HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-05-14, Page 36PAGE 36. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2003.
Still questions over school boundary issue
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
Some issues were resolved and
others just resulted in more
questions when more than a dozen
parents from the Seaforth Public
School (SPS) catchment area met
with Avon Maitland District School
Board (AMDSB) personnel Monday
evening.
At issue was the possible
boundary changes which could
move the southeast comer of Grey
into the Grey Central Public School
(GCPS) area, the southwest comer
of Morris into the Blyth Public
School (BPS) region and a small
area south of Egmondville from
Huron Centennial to Seaforth
Public.
Though much of the change was
seen as a housekeeping matter, as
many of the families in the Grey and
Morris Wards are currently border
crossing to attend the proposed
schools, the administration wanted
to gather input before formulating a
recommendation for board
consideration.
At present, there are 12 students
living in Grey and attending SPS.
All are in Grade 5 or higher. Pupils
from Grey area border crossing to
attend GCPS include six in senior
kindergarten to Grade 2, one in
Grade 5 and one in Grade 6. There
have also been two requests for
September.
In Morris, there are six students
enrolled in SPS with three
graduating this June. The area sends
nine to BPS with all but one in
Grade 5 or lower. There has been
one border crossing request for any
SK student in 2003.
AMDSB Superintendent Bill
Gerth spoke to the gathering which
also included the principals from the
three affected schools as well as
trustees Colleen Schenk and Charles
Smith.
“Families have been voting with
their feet as to where they want to
go,” he said. “Some families are
committed to a school community
and we are not asking students to
change schools. They will be
continued to be bussed to the school
of their choice.”
Gerth reassured parents that
students already attending SPS
would be grandfathered in, allowing
Fire calls uneventful
The Blyth and District Fire
Department responded to two calls
Monday evening, both with no need
for their services.
Shortly after 5 p.m., they were
called to 42085 Hullett-McKillop
Road where an electrical panel was
on fire. Hydro One was on the scene
them to complete their elementary
education there if they choose.
However, families would not be
grandfathered, if this boundary
change were to be passed by the
board.
New students, including siblings,
would be in the catchment areas of
BPS or GCPS and would therefore
have to apply for a border crossing
to attend SPS.
Though Gerth said “90 per cent of
the cases could be accommodated”
because buses for SPS and GCPS
pass through most of the affected
area, there is no guarantee a bus
would be provided for all situations.
A BPS bus route would be
changed to accommodate new
Morris students enrolling at that
school.
Though the meeting was to deal
with residents of Morris, Grey and
Tuckersmith, the question of Walton
families also arose.
when they arrived and there was no
danger so the firefighters returned to
the base, said Fire Chief Paul
Josling.
Later, there was a false alarm at
Elliott Nixon Insurance Brokers, the
second in a week. Josling said there
is a fault in the system.
When Walton Public School
closed in 2000, the student body
split between SPS, GCPS, BPS,
Brussels Public School and St.
James Separate in Seaforth.
The bus run to Brussels was a
special exception to accommodate
some families. Though Walton
residents will currently remain in the
SPS area, consideration is being
given to splitting the hamlet along
ward lines. A survey of affected
families is to be undertaken by
Darlene Million who oversees
enrolment and accommodation
issues for the board.
There were also concerns about
the pick-up point for Walton students
currently border crossing to GCPS.
They are required to meet at the
closest regular pick-up point which
is at a home on Brussels Line across
from McGavin Farm Equipment and
Supply.
Homeowner Monique Baan said
MS lives here.
Canada has one of the highest rates of
multiple sclerosis in the world.
Multiple Sclerosis
Society of Canada
1-800-268-7582 www.mssociety.ca
she was worried about the cars and
children located along the highway
in front of her home, waiting for the
bus, particularly in the winter. It was
suggested that another bus stop be
located for those students.
Gerth said it is hoped that a
recommendation could go before the
board in June for implementation in
September. If that were to take place,
those students already attending SPS
would not have to apply for border
crossing status as they would be
automatically approved.
Anyone with questions regarding
enrolment or accommodation issues
may call Darlene Million at the
board office. Bussing issues should
be taken to Dennis Harris.
