FOCA Friday #8 by Eleanor Young

Here in TTCB Lakes country we all use Limberlost Road, but for many of us, a trip to the cottage ends on a privately owned, or privately maintained, road. FOCA provides a wealth of information resources (https://foca.on.ca/road-issues/) to folks as they navigate the shared responsibilities that come with shared private road access.

What starts out as a "hand shake agreement" between neighbours may need to evolve into a more formal Road Association over time. Original owners may:

• No longer be able to do maintenance themselves

• Sell to new owners

• Become year-round residents and require road upgrades and maintenance not needed by all users

And any new owners may not be satisfied with the terms of the original agreement. FOCA can help address these and many other issues and concerns, as described in this overview:  https://foca.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/FOCA-Roads-Group-Stages-Overview-2022.pdf

A recent FOCA newsletter (https://foca.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/FOCA_OntarioLakeStewards_WEB_2023.pdf) also addressed potential Road Association liability questions and pointed out that RAs that become FOCA members have access to discounts on insurance that includes a free legal helpline.

Finally, here in the Township of Lake of Bays, if your privately maintained road crosses municipal land or a municipal road allowance, you will need to apply for a License Agreement (https://www.lakeofbays.on.ca/en/municipal-services/resources/Documents/License-Agreement-Update-July-6-2022.pdf) which includes annual fees and a requirement to carry insurance.

Like many things in life, private roads may be more complex than initially meets the eye, but help is available, and compensation comes in the form of time spent at the lake

https://foca.on.ca/road-issues/?fbclid=IwAR1p_klFtvslIVRia_EvHiqYzfAAevuSr7ItP0btQNMLu-ci7l0P7ORHWXI