Founder of Beach Preservers recognized for her dedication and passion

Patricia Corrigan-Frank arrives in surprise

In a surprise presentation, core members of the Port Elgin Beach Preservers thanked Patricia Corrigan-Frank for her dedication, commitment and passion in the attempt to halt the proposed development that is being considered for Port Elgin Main Beach.

Wayne McGrath, a Beach Preserver member and lifetime resident of Port Elgin, introduced Corrigan-Frank as a “sassy, classy dame with a lot of dedication and a lot of smarts ”, in the McGrath Pavillion named after his family.

   Wayne McGrath introduced Corrigan-Frank

 

Corrigan-Frank has spearheaded the Port Elgin Beach Preservers, with its 1,500 members, in an attempt to prevent the development from going forwarded as planned.  The group has spoken publicly that the development, as designed, will “forever change the beach”.

The members of the group have also said that they “…recognize that improvements to the beach should be made, just not as the current design outlines.”

On Friday, August 20th, the Beach Preservers presented a plaque created by G.W. Signs of Southampton and a bouquet of flowers to Corrigan-Frank as a token of their appreciation for her work, research and many delegations to Saugeen Shores Council, over the past two years.

Patricia Corrigan-Frank with family – daughter Brydgite Frank, husband Dan, sister Peggy Corrigan and son, Daniel Northway-Frank – for larger view, Click on Image
Patricia Corrigan-Frank – for larger view click on image

Corrigan-Frank announced that, because the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) and the Town of Saugeen Shores could not come to an agreement about the Cedar Crescent Village development that the matter may be going to a hearing.

“This is about the validity of building a structure with the size and weight and amount of fill that will be required to put it in this location and whether it is environmentally safe.”

Shoreplan Engineering, a firm hired by the Town, presented its view of the flood-mapping which was then reviewed by Zuzek Engineering hired by the SVCA, following which a decision was to be made by SVCA on granting or declining permission to build in the current design form.

“It appears that SVCA and the Town of Saugeen Shores could not come to an agreement of what should be required in terms of the flood-mapping,” added Corrigan-Frank.  “I believe the flood-mapping today dates back to 1988.  The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) has said that it wants all municipalities and Conservation Authorities to update their mapping.  I know the Town wasn’t happy with that but this is being requested all along the Lake Huron shoreline as the environment has changed over the past 20 to 30 years, with more heat and more significant rainfalls that are having an impact.”

According to Corrigan-Frank, she had applied for two Freedom of Information (FOI) requests asking for dates as to when Zuzek’s report had been received in order to know “… where everything stood in the process”.  She also pointed out the the SVCA could consider approving the project if the required changes were met.  “It seems or appears that the proponents however are not willing to compromise.”

Corrigan-Frank said that the SVCA would be holding an Executive Meeting consisting of the SVCA President, past-President, the vice-Chair, a Board member from another municipality and one other person. The five would then review the Shoreplan report and Zuzek report and would make a decision.  “It appears that the flood-mapping presented does not meet the requirements of the SVCA,” said Corrigan-Frank, “and the Town does not agree that more needs to be provided.  I don’t know if this will go to an SVCA hearing or the Ontario Lands Tribunal.  SVCA has not said that it has completely turned down the project but that it does not meet their requirements and we [Beach Preservers] want a status at that Executive Meeting or hearing.”

She added that an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa, and who works for the Federal Government, has also completed a report that was sent to the SVCA.  “He is a water expert,” she added.  “We have had many experts present reports, such as a traffic study which the Town maintained is not needed, and they have not listened to any of the experts.”

“We met with the Town’s new CAO, Kara Van Myll on February 5th,” said Corrigan-Frank. “and asked her, if the SVCA says this [development] will not work, will you stand up to Council and say that the SVCA says it will not work and she, the CAO, said ‘yes, I will’.  The town appeared to be quite angry about the way the SVCA listened to Peter Zuzek’s report and maintained that all items in question had been responded to.  This is a decision for the SVCA, not the Town.”

Corrigan-Frank said that everyone is encouraged to pose questions at the up-coming pre-election Federal All-candidates meeting as the Federal government has a responsibility to say something about this issue and to answer questions as lakefronts are Federal property.