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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-08-12, Page 3IN ril II: sn r--managus i ai Cottage owners fear loss of property values firnes-Advocate, August 12, 1992 Page 3 By Adrian Harte T -A Editor ZURICH - The authors of the Shoreline Management Plan had been concerned that the Lakeshore cottage owners were not aware of their proposal's effects on their properties. Saturday moming, it was evident that they finally had their attention. The second last in a series of meetings to present the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority plan for public perusal drew about 300 property owners to the Zurich community centre Saturday. While aimed at Hay Township properties, several came from further afield to voice their opposition to a plan they say could make their cottage prop- erties virtually worthless. The Shoreline Management Plan proposes two risk zones along the shore. A "red" zone closest to the beach would preclude further de- velopment and would discourage changes to existing properties. A "yellow" caution zone further in- land would place restrictions on de- velopment. Although the plan makes many other recommenda- tions to control and manage the ero- sion of the shoreline, it was those zones that caught the attention of property owners. Most arrived Sat- urday to find out where their prop- erties are in relation to those lines. "it's done awful things to proper- ty values already...so I've heard," said one cottage owner who did not want to be identified. He said that since the red risk zone calls for cottages destroyed by natural causes not to be rebuilt, fire insurance won't pay up if the cot- tage hums down. "A guy with a $300,000 cottage is stuck out in the middle of no- where. He can't sell it and he can't rebuild," said the man, who ac- knowledged his cottage is _further inland than both risk zones. "1 think most people feels it's an intrusion into their rights," he said. Robert and Barbara Maunz from Michigan, owners of a. cottage in Shangri La Beach discovered their cottage lies in the "red" zone, "It could end up our cottage and three lots are worthless," said Rob- ert, ot -en, who said when he confronts Ausable Bayfield Conservation Au - "It's done awful things to property values already ,..so I hear" thonty staff about the potential loss of property values, they avoid the subject. "They're in a different world, they are," he said. "How can they call this erosion when their policy is to let the shore erode?" asked Tony Olive, owner of a cottage in the Sunset Lane sub- division north of Bayfield. Olive called the Shoreline Plan a "big farce" and challenged the ABCA to show they have done anything constructive for shoreline protection. He argued that while displays at the meeting portrayed erosion protection measures as inef- fective, he said some subdivisions have had success with their shores. Sunset Lane, he said, has success- fully planted trees and installed groynes. Olive said he has been ap- proached by the Lake Huron Pres- ervation Association, a group of cottagers seeking legal recourse to fight the Shoreline Plan, and he said he is conside ing joining. Murray Keys, Hay Township deputy reeve, cautioned that the plan, as presented, is still only in draft form. He said he was encour- aging property owners to fill out the comment sheets because "those concerns are going to influence the final copy. It's going to affect it a lot.'. While Keys said the final plan will have to be approved by the provincial ministry and by the ARCA board of directors, he also said it must be approved by each township affected before it be- comes part of municipal bylaws. The chances of it being approved by Hay Township in its current form are slim, he said. "As soon as you adopt it, you give them (ABCA) authority," said Keys, who argued that the township still wants to retain control over planning. "I don't care whether it's agreeable to us or not, we don't want it to hecome law." Tom Prout, ABCA general man- ager, said he was pleased to finally see so much public interest in the plan. "1 think the size of the plan scares some people. We may produce a pocket version," said Prout. Patrick Donnell', , one of the au- thors of the draft plan. said while' many property owners at Saturday's meeting appeared hostile, a few also said they understood the need to manage the shoreline, but "the most vocal ones are certainly the most negative". Donnelly said the plan recognizes the limitations to erosion control. Many attempts to hold back the ravages of the lake's high waters or storms aren't always successful and often end up causing more damage to the shores of -neighbouring prop- erties. "The last thing we need is more lawsuits up and down the shoreline, subdivisions suing each other," said