HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-04-16, Page 3Wednesday, Apri116, 2014 • Lucknow Sentinel 3
Holyrood residents concerned over Mennonite building expansion
Steven Goetz
Kincardine News
A dozen residents of Holyrood raised concerns to Huron -
Kinloss council over recent expansions to a mennonite farm in
the hamlet and asked the township to clean it up.
Speaking on behalf of the group at the Apr. 7 council meet-
ing, Kevin Ackert said the residents are concerned about the
property at 2341 Bruce Road 6.
"We would like to clean up Holyrood and get it looking like it
used to," Ackert said.
He said that current furniture -making operations on the
property were causing noise disturbances and emitting fumes
from diesel generators that the mennonites use instead of con-
necting to the electrical grid.
The residents are concerned the owner plans to expand fur-
ther to add a furniture showroom and finishing facility. Ackert
wanted to knowwhy those plans weren't included in the origi-
nal plans for the property, and said there were already too
many buildings on the 0.8 hectare parcel of land.
"It could create a fire hazard with so many buildings there,"
Ackert said. "If it ever got going, it would be another Halifax."
He said further development could cause environmental
problems with human and animal waste, and for snow
removal.
Already there are widely -held grievances over paint fumes,
and the whining of manufacturing equipment, he said. "I had
to turn the TV up because of the noise," Ackert said.
He said the owner of the property told him that because he
was putting a showroom in, Ackert wouldn't be able to put cat-
tle on his property.
"We have had a family farm for generations and he comes
over and tells me what we can do?" Ackert said. "I understand
they are allowed to make a living, but what he is saying is that I
can't because I can't build on or bring cattle in:'
"I want to know if they are allowed to be doing what they are
doing," he said. "If they have a permit, why aren't they posted?
I want you to make sure everything is on the up and up:'
"Right now they have run of the mill."
Ackert said the residents are not only concerned with the
noise, fumes and general appearance, but the potential deval-
uation of their properties.
'Are people going to want to move their kids in if there are
mennonites there and their kids won't play with our kids?" he
asked.
Ackert said the property's development may have already
surpassed what was approved by the township, noting the lot
was purchased with the understanding it was going to be a res-
pite home for the owners' children. The finished addition was
much larger, he said.
The barn was built to house one horse and 100 chickens,
Ackert said, but now holds multiple horses, chickens and
goats. The woodworking factory followed soon after, he said,
and characterized the constant building activity on the prop-
erty to that of "beavers"
He said the building inspector has not been responsive to
their repeated concerns.
The delegation was not scheduled on the meeting's agenda
so council was hearing the concerns for the first time and not
prepared to offer an official response.
Chief building official Matt Farrell said he was not aware of
any construction on the property happening without a permit.
He said the property was subject to restrictions and would
need to be rezoned if the furniture operation was expanded
into a commercial operation.
He said livestock for food or farm purposes was not permit-
ted, but horses used for transportation were.
Coun. Jim Hanna sympathized with the delegation and said
it made no sense to locate a commercial furniture operation in
the middle of the hamlet and that it was better suited to the
Purple Grove News
Fran Farrell
Purple Grove Women's Institute nominated and congrat-
ulated nine people for the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards
presented last month in Stratford.
The recipients were Irene Boyle, June Elliott, Largaret
McInnes, Betty Needham, Deanna Scott and Wilma Sutton
for 25,40, 50 and 60 years volunteering with our branch and
community and also to Bradley and Gregory Reid and
Joseph Finnie for their contributions to our community as
youth volunteers.
Unfortunately due to stormy weather and other commit-
ments no one was able to attend the ceremony.
Also last week was National Volunteer week, so please
acknowledge the volunteers in our communities. Thank you
from all of us! Your actions are so appreciated!
Another volunteer event taking place last week was Roots
of Bruce. This Agriculture in the Classroom project cele-
brated its 20th anniversary this year with Grade 5 and 6 stu-
dents attending. Volunteers making presentations enjoyed
the fellowship with other farm commodity groups and sure
appreciated the great meals put on by -you guessed it -
more volunteers!
Sympathy is extended to the families of Jean MacKenzie,
and Teunis Kolkman both of Goderich and Jan Fludder of
Kincardine.
Jim and Fran Farrell, Carmen Farrell and Jeff Knapp and
Glen Farrell attended the wedding of their neice and cousin
Jessica Logtenberg and Bruce Thomas of Stratford in Holm-
esville on Saturday.
Visiting with Mary Anne Kukoly were Mary Beth Kerr also
Anne and Mac MacInnes and Wendy and Brian Pollock.
Mary Anne attended the funeral of Glenna Orr in Arthur on
Saturday.
Happy 87th Birthday to Florence Farrell! A dinner party
was hosted by Len and Karen and Marsha Farrell with John
and Joyce Farrell and Corrie Bradley also in attendance.
John and Joyce Farrell attended an Easter play on Palm
Sunday in Elmira with grandchildren Elijah and Eva Naweg-
abow participating.
Betty and Fred Henderson visited Sunday with Don and
Marilyn Reid.
The Kinloss supper on Sunday evening was enjoyed by
manyfolks.
Interesting to note that this week there will be a full moon
and lunar eclipse perhaps if its not too cloudy we'll even get
to see some of it! Have a good week everyone!
Ripley Reunion
dance fee waived
Steven Goetz
Kincardine News
The township of Huron -Kinloss
decided at its Apr. 7 meeting to waive
the fee to rent the arena for the 2014
Ripley -Huron Reunion Kick -Off Dance.
The dance is scheduled fo May 10,
2014.
\NKritzeit,44amt
,atios
Chad Mann
519-357-3015
www.kruzinmannlimos.com
A Division of Lloyd Collins Construction Ltd.
DOUG MILLER
Certified General Accountant
Accounting and
CI Individuals
Businesses
86112
tax services for
Farmers
0 Corporations
St. Helens Line
Lucknow
519-528-2518
country.
"Folks in Holyrood have to listen to a diesel engine and deal
with the fumes," he said. "I think we should really consider this
as we review our official plan and zoning requirements."
The residents also asked when the township was going to
clean up the burnt out cars and foul language painted on
another property in the hamlet.
"There's a process to follow to get it cleaned up," said Coun.
Don Murray, who promised they were working on it.
After the delegation left, Farrell said the property owner
would have to go through the planning process to put in a
showroom, and said the Ackert's property was limited by its
location in the hamlet but there were no restrictions on putting
cattle onto the property.
Council agreed to have Farrell investigate further and report
back to council.
Holyrood is east of Ripley at the intersection of Bruce County
roads 1 and 6.
The Lucknow Library featured the film 'Walking with
Dinosaurs' during a movie night on April 9, 2014. Chad
Geertsma (in hat) was named the winner of the 'Mighty
Dino Roar' contest and stands next to Karen McGugan (left)
from the library and some of his friends. Geertsma took
home two dino puppets, two toy dinos and a dino book as
his prize. There were 51 children and parents in attendance
for the movie. The next movie will be Gravity on April 23,
and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug on May 7 with
many more to come throughout the spring and summer.
WcIdeb Vutip-dpecid
$12 bunch or 2 for $20
Valid April 14-19 While Quantities Last
Easter Chocolates, Plants & Decor also available
Closed Good Friday
Irapiring ricircikaokoniec
589 Campbell St. Lucknow 519.528.3312