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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-02-25, Page 4Page A4 - Goderich Signal -Star, waonemer. February n. zros ACW council defers discussions on farm land use, ATVS Danny $oma signal -star staff . Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Council will be holding a public meeting - to discuss a proposed by- law that could make expanding fanning businesses easier. • Council heard from Monica Walker Bolton, planner for Huron County, who suggested that the Comprehensive Zoning By -Law be amended to allow for a change in the way that farmers can expand businesses. New regulations from the prov- ince have increased the distance necessary between a dwelling and agricultural buildings that house animals, or the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS). Walker -Bolton explained that the difference between a MDS Type A and MDS Type B Land use, saying that 'Type A would be any neigh- bouring farm house, or any house in the country -side, while a Type B land use is an expansion of urban designation, or recreational land. Walker -Bolton said that neigh- bouring communities have made similar amendments, switching to Type A land use. The change would cut distance requirements between agricultural buildings and houses in half, For example, a swine farmer with IS IT TIME TO REFINANCE? 4.39 %0 FOR FIVE YR. WE THINK SO. COME IN FOR A FREE MORTGAGE ANALYSIS. Mike Hodges Christy Alcock Mortgage Agent Mortgage Agent mike.hodges@rhigroup.ca FSCO Lic. M08001240 christy.alcock@migroup.ca 600 animals (that produce liquid manure) under the Type B land use would have to have 738 meters be- tween a house and a barn, whereas that same farmer would only need 369 meters between buildings un- der a'Iype A plan. Walker -Bolton explained .that Type B was implemented by the province to insure that farming land is not encroached upon by expand- ing rural centers. It would prevent subdivisions from popping up near farming lands, but also has the unde- sired side -affect of preventing farms from developing more facilities. The minimum distance affects only new construction, and has no effect on existing buildings. The adoption of a Type A land usage would also cut in half the necessary distance needed between buildings and dwellings for farmers raising cattle and chickens, and is dependent on the maximum capac- ity of the barn, the existing nutrient units, and the tillable hectares on the land. This change will only affect cer- tain plots of lands that can be re- zoned. Council agreed that, as a rural center, the idea holds merit. A pub- lic meeting will be announced to discuss the idea. *** Increased ATV usage is damag- ing trails, according to Wendy Ho- enig of the Maitland Trail Associa- tion, and a 2004 ACW by-law is to blame. Hoernig submitted two letters, one as a member of the MTA, and one on her and her husband's be- half. Both claim that since ACW council passed By-law 41-2004, which allowed ATV users to drive on municipal roadways, incidents of trespassing and damages caused by ATV users has increased. The By-law was intended to. reduce the amount of ATV trespassing inci- dents. ATV operators are using the roads lawfully to get to areas they are not legally allowed to be, such as wallcing trails and the Maitland River Valley. Hoernig is hoping that, by cutting off their legal route to these areas, the damage will be stopped. Several councillors debated re- scinding the previous by-law, but Deputy Reeve Rintoul suggested that they simply didn't have the information needed to make a deci- sion, and other councillors agreed. Concerns raised by council in- cluded the effect this may have on farmers who legitimately use their ATVs to get from property to prop- erty without the use of larger vehi- cles like pick-up trucks. Coun. Barry Millian pointed out that the legalization of municipal road use has lead to an unconfirmed rise in `back -door' thievery, where would-be thieves or vandals can use municipal roads to get to their target quicker and easier, and also provide a quicker escape route. Council also discussed the pres- Watershed In good shape, ooding earlier in the year was dealt with, according to Thompson. "Across the watershed there was damage, and its usually across rural and secondary roads that we're expe- riencing flooding. Municipalities may need to do some remediation work in some areas," Thompson explained. "But there isn't any blockages that we are aware of right now" The river is currently running open, which reduces the risk of ice jamming problems. Thompson also explained several preparatory steps home owners can take to prevent flood damage. "The key is to be prepared," she said. "Be aware that water levels can rise quickly, so people need to plan WEDNL SDAYS, MARCH 4, 11 AND 25 LOCATION: ALEXANDRA MARINE AND GENERAL HOSPITAL ROOM 162 — 1ST FLOOR 120 NAPIER ST, GODERICH TIME: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm ✓March 4, 2009 Screening, Prevention, Genetics ✓I'yiarch 11, 2009 Treating Colorectal Cancer and its Side Effects "larch 25, 2009 Living with Colorectal Cancer FOR MORE INFORMATION OR • TO REGISTER CALL: Stephanie Page 519-524-8689 ext. 5271 Seating is limited. • Denny Scott signal -star staff Despite heavy rainfall and an early thaw, the Maitland Watershed is in good condition, according to the Mai- tland Valley Conservation Authority's Jayne Thompson. "We're not anticipating significant flow -levels for the next couple of days. It looks like initially we're going to get mostly snow, and the rain fall amounts probably won't be enough to bring the water levels up," Thompson explained. Goderich missed most of a major rain storm on Wednesday, February 18, as it made its way South of the Maitland Watershed. Bayfield Chiropractic Centre Opening Monday March 2 Dr. April Y. E. Hulley B.A., B.S., D.C. Dr. Brent D. Hulley B.Sc., B.S., D.C. 2 Main Street South Unit #5 Bayfield, ON 519-565-4140 ence of ATVs on highways, where they are not allowed to be. Some recounted experiences where users will travel in packs, disregarding the speed limit, and causing dangerous driving conditions. Local farm interests were repre- sented by Wayne Black from the Huron County Federation of Agri- culture, who said that incidents of ATV users tearing through fields has decreased since the by-law, and that the problem is vandalism, not the by-law. People actively choosing to damage things will do so regardless of how they get to where they are going to do the damage. "The problem is a trespassing one, not a by-law one. The amount of people using farmers' fields to get around has gone down since the by- law was passed," he explained. Black suggested that the problem exists in the application of current laws, not in the presence of them. He suggested that fines are not enough to deter people from tearing up fields or damaging paths, and that damages aren't covered by the same law.. Council decided to wait for more information to make a decision. They are currently seeking an au- dience with the Ontario Provincial Police to determine the best course of action. *** ACW Council would like to re- mind Colborne Ward residents that, effective March 1, clear bags need to be used for garbage. no flooding ahead. It is simple things like mak- ing sure you don't have garden fur- niture in low lying areas, being aware of municipal emergency flood plans. The conservation authority works a lot with municipalities to get them to think about flood preparedness." Thompson also explained that the MVCA is running programs for el- ementary children to explain to them the dangers of the spring thaw. Students will be taught the effects of the spring run-off, and the dangers of being near waterways, in hopes that they will steer clear of rivers and creeks and prevent potentially life- threatening situations. For more information, the MVCA can be reached at 519-335-3557. Linea Reomae Design Consultant Bob Smyth Design Consultant West oast k i t c h e n s... And Much More • Kitchens • CustomVanities • Entertainment Units • Home Offices PROFESSIONAL YNSTALLATIONS CUSTOM DESIGNS COUNTERTOPS Visit Our Showroom! 50 West St. Goderich 519-440-0352. 1-866-440-0352 Goderte* 4 District Chamber of Commerce Onions of the Year Award 2006 [+.trail: watcoastkittabletv on.cs