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Times -Advocate, January 8, 1986
No confidence in plan dep't,
Exeter goes over their head
Noting that Exeter baa lost con-
fidenee in the Huron County planning
department, council this week ap-
proyed sending a letter to the county
executive committee again seeking
reimbursement for its costs in the On-
tario Municipal Board hearing over
the 'proposed Huron Farms agri-
industrlal park and to get some
answers and copies of policies not pro-
vided by the planning department.
Over the signature of Mayor Bruce
Shaw, the letter recommended by the
town's executive committee claims
that the errors and omissions created
by the planning department justify
the county paying the town's costs
relating to the OMB hearing.
The OMB ruled in favor of Exeter's
appeal of a Hay bylaw amendment,
noting that documentation under the
Food Lands Guidelines was not
provided.
' `These errors and omissions in our
opinion are serious and must be ad-
dressed," the letter explained, adding
that the county executive committee
has a responsibility to this situation
and "therefore we have addressed
this letter to this committee for your
cooperation and response."
Noting that the county planning
department did not clearly define
some of the answers to questions pos-
ed by Exeter, the communication said
"this neglect in giving straight for-
ward answers strengthens our posi-
tion that grievous errors were
committed."
In asking the county executive com-
mittee to review the matter, Exeter
pointed out five areas of concern as
follows:
1. The process was directed by the
Director of the Planning Department
(Sept. 3/85 letter) and therefore the
procedures should have been careful-
ly controlled. This was not the case,
for the method of notification to abut-
ting municipalities was not proper
and the requirements of information
and studies as outlined by the On-
tarion Municipal Board (OMB) Deci-
sions were not followed.
2. In our letter of October 9, 1%85 we
specifically asked, how the proposal
would be open knowledge to Huron
County residents. Huron County
minutes do not mention directly or
give any printed reference to the
Hay Agricultural Industrial Park.
Therefore, we still question the
openess in this process. The Director
indicates that Exeter was informed
and you will also note that statements
made by the Director that "the pro-
posal was following proper planning
procedures.,'
If wht a
ctuallly hap-
d�dero
ceurea, t nsaplctnmgmp
municipalities are in jeopardy to the
operation of this Department.
The Department minutes of March
10, 1985, "marked confidential etc."
indicates—"It it recommended that
the proposal be approved subject to
the following restrictions". This we
assume was a recommendation to
county council for approval and coun-
ty council accepted this important
proposal without cotmcillor discussion
or debate, because it was not on the•
department's report to council. Why?
How could this go to the Ontario
Ministry without knowledge of its im-
pact on abutting municipalities;
without open knowledge of it happen-
ing, an without a specific motion of
approval by county council. The pro-
cedure was not open to discussion or
input by the public.
3. Our letter of October 9, 1985 ask-
ed for the department's • costs in
preparation and presentation at the
O.M.B. hearing. In the department's
reply of September 3, 1985 it was
stated RE: O.M.B. hearing- "It
(county) does not pay for costs that
fall within local jurisdiction under the
Planning Act, such as zoning by-laws.
As this.was an appeal against a zon-
ingby-law, all costs are borne by the
local municipality."
In reply (November 21,1985)fromthe
Department, it is written on page 3 -
"These costs were borne by the coun-
ty through the Depar=tment's budget."
Why the change in policy? This situa-
tion further strengthens our case that
there must not be a formal printed
Want
Fag, only positions takes tallied*
situation
4. P.Yeter Council is its October 9,
1985 letter specifically asked for a
copy of the policies and approachep
that the Department indicated were
aimed at minimising conflicts. We
have not received a copy of such ap-
proach
TThee Department's reply to this re-
quest is as follows:
"The policies for minimizing con-
flictions start with a gealto minimize
planning conflicts if at all possible.
The specific policies as stated above,
are twofold. The first is to provide in-
formation. This is done through the
Department's policy of having all its
files, with the exception of personnel
files, open to the public. Also, the
department undertakes to bring infor-
mation to all parties involved in
development applications, such as
plans of subdivision. This occurs
before objections are known. Once an
objection is raised the Department
will always recommend meetings to
resolve differences and will assist in
any way if it is requested to do so.
The Council of the Town of Exeter
requests, in light of what the depart-
ment states in providing information,
a copy of all documents, letters,
records, memorandi, records of
telephone calls, etc., which refer to
the Agriculture Industrial Park in
Hay Township, requested by Huron
Farms. We are prepared to pay for
photostats of these papers.
5. Finally on an unrelated matter
the county department reference on
page four of their November 21, 1985
letter indicates-- "The County
assumes the cost of all notices with
regards to the County Official Plan.
interest protected
Terms of reference for the
documentation of "need" for the pro-
posed Huron Farms agri-industrial
park are currently in the discussion
stage, but one major concession will
be requested by Exeter council.
