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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-02-23, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017. Campbell concerned over severance precedent By Denny Scott The Citizen A surplus farm property severance approved by North Huron Council has Deputy -Reeve James Campbell concerned the council may be setting an unwanted precedent. The surplus residence is owned by the deBoers and will be split in two so both halves can be sold. The retained farmland would be bought by the Hardys, a neighbour who had rented the land for years, and the house would be sold to a family looking to move into the area. Campbell, however, felt the severance didn't match the intent that North Huron Council had when it elected to allow such severances. "We've only been doing these for the last two or three years," he said. "When we did this, we were the second -last municipality... to allow it. This wasn't how I figured we would do surplus residences though. The owner had to declare the residence surplus." Campbell said that Huron County Planner Laura Young was applying criteria that could be used in the southern end of the county, which he felt didn't match North Huron. "This isn't the same application because the owner is going to remain in the county and he owns all sorts of lands," he said. "The severance should be applied for by the Hardys. I don't think it meets our criteria." Councillor Trevor Seip said he understood why Campbell didn't agree with the severance, but said, at the end of the day, if the farmland still ends up severed from the farm house and owned by the same buyers, there's no difference in who severs it. Campbell disagreed, stating that the deBoers, the family applying for the severance, were able to sell the two properties for more money than they would have if they sold the property alone. He also said that he had been in contact with the applicants and was told they were denied this severance once before by the Huron County Planning department. Ken deBoer said he had spoken to the planning department and that he wasn't attempting to gain any kind of advantage through the severance, but trying to give back to his community. "We have two signed offers for the properties I'm not going to own," he said. "The result will be the same, regardless of what happens with the severance. You say that I've probably got more money for the property than if I would have sold the entire farm, but I didn't list the farm [for public sale]." He went on to say he has lived in the community for 32 years and had that property for 12 years. "Somebody from away could have bought it," he said. "However, it worked for the Hardy's operations. I have not got, for either property, the market value I could've got if I sold [it through listings]. I've always operated locally. I looked at who is going to care for this property the best way." Keeping them on their heels While the Blyth Brussels PeeWee Local League Crusaders posted a convincing 7-1 win over the Howick Hornets in Brussels on Saturday, the third period was a rough one for the Crusaders as they couldn't stay out of the penalty box. The team successfully killed four penalties totally 10 minutes in the 15 -minute period to come up with the big win. (Denny Scott photo) Landfill fees among increases Continued from page 3 Sharon Chambers said a comprehensive review of the document is likely in order. "I do think that's a point well taken and something we could sit down and do," she said. "Traditionally our main source of revenue is taxation, but we really need to seek out every chance of revenue we can. A lot of municipalities are looking at one-off services or services that benefit a small number of residences and looking to charge for them. I would look for recommendations in trying to do that." Chambers said the operation of the Wingham landfill was one such opportunity, later noting that the site brings in $200,000 annually but costs $450,000 to run, leaving the extra $250,000 to be paid for by taxes. Councillor Trevor Seip agreed to a comprehensive review of the fees, but he wanted to see the fee list become less complicated, pointing at the minimum $10 landfill charge that he felt wasn't well communicated when it was implemented. Seip felt that classifying each fee wasn't necessarily needed and that broader fees could be more easily communicated. He pointed at new charges for disposing of furniture ($20 per piece) and mattresses ($10 per piece) at the landfill as an example. "If someone takes in a mattress, it's a minimum load and it's $10 in that blanket statement," he said. "I'm not sure I would add more charges until we know what the full usage of the site is." Reeve Neil Vincent fell on the other side, saying that some charges need different tiers, specifically the use of tents. He pointed out that, regardless of whether it's a tent that measures 20 feet squared or five feet squared, the inspection cost for a tent in a public space is $101 from the municipality and requires a $120 fire inspection