Cottage Q&A
QUESTIONMy wife and I are thinking about transferring our Lake Simcoe cottage to our two sons. The lot measures 100 feet in frontage and is 300 feet deep. There are two cottages on the property. We would like to resurvey the property into two lots and give a title to each son. How should we proceed with the application?
ANSWER
Severance regulations vary between municipalities, so first call the local planning department - in your case, the Town of Georgina - to find out if your property is eligible. Waterfront properties typically need a minimum of one to two acres and 200 feet of frontage. The existence of archaeological sites, highway access points, protected habitats, and the inability to install a septic system could all put the kibosh on your plans. Also consider that the Lake Simcoe area falls under the provincial greenbelt plan, which means you must hire an environmental consultant. Denis Beaulieu, the planner for the Town of Georgina, suggests checking www.ontarioplanners.on.ca for a list of accredited consultants.
While criteria for severance varies, the process is similar province-wide. Once you have determined that you can sever, submit an application to the township's planning department. Application fees are set by the different municipalities and run from $500 to $1,500. Expect to answer specific questions about the dimensions of your property, including frontage, area, and the size of the proposed lot. The planning department will circulate your application to neighbours, who, depending on the municipality, could include conservation authorities, railways, the Ministry of Transportation, and First Nations bands. A public meeting will be held to review your application, followed by an appeals period that typically lasts 20 days. One of the common conditions of approval is a survey for the new lot, says Kim Horrigan, assistant director of the development services department for the town of Bracebridge, another built-up cottage area. This step will run you an extra $1,000 to $3,000, depending on whether there are existing markers on the property or if the surveyor has to start from scratch. Finally, a lawyer draws up the new deed, and once the planning department stamps it, you will have officially created a brand new property. Congratulations.
* Published in the April/May 2006 issue of Cottage Life
