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Roads License Agreements
Many members of the Lake of Bays Association have heard that the Township of Lake of Bays (and other municipalities across the province) is requiring residents on private roads that are located on or run across an Unopened Road Allowance, to enter into a Roads License Agreement (RLA) with the Township, or to purchase their Unopened Road Allowance. According to the Township website, an Unopened Road Allowance is a surveyed road allowance owned by the municipality that does not contain a Township Road. Roads that meet the criteria are identified when new development on the road is proposed or when a Short-Term Rental License application is received. You will find a list of roads that have been identified to date on the Township website.
While this issue affects a relatively small number of people in the Township, there has been a lot of confusion and frustration. At a Council meeting on August 13 (watch the meeting here), a 180-day moratorium was passed to give the Township time to hold a public meeting and make changes to how the by-law is being implemented. LOBA sent a letter to Council in support of the moratorium.
As LOBA understands it, the primary objective of having residents enter into a Roads License Agreement with the Township is to reduce potential risk and liability to the Township, road users, the public and all municipal taxpayers; as well as ensuring that roads are maintained to allow for safe passage and accessibility, particularly for emergency vehicles.
LOBA President Paul Gleeson and Garnet Beach Road Association President Don McCreesh met with representatives from the Township earlier this week to discuss RLAs. It was a fruitful discussion, and we look forward to working with the Township through the 180-day moratorium.
The Township has scheduled a Public Meeting on Monday September 9 to hear comments and concerns from the public.
What Our Members Need to Know:
- To learn more about the issue and to assess if you are affected refer to the Township Roads License Agreement page.
- If you are still unsure how or if this affects you, contact the Township Public Works Department via Steve Peace speace@lakeofbays.on.ca.
- If you wish to make comments, attend the public meeting on Monday September 9 at 1:00 p.m., virtually or in-person. The link to join virtually will be provided on the agenda and the Special Council Meeting event page by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. If you are unable to attend or prefer to submit written comments, they can be sent to csykes@lakeofbays.on.ca. In-person and virtual attendees wishing to speak will be allocated 5 minutes. Click here to read the full Public Notice of Meeting.
LOBA has submitted comments for the public meeting.
Click here to read the letter.
LOBA is not able to provide legal or insurance advice to our members. However, we have learned from members working through their RLA that this is most easily accomplished as an incorporated Road Association. We have also been told that Associations and individuals who apply to purchase their road allowance during the 180-day moratorium will not be required to enter into a RLA.
Please contact the Township of Lake of Bays with further questions.
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