That concession is that the county
pay for an independent consultant to
review those terms of reference on
Exeter's behalf.
Reeve Bill Mickle told council this
week the request should be approved
by the county if they "want to remain
impartial".
FUR UP HIGH - Playing on a tall pile of snow at Huron Park Friday
afternoon were Timmy Morrissey, Dennis England and Danny
Mosurinjohn. . T -A photo.
Some terms of reference for the
needs study as directed by a decision
of the OMB into Exeter's appeal of a
bylaw for the proposed development
at Huron Tractor, have been ten-
tatively set following a meeting of a
committee composed of represen-
tatives from the ministry of
agriculture and food, the ministry of
municipal affairs and Huron !County
department of planning and
development.
The next step is to have the terms
of reference reviewed by the original
committee, as well as Hay Township,
Exeter and the developer. •
"It is hoped that through Such a
review that an agreement 'With
respect to the proposed develo intent
can be reached and 'thus prevent''
another OMB hearing and its' ,,
associated costs," the report given by
the planning and development com-
mittee stated.
The three-page draft of thelerms
of reference indicate that the study
will not start until there is agreement
on those terms of reference.
The study area will be composed of
two areas, roughly comparable to a
primary and secondary trade area in
commercial retail studies. The
primary area will be a 10 -mile radius
around the proposed site and the
secondary study will include the
southern half of the county.
It is suggested that existing,
facilities will be studied, along with
industry needs, locational criteria,
land needs, potential for agriparks,
planning policies and the develop-
ment proposal itself.
The study is being undertaken to
satisfy the requirements of the Food
Lands Guidelines.
The OMB ruled that there was no
documentation to satisfy those
guidelines in the original application
that was successfully appealed by
Exeter. •
Clinton Community
Credit Union
Introduces
THE
ESCALATOR
The Daily Interest
Savings Account where the
Interest Increases
with the amount on Deposit
CURRENT RATES
5% • under $1,000.
7% - $1,000. to $4,999.
71/4 % • $5,000. to $19,999.
- $20,000. to $99,999.
81/2% - $100,000. and over
Rates subject to change with the financial market
•Interest Credit Monthly
•Four FREE Withdrawals or Transfers monthly
Clinton Community
CREDIT UNION
70 Ontario" street 374 Mak street, south
CLINTON/482.3487 EXETER/236-0640
This would inch* mostly official
plan ammeadmeab and would a
ly t° all munklipalities except the five
towns, as their offlcla! plans are in-
dependent of the County Pan."
What does this mean? We request
a more definite 4' nation with
respect to the pass' of the five
towns and their independence to the
County Plan.
Conservation
brings award
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation
Authority congratulates the winners
of its 1985 Conservation Awards -
Wayne Woods in the individual
category, and the Claybird Gun Club
in the group category.
Woods' nomination and selection
was based on the important conser-
vation practices that he has used at
his farmiti Stephen Township. Woods
has participated in the windbreak
planting and reforestation programs
of the Conservation Authority, and he
has co-operated with the Huron Soil
and Water Conservation District, by
employing no -till plots for row crops.
The Claybird Gun Club is based in
the Exeter Area. The Club has con-
tinually made a significant contribu-
tion to the work of the Ausable
Bayfield Conservation Area by main-
taining Campbell Management Area,
and by undertaking an annual clean-
up of Hay Swamp.
In total, there were thirteen
nominations for the two Conservation
Awards. The Executive Committee of
the A.B.C.A. selected the winners.
The Conservation Awards will be
presented on Friday, January 10, at
an awards banquet being hosted by
the Huron Soil and Crop Improve-
ment. Association. The banquet takes
place in Seaforth at the Legion Hall,
156 Main Street and begins with a
social at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner
at 7:00 p.m. The guest speaker is Ken
Knox, Director, Farm Products
Marketing Branch, Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture and Food. The Conser-
vation Awards portion of the banquet
will feature Gordon Johnson, Chair-
man of the A.B.C.A.
Turnips
Continued from front page
forced out of business, he continued,
and the number of growers in the two
counties has reduced from 101 in 1981
to only 56 in 1985.
When asked by Councillor Dorothy -
Chapman about the acreage com-
parisons between turnips and canola,
Davlaeminck said they were both
about even at 4,000 acres each.
Ideally, he continued, turnip pro-
ducers would like to see canola — or
rapeseed — removed from the area,
especially the winter variety in which
the aphids over -winter.
In addition to agreeing to express
their concern to Riddell and the MPP
from Middlesex, council suggested
that the turnip producers approach
the county councils and seek their
support for getting the matter more
immediate attention from the
ministry of agriculture and food.
Davlaeminck noted that all the tur-
nip producers in the two counties
have given $100 each to support their
Cause.
Snow
Continued from front page
given priority,
Hern said that it was unsafe for
children to have to walk to school on
the roads, and while he recognized the
town had been hit hard with snow,
suggested the sidewalks should be
cleaned, at least on one side of every
street.
