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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1986-01-08, Page 2Pole 2 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.