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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-02-10, Page 20A fourplex proposed in Brussels has some hurdles to clear before it can be constructed, but it might be well on its way. Howick Homes, a company that has constructed similar structures in Wingham, had been planning to construct a four-home building on Sports Drive and applied for a zoning amendment to that effect. Correspondence from the Huron County Planning Department, however, suggested that the application be deferred, as there were some outstanding issues and letters of objection that had yet to be dealt with. One of the objections received was from D&J Construction. There was considerable concern that the building being constructed wouldn’t fit in with the local facade of Sports Drive and would therefore look out of place in the residential area. The area is full of single-family homes. Huron County planner Sandra Weber said that she felt many of the concerns could be addressed through a discussion between a representative from Howick Homes and the objecting party. Weber, who had spoke to both prior to the Feb. 1 meeting of Huron East Council, said that she felt many of the concerns would be addressed by the designs being presented by Howick Homes. The concerns were that a fourplex would look out of place. However plans for the fourplex illustrated attached dwellings that would be made of brick with very house-like features such as a front porch and a roof overhang. Weber said that if the issue was deferred until the next meeting of Huron East Council on Feb. 15, that many of the concerns should be addressed by then and the application would more than likely be recommended for approval, going ahead as an uncontested application that wouldn’t need to go through Huron County Council. Brussels Councillor Joe Seili said that it would make no sense for the construction to be held up on speculation, which is what he felt was happening. He said that he could be considering buying many lots, but that shouldn’t hold up any kind of construction. He said that there have been “For Sale” signs up in that area for years, so now that someone is willing to develop a property in the area, council shouldn’t make it any more difficult for him to do so. “Huron County hasn’t grown for years and this is why,” Seili said. “If it’s two weeks and that’s it, then I’m okay with that, but if it’s more than a month, I’ll be very loud and boisterous on this.” Weber said that settling the differences between the two parties right now might be quicker in the long run, resulting in an undisputed consent and a harmonious relationship between neighbours. The issue was deferred and will return to the council table at the Feb. 15 meeting. PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2011.After hearing from wind turbine development companies, concerned citizens and professionals opposed to the wind turbines, Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Township council welcomed Gideon Forman, a representative for the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). The group, according to Forman, supports green energy and he spoke about how they wish to see turbines replace fuel-burning and nuclear energy production. The bulk of Forman’s presentation focused on the evils of current production methods. He stated that coal production in Ontario causes the same amount ofgreenhouse gases as 7,000,000 carsannually, and that exhaust, alongwith particulates, kills more than 300 Ontarians a year and triggers more than 150,000 illnesses, like asthma, throughout the year. He stated that turbine-related health conditions may exist, and that, if they do, the people deserve healthcare. Later he went on to state that many different studies had found no data to support the thesis, but, at the questioning of council, did not argue that the absence of said data does not mean it doesn’t exist. “There is a lot of truth in this presentation,” Councillor Roger Watt stated at the meeting. “But the absence of evidence [of illness due to turbines] is not the evidence ofabsence.”Watt continued to state that thereis no scientific reason for the 40- decibel sound levels, which Forman did not respond to. Members of the audience did put forward the idea that many of these health problems might clear up if neighbours were paid a portion of the funds that come from individuals leasing lands to turbines, and many of those present who may have turbines agreed with the idea. Council still seemed hesitant to make any decisions or statements based on Forman’s presentation. Councillor Doug Miller stated that the problem he has with making a decision about turbines is a dichotomy that presents itself in both the information and affectedpeople.“The problem for me is that wehave credible information from both sides,” he said. “That and about half of our township will directly benefit from turbines, while the other half won’t.” Miller also questioned the credibility of CAPE, referencing a recent controversy in which CAPE allegedly misrepresented the Chief Medical Officer of Health by selectively quoting a press release. Forman stated that he believed the group had represented the information correctly. Forman finished his presentation by stating that wind turbines may have problems, but that, as far as the group is concerned, they are 1,000 times better, at the minimum, than the problems caused by coal and gas burning powergeneration.“The thing to remember is that we always try to situate wind [power generation] in the context of coal [power generation by comparing the two],” he stated. “We’re not advocating wind despite its problems, but because of its superiority to coal.” As for setbacks, Forman stated that non-participants (i.e. neighbours of individuals who lease their land to wind turbine developers) should be safe based on the government’s 550 metre setback. During a later phone interview, he stated that participants should maintain between 300 and 550 metres from turbines on their own property. KATHLEEN WILLIAMSON Kathleen Williamson of Walton passed away peacefully at Clinton Public Hospital on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011. She was in her 85th year. She was the beloved wife of the late Roy Williamson (1995), loving mother of Shirley and Barry Skinner of Mitchell, and Tom and Joyce Williamson of Walton and cherished grandmother of Valerie and Jim Shortreed, Cathy and Wayne Regele, Becky and Aaron Chadwick, Sarah Williamson and friend Kory, Katie Williamson and fiancé Darren and Nicole Williamson. She was the great-grandmother of Justin, Jordan, Jaden, and Jillian Shortreed, Caitlyn, Jenna and Avery Regele and Brooklyn and Owen Chadwick. She was the dear sister and sister-in-law of Loreen Hubert of North Bay, Olive Clarke of Atwood, Evelyn Carter and Florence Nesbitt, both of Seaforth, Helen Williamson of Walton, and Ina McGrath of Egmondville. She was predeceased by her sisters Marjorie Racho and Grace Pethick. Friends were received at the Box and Smith Funeral Chapel, Seaforth on Feb. 3 from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. where the funeral service was held on Friday, Feb. 4 at 11 a.m. Spring interment is in Brussels Cemetery, Brussels. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to Clinton Public Hospital Foundation or Duff’s United Church UCW - Walton, would be greatly appreciated. Condolences may be left at www.boxsmithfuneral chapel.com New fourplex in Brussels is debated Pro-turbine group presents at ACW council The Citiz e n PP hh :: 55 11 99 --55 22 33 --44 77 99 22 FF aa xx :: 55 11 99 --55 22 33 --99 11 44 00 Get Your Message AROUND THE WORLD IMMEDIATELY If you have important papers that need to go somewhere FAST ... use THE CITIZEN’S FAX MACHINE! Our Fax machine can contact any other Fax machine, in the world, instantly. We offer this service for a cost of $4.00 per printed sheet for the first one and $1.00 per additional sheet. (Or $1.00 per sheet if it is not long distance) Our Fax Number, is also your number, so use it to receive your messages at $1.00 per sheet. WE CAN RECEIVE 24 HRS. PER DAY! This service is only available in our Blyth office Obituaries By Denny ScottThe Citizen By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen See histories and historic photographs on the Huron History section of our website www.northhuron.on.ca The Citizen