Huron Expositor, 2007-05-02, Page 19The Huron Expositor • May 2, 2007 Page 19
News
Site plan required before final approval of rezoned
Majestic salon, council decides with recorded vote
Susan Hundertmark
With a recorded vote of 7-4,
Huron East council decided to ask
for a site plan before giving final
approval for a proposed zoning
amendment at Majestic Salon and
Spa on Goderich St. W. in Seaforth.
Majestic owner Jenny Schenk
brought to council a scaled down
plan for her home business along
with a gallery full of supporters, let-
ters of support and a petition with
135 names.
"The only objectors do not live in
the neighbourhood. The neighbours
are probably all pleased with what
the Schenks have done to the prop-
erty," said Frank Cameron on the
Schenks' behalf.
The proposal to change the zoning
from residential medium density
(R2) to residential medium density
special (R2-5) would allow the salon
to expand and exceed the required
25 per cent of the total floor area
requirement for a home business.
And, while the initial proposal
suggested the business take up 59.3
per cent of the floor space, the sec-
ond proposal reduced that amount
to 43.2 per cent.
Also, while the initial proposal
requested four employees, the sec-
ond proposed two full-time equiva-
lent employees.
Huron County planner Cindy
Fisher said scale and parking
remain the two outstanding issues
in approving the rezoning.
"The total resulting size is compa-
rable to businesses in the downtown
core," she said, adding that home
businesses are not meant to have
employees.
Fisher said arguments in favour
of the rezoning are the opportunity
for business to establish in the
owner's home, a heritage house that
provides a special ambience to cus-
tomers.
She said the business would need
seven parking spots and there's still
some confusion about where they'd
be located.
While Whitney-Ribey Funeral
Home next door has offered the use
of its parking lot to Majestic Salon
and Spa, Fisher said there are chal-
lenges to that solution.
"I've not been able to park in the
lot for a funeral and unless the
agreement says the spaces are only
for the use of the spa, that would be
unrealistic," she said.
Speaking for the Schenks,
Cameron said the heritage home
prevents the Schenks from reducing
the business space further without
"chopping up, a big, beautiful old
home."
Majestic Salon and Spa
"They have chosen to maintain
the character of an old house and I
think council should support that,"
he said.
He pointed out that other busi-
nesses, such as a doctor's office, a
metal work business and a bed and
breakfast are located along
Goderich Street as well.
"It's a quilt of uses along a major
artery and that's happening in a lot
of small towns," he said.
Cameron said other spas have
been allowed in the residential
areas of other Huron County towns.
"You're dealing with a young fam-
ily that wants to raise their family
here," he said.
Neighbour Gayle Coleman said
she supports the rezoning because
the Schenks' work on the house has
beautified the neighbourhood.
"I feel it will make things better
on our street," she said.
Seaforth Bakery owner Christine
Behnke also spoke in favour of the
rezoning.
"I don't think it's going to hurt the
Main Street. I think it will help,"
she said, adding that the salon and
spa will bring more customers to
town.
Seaforth business owner Gerry
Ryan, again spoke against the
rezoning.
He questioned whether or not the
measurements taken were accurate
and complained that the business is
already operating in contravention
to the zoning bylaw.
"If it were in the business district,
there isn't anybody who'd have any
issue with it. Obviously, it's not con-
forming with the bylaw now.
Administration has let me down,"
he said.
Ryan suggested that instead of
seven parking spaces, the business
could need up to 12 if the two full-
time employees ended up being four
part-time employees.
He added that he thought the
rezoning would have a negative
effect on the downtown.
"What would encourage a busi-
ness to start up on Main Street if
we allow this size of business in a
home? I'm asking you to enforce
your own bylaw - this has gone on
too long," he said.
Mayor Joe Seili pointed out that
other businesses that have been in
contravention of the zoning bylaw
have been allowed to continue to
operate while solutions have been
found.
Fisher said another solution could
be council rezoning the entire area
to something other than residential.
Council decided to express sup-
port for the rezoning as long as a
site plan including accurate mea-
surements and parking solutions is
provided and approved within 30
days.
Voting in favour were Seili,
Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLellan,
Grey Coun. Orval Bauer, McKillop
Coun. Andrew Flowers, Seaforth
Coun. Joe Steffler, Seaforth Coun.
Bob Fisher, and Brussels Coun.
David Blaney.
Voting against were Grey Coun.
Alvin McLellan, McKillop Coun.
Bill Siemon, Tuckersmith Coun.
Larry McGrath and Brussels Coun.
Frank Stretton.
Tuckersmith Coun. Les Falconer
was absent.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
consider er 1liCSC rates!
Term
10 — Year
7 — Year
5 — Year
4 — Year
3 — Year
2 — Year
Subordinated Debentures
Interest Paid Annually
8.00 %
7.25
6.50 %
6.25
5.75 %
5.50
Demand Loan Certificates
(interest Paid Monthly)
All rates are subject to chane. For further information about your investment opportunities
with HDC, access our website at www.hdc.on.ca
Interest Paid Monthly
7.50
6.75 %
6.00 %
5.75
5.25 %
5.00 %
4.00 %
HENSALL DISTRICT CO-OPERATIVE, INC.
Ontario's largest agricultural co-operative,
HDC has successfully offered investments to
its members for 70 years.
HDC debentures arc issued at no commission
charge to investors, provide fixed income to
your portfolios and are not RRSP eligible.
ENSALL
!STRICT
O -OPERATIVE
Proud to be farmer -owned
This advertisement is neither an offer to sell nor
a solicitation of offers to buy any securities.
The offering is made only by the prospectus.
Investors should read the prospectus carefully.
HDC debentures arc not coveted by Canada
Deposit insurance.
1 Davidson Dr.
P.O. Box 219
Hensall, Ontario
NOM 1X0
(519) 262-3002
www.hdc.on.ca