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Lanark County Council has amended its consolidated traffic by-law to designate no-parking zones on sections of Lally Road, South Lavant Road and Highway 511.
In a recent report, Public Works Manager Sam Poole said they had received multiple complaints, along with internal staff observations, regarding vehicles parking unsafely on county roads in winter conditions at specific locations on these roads. “The areas have been identified as public safety issues if current parking practices continue.” Concerns included vehicles blocking the roadway for snow removal and causing safety issues for residents and through traffic due to narrow road platforms, curves and hills preventing safe roadside parking.
The affected areas are as follows:
• Lally Road (County Road 21) – both sides from 350 metres east and 150 metres west of Murphys Point Group Camp Road
• South Lavant Road (County Road 16) – both sides from 200 metres east and 400 metres west of Bottle Lake Road
• Highway 511 (County Road 511) – both sides from 600 metres south and 150 metres north of Radley Lane
The affected areas will be marked with “no parking” signage. ... See MoreSee Less
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Lanark County Council has approved naming a portion of the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT) from Beckwith Township through Carleton Place for volunteer Ian Edwards to honour his extensive contributions to the county’s trails network.
CAO Kurt Greaves said the Lanark County Trails Sub-Committee wanted to see Edwards recognized for his contribution. He outlined his involvement as an active representative of the sub-committee and the local snowmobile and ATV community, as well as his numerous contributions to the trails, including:
• Designing and obtaining approvals for the replacement of the Baird Trail boardwalk and leading a crew of volunteers to complete it
• Looking after annual repairs to the Fall River Bridge on the Tay-Havelock Trail and coordinating volunteers and supply purchases
• Securing a grant from the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs for upgrades and conversion of the Carleton Place train bridge on the OVRT to a trail bridge
Edwards received a Lanark County Award of Excellence in 2018 for Volunteerism/Community Service/Recreation. Greaves noted he was active in Carleton Place and the surrounding community, including involvement with the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital Foundation, Mississippi Golf Club, Upper Canada Snowmobile Region, Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, Beautiful Eastern Association of Snowmobile Trails and Lanark County Crime Stoppers. He passed away in June 2025.
Warden Richard Kidd (Beckwith Reeve) said since knowing Edwards for most of his life, he was honoured to be part of this important tribute. “Ian was an incredible volunteer who did a tremendous amount of work to enhance our trails network. We are grateful for his contributions, which have benefitted so many residents and visitors in Lanark County.” ... See MoreSee Less
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Lanark County Council has adopted Official Plan Amendment (OPA) No. 16, which adds policies to the County’s Official Plan related to affordable housing. Planning Manager Mike Dwyer explained the policies “are intended to be enabling and supportive, not prescriptive” and they are based on recommendations in the “Lanark County & Town of Smiths Falls Municipal Tools to Support Affordable Housing (2022)” report. “It leaves significant discretion to local municipalities, recognizing opportunities and constraints differ across the county.”
Council considered and approved proposed changes in November and a policy-by-policy review was completed in January, followed by public notice on Jan. 16 and a public meeting on Feb. 18. Dwyer reviewed written comments received from stakeholders as part of the review and engagement process, and the changes made in response.
In a report to the economic development committee last month, Dwyer indicated the amendments have regard for provincial interests and are consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS). “They generate a policy framework around affordable housing that provides direction to local plans that will support and enable affordable housing and additional needs housing.” The policies also detail county initiatives and support both market and more traditional service-provider solutions to the range of housing options needed.
Dwyer added there are limits to the county’s regulatory authority to require and prescribe affordable housing in local municipalities, but this blend of policies combined with local refinement and implementation “will best achieve the intent of the PPS.”