Help protect the
environment
Reduce, reuse
and recycle
Notice of Public Meeting
For the New { HURON EAST
Extractive
Resources
Huron East Official Plan
TAKE NOTICE that the Municipality of Huron East will hold a statutory public meeting under the
provisions of Section 17(15) of the Planning Act to receive input on the proposed Huron East
Official Plan.
The public meeting will be held at the following location:
Date:Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 8:00 pm
Location:Walton Cofnmunity Centre
Purpose &
Effect of the
Plan:
The Huron East Official Plan applies to all lands within Huron East and is a
statement of where and how development should take place within the munici
pality. The Plan includes text and maps that show how lands are designated.
Copies of the
Plan:
Copies of the proposed Huron East Official Plan are available for review at:
• the Municipal Office , 72 Main St., S. Seaforth
• Seaforth Public Library and Brussels Public Library
• Huron County Planning and Development Department, Court House Square,
Goderich
• www.huroneast.com
Notice of
Decision:
If you wish to be notified of the adoption of the proposed Official Plan, you must
make written request to:
Jack McLachlan, Clerk-Administrator, Municipality of Huron East, 72 Main St.,
P.O. Box 610, Seaforth, ON, N0K 1W0
Ontario
Municipal
Board Powers:
If a person or public body that files a Notice of Appeal of a decision of the
Municipality of Huron East in respect of the proposed Official Plan, and does not
make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the
Municipality of Huron East before the proposed Official Plan is adopted, the
Ontario Municipal Board may dismiss all or part of the appeal.
The following policy and map changes have been made to the proposed Huron East Official Plan
based on input from the public and Council discussion including the Public Information Sessions
held March 26th & 27th, 2003.
Additional Policy Changes
Agriculture • Remove reference to farm parcel requiring a current farm business registration
number; Section 4.4.xiv)b)
• Add sentence regarding commercial scale water-taking operations, with reference
to Extractive Resources Section; Section 4.4.xvi
• Add example of solar facilities to commercial scale infrastructure; Section 4.4.xvi)
• Add Site Plan Control to Agriculture Section for use as required. Section 4.4.xix)
• A minimum lot size of 38 hectare (94 acres) is required however, smaller lot sizes
may be considered in certain circumstances. (See Land Division Section below)
• Surplus farm residential policies added to Plan. (See Land Division Section below)
Natural
Environment
• Add policy to allow future recommendations from Groundwater Study to be added
to Official Plan and Zoning By-Law; Section 5.4.3
• Clarifying when environmental studies are required for a change in the Natural
Environment area-remove word ‘extensive’; Section 5.4.5, 4th paragraph
• Replace ‘local importance’ with ‘significant’ - forested areas shall be protected;
Section 5.4.6. 1st paragraph
• Add policy regarding ongoing environmental monitoring by the Municipality and/or
local agencies; Section 5.1
Urban
Settlement
• Add to Section 6.2 as last sentence.
- Two industrial designated locations in the south west and south east corners of
Seaforth are located in the Tuckersmith Ward. The industrial policies of Section
6.3.3.4 shall apply.
- One Urban designated location in the north east corner of Seaforth is located in
the McKillop Ward. The policies of Section 6.3 shall apply.
• Add to Industrial Section 6.3.3.4. following 2nd paragraph ‘in addition there are two
Industrial designated locations in the south west and south east corners of Seaforth
which are located in the Tuckersmith Ward.’
Recreation • No additional changes since March 2003 Draft Official Plan
Infrastructure
and Servicing
Heritage_____
Economic
Development
Land Division
Implementation
•Add definition of asphalt plant and policies requiring rezoning to special ER zone for estab
lishment of asphalt plants.
•Add Commercial Water-Taking Section and Policy; Section 8.1, 8.2, 8.4.xiv ‘Commercial
water-taking is a land use. Commercial water-taking operations may be permitted in
Extractive Resources and Agriculture designated areas subject to: a Zoning By-law amend
ment to a special Commercial Water-Taking Extractive Resource Zone; hydrogeological
study; and any other requested studies addressing sustainability.’_______________________
• Add Solar Energy reference to Wind Energy Section; Section 9.4.5
« No additional changes since March 2003 Draft Official Plan_____________________________
• No additional changes since March 2003 Draft Official Plan
• Add minimum agricultural lot size exemption to Section 12.3.1 .i)
“Notwithstanding the minimum lot area requirement of 38 hectares (94 acres).” If the present
owner purchases 2 or more parcels of 20 hectares (50 acres) or more in the same owner
ship, at separate times, and they have since merged on title, severances may be considered
to recreate the same previous farm parcels provided that each parcel has a minimum lot size
of 20 hectares (50 acres).
