Kinmount Streetscape Delayed

Ideas and individual perceptions of the truth often differ, but never have different ideas failed to merge like they have over a small ‘streetscape’ project in beautiful downtown Kinmount. A project that has been designed, tendered, awarded and is even half completed is in a holding pattern because the beliefs of those looking forward to the improvements differ so dramatically from people who hope to see the project in its present state stopped. Keith Stata, owner of Highlands Cinemas
and long time resident, says that Kinmount had sidewalks for over 100 years like many other small local communities. But in 1975 serious drainage problems led some deep city thinker to attempt to fix these problems by pouring asphalt over the entire street, sidewalks and all. That seemed to resolve things for 16 or more years until the street gradually deteriorated into an intolerable state and
vehicles parked on and drove down the sidewalk as a matter of course.
“Think for a moment how you would feel if you were in Toronto, Haliburton, Lindsay or Minden and you had to walk around cars and trucks parked on the sidewalk,” he said. “Or what it would be like to have to jump out of the way to avoid vehicles driving down the sidewalk.” Stata said that for years people in the area pushed the City of Kawartha Lakes to fix the mess Kinmount had become and replace the sidewalks. Recognizing that serious drainage and safety issues had to be resolved, the city set funds aside to reconstruct the main street
and finally, in the fall of 2008, they advertised a public meeting to discuss their ‘streetscape’ proposal and receive input from local merchants and residents alike. The plans set out to restore the sidewalks and install curbs, keeping vehicles
on the roadway where they belonged. But according to Stata one merchant opposed the project from day one and failed to attend any of the public meetings or work with other business owners to reach a compromise. While almost all
of the merchants in the area were ecstatic about the improvements to the community, the owner of the Shop ‘n Save, Hafiz Makani, refused to accept what was being proposed from the moment he saw the plans. Stata says that the Shop ‘n Save Store is an asset to the community, but he is very angry that
Makani continues to put up roadblocks to stop a project that will improve traffic flow, the overall look of thecommunity and most important, resolve safety concerns that have reached an unacceptable level. According to Stata, H.C. Douglas operated a convenience store from the Shop ‘n Save location for three decades with sidewalks in front of it. By the time Makani purchased the building it was a small restaurant, set back from the street and vehicles were permitted to drive over the sidewalk (area) and park in front of the restaurant. However, Stata said that Makani immediately built a small addition on the north side of the store eliminating some of the parking. The business prospered and Makani applied to the
city to add another larger addition. The permit was granted subject to building a parking lot that would accommodate up to twelve vehicles in the rear of the building, a parking lot that according to city officials hasn’t quite materialized.
Rather than using the rear loading docks, delivery trucks pull up to the front of the store to unload, often blocking passage on the sidewalks. Stata said, “Shop ‘n Save customers can park in front of the cenotaph and walk to the store. Now, pedestrians often have to walk onto the street into oncoming traffic and they can’t see due to the height of the trucks. Of course, traffic never manages to travel at
posted speeds and overall the situation has become untenable and dangerous.”
Makani originally said that he was losing all of his parking which, according to city officials was not the case. He said that his business is geared towards convenience and that parking in front of the Shop ‘n Save is vital, not only to the success of his
business but also for accessibility for seniors or disabled people. Makani says that
he isn’t opposed to the sidewalks themselves, but to the curbs and the change from five parking spots in front of his store to two parking spots. “It will be devastating to my business,” he said. When asked why he didn’t attend the public meetings, Makani suggested that they weren’t well advertised and he was unaware
of the first. When the second meeting was posted, he was unable to attend, but he did attend a meeting with city officials the day prior to the public meeting, something that didn’t sit well with the other merchants. Makani insists that he has started work on his parking lot and will complete the work next year in accordance with orders issued by the city, but he will not agree to losing the parking in front of his store. He said the review process for the project allowed individuals with concerns to take them to the Ministry of Environment; and that is what he did when he couldn’t reach an agreement with the city. But the ministry did not accept
his arguments. As he has had little support from the other merchants, Makani prepared to go to court. And that is where the project stands at the present time; within the court system. Shelina Makani said that she and her husband have talked with the city councillors and officials, MOE bureaucrats and even their MPP, but they’re not getting satisfactory answers from anyone, so they decided that the only way to save their business was to go to court. She said, “We’re willing to do everything that is required. We think we have provided logical explanations and if everyone wants to sit down and come to terms and not take away our five spots, we will agree to everything.” Both Makani and her husband have suggested that the matter has become personal . Makani said, “Getting satisfactory results depends on who you are and that is the problem.” In the meantime, a bottleneck remains in place as traffic reaches the bridge over the Burnt River, safety concerns persist, the project is on hold and many of the merchants are very disappointed that construction may now be delayed to the point that it will interfere with the entire summer tourist season this year.
