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,
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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
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stating that a law is for everyone, not just for The by-law will return for approval during
people in certain situations. ACW Council's next meeting.
"I'd like to see [the property standards by-
law enacted]," Van Diepenbeek said. "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
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Above, the Colborne Builds a Community Playground committee receive a
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The -Morning Star Mason also contributed $500.00 to the project.