• Add Surplus Residential Severance Policy Section 12.3.1.viii)
“Where a dwelling is acquired through farm consolidation and is surplus to the needs of the
farm operation it may be severed subject to the following;
a) The residence is surplus to a farm operator (farmer) and was constructed prior to the
adoption of the County Plan, June 28, 1973; or has replaced a residence which was built
prior to June 28, 1973.
b) It is the intention to utilize the existing building and the Council and/or Building Inspector
will not issue a demolition permit or building permit for a new residence unless the exist
ing residence has been occupied for a reasonable length of time, or has, after transfer,
been partially destroyed by fire or other natural disaster.
c) If the retained farm parcel will be less than 38 hectares (94 acres), it must be merged on
title with an adjacent farm parcel. If the retained parcel is located in Concession 13 or 14
(McKillop Ward), and the parcel is less than 28 hectares (69.1 acres), it must be merged
on title with an adjacent farm parcel.
d) Where a barn exists in the immediate vicinity to the surplus residence, Council may
require the demolition of the barn or its inclusion with the residential unit prior to
approving the severance. The required zoning amendment shall restrict the total number
of livestock to be permitted in the severed barn.
e) That the area to be severed be rezoned to a special agricultural category.
f) That the rezoning comply with the formula I of the Minimum Distance Separation.
g) The separated parcel will not include any more Class 1 or 2 improved land than is
required to support the residence.
h) That there has been no previous legal severance on the subject property since 1970.”
• A policy is added to permit minor interpretation of text policy; and land use designation
boundaries; Section 13.2
• Add Section referring to Appendices and Background maps
Additional Map Changes
Brussels 1. Correction of Flood Fringe and Flood Way lines to reflect current Maitland Valley
Conservation Authority regulations
Grey 1. Part Lots 2 & 3, Con 2; change from Agriculture to Extractive Resources to reflect Official
Plan Amendment already approved in 2002.
2. Part Lot 2 Con 9; change from Agriculture to Residential, the existing eastern urban boundary
near Brussels on the north side of County Road 16 to allow the creation of 1 lot
3. Part Lot 2 Con 11; change from Agriculture to Residential at the end of McDonald Drive by
160 feet to allow for the creation of 2 lots
4. Part Lot 33, Con 2 correcting location of ditch
McKillop 1. Part Lot 25, Con 5; change from Agriculture to Natural Environment to reflect existing
reforested area.
2. North Part Lot 27, Con 13; change from Agriculture to Natural Environment to reflect
ownership of Conservation Authority
3. North East corner of Lot 24, Con 1; change from Agriculture to Urban to allow for future
development on Schedule ‘B’ Huron East and on Schedule ’B’ Seaforth
4. Lot 19, Con 10; change from Agriculture to Natural Environment on Schedule ‘B’ Huron East
5. Part of Lots 33 & 34, Con 6; change from Agriculture to Natural Environment on Schedule ‘B’
Huron East
Seaforth 1. See McKillop #3
2. See Tuckersmith #4, #5
Tuckersmith 1. Lot 9, Con 3 LRS; change from Agriculture to Natural Environment to reflect existing
forested area
2. South Lot 17 & Lot 18, HRS; change from Natural Environment to Agriculture to reflect
existing farmlands
3. Lot 32, Con 4 LRS; change from Natural Environment to Agriculture to reflect farmland
4. Part of Lot 9, Con 1, HRS from Agriculture to Urban on Schedule ’B’ Huron East to allow for
future industrial development adjacent to existing industries; add to Schedule ‘B’ South West
corner of Seaforth as Industrial
5. Part Lot 12, Con 1, HRS; change from Urban to Industrial in South East corner of Seaforth