Former councillor Don Winter then
approached council with a concern on
behalf of his wife about the blocked
sidewalk along Sanders St. W. beside
Darling's IGA.
Parking curbs have been removed
from the parking lot in this area and
cars park over the sidewalk, Winter
explained, questioning why parking
regulations were not enforced.
Shaw said it was not right if the
firm was pushing snow onto the
sidewalk, but Kells said that was not
the case. He said some type of barrier
was needed to keep cars from en-
croaching onto the sidewalk.
After some further discussion, Mrs.
Fuller was asked by the Mayor to
speak to the proprietors about the pro-
blem to see if it can be corrected.
Snowmobilers, of course, also
cane in for some complaints as both
Councillors Tom Humphreys and
Peter Snell indicated they had receiv-
ed several complaints about damage
to property and the threat to life and
limb expressed by some ratepayers.
Mrs. Fuller said that while there is
no snowmobile club in Exeter, an ex-
cellent one operates out of Pineridge
and they could be contacted to pass
along the concerns.
Council also authorized an adver-
tisement be placed to ask
snowmobilers to use care and com-
mon sense and adhere to the local
bylaw governing the machines.
Later in the meeting, Snell noted
that one ratepayer had dug out the
snow from a nearby fire hydrant and
the new councillor gave the action
high praise and said those who clean
out the hydrants stand to benefit
directly as it could result in faster,
more efficient fire protection to their
own properties should the need arise.
\
A GIANT SNOWMAN — Friday's thick, soft snow provided plenty
of opportunity for making snowmen. Shown with a 12 foot creation
in Centralia are Daryl, Jeff and Steve Greb. T -A photo.
The project outlined
Continued from front page
a precedent due to it being initiated
by a municipality.
It is hard to imagine they would
question the idea only because it is
new," he said.
Mickle said he could not unders-
tand the 180 -degree turn taken by the
ministry in cooling off to the idea.
Mickle said that mushrooms,
onions and garlic were the prime
v bles considered and • a e
•
, ( )1 1 1 1 1 };
1 (1I Ii�i1i i
A STORE FULL OF
BEAUTIFUL FURNITURE
On the Main Street of
Dublin
345-2250 Free Delivery
now imported at a value of over $13
million in 1964.
He added that other vegetables
grown in Ontario could also be rele-
vant, such as celery.
inoounuuoauumnutnunnuuntuttununKt
Pamper yourself today
to a:
Facial x
Manicure
Pedicure
Make up =
Tanning E
= / Colours
Rumors II •=
Centre Moll
235-0891
+tuunutuuunuutuutnuuuuuunttnutmnur<
Attention Property Owners
and Tenants In The Town of
Exeter and The Township of
Usborne
Your MunicipaliIy'is
Being Reassessed
Your New Assessment
In response to a request from your municipal
council, all properties will be reassessed under
the Section 63 Program.
The Section 63 Reassessment Program is
designed to equalize assessments within prop-
erty classes, based on 1980 market value.
Mailing of
Assessment
Notices
1985 Assessment
Notices will be mailed to
all property owners and
tenants.
The assessed value
shown on your Notice
will be used for the cal-
culation of your 1986
municipal and school
taxes.
A full explanation of
the Section 63 Reas-
sessment Program,
appeal procedures and
a timetable for Open
Houses in your area can
be found in the Informa-
tion Insert which accom-
panies your new Assess- If You Wish
ment Notice.
Open House
Sessions •
Will Answer
Questions
Open House sessions
have been planned at
convenient times and
locations in your munici-
pality to afford you the
opportunity to review
your assessment with
staff of the Regional
Assessment Office.
Assessment staff will
be pleased to explain the
basis of your property
assessment and are
authorized to amend all
data (school support,
assessment, etc.) on
your Notice.
You are encouraged to
take advantage of this
service.
Rolls Available
For Review
The Assessment Roll
will be available for
review at your local
municipal office during
regular business hours,
beginning February
12th, 1986.
To Appeal
If you believe you have
been improperly
assessed in any way,
you may file a formal
complaint with the
Assessment Review
Board. The final date
for filing an appeal is
March 4th, 1986.
Information on appeal
procedures is provided
on the back of your.
Assessment Notice and
in the Information Insert.
Schedule of Open Houses
TOWN OF EXETER
MUNICIPAL OFFICE, EXETER
MUNICIPAL OFFICE, EXETER
MUNICIPAL OFFICE, EXETER
TOWNSHIP OF USBORNE
USBORNE, TOWNSHIP OFFICE
USBORNE, TOWNSHIP OFFICE
MUNICIPAL OFFICE, EXETER
January 14, 1988
JJinary 16, 1988
p1uary 18, 1988
January 15, 1988
January 16, 1066
January 18, 1986
1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.