The amendments include details about:
• Aligning the definition of “affordable” with the PPS
• Planning and designating land to accommodate a 15-year projection of demand
• Establishing municipal housing targets in local official plans
• The county selling or leasing county-owned surplus lands related to affordable and/or supportive housing, and encouraging local municipalities to adopt similar policies
• Mixed-use developments in serviced communities as appropriate, and defining strategic growth areas
• Permitting Additional Residential Units (ARUs) in local official plans as appropriate
• Affordable housing developments receiving financial or non-financial assistance from the county having at least 25 per cent of affordable units meeting or exceeding accessibility requirements
• Locally appropriate approaches to shared housing models
• References to “affordable and additional needs housing” rather than “social assisted housing for households and seniors”
• County coordination of land use planning and planning for housing with the county’s service manager related to county plans and studies. ... See MoreSee Less
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Lanark County to host Public Information Centre for Phase 2 of the 5 Arches Bridge rehabilitation in 2026
Lanark County plans to proceed with Phase 2 of the rehabilitation of the historic 5 Arches Bridge in Pakenham during the 2026 construction season, continuing work to preserve the structure and extend its service life while conserving its heritage character.
To keep residents informed and provide an opportunity for public input, Lanark County has planned a Public Information Centre (PIC) where members of the public can learn more about the upcoming work, anticipated construction timing, traffic impacts, and detour planning.
⏰Thursday, April 16 from 5 to 7 p.m.
📍Pakenham Library, 128 MacFarlane St., Pakenham
The PIC will be an open house format with County staff and project representatives available to answer questions. No formal presentation is scheduled, and attendees are welcome to drop in at any time during the event.
The 5 Arches Bridge is a designated heritage structure and an important transportation link within the community. Phase 2 of the rehabilitation project will build on work completed during 2025 and will include masonry rehabilitation and roadway approach improvements to ensure the bridge remains safe and serviceable for years to come.
“Rehabilitation of the 5 Arches Bridge is part of Lanark County’s long term asset management strategy, supporting the preservation of existing infrastructure, reducing long term lifecycle costs, and minimizing future disruptions to the community,” said Public Works Director Sean Derouin.
Additional information and project updates will be shared as the 2026 construction season approaches on the County website under Government/Public Consultation/Bridge Construction: www.lanarkcounty.ca ... See MoreSee Less
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Finding child care just got easier!
✅ Apply to participating centres with one application through OneList Lanark County: onehsn.com/lanarkcounty/ux_2_0
❓ Need help with your profile or applications? Contact technical support: support@onehsn.com ... See MoreSee Less
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Lanark County Council meets tomorrow (April 8). The meetings may be attended by the public in person or via livestream through Lanark County’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@LanarkCounty/streams. Once the livestream is available, it will show under the “Live” tab on the channel.
The regular council session begins at 5 p.m. There is a presentation by Lanark-Frontenac MP Scott Reid regarding the Alto high-speed rail project. Reports include economic development, public works and awarding of contracts for the 5-Arches Bridge project and the Almonte Street intersection contract. By-laws include Official Plan Amendment 16 (Affordable Housing) and an amendment to the by-law to regulate parking (no-parking zones).
Next is the community services committee of the whole meeting. There are no scheduled delegations or presentations. There are consent reports for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities report for Lanark Lodge and a Ministry of Long-Term Care inspection report. There is a deferred report on reinforcing human values in Canada. Verbal reports include Southeast Public Health and the Lanark Transportation Association, and there is a confidential report on end-of-mortgage service agreement contract negotiations.
Next is the corporate services committee of the whole meeting. There are no scheduled delegations or presentations. Discussion reports include the Lanark County Paramedic Service 2025 year-end activities report, a public access defibrillator program update, the 2026 ambulance review update, court security and prisoner transport costs, and the sale of land policy update. Verbal reports include updates from the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, Rural Ontario Municipal Association, CAO and Government Relations Working Group.
Agendas can be found under “Government” then “Council and Committees” at www.lanarkcounty.ca. Hope to see you there! ... See MoreSee Less
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Please note Lanark County offices are closed today (Monday, April 6, 2026) for Easter Monday, reopening on Tuesday, April 7. Happy Easter! ... See MoreSee Less
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Please note Lanark County offices are closed today (Friday, April 3, 2026 for Good Friday) and on Monday, April 6, 2026 for Easter Monday, reopening on Tuesday, April 7. ... See MoreSee Less
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