The County Voice spoke with several other merchants in the community to gain a broader perspective. “We’ve been delivered bad news, but we’ve been here a
long time and we make our own community.” That was Diane Austin’s response to inquiries about the project delay. Austin owns the local lumber company and Chairs Kinmount’s Committee for Planning and Economic Development, says that
Kinmount is characterized by a selfless spirit of cooperation, and for the most part the community is very excited to see the kind of infrastructure that is being planned by the City for their tiny community. Austin said that the Shop ‘n Save is a
wonderful store that has been a real bonus to the community. “Unfortunately the owner has set up some serious roadblocks.” According to Austin, Makani is the only merchant opposing the project. “All of the other merchants have
fully endorsed and are excited about the project. But for (Makani) the sidewalks would have been in place for our 150th anniversary.” Austin said that the merchants in the community want to embrace change, progress and positive thinking. “The thing is, there is a right and wrong response to this plan. There are
no grey areas. The city has to follow the codes of the province and besides being the main street it is also a highway. How can you back vehicles
out onto the highway?” According to Austin the arguments being made have prolonged what will be a wonderful enhancement to Kinmount. “One person should
not have that power but if one person objects, the city has to investigate. The city is just following the rules from an environmental and logistical point of view. But is Makani the only person against the project? He has produced several petitions with a considerable number of signatures suggesting that parking should not be reduced in front of the store. While some merchants suggest that he has brow
beaten his customers into signing, Makani has also produced copies of letters supporting his point of view. Lynn Nicholls, who owns Gateway Variety, is renovating her store to coincide with the streetscape project. Nicholls, who hails
from Bobcaygeon and is fairly new to the community, attended all of the public meetings and said that the participation by everyone involved, with one exception, was phenomenal. Nicholls said that at the present time there is no differentiation
between the road and the sidewalks. “Water is pooling, pedestrians are getting splashed and cars are parked on the sidewalks all over the place. The new plans define the sidewalks. There is curbing and there will be no ifs, ands or buts about where to park or walk and along a highway, that’s important. We get a lot of traffic
going through this small community.” Kinmount Streetscape Delayed “Think for a moment what it would be like to have to jump out of the way to avoid vehicles driving down the sidewalk.” (Keith Stata) “It will be devastating to my business.”
(Hafiz Makani) Nicholls is also losing parking in front of her store, but she says there are lots of alternatives and she is working with the plans that are in place for Kinmount. “We asked that construction get underway right after the Kinmount Fair, so work would be done in a way that would not interfere with the business season.” While Nicholls is disappointed that the project has been delayed, she is
still looking forward to the improvements. Darrell Darling, who works for the city’s Engineering Department and is responsible for the project at the present time said, “This is a touchy situation, but beyond that he was hesitant to comment. He did confirm that the plans allowed for Makani to retain two parking spots in front
of the store and that additional parking was available in the alleyway beside the store which would allow almost exactly the same number of spots as are in existence now; while there is no parking lot in the back as yet there will be a dozen spots available once that work has been completed. Darling also said it was a bit of a stretch to say there are five parking spots in front of the store at present. He said, “It’s more like four.” Jane Reynolds, the CAO for the City of Kawartha Lakes confirmed that the case is in the hands of the courts. She said, “The matter will be addressed in February. In the interim we have concluded any (drainage/storm sewers) work that can be done until spring and work is scheduled to start up
again in May. We anticipate that we will be able to conclude the work, but it is dependent on the courts.” Reynolds could not guarantee that the project, as planned, would be completed. Makani has suggested that he would stop the injunction if the city agrees to go back to square one and hold another public meeting. To this Reynolds responded, “We have followed the process that is laid out. An environmental process was undertaken and completed and we will have to address things one step at a time. We have tried throughout the process to accommodate the needs of everyone, while respecting that they have different
positions, but it would be premature to comment on having to go back to square
one.” The city has lost several members of their engineering department over the past few months and Reynolds said that all of her staff had been stepping up
to the plate and are working through all of their projects to the best of their ability.
A court date has been set for Feb 23rd in Lindsay, so stay tuned.