – but is not limited to – weekly newsletters, Frontenac Discovery Guide (the app), and networking sessions. There are also annual events and connections through the annual business survey, Business Awards, the Business Retreat that all require an increased amount of staff time.

•

Collaboration with the two Regional Tourism Organizations for marketing on a regular basis to support marketing for the region. Collaboration with Tourism Kingston as part of the Destination Marketing Committee.

•

Asset development for various projects including photo and video creation. These are outsourced to contractors but require a considerable amount of staff time for

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project management, to develop the asset lists, management of photo and video shoots and review of various materials. These assets will be used for marketing purposes. Economic Development Services – 2024 and Beyond As noted in the attached work plan, the work done on regional economic development is at a crossroads in terms of delivering services. The success of the tourism initiatives and continued work with Frontenac businesses has pushed the demand for providing more initiatives. There are two courses of action that can take place in 2024 and the next three to five years: •

Option 1 is to continue to do economic development work with existing staff resources which will impact on the delivery of the economic development initiatives; and

•

Option 2 involves a budget request to County Council to create an additional Community Development Officer position that can be involved in tourism, business promotion, marketing, and regional projects.

Frontenac County Strategic Plan The Planning & Economic Development work plan for 2024 and beyond supports strategic priority #2 in the County Strategic Plan: “Contribute to the Progress of Sustainable Economic Growth and Prosperity Throughout the County” •

Work with Townships to improve and sustain the villages and hamlets across the region.

•

Develop regional tools and policies to support long-term protection of lakes, rivers, and other important environmental features in Frontenac.

•

Support different forms of housing such as small apartments, affordable houses, and seniors housing.

•

Provide business support and resources to existing and prospective businesses.

•

Attract new investments and businesses to Frontenac County.

•

Support workforce development initiatives to create job opportunities and retain talent.

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Financial Implications It is estimated that the budget cost for the new Community Development Officer position recommended in this work plan will be approximately $116,680. The cost for 2024 would likely be less because if County Council supports this position, it likely will not begin until the end of the first quarter of 2024. Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Finance

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2024 – 2028 Business Plan Planning & Economic Development County of Frontenac – Department Presentation DRAFT August 2023

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Department Objectives

1. Integrate land use planning and economic development actions

2. Implement strategic, regional planning policy

3. Develop and support innovative regional projects that can bring vitality to Frontenac County

4. Work collaboratively with member Townships to enhance service levels

5. Manage workload capacity

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Department Objectives (continued) 6.

Continue to provide sound planning opinions to County and Township Councils

Engage and support the Frontenac business community

Attract new businesses, residents and visitors to Frontenac County.

Use the themes identified in the Charter for Economic Development to focus economic development activity.

10. Manage & Develop the K&P Trail as a strategic Economic Development initiative.

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Planning Services Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Planning Priorities • C h a m p i o n re g i o n a l p l a n n i ng priorities • Wo r k w i t h Tow n s h i ps to p l a n a n d d e l i ve r ‘go o d p l a n n i n g ’ a n d g row t h o p p or t un i t i e s • Wo r k to fo ste r e co n o m i c p ro s p e r i t y by co l l a b o rat i ng w i t h e co n o m i c d eve l o p m e nt

• D eve l o p a n d s u p p o r t a p l a n n i n g a p p rova l s syste m t h at i s co n s i ste nt a c ro s s t h e re g i o n a n d e a sy to a c c e s s fo r b o t h c i t i ze n s a n d i nve sto rs .

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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2023 Achievements •

Communal Services – Municipal Services Corporation endorsed by the County and all 4 Townships

•

Ontario Planning Legislation Changes

•

Review of planning fees for the townships

•

Sharbot Lake – communal services feasibility study adopted September 2022

•

Continued high volume of planning applications

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Township Planning Hours

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Township Application Numbers

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Township Planning Work • Development/planning applications continue to be steady in terms of volume; numbers have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. • Official Plan Reviews South Frontenac 2021-2023 (County approval authority) Frontenac Islands – expected start-up 2023/2024

• Major Projects Marysville Secondary Plan implementation Central Frontenac Zoning By-Law – Housekeeping Amendments Sharbot Lake former public school site redevelopment North Frontenac Zoning By-Law – Housekeeping Amendments

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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County Planning Work • Major projects Communal Services (roll out in 2024) Natural Heritage Study (2023-2024) Community Planning Permit System Implementation (2024) Population Projections (every 5 years) Regional Community Improvement Plan (CIP) (2023 -2024)

• County Official Plan update (2024 to 2025) • Subdivision activity Could increase if municipal services corporation put in place by end of 2023.

