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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-09-04, Page 12• ance Bluewater passes new bylaws aimed at IWTsafety Gerard Crews SMI Agency What exorbitant development charges failed to do, building code bylaws may accomplish in the regulation of industrial wind turbine development in the munici- pality of Bluewater. However, residents were left feeling the two bylaws passed August 27 protected the municipality while ignoring the needs of residents. The first bylaw dealt with legal liabilities surrounding industrial wind turbines, and changes to the building code that Bluewa- r solicitor Eric Gillespie noted gives the unicipality the ability to make specific inquiries to make sure all projects comply with safety regulations, while also putting the onus on insurance claims squarely on the wind developer. The issue of decommissioning turbines was one of the most innovative bylaws in the province, Gillespie said. Funding for decommissioning would also be at the expense of the provider. The cost of decom- missioning would be reviewed every five years, to update the price of materials and labour. Residents expressed their disappoint- ment at a $5 million dollar insurance requirement, saying it will not be enough. However, the provision would apply to each instance with any turbine and not with the project as a whole. The Bluewater Shoreline Residents' Association had passed a resolution declar- ing they are not willing hosts to industrial wind turbines, with representatives argu- ing that health and property value effects would kill the lakeside communities. Lia- bility insurance, they stated in a resolution to council, did not cover all potential losses. Robert Westlake of the Zurich (:haunber of Commerce suggested council could defer their derision, as the mga nirution did not have sufficient tithe to examine the bylaws prior to last week's meeting. How- ever, after a fifteen minute closed session to seek legal advice about delaying a decision, council decided to vote that night. Westlake also suggested a performance fond be attained by the 1W 1' providers to replace a cash bond, holding the Nextera and Northland more accountable to the developments. Bluewater ratepayer Patty Keller said frankly, she did not trust the energy com- panies, and was considering legal action - a recurring theme for residents along the Iakeshore. "All Nextera has done is destroy our hopes for the future," she said. "i applaud efforts to make this not happen:' Bonnie Roy noted the wildlife study con- ducted by the 1W1' companies was done in January, a time when animals have migrated or are dormant. I ler property is home to thousands of gees and swans in spring and fall. "'that's just birds," she said. "What about the?" Roy was quite direct about what would happen should 'WI' companies encroach on her property. "Believe me, she said. 'they'll pay:' Coun. George Irvin said he would sup- port any motion to defer the bylaws, asking for clarity in the wording to make sure eve- rything is known and agreed to before any construction takes place. Because of the building code provision, CA() Steve McAuley said the municipality could order the turbines to be taken down if they fall derelict, and should the energy company declare bankruptcy, the turbines would pass to the new owners. l'he bylaws were' not specific to any of the three potential developments in Blue - water, applying rather to projects across the board. Resident Paul Steckle received boos from the crowd when he asked for a list of just how much the municipality has spent Huts far in legal and other expenses relating to IWI:s, adding fees placed on turbines should not he seen as revenue generators for the municipality so much as they should just cover the costs associated. Creative County fund applications • • . . A partial, second round of funding appli- -cations is now being received by the County of Lambton's Creative County Committee. In the augural intake earlier this year, the Creative County Committee received 36 applications and advanced $36,500 to 12 community projects however some areas of Lambton County were under -repre- sented, prompting the committee to launch a second intake of grant proposals. "I'm thrilled with year one response to the Creative County Fund, says Commit- tee Chair and Deputy Warden Bev Mac- Dougall. "As funded projects have been rolling out, I am pleased that some under - subscribed areas of the County will be given a second chance to come forward with creative projects to benefit their communities." Up to $8,000 will be made available for applications frotn Central Iambton (Petro- lia,'Enniskillen, Point Edward, and Oil Springs) and up to $8,500 for applications from South Lambton (St. (:lair, Dawn- Euphemia, and Brooke-Alvinston). An additional $22,000 nuty be allocated to projects that can demonstrate cultural ben- efit to all areas of Lambton County. Eligible projects in this category trust include one or more local partners, and be able to engage the entire l.tumbton community. Funding guidelines and application forms can be found online by clicking on the "Creative County" bullet under the "Residents" heading at www.lambtonon- line.ca. Applications will he received until 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 2. The committee will make the remaining funds available in November 2013, with the intent to fund projects that require an early start for 2014. Examples of approved projects include neighbourhood beautification, new festi- vals or special events, public art, and local food celebrations. For more information about Lambton County, visit www.Iambtononline.ca. Gerard