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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1987-10-07, Page 23THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1987. PAGE 23. County votes to change planning procedure BY CHRIS LAWS A motion that was put forth at the September session of Huron Coun­ ty Council to transfer certain planning responsibilities from the province to the county received approval from a majority of the reeves and deputy reeves. A recorded vote was called for during discussion of the controver­ Lieut. Paul Josiing of Blyth Fire Department comforts Mrs. Clara Gillespie of Orangeville who was injured in a Friday morning accident south of Blyth near the Old Mill. Mrs. Gillespie, 84, of Orangeville, was taken to Clinton Hospital after her car was in collision with a car driven by Stephen J. Eagan of London. Goderich O.P.P. have laid charges in the matter. Rural-urban split threatens to break out sial issue, which only three councillors (with four votes) voted against. Voting “no” were Exeter reeve and deputy reeve Bill Mickle and Lossy Fuller, and with two votes, Godetich reeve Harry Wor- sell. Deputy reeve for Goderich John Doherty was absent. The motion passed allows the county to request the Minister of Municipal Affairs to approve county authority for: plans of subdivision and condominium, part lot control by-laws, road closings, and the review of zoning by-laws that pertain to the Mini­ stry’s interests. Before the vote, several coun­ cillors requested information from Senior planner Wayne Caldwell about the motion. Exeter reeve Bill Mickle wanted to know how many municipalities were actually visit­ ed, and stated that he thought that passing a motion that day was a little premature. He added that in Exeter’s meeting with county planning director Dr. Davidson, it was noted that most development delays were because of the deve­ loper and not the province. Caldwell answered Mr. Mickle by saying that all municipalities were sent letters asking them to contact the department if they wanted a meeting with the depart­ ment. Only a few did. He reiterated the point that most delays are due to the developer, not the planner, but that the changes should save six to nine months in the process­ ing of development applications. Caldwell also told council that there is going to be a special planning meeting with the clerks and building inspectors on October 16, at which time they may ask questions on their council’s behalf. Exeter Deputy Reeve Lossy Fuller expressed concern that the department had not come out and visited all the councils yet. She repeated Reeve Mickle’s request for a deferral on the issue to which Warden Brian McBurney said that everyone has been given a chance to request a meeting with the planning department on the issue. Mickle again spoke saying that if passed, it would “create a danger­ ous situation with all the authority resting in one place.” He also referred Section 5, Chapter 1 of the planning act which states that the committee can make a decision without the consent of council. Caldwell answered Mickle by saying that the planning depart­ ment does not want authority, and asked Mickle why should the department take a contrary posi­ tion now than it has during the past 45 years. Hefinished by saying that plans for subdivision should take place at a local level. Stanley township Reeve Clar­ ence Rau stated that while he was not there for the September meeting, and that his council has not yet met with a representative from the planning department, he had his mind made up on how he was going to vote. Hullett Reeve Tom Cunningham concluded the discussion by asking council to support this. Continued from page 1 recommendation was approved, this percentage would be reduced down to 25 per cent. In the report other counties are listed with the amount of rebate they issue to their urban munici­ palities. The rebates range from the provincial maximum of 50 per cent to the minimum 25 per cent. All had varying levels of service to their urban municipali­ ties. Perth county offered the highest rebate at 50 per cent, but has no roads going through urban areas, and does not pay to help maintain any road services within town or village limits. The only areas that offered all the same services as Huron county does for their urban areas were Wellington, Middle­ sex, and Elgin counties. All three issue only the minimum 25 per cent rebate. Bayfield reeve David Johnston was the first to speak on the road committee’s motion. Johnston stated that over a million dollars in road rebates had been issued by the province to the county since 1987 ($662,414 in 1985, and $571,000 in 1986). He added that a recent meeting with Gerry Brown­ ing, regional director of the M.T.C., Browning said that the roads are in good repair. Reeve Johnston concluded by saying that he thinks that cutbacks in rebates at the present time are improper, and if there are to be reductions, thatthey should be phased in. “All the facts are not there,” finished Johnston. Roads committee chairman Russ Kernighan agreed with what Johnston had to say and turned the matter over to the Engineer Dennis Merrall. Merrall said “This is a political matter, and not an engineering once. I should not have to worry about where the money comes from, as long as itis legal. I was very hesitant about releasing this report to county council. The reason I am bringing it up now is that when I tried to bring it up beforelwastold, ‘Notatbudget time.’ Prior to 1986, the province was turning back road subsidies. There has been a general increase in need, and as Engineer, I’ll do the repairs as fast as possible.” Zurich reeve Bob Fisher stated that he couldn’t say it any better than Johnston did, and that the decrease in rebate would cause a five mill increase in the village’s taxes. Seaforth reeve Bill Bennett followed by saying that the towns and village ’ s are treated fairly at 45 per cent. Reeve Marie Hicknell spoke about how this subject comes up regularly, and that the committee was told to bring something forward. She said that the commit­ tee had no intention of decreasing the rebates by 25 per cent this year. She concluded by saying that maybe the motion should be studied again by the committee. Hay Township reeve Lionel Wilder said he agreed with what Hicknell had said. He added that the towns only meet 17 per cent of the roads budget, while the rural municipalities pay 83 per cent without a rebate. Deputy Reeve for Exeter Lossy Fuller, along with Clinton reeve Bee Cooke, and Goderich reeve Harry Worsell responded to Wil­ der’s comments by agreeing with what Reeve Johnston had pre­ viously said, and asked for either a phasing in, or to have the situation remain the way it is now. Exeter reeve Bill Mickle said that he was “shocked” when he heard the motion. He commented on how hard the town is working to keep its own road system maintain­ ed, and that they have to have curb and gutters, and not just ditches like the rural areas. Mickle stated that he hopes a phase in is not even considered, and that everybody is facing higher costs. Stephen township deputy reeve Ken McCann said “it is a county road system,” and posed the rhetorical question “Where do these county roads take people?” He added that the money spent on county roads is to the towns Triple K Restaurant lllLXKSGKlNfi SMORGASBORD Sunday & Monday October 11 -12 /87 Serving from 12 noon to 8 p.m. HAM and TURKEY Includes: Souporjuice, salad bar, and assorted desserts Children 12 and under l/z price RESERVATIONS APPRECIATED Adults $8-95 _________i EaXfHdwy24 Triple K Restaurant 523-9623 advantage,” and concluded by supporting the reduction in re­ bates. Usborne reeve Gerry Prout supported McCann’s statements. After an explanation by the engineeron how the urban road systems are funded, at the request of Hullett Reeve Tom Cunning­ ham, Cunningham stated that Brussels benefits greatly from the county system, and that things do balance off. After some more back and forth debate, which reiterated com­ ments made earlier, Goderich reeve Harry Worsell asked for a recorded vote if there is to be one. The vote was not needed as the matter was referred back to the roads committee. THURS., FRI., SAT. 5P.M.-12A.M. Blyth Inn EAT IN OR TAKE OUT 523-9381