Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-03-12, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015. Continued from page 15 Nelemans asked if there are situa- tions where land would be complete- ly undevelopable. Walton said that it’s rare, but it can happen. “Generally, we finish the study for a whole area,” he said. “Once it is complete, we’ll look at the area. sometimes there are woodlands or wetlands where people just can’t work.” Nelemans also wondered if the work being done by Walton’s firm would be repeating the work of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority’s (MVCA), a commenting board on local construction. Walton said there is no duplication of service and that information from the MVCA will be used in the docu- mentation created. North Huron Councillor Ray Hallahan asked if the study would satisfy the MVCA when it is asked to comment on the work. “They may have concerns with flood lands and hazard lands, but [our concerns] often do coincide with those natural features,” she said. Tousaw asked if, in the one visit and research the group had done, any provincially significant features had been found. “We have identified some wetland pockets, but we haven’t done an evaluation on whether those would meet the criteria to be [considered] as a significant wetland area. We haven’t done that yet.” Morris-Turnberry Councillor John Smuck asked if the wetlands were not natural, and had been created through construction or develop- ment, would they still be considered for the study? Walton said that the creation of the features, whether natural or man- made, would be taken into account, but that the even man-made features could result in naturally significant areas. “I have experienced both situa- tions,” she said. SOURCE WATER REPORT Laura Young, The Huron County Planning and Development Partner recently assigned to North Huron, spoke regarding the Maitland Valley Protection Plan, which comes into effect April 1, and how it will affect industrial development. She specifically pointed to two wells in the area, one in the northern part of Wingham and one in the south. The presence of the wells creates zones where special requirements may be necessary of industries, especially those that hold chemicals on site. Morris-Turnberry Councillor Dorothy Kelly asked if those requirements would cost developers more, but Young said that shouldn’t be an issue. “Currently, there won’t be a cost to get a risk management plan or a [permit] necessary,” she said. SERVICING DEBATE Following the presentations of the consultants, the servicing strategy was discussed. Dale Erb of B.M. Ross and Associates presented the strategy, which looked at how much capacity is available for water and sewage systems in Wingham, as well as what would be necessary for stormwater. Erb explained that the servicing survey was on hold and that North Huron and Morris-Turnberry could proceed with it if council gave clear direction. Erb stated that, as far as capacity is concerned, North Huron has 750 building units (or capacity equal to a household with three people living in it 750 times over) of sewage capacity but only a 180-building unit firm capacity (meaning a capacity of 180 building units when one of the wells isn’t operating) for water sup- ply. Those numbers, however, don’t reflect the proposed A2A develop- ment outside of Wingham, which could potentially need 464 units of both water and sewage capacity. The questions for Erb focused on capacity. Nelemans asked if increas- ing water capacity was a complicat- ed issue or if a well could just be drilled. “It could be simple or it could be more complicated,” Erb said. “However, with that, there are more dollars to consider.” Gowing focused on the growth of Wingham, asking how many resi- dential structures would be built in a year. The safe number that was agreed on was 10 units per year. “So, using that figure for new builds, in that subdivision there is over 45 years of development,” he said. “That’s well outside the normal planning window.” Erb agreed, but also said that, when building a subdivision, there is typically a capacity that is reserved for the construction. “We’re not sure when that hap- pens, but that will impact our study as well,” he said. Tousaw then encouraged both councils to start debating the servic- ing study, not the servicing agree- ment that would be necessary before North Huron started providing serv- ice to the municipality. Gowing and Vincent opened the debate with Vincent focusing on the need for Morris-Turnberry to pay for services that were build by North Huron or Wingham ratepayers. He said that, in the past, North Huron had been a ‘good neighbour’ and provided the service for very little more than what North Huron ratepayers had, but that wasn’t going to continue. Gowing retorted saying that Morris-Turnberry never asked for servicing for nothing and that they were willing to pay their fair share. He also said that the majority of the costs for the existing sewer, water and stormwater infrastructure would have been paid for by provincial government funds. “My understanding is that the water and sewage systems were paid for with a minimum of 80 per cent covered by the province,” he said. “Provincial dollars are all our dol- lars, so I view that a little different- ly.” North Huron Councillor Trevor Seip pointed out, however, that the two were debating an issue that was- n’t necessary and that he would sup- port the servicing study unreserved- ly. His sentiment was echoed across the aisle with both Nelemans and North Huron Councillor Bill Knott agreeing. Knott, however, asked how much potential