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1 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday,June
15, 2011
Proposed severance draws OFA's fire
Cheryl Heath, Deb Van Brenk
QMI Agency
It is time to rally the lawyers.
That news was delivered to Huron County councillors at
their June 8 committee -of -the -whole session care of county
planning director Scott Tousaw in light of word that more
than three appeals have been launched against a proposed
severance for a Central Huron property.
"That takes it out of the hands of the county and puts it into
the hands of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB)," says 'Iota -
saw, with councillors subsequently agreeing to ask county
solicitor Greg Stewart to represent the county's interest at the
upcoming OMB hearing.
While the county's planning department had repeatedly
advised against approving the severance application during
what proved to be a nearly seven month-long process, Iluron
County Council ultimately chose to side with the host Munic-
ipality of Central Huron given special considerations in the
matter, including the fact the severance is on unfarmed land
and the property will be used to create a home for two soon-
to-be retirees who have farmed the land for generations.
While Tousaw told councillors in September 2010 "this
type of severance hasn't been allowed for 40 years in I luron
County" and it would likely be appealed, county council
moved forward with approving the application, resulting in
appeals from the Ontario Ministry of !lousing and Rural
Affairs and, for the first tirne, one from the Ontario Federa-
tion of Agriculture, among others.
NIt's kind of a line in the sand that says municipalities canna
disregard
good planning policy on farm lands," said Neil Currie,
executive director of the OPA, in addressing his organiza-
tion's precedent -setting move.
Currie argues farmland is being eaten up across Ontario --
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industrial, commercial or residential property — and being
lost forever for
agriculture.
"'The philosophy behind this is that someone has advised
them that scattered
housing is a good growth opportunity for the community,"
said Currie.
But the OFA's appeal irked Central Huron Reeve Jim Ginn
who told The London Free Press, "I'm a farmer and an OFA
member and it just drives me nuts when I see this kind of
thing happen."
Ginn asked to meet with OFA representatives about their
concerns but
was rebuffed. Ginn adds that the appealing parties did not
choose to comment during five public meetings on the
issue.
"I'm very disappointed with the way the federation has
acted, said Ginn.
Defending the county's decision at the Ontario Municipal
Board level, says Ginn, could cost about $40,000, which as the
county's planning director noted months ago, is a tab that
will likely be picked up by the county given that the decision
is in direct contravention to the Provincial Policy Statement.
Ginn added while it "is technically true" the severance
flouts the municipality and
County's Official Plans, he argues it has been eight years
since Central I luron's Official Plan was reviewed and the Pro-
vincial Policy Statement (PPS) that guides the counties is a
50 -word statement that "can't possibly cover every agricul-
tural land -use planning scenario."
Allowing for the severance and such patchwork approach
in rural areas "sets a poor precedent," said Wayne Black, an
OFA director and the former president of the I luron Federa-
tion of Agriculture. Ile said such severances can also compli-
cate life for existing farm operations, which in many cases are
barred from adding livestock, barns or
pits near off -farm houses.
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Black also said the argument that severances can be an
economic boost is a
false one given, "severances do not create jobs."
Currie has sent a letter of formai complaint to Muni 11
Affairs Minister
Rick Bartol ucci to ask that he overturn the county's c eci-
sion no avoid (an OMB)
hearing that should not be necessary."
Property owner Robert Vodden, who owns the land with
his wife, Joanne, says given that the land has not been farmed
in decades and that the county council voted overwhelm-
ingly in favour of approving the severance, he remains opti-
mistic that the severance will move forward regardless of the
fact it is precedent setting.
In essence, says Vodden, by allowing the severance to
move forward, the county is acknowledging a need for a
"population base to support the schools and the main
streets."
The PPS, adds Vodden, falls short of that vision as it is
based on "old-fashioned" principles.
Vodden adds the couple is keen on riding out the appeal
process with the hope that, eventually, they will be able to
move forward with plans to build their retirement home on a
section of the farm their family has tended to for
generations.
Noting he has "no idea' how long the appeals process will
take, Vodden says, "We're not in a hurry."
Other bodies lodging appeals to the move include a neigh-
bouring farm.
Lynda Hillman -Replay Lakeshore nd,rok
Klondyke Big Bike
The BIG BIKE for Heart and Stroke was In Grand Bend in
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folks from Klondyke Trailer Park got on board to do their
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July 1st - 11:00 am -6:00 pm
July 2nd - 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
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