WHEREAS the Municipality of East Ferris’ Official Plan states that unless it is clearly in the public interest for the Municipality, it is not intended that existing private roads will be assumed by the Municipality and no responsibility for access, snow removal, maintenance or use by school buses is acknowledged. Where, however, the Municipality chooses to assume a private road, the road must first be improved to the standards for Municipal roads. Roads on lands under plan of subdivision may be assumed by the Municipality provided the standards for road construction have been satisfactorily met;
AND WHEREAS the standards for new road construction include a minimum of 20 metres (66 feet) right-of-way, engineered design and layout, appropriate drainage and construction;
AND WHEREAS the Municipality’s Official Plan states that no construction, alteration or maintenance of the Municipal roadway shall be permitted without the expressed permission of the Municipality;
AND WHEREAS the Municipality of East Ferris has three roads (Birch Hill, Gauthier and Ashwood) that form part of its Municipal Road Inventory that are not up to municipal standards, are being maintained by residents, and for which no expressed permissions of use have been authorized;
AND WHEREAS the Municipality of East Ferris owns a parcel of land that was transferred to the Municipality in 2015 which was and continues to be used as a road (One Mile Road) and maintained by residents, and for which no expressed permissions of use have been authorized;
NOW IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to examine the options to move forward and suggest a plan of action with proposed timelines. Note in passing this Motion, Council understands the financial implications and therefore directs staff to identify only immediate priorities. A longer term horizon as well as a staged approach is encouraged where future action is deemed appropriate and necessary.