strain could be caused by the extension. He wasn’t concerned with the capacity, but with what increased capacity could cause on the existing infrastructure. Bruce Potter of B.M. Ross and Associates pointed out that some of that infrastructure was already set to be replaced as part of the A2A devel- opment. The remaining parts, how- ever would have to be reviewed on an as-needed basis. After some discussion, Hallahan agreed with Seip, Knott and Nelemans, stating that the project needed to move forward. When encouraged to discuss the servicing study instead of servicing costs, Seip once again said he wasn’t concerned with the cost, but with getting the survey underway. North Huron’s council members agreed, however most weren’t prepared to make a motion at that meeting to proceed with the study. The overwhelming majority sug- gested it be discussed at North Huron’s March 16 meeting. All the Usual Reasons to Invest with Edward Jones. Plus One. www.edwardjones.com Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund Now investors in Blyth and surrounding communities have one more reason to feel confident about their financial future. Brian Hilt is here to deliver the expert advice they need. One thing will always remain the same, however: Every Edward Jones advisor is committed to helping individual investors make sense of investing with personal service and a time-tested approach. To learn how Brian can help you make sense of investing, call or stop by today. Brian C Hilt Financial Advisor . 19 Main Street North Po Box 125 Bayfield, ON N0M 1G0 519-565-2700 Servicing cost still outstanding after joint meeting Families get break on turbine legal fees after filing appeal The Drennans and three other families who were unsuccessful in a Division Court case against local wind developers will be paying out less than anticipated in legal fees for the case. The families found out last week that the amount they could be liable to pay in legal fees was cut dramati- cally after filing an appeal in the same court against a cost- recovery movement by local wind companies. Shawn Drennan and his family, as well as the Ryan, Dixon and Kroeplin families brought legal pro- ceedings against K2 Wind, Armow and St. Columban Wind Energy in an attempt to stop the companies from building wind turbines. After the families found themselves on the losing side of the court proceedings, they were named in an attempt by the companies to recover the cost of the legal battle. The families, who were facing a $340,000 bill, approximately $240,000 of which was to be han- dled by the Drennans, were recently informed they would pay $67,000, a fraction of that cost. Drennan is now responsible for $25,000, which he said isn’t ideal but is better than $240,000. “I’m feeling relieved,” he said in an interview with The Canadian Press. “Twenty-five thousand dollars is not a small number, but it’s man- ageable.” The reduction in pay-out was a result of a ruling from Ontario’s Divisional Court that stated that the four families’ battle wasn’t a person- al issue. The decision rejected the families’ appeal that they shouldn’t be respon- sible for the cost, but also didn’t side with the wind companies, which stated the families proceeded with the case for selfish reasons. Information from the court states that there was a “strong public- interest component” in the families’ fight. Free Brussels commercial space available in Huron East contest The Municipality of Huron East is offering one lucky entrepreneur the opportunity to win commercial space in one of the municipality’s two commercial sections. As part of the Win This Space competition, anyone 19 or older from across the province is invited to submit a business idea. The most promising ideas will be presented at a special event at the Seaforth Golf Club in late April. The entrepreneurs responsible for those ideas will then be invited to free educational workshops spon- sored by the Small Business Enterprise Centre, and they will leave with a business plan. The top five winners will then get to pitch their idea to the judges of the competition in a special finale in June. The grand-prize winner will win free rent for a year at a downtown storefront in Seaforth or Brussels, as well as hundreds of dollars of pro- fessional services, according to the Huron East website. Judges for the competition include Huron East Economic Development Officer Jan Hawley, business con- sultant and Central Huron Councillor Alison Lobb, Seaforth Business Improvement Area (BIA) Director Maureen Agar, Seaforth BIA director Brenda Campbell, business owner and consultant Chris Lee, freelance writer Carolyn Parks Mintz, Brussels Community Development Trust Director Paul Nichol and Seaforth Community Development Trust Director Neil Tam. For more information visit www.huroneast.com or contact Hawley at 519-527-0160 or jhawley@huroneast.com Medical Officer of Health named Huron County has a new Medical Officer of Health (MOH). Dr. Janice Owen will become the permanent Acting MOH with the Huron County Health Unit as of April 7. MOHs are in an acting capacity until they complete the province’s requirements for special- ized public health courses. Dr. Owen has been a physician for over 30 years, including time in Huron County. She is the Medical Advisor for the OTN Telehomecare program. She is also a regional pri- mary care lead with Cancer Care Ontario. Tyler Hessel, Chair of the Board of Health, says the board is pleased to welcome Dr. Owen. “Dr. Owen’s vast experience and her interest in rural health makes her a great fit.” The MOH position has been filled with temporary coverage since November 2013.