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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-03-23, Page 9Wednesday, March 23, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 9 Huron County: Committee tables spicy motion Cheryl Heath Lakeshore Advance I luron County Councillors are not quite ready to Jra motion that could mark the start of a new a for planning matters. While a delegation was prepared to appear before councillors at their March 16 committee -of -the- whole session in Goderich, the county's planning department first outlined why it was recommending ending denial of the severance, which was originally set to be voted on at the county levet in September 2010. "This is an itnportant decision," says planning director Scott lbusaw. "it will frame how severances are dealt with over the next four-year term." At issue is a request by Clinton area property owners Robert Vodden and Joanne Palmer for a severance that will allow the couple to build a retire- ment home on land that has long leen in the family. The planning department is recommending denial based on several areas of concern, including that allowing the severance would create a non-farm residential lot, that the proposed site does not meet Minimum Distance Setback (MDS) requirements, and thele are outstanding entrance I ernlit issues. Still, councillors heard the host municipality, Central Huron, has recommended approval of the request as long as several conditions are met. In speaking in favour of the motion, Coun. Brian Hamlin (Central Huron) says county councillors should he aware the property once housed a home, though the planning department notes it could not locate a record of such a house. Cotta. James Ginn (Central Huron) says the big -picture issue is whether the county plans on allowing severances. "My question is what is the impediment to agricul- ture here?" says Ginn, noting the neighbouring dairy farm started with 60 cows and now there are more than 300, meaning the operation has not been nega- tively impacted by a nearby homeowner. In endorsing Central 1 luron's stand, Coun. Bennie MacLellan (Huron East) says given the Baud in ques- tion is not being farmed, the property owner is not concerned about the neighbouring farm operation and Central Huron council says it's OK, it seems advisable for the county to allow it. "1 ado believe this deserves review and i do believe this piece of property deserves to have a residence oil it: says MacLellan, noting he also appreciates the stance taken by the planning department given it is exp ct'ted to follow standards and guidelines spelled out by the province. In contrast, Coun. Neil Vincent (North Iluron) is "very uncomfortable" in supporting a request that ams in contravention to loth the Central I luron and i donor County Official Plans. "I feel that 1 will be compelled to vote against it," says Vincent. Central Huron's Reeve argues if Central I luron changed its ()P to better accommodate such requests, there would still be a problem at the county level and even if the county changed its Oi,, there would ler the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) to contend with. 1 think we have an opportunity here because the )PS is being reviewed. It's time to change this. We reed to get into the 21st Century item." Ginn says changes are required to keep neral areas populated since runt' municipalities an about more than towns, villages and hamlets. Ginn asked to table a decision on the current motion, and to direct the planning department to come back before council with recommendations that would allow for rural severances. In a recorded 11-6 vote, Ginn's motion passed with Councilors Barnitn, Deb Shewfelt (Goderich), Hill Dowson (Bluewater) George Roberson (South 1luron), Neil Hinton' (Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh), Dave•Jewitt (Centntl 1 lunnn),'ly1er 1 lessc1(Muewater), Art Versteeg (I lowick), Paul (;owing (Morris= lltrn- berry), and Dave Mach (North Iluron) in favour. Councillors Maclellan, Vincent, Jim Dietrich (South Huron), Hill Siemon (Iluron East), Ben Van Diepenbeek (ACW), Paul Kropp (Bluewater) were opposed. Absent for the vote were Councillors Dave Fmyne (South I luron), Joe Steffler (I !Limn East) and John Grace (Goderich). 'Ihe tabling of the motion led to the cancellation of a scheduled appearance by a delegation, led by Robert Hudd. Severance OK'd After some debate, councillors gave the go ahead to a severance application by Cantelon Farms Ltd., with regard to a Vanastra-arca farmhouse that the corlxontte faun owners seek to sever and sell. While the county planning department recom- mended denying the application for several reasons, including the house is not (onsidemd to be surplus to a farm and the property was formerly severed, the farm's lawyer, Dave Murray of Seaforth, reports there are several special circunlstiulces to consider. Perhaps most importantly, says Murray, is the fact the farmland's two corporate owners are brothers who loth own homes off site of the hurled property, meaning the house on site is surplus to them. In addressing the committee, property coowner Wayne Cantclon says, "in our minds, we've got a surplus residence. It's too good a house to knock down but that is what will eventually happen:' Ile adds they have no interest in the house rental business. While planning director Scott 'Iousaty notes a cor- poration is seen as one person 111 the eyes of the law so the one house on the two acreages is not consid- ered surplus, planner Susannah Reid points out there is still the issue of the past severance on the same lot. In supporting the application, (;oun. Brian Hamlin (Central I luron) says it makes more sense to allow for the severance in order to maintain residents in the county. Meanwhile, (,oun, Hen Van Diepenheek (ACW) wondered why Centntl Huron torpedoed the mquest at the lower tier level. 