fee. Seip said he thinks the fees need to be simpler. "We have staff that have to administer these fees," he said. "If we have to look them up to know what we're charging, are we making it too complex for them?" He went on to say that ratepayers are going to lose their connection to what they are paying for if there are different prices for each individual item. The proposed increases, which are detailed below, were passed until a review could be done in the future. INCREASED FEES • Tax certificates have increased from $40 to $50. • Zoning certificates have increased from $50 to $75. • The opening fee for the Wingham landfill will remain at $100, but a $45 charge will be applied for every hour open. • Landfill tipping fees have increased in various categories from $85 to $95. • Landfill price per tonne for unsorted refuse has increased from $170 to $180. • Mattresses will now cost $15 to dispose of at the landfill. • Furniture will cost $20 to dispose of at the landfill. • A 1.8 per cent consumer price index (CPI) increase has been applied where applicable to recreation and facilities fees. • Under water and wastewater, a 3.5 per cent increase has been applied based on an engineering firm's recommendation several years ago. The increase is the third annual increase over a five-year plan. • Transport and materials in the public works fees have been updated. For more information, contact the North Huron Public Works Department. He went on to explain that, by applying for the severance, he was making it possible for a young family with children to own the house instead of having someone else buy the home and level it for land use. He said neither buyer could afford the severance process if it were sold first, so he helped. The Huron County Planning Department suggested the severance be approved, but contingent on the Hardys owning the farming land. At the request of council, a second condition was put on the severance so that the new homeowners would have to be listed as well so council knew the deBoers weren't keeping the home. The applicants didn't have an issue with the suggestion as the closing date for the sale on both pieces of property is the same. Campbell, however, didn't feel the severance should be made at all, regardless of any kind of stipulations put on the process. "We're splitting hairs here and I think, down the road, we're going to regret doing this," he said. "We're going to open our whole severance [policy]" Seip said he was under the impression that each severance was to be dealt with individually on a case-by-case basis, meaning no precedent would be set. Reeve Neil Vincent said several severances similar to this one had been brought before Huron County Council and he felt it was cleaner for everyone involved and included less legal expenses. Young agreed, saying there were also less land transfer taxes charged. An amended motion passed allowing the severance provided the purchasers of both the house and the farmland are identified and the sale is completed within one year. Campbell opposed both the vote to amend the motion and the motion to pass the severance. Letter to the Editor Lack of vote reform frustrates McQuail DEAR JUSTIN TRUDEAU, You are clearly the leader of the Liberal Party and not the Prime Minister of Canada as your actions on electoral reform are a cynically calculated effort on behalf of party politics and a betrayal of the Canadian people. We deserve better. When you promised to "Make Every Vote Count" you were either woefully ignorant of what it meant or woefully dishonest. You had an opportunity to put a new face on the Liberal Party and demonstrate that you valued democracy and an electoral system that would ensure all voices were fairly represented in Parliament. Instead you offer us the same old sad picture of a flashy politician prepared to say anything you can to get elected and then do whatever you please afterward. Such behaviour is far more destructive to Canadian democracy than terrorist attacks for it weakens our trust rather than strengthening our resolve. Do the honourable thing. keep your word to "Make Every Vote Count". Work with the other parties in Parliament and bring in legislation for Proportional Representation as recommended by the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform. Then you could be addressed as "the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau". Tony McQuail, a saddened, betrayed and angered voter Meeting Place Organic Farm RR 1, Lucknow Find a restaurant on the Stops Along The Way section of our website at www. northhuron.on.ca BLYTH SOCCER & BASEBALL REGISTRATION February 23 & March 2 7 pm - 9 pm Blyth Legion For more information call: For Soccer - Dianne Siertsema 519-523-4705 or email - blythbrookc hurontel.on.ca For Baseball - Heather 519-530-8965 Brussels Minor Soccer Registration Tuesday, March 7 and Thursday, March 9 7:00 - 8:30 pm at the Brussels Arena Registration forms can be found on the Brussels Minor Soccer Facebook page. First time registrants require a copy of their birth certificate