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The Citizen, 2019-04-25, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019. Artisan Market in question North Huron Council to reduce connection fees North Huron Council has reduced its water and sanitary sewer connection rates after discovering it was one of the more expensive municipalities in which to develop. During council’s April 15 meeting, Director of Public Works Sean McGhee explained that, at $2,500 for a water connection, $3,500 for a sanitary sewer connection (based on a baseline at one cubic meter per day), a development charge and the cost of time and material for the physical connections to be brought to property lines, North Huron was the most expensive of six municipalities he researched for his report. The only municipality close to North Huron’s charges was Huron East, which charges $2,500 each for both connections, but doesn’t include a development charge. Bluewater charges a $5,000 flat fee and, if the tie-in project costs less, issues a rebate. Central Huron charges $250 and $150 plus time and material for the two tie-ins with no development charges and Goderich charges $400 to $575 for the water connection with no charge for the sanitary connection, plus time and material. McGhee said that, not only was the cost a concern, but the way it scales with multiple unit properties could be a detriment to future development. He pointed to places like South Huron, which bases its tie-ins on the zoning of property and could cost between $2,500 to $6,000, with the higher end being for significant service users like industrial properties. In North Huron, however, he said that the average cost for a single detached residential property could be near $8,000. “This becomes much more complicated with a four-plex or a multiple-residential situation,” he said. “The developer or builder would come to North Huron, say ‘I’m building a rental four-plex, I need X amount of water per day.’” From there, McGhee said, the municipality would test the usage, and, if the four-plex would use three times the normal water of a one- family household, charge three times the connection fees. “It’s a potential for question and confusion,” he said. McGhee said he would prefer to use zoning as a measure instead of a standard connection charge based on usage. “We can look at R1 and R2 [designations] as low-density resolution,” he said. “Then with tri- plexes or four-plexes, have it one more step up the rung.” Charges would increase for heavier users like commercial properties, industrial properties, then facilities like nursing homes.” He suggested implementing a charge of $2,500 per structure on a property up to $6,500 per structure, depending on usage. Properties designated R1 and R2 with single or semi-detached homes, including duplexes, will cost $2,500, down significantly from the $2,500 and $3,500 charges. Medium density properties designated R2 with three- or four- unit structures, will cost $3,500, as would commercial C4 properties. Community facilities, properties designated CF that include churches and recreation centres, would cost $4,500, as will commercially-zoned facilities in the C1, C2, C3 and C5 designations. In his report, McGhee said these kinds of properties include car washes, gas stations and hotels. Light industrial properties, zoned IND1, including machine shops, automotive repairs and warehouses will also cost $4,500. High-density residential, including apartments, nursing homes and townhouses fall under the R3 designation, which will cost $5,500. At the top end of the scale are IND2 properties, including sites like grain elevators, lumber yards and heavy manufacturing, which will cost $6,500. “It would send the message that North Huron is open for business,” he said. “The idea was this becomes very intuitive for developers and builders [while allowing] us to collect some fees for capital.” McGhee said the change would likely result in a reduction of fees for developers. He pointed to the lowest cost charges, at $2,500, and said that by the time the owner, builder or developer has the water and sanitary lines run to the property, it would cost approximately $5,000, down significantly from his earlier estimation of $8,000 under the existing program. After some discussion regarding development charges, which McGhee explained was a separate issue, council approved the change, incorporating it into its consolidated fees and charges bylaw to now be used throughout the township. The future of the Blyth Business Improvement Area (BIA) Artisan Market may be in peril if the organization can’t find someone to run it this summer. The market, held last year at various locations in the community on Thursday afternoons, was made possible through a partnership with Regional Tourism Organization 4 (RTO4), but a similar arrangement won’t be available this year. The BIA has set aside an honorarium in its budget to help secure an organizer, but there was little support for the move at the April 3 meeting. Former Chair Karen Stewart, who stepped down part-way through her tenure, and Past-Treasurer Deb Sholdice were two of the driving forces behind the creation of the market last year. Both have since left the BIA executive, leaving no one to talk about the issue at the meeting. “The challenge is that last year we had an advantage in the funding from RTO4,” Gil Garratt, Artistic Director of the Blyth Festival said. “Deb and Karen flanked and helped out, but Amy [Zoethout] drove the bus. We don’t have the additional funding partnership or sponsorship to do that.” Zoethout was hired through the RTO4 partnership to start the program last year. Outgoing interim-Chair Gary van Leeuwen said that starting a market in April would be difficult because, while the market isn’t a farmers’ market, any kind of produce vendors would need to sell would need to be booked ahead and that deadline to have producers ready may have already passed. “We’re getting a little behind the eight ball,” he said. “It might be easy to set it up, but those preparing and planting are going to be doing so very shortly. They need to be able to anticipate those planting needs.” Shane Yerema, the BIA’s new Vice-Chair, suggested having another farmers’ market organizer provide assistance, but other members pointed out the BIA was trying to stay away from the farmers’ market moniker, as it comes with regulations. The BIA decided to leave the issue open and encourage anyone looking to run the market to get in touch with a BIA representative. After the decision, Garratt explained that Peter and Sarah Gusso who used to operate the Part II Bistro restaurant in Blyth, but have since moved the restaurant to Goderich and use the Blyth site for catering, were looking to set up a market in the former restaurant’s storefront. Garratt explained that the Gussos had already touched base with some producers and artisans. He added that, if the market was scrapped, it was a budget-neutral entity as the amount expected to be brought in by the market just covered expenses. The “Vow”Factor Wedding Package Stag & Doe 2" wide x 4" high Engagement 4" wide x 3" high Card of Thanks 25 words Wedding Announcement 4" wide x 4" high Prebook all 5 ads in The Citizen for only $100 Savings of over $100 Be part of our Bridal Showcase Call or email today 519-523-4792 or info@northhuron.on.ca WOW! By Denny Scott The Citizen Talented students Earlier this month, the Royal Canadian Legion Blyth Branch 420 presented awards to students for their participation in the annual Remembrance Day art and literacy contests. Above are winners in the colour poster program. Back row, from left: Branch representative Donna Govier, Peyton Riley (junior second place), Caden Mason (jr. third), Ashley Kuntz (intermediate third), Jillian Shortreed (int. first) and Branch President Ric McBurney. Bottom row: Lillian Oakes (primary third), Emily Josling (jr. first) Carali Hugill (primary first), Donny Miller (jr. first black and white) and Isla Deboer (primary second). Absent was Landyn McNaughton (int. second) Below are the students who placed in the literacy contest. From left: Govier, Loralei Gross (int. poem second), Kortney Hoggart (int. essay third), Caden Mason (jr. poem first), Shyanne Hubbard (int. essay second), Alexis Bernier (int. poem first), Hailey Wain (int. poem third), Emma Buttar (int. poem second), Elizabeth Howson (jr. essay first), Brody Nesbitt (int. essay first), Kianna Lehman (jr. essay second) and McBurney. Absent was Ben Hubbard (jr. poem third). (Denny Scott photo)