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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-10-09, Page 16A portion of potentialdevelopment property in Goderichhas been put on hold until anenvironmental assessment iscompleted. County councillors at their Oct. 1 meeting passed a motion to modify the town’s official plans with four changes. Among these was to defer the land use designation on the area described as Part 4, Plan 22R-5535 until an EA is completed for theextension of Parsons Court. In July, council received a letterfrom concerned ratepayers askingthat this area be included as naturalenvironment. In a letter in the Oct. 1 agenda, K.John Hazlitt, an Ontario certified hike leader, wrote, “I am simply requesting that this sensitive wetland Carolinian area be protected now. I am not asking to create anything new. This area has been here for hundreds of years and without protection can be destroyed in aninstant.”Objections have been put inwriting, through researcheddocumentation and with up-to-dateaerial photos from the countyplanning department, he said. Goderich has been working on development of Parsons Court, said county planner Scott Tousaw. “If you vote deferring the actual designation of this wooded area it will come back at some point.” The timeline for completion of an environmental assessment couldtake up to 17 months if there areappeals, council was told. Asked what could happen with theproperty if council defers it, Tousawsaid that the property has beendesignated industrial and with thepassing of the official plan that designation would survive. “The assessment is underway. I don’t believe Goderich council’s intent is to do anything until that is done,” said Tousaw. Goderich councillor Deb Shewfelt noted that’s the way it has to be.“Without the environmentalassessment we can’t put sewers in.”However, he explained, they aregoing ahead with the design andsoldthe last acre last year.Referring to the Sept. 30announcement that Volvo, Goderich’s biggest employer was closing in 2010, Shewfelt added, “I think you all realize after yesterday that it’s important. We’re getting a lot of small industries. We believe there’s safety in numbers.” PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2008. Huron East unhappy about boundary bridge transfer Environmental assessment holds up development The transfer of boundary bridges to lower tier municipalities has begun and Huron East councillors are less than pleased. At the Oct. 1 meeting of county council, recommendations passing the ownership of a boundary bridge on Hensall Road to Huron East and one on Rogerville Road to Huron East and South Huron carried. Prior to the vote, councillor Joe Seili of Huron East, where the majority of boundary bridges are located, expressed his outrage. “If you’re going to be dumping inventory there better be compensation with it. I say this is downloading. South Huron’s Ken Oke, however, said he would vote because this is the approved method. At the June 6 meeting of council, a policy was adopted for the removal of all boundary bridges from the county highway system. To transfer ownership to the lower-tiers the bridge had to either be remediated to county standards on there would have to be an agreement for a one- time cash payment from the county. In July, it was confirmed that deficiencies at both bridges had been repaired. Seili said that he hoped that those voting in favour remembered that when it was their turn to have a “million dollar bridge” dumped on them. Acting director of public works Dave Laurie shared Seili’s view. “I may be going out on a limb here, but I have to say I’ve never agreed with the transfer of these bridges. I don’t believe lower tiers have the resources and competency of staff to handle them. I really have been against this from the get-go.” Councillor Ben Van Diepenbeek of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh did not share the concerns. “If that’s the case then we have a lot of bridges we’d like to give the county. These bridges we’re talking about aren’t even on county roads. I have to disagree with Dave. We said when the bridge was brought to standards then they were going to the lower tiers.” Warden John Bezaire of Central Huron agreed that it was time to move on. “We have had this debate numerous times. If council wishes to have broad discussion to debate what we’ve already debated ad nauseum fine. But we aren’t going to do this for specific bridges.” A colourful walk The Wawanosh Nature Centre hosted its annual colour tour, which was very well-attended this year. Those in attendance were escorted around the centre on a people- mover and walked at times as the leaves begin to change colour, making for a lovely walk. (Vicky Bremner photo) You've got the news The Citizen now offers electronic subscriptions If you have access to the internet you can get the news the same day you do at home, at no extra cost ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD T h e C i t i z e n No more waiting days for delivery: You can access the full edition of The Citizen on the day it’s published No exorbitant postal costs. The same local subscription price of $32.00 applies. Excellent idea for those who live far from home. For more information call: The Citizen 519-523-4792 ZAP! Go on-line to: www.northhuron.on.ca and click on to subscribe today! By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen By Bonnie GroppThe Citizen