111 reply, Hamlin notes it was a largely new council that rejected the original application and, upon fur- ther review, it seems sound. 'Though there was some debate as to whether the motion should be sent back to Central 11111-011 for its support, the committee eventually opted to support the request as long as several conditions are diet, including (ilial a Se('olld house cannot he built on the site. "In fairness,1 don't see a floodgate," says in relation to the severance. Signs' Irani Times County Councillors are in agreement that at least one recent sign of the times is proving t0 he trouble some for all. In addressing tett' issue of road sign maintenance, Coun, Neil Ilintotil (ACW) reports his home nu mid parity recently expressed some concern about how hest to go about replacing dated road signs as required per recently passed provincial legislation. In addressing the issue, county public works manager Dave L curie agreed the new standards are also having an impact on the county's iottom line. "it's a bit of an unreasonable request;' agrees Laurie, noting that the new requirement means the county must spend a great deal of time each year ensuring each of its 6,000 signs are up to snuff, Laurie suggested the best course of action alight be for the county, along with the municipalities, to send along letters of concern to the Ontario Good Roads Association, so provincial legislators are aware the new guidelines are unpopular. The suggestion received the endorsement of councillors. Another Look The County is preparing to extend its commitment to taking another look at transportation alternatives within its briers. During a presentation on the county's Transportation Demand Management Plan, presented by consultant MMM Group, councillors learned there are a number of options and alternatives being consider'(!, including car Ix)oling, shuttle bus services, anti an increased emphasis on cycling. So far, reports consultant Claire Basinski, the company has collected data from an online survey, mobile displays and a public open house. 'the next steps, she says, will include a public heath workshop and work 00 a number of projects, including a pilot project in Clinton that will see users transported from the downtown to 1 Iurnwiew. A big part of the equation will involve finding partners that will held organize efforts and pay the costs, says Basinski. "We are looking at MTO, the Associa- tion of Municipalities of Ontario, among others, for partnerships," she says. Forging Ahead 'ihe county's immigration partnership also received a boost when spokeswoman Rebecca Rathwell appeared before councillors to ask for support to develop a community portal that will provide additional information alxlut services and programs, promotional material for the county, and enhancements to programs and services that are available. Councillors agreed to continue sup - laming the initiative, which is designed to draw new blood to the county. Appointed Central Huron's Brian 13arnim and 1 luron East's Hill Siemon will be joining a county committee designed to investigate the issue of 1.0w Frequency Noise related to wind -turbine pr)jects. Councillors made the appointments, though at least four councillors opposed the t.1 N group's formation, twhich will include municipal representatives and CONTINUED > PAGE 10 FAUN H'R(SST N()NIINATION BIl) for PC Party of ONTARI() (.'ANl)II)ATE in NLJR()N-BRUCE Phone# (5191 386-4611 Twitter www.twitter.com/taunfrosst I'm on Jwacebo ok at 'Nun h'rosst for Iluron-Bruce N:mail: taunforhuronbruce(aagmail.com WH1' AM 1 RUNNING? I'm tired of Premier dad testing; us \vit;u to do! 1'111 tired of having; representation from a government that feels entitled. 1'111 tired of new tax dollars bring; charged anytime the government feels. l'm tired .,i the 1101) consultation wilts our OW11 communities. I'm tired of the bow downs to lig city residents at our expense. I'm tired of being forced to use products than Premier dad thinks I should use. I'm tired of the 1.11INs using up FRONT 1.1NIi dollars for fat salaries. tried being told when I waish tin clothes or do my dishes. tired of having electrical energy increases with no end game. 1'111 tired of haying; to cut my budget to support the (6O0F't ideals al Queens Park. WIIA'i' 1)() 1 NEU) FROM VOl'.' I have until Saturday Match _'huh (fl S o'clock I'N1 to get as many delegates aS I Possibly can. You are a delegate if you are on the current membership records of the Riding Association, 11 you are not and need to become ;i P(' Pauly of ON'TARlO member, you can email me . The cost is $1(1.(11) or $20.0) per ramify for one \car, anyone oyer the age oI 14 is allowed to vote ;it the convention as long as they are 00 the men11ership, list. I'hc biggest thing 1 ant asking of you is to he lticiti Saturday April 16th 2(11 1 at, Ripley-Iluron Community ('entre, 17 Queen Street, Ripley, Ontario. Registration Opens a1 1 1:30 :\M the there catty il' you aur driving) busing will be Provided. THIS ISA FREE VOTE:, YOU ('AN VOTE FOR '1'IF1': PERSON VOI I WANT Al'i'ER A1.1,'1'I1h: SPEECHES ARE DONE. No platter who becomes the official candidate, we are all on the same team. Pi.h'ASE IlEI.I'hfl 111.3.I' )'OU T() Bh'7TiiR REPRESENTWON Thanks, 'Tau)