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Risk Analysis and Mitigation - Planning Level

Issue Delays to Timelines for Planning Applications

Advisement

• Volume of planning applications for 3 Townships expected to continue to be steady and higher than pre-pandemic levels. • Risk of delays in planning applications for the 3 Townships being reviewed within Planning Act timelines (Bill 109)

Mitigation Delays to Planning Applications • Adopt Community Planning Permit System (in process) • Delegate some planning approvals to staff (in process) • Work with Township staff to make internal process improvements for receiving and processing planning applications

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Risk Analysis and Mitigation – Planning Level

Issue Delays to Strategic Initiatives

Caution

• • •

Major policy reviews continue to be delayed/suspended Only 11% of time in 2022 dedicated to policy work Housekeeping updates and consolidation not occurring

Mitigation Delays to Strategic Initiatives •

Townships may need to retain consultants to do policy work depending on workload (e.g., Central Frontenac Zoning By-law update)

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Economic Development Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Charter for Economic Development (2015)

Trips and Trails

Food and Beverage

Recreation Lifestyle

Providing safe community linkages for recreation, active transportation and tourism will provide opportunities for business and assessment growth.

Food and beverage products that are grown, processed and sold locally, regionally and internationally will reinforce the character and reputation of the Frontenac Region, while providing local jobs and support for tourism.

Promotion of the Frontenac lifestyle, with access to the natural beauty and amenities of the region will appeal to families and businesses. This lifestyle will be complemented by a “connected” community.

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 2028

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Economic Development Services (continued)

Administration

Business Support

Tourism

Trails

Investment Attraction

Open Farms

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Business Support 2023 Achievements • Annual survey • Weekly communications • 2 formal workshops • Working on the 2nd annual business awards

Business Plan Focus for 2024-2028 • Business surveys • Weekly communications • Increased opportunities for in person networking & education • Business Awards

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Investment Attraction 2023 Achievements • Development of County-wide Community Improvement Plan • Work on the Frontenac Immigrant Entrepreneur Program (FIEP)

Business Plan Focus 2024-2028 • • • • •

Implement and Launch County-wide CIP Delivery of FIEP Land-Use Policy Opportunity Review Physician Recruitment Film & Television (if capacity is available)

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Tourism 2023 Achievements • Familiarization Tour on Wolfe Island • Tourism Brand Expansion Implementation • Frontenac Discovery Guide Promotion

Business Plan Focus 2024-2028 • Development of a new website • Implementation of Destination Development Plan • Launch of Tourism Brand Video

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Destination Management Plan Implementation The various responsibilities outlined in the plan require a dedicated tourism resource to oversee Tourism development and marketing, including the development of a new tourism website. Project Proposal 2024: • Tourism Website

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Open Farms • Dedicated event website launched in 2023 • 79 Event listings, including Farmers Markets • 18 Farms, businesses, community groups • Presented in partnership with Township of South Frontenac, City of Kingston and Tourism Kingston Next to trail responsibilities, Open Farms continues to be the second-highest use of Economic Development Team’s time.

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Missed Opportunities Due to the growing number of responsibilities and initiatives in the Economic Development Team business plan, it is difficult to respond to challenges or opportunities as the arise.

Additional Familiarization Tours in different areas of Frontenac County Film & Television Development. More support for Doctor Recruitment Additional agricultural initiatives – such as farm familiarization tours Destination Development Plan Implementation Delayed completion of County-wide Community Improvement Plan Proactive work to support businesses Website updates and review Social media Marketing opportunities

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Risk Analysis and Mitigation – Economic Development Level

Issue

Caution

Staff Capacity Mitigation

• Hire an additional Community Development Officer (see project proposal) • Continue to utilize project management contractor to assist with trail management and maintenance • Increase the Summer Student Staff Complement

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

The Community Development Reserve has been instrumental in the sustainability and growth of various Economic Development initiatives including the creation and sustainment of the Ambassador program. From 2024-2028, these projects are planned to be supported by reserve:

• Execution of County-wide Community Improvement Plan (2024-2029)
• Tourism Website Refresh (2024)

Thousands

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Community Development Reserve

$100

$93

Projected Year End Balances: Community Development Reserve

$90 $80 $70

$60 $45

$50 $40

$39 $31

$30

$29 $18

$20 $10

$7

$8

$7

2028

2029

2030

$23

$11

$2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

2031

2032

2033

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Intangibles to Business Plan 2024 - 2028 • • • • • • •

E c o n o mi c D e v e l o p m ent P a r t n e r C o l l a b o ra ti o n C a p a c i ty t o i m p l e m e nt D e s t i n a ti o n P l a n R e c o mm end at i on s K & P Tr a i l – I n c r e as ed Wo r k & M a n a ge men t D e m a nd s Vo l u m e o f P l a n n i n g A p p l i c a t i o ns To w n s hi p P l a n n i n g P o l i c y Wo r k O n t a ri o L a n d Tr i b u n al ( O LT) A p p e a l s P r o v i n c i al P l a n n i n g L e g i s l a ti o n C h a n g es 2 0 2 4 – N a t u r al H e r i t a ge a n d E n v i r o n me nt p o l i c i e s

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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Questions?

Planning and Economic Development Business Plan 2024 - 2028

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