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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-05-27, Page 16Page A16 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 Council ivi a on agricultural pstandards by-law signal -star stag "It has more teeth," Reeve -Ben Van Diepen- beek said of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh's amended property standards by-law. However, the Reeve is worried that the new by-law may have too many teeth, and cause more problems than it could potentially fix. The big question that council wanted to deal with was whether to take this new by- law, which gives more power to by-law en- forcement officers, and more responsibilities to property owners/leasers, and make it ap- plicable to all properties within the township, or to hold the current practice of not having agricultural land being affected by the ruling. The question before council was whether to amend the current by- law before it could be approved at their next meeting, or whether to leave it worded as is. Council approved the by-law with a record- ed vote of 4-3. Cour. Carl Sloetjes explained the main reason for a property standard by-law, or a clean yard by-law, is to stop one neighbour from adversely affect- ing the property val- ues of others, and he pointed out that this isn't as much of prob- lem for rural landown- ers. Councillor Barry Millian believes ex- actly the opposite, Huron Landscaping Limited din Budd Centred= -Superior Quality Nursery Stock -Interlocking Paving Stone Patios, Walkways & Driveways -Precast ling Walls • -Various Colours of kmourstone and Natural Stone -Lawn 1111481180011 (hydnoeeedirg, mechanical seed % sodding) -Landscape Design and Consultation Services k us out online! www.huronlandscaping.ca c Huron Landscaping t&located 1/`2 mile South of Lucknow0 RR#1 Lucknow ON, 519-529-724% fax: 519-529-3181 GODELRCH Canada's prettiest town Police Services Board Meeting Date This is to advise that the Goderich Police Services Board's next regular meeting will be July 9, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at 64 West Street and that any special meetings required will be at the call of the Chair. Larry J. McCabe, Secretary, Police Services Board Town of Goderich 57 West St. Goderich ON N7A 2K5 • (519)524-8344 O JANOME .. , Dwain. 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"But Mark Mcdougall owns an odd piece of I'd like to see it adopted with agriculture ex- land just north of Goderich on Highway empted and see how it works for a year. In 21, that has two houses on it, separated by a the end it is a decision of council." gorge, and due to a technicality, he may not The by-law would seek three represen- be able to split the properties. tatives of the community to be part of the McDougall owns property that borders on Property Standards Council. Upon recieving Blyth Road and Highway 21, and contains a complaint, the by-law enforcement officer two houses, one that was previously known would determine the validity of the claim. If as the Exchange Hotel, and, despite having the claim is valid, the property owner must no farmable land and being surrounded by remedy the situation. If property owners other residences, the land is considered ag- want to appeal the decision, they have to ricultural by ACW's comprehensive zoning bring their case before council. by-law. The scope of the by-law isn't the only thing The lot can either be considered prime that council, or the assembled gallery mem- agriculture, or environmental, and neither of bers were worried about. those can be split for urban growth. County Van Diepenbeek explained that he was plans indicate the only place new lots can be worried about the powers of entry the by- made with urbanization in mind is in urban law affords enforcement officers, claiming areas. they can enter a property upon identifying According to County Planner Monica themselves, and that they can order tests to Walker -Bolton it is against policy to allow be done, at the cost of the land -owner, to de- someone to split agricultural land to make termine whether they are in accordance with two residential lots, no matter how small the the by-law. land is, or what currently exists on it. Tests included things like checking to see Any area that isn't settled, or urban, is now if oil is seeping into the land from vehicles, considered prime agricultural land. farm machinery, or containers. Council sided with McDougall though, While the by-law states the price of the and had strong words about not being able to tests need to be covered by the implicated make the changes necessary. land -owner, there was some discussion as to "There is no prime agricultural land there," who should be held responsible if the tests Sloetjes exclaimed. "We're painting every - come back clear. Coun. Marilyn Miltenburg thing with the same brush, this is ludicrous." plainly stated that it's a risk that landowners Coun. Barry Millian disagreed with the take. idea, saying "It's time we put up reasonable "If you want to keep [possible causes of resistance to these decisions [handed down pollution] in your yard, in plain sight, you from other bodies]. should be ready for the consequences." "I don't agree with this at all, splitting prop - The recorded vote saw council split with erty that already has, two buildings on it won't the reeve, councillors Connie Black, and Slo- hurt local farmers at all." etjes voting to change the content of the by- ACW decided to support McDougall's bid law, while Coun. Neil Rintoul, Miltenburg, to have the land separated, and will make that Millian and Miller voted yes, approving the recommendation to Huron County Council. content. Photo submitted Masons donate to Colborne Builds Above, the Colborne Builds a Community Playground committee receive a $33,700 cheque from Wayne Synder, Worshipful Master, of the Morning Star Masons, Carlow. The committee and the Masons formed a collaborative agree- ment and submitted a successful application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The -Morning Star Mason also contributed $500.00 to the project.