Crecos OMI Agency Coun. Tyler Hessel listens to Bluewater solicitor Eric Gillespie Tuesday, Aug. 27 at a special public meeting in Varna to discuss two new bylaws that would have a direct impact on industrial turbine development In the municipality. In two recorded votes, council passed both bylaws unanimously. Coun. Becker and Deputy Mayor Klopp were absent. Bluewater Mayor Bill Rowson, slid not declare a conflict of interest until the clos- ing minutes of the meeting, on the advice of Councilor Tyler I Iessel. He said the building code bylaw affected all projects in Bluewater and not just turbines so he felt obligated to vote. I le eventually abstained from the decommissioning bylaw. WEST COAST KITCHENS t rrhta ticanrrnc Designer And Much More • Kitchens • C usioniVaniues • Entertainment touts • Hine Offices PIOPISSIONAL INSTALLATIONS CUSTOM DESIGNs & CouN virtu s Visit Our Showroom 50 West St. Goderich 519-440-0352 www. westruastkitchrns, art Email: westcoastkit(at`hurontelon,ca Presenting Sponsor: RBC Dominion Secundes Fall Classic Golf Tournament Wednesday, September 18 Oakwood Resort 1pm shot -gun start, 18 -holes golf, prizes, power cart, golfer's gift, banquet dinner. $95 per golfer inclusive. Everycne Weicornel Members, non-members, residents, cottagers. Grand Bend ill Tourism.com lit'h'I auiluir ,11 Grand' tend lourls111 COn1/(lull Icrutn�llnc'nt 1t' Asti 1tI0n 519 738 2001 / rnfo(Ogtan(iht'nitotin,,n1 coin This Month In Lambton Todd Case Warden County Of Lambton Productive AMO Meetings The County of Lambton is calling the 2013 AMO Conference in Ottawa a succuss Tho County delegation, made up of Warden Todd Caso, County Councillors, and staff, participated in approximately 15 meetings over four days Tho group discussed a myriad of issues including competitive electricity rates for industry, a significant reduction to the Ontario Municipal Parinership Fund (amounts pard to local municipalities), provincial support for n proposed Centro for Health Education & Sustainable Care facility at Lambton College, reform of the provincial arbitration system, the sustainability of the horse racing industry, and improving and expanding VIA passenger rad service in and out of Lambton County Warden Todd Caso says the meetings were productive but stresses follow-up will bo oven more important in order to maintain progress with the provincial government Prestigious Exhibition Coming to the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery The County of Lambton's Judith & Noman Alix Art Gallery has been selected as ono of tho locations on the North American tour of Masterworks from the Boavorbrook Art Gallery Tho Fredonclon-based provincial gallery boasts ono of the finest and most important holdings of Bntish art in North America. Tho exhibition will bo on display to the public at the Judith & Norman Alm Art Gallery from September 23, 2015 through January 3, 2016 and includes 75 masterworks from the permanent collection of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery Revised Woodlands Conservation 13ylaw The County of Lambton's draft Woodlands Conservation By-law has been revised, taking into account comments received from the public and other advisory groups over the past several months. The latest draft is posted on Iho County's website at www. iambtononlino.ca and comments may bo submitted to planning®county-Lambton on ca until September 30, 2013 A final staff report will bo submdhxl to County Council in November for its consideration. Creative County Committee Calls for Applications Another round of receiving funding applications is underway for the County of Lambton's Creative County Committee. In the inaugural intake earlier this year, the committee advanced S36,500 to 12 community projects however some areas o1 Lambton County were under- represented, promptinthe committoe to launch a second intake of grant proposals. Up to $8,000 will bo made available for applications from Central Lambton (Petrolia, Enniskillen, Point Edward, and Oil Springs) and up to $8,500 for applications from South Lambton (St Clair, Dawn-Euphomia, and rooke-Alvrnston). An additional $22,000 may be allocated to projects that can demonstrate cultural benefit to all areas of Lambton County. Eligible projocts in this category must include ono or more local partners, and bo able to engage the entire Lambton community. Funding guidelines and application forms can bo found online by clicking on the 'Creative County' bullet under the 'Residents' heading at www lambtononlino ca. Applications will bo received until 4:30 p.m , Wednesday, October 2. Museums Strategic Plan The County of Lambton is in the process of developing a Strategic Plan for tho three Museums in the Cultural Services Division the Lambton Heritage Museum, the Oil Musoum of Canada and the Lambton County Archives. Input from the community was solicited through a survey that focusod on how the three museums have served the community in the past and how changes can bo made to bettor serve the community in the future. Tho survey, now dosed, will bo followed by a series of three workshops that will ongage community members in discussions about their vision for the Lambton County Museums. Sessions will bo hold at the following locations and Limos. September 16 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at tho Lambton Heritage Museum September 17 •5:00 - 6:30 p.m. at the Sarnia Library September 17. 7:30.9:00 p.m. at the Oil Museum of Canada. L OFFICE OF THE COUNTY WARDEN 789 Broadway Street, Box 3000 Wyomng, ON NON 1TO Telephone: 519-845-0801 Toll Free: 1-866-324-6912 cour+rr or Fax: 519-845-3160 LAMBTON www.lambtononline.ca Caring P crow* P Innovative f