Donnelly, referring to three subdi- visions involved in legal battles in the 1980s over charges that erosion controls ended up cutting away oth- er banks. Such protection, he added, doesn't always work, despite prop- erty owner's claims. "We haven't had any bad storms since 1986, so everything that has gone in since 1986 has worked," he said. The next major storm will be the proof. Donnelly said he was "delighted' with Saturday's response to the meeting, even if most of the com- ments were negative. Donnelly said the development restrictions make up only one page of the 150 - page report, but attracted nearly all the attention. "Obviously, that's what we're Boo- ing to be looking at when we go back to our steering committee," he said. Also he said, the fear that "red" zone cottages can't be rebuilt -be- cause of damage or other causes was not the intent of the plan, said Donnelly. He said the only inten- tion was to prevent rebuilding when a cottage is destroyed by a Take -related cause: erosion or storm damage. "We perhaps didn't clarify what the definition ' of natural causes was," he conceded. The last meeting is scheduled for August 22, mainly for Stephen Township and Grand Bend cottage owners and will be held at the St. John's by the Lake Church from 10- 2 p.m. "Everybody's saying 'why com- ment? it's a fair accompli' but that's not true," said Donnelly. "We're getting some really good com- ments." Property owners search shoreline maps of Hay Township to find out what risk zone their cot tages fall into while Pam Hunter of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (left) lends c1 hand. Tender for delayed storm sewer Continued from front page for the whole project, as originally envisioned. "The whole reason for this project was to get rid of storm water from a motel," said Mickle, who demanded to. know exactly what percentage of drain would beNoeeded if the project was short- ened. Kells then appeared aenoyed, asking council that if the tender comes in whirr the allocated budget, then why not do it? Councillor Ervin Sillery of agreed to tender for the full street length "to see whaprices come in". "You don't have to accept a tender; observed councillor Robert Drummond. Mayor Bruce Shaw also noted that a Ministry of Transportation 50 percent subsidy would likely be cut back next year if Exeter didn't spend what was already allocated to the town for the sewer. However, a vote to tender for the full sewer project was lost. "Any other comments. Glen?" asked Shaw. "Just that were going to be grossly underspent on our MTO subsidy this year, meaning a big loss w grant money," said Kdls. Council then became concerned that the works de partrnent would still be able to build the sewer itself because it was already. budgeted. Kens told council he recommended shosiening the project because of lack of contribution from the motel. Councillor Dave Urlin made another motion, to lender for the sewer construction, minus the 100 feet beside the Devries property where the motel was to have been bunt. The new motion was carried, with Mickle ac the only protester. Hensall approves Union Gas easement EXETER - Hensall council voted in principle Monday night to ap- prove a request by Union Gas for an easement on the easterly side of lots at the Hensall Community Centre adjacent to the railroad tracks. Council heard from a Union Gas delegation Monday night, com- prised of members of both the Chatham and London offices. According to Ron Haley, Super- visor of the Lands Department with Chatham's Union Gas Office, the company wishes to expand its lines to service customers in 'Lunch. Council approved the granting of the easement adjacent to an already existing Bell Canada easement, as well as an 8" forcemain that goes to the lagoons. In addition, Union Cias also received permission for a 6 metre temporary easement for in- stallation of the 114.3 mm gas line. Union Gas hopes to begin con- struction of the new line in mid- September. In other council ,news, Hensall also passed a new policy regarding the retirement of village employ- ees. All full-time employees of the Village of Hensal) shall retire on or before the last day of the month in which they reach ale age of 65. Notice of the intention to retire must be given in writing at least 90 days in advance of the proposed re- tirement date. All vacation credits must -be tak- en prior to the employees official retirement date. No pay for used vacation credits will be m tirernent nor will vacation wi be granted after the official ment date. at re - Pay Patrick Donnelly of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (centre) explains the Shore- line Management Plan to a group, f less -than -enthused property owners. Alert the Media! Call the Times Advocate 24 hours a day (Answering machine alter business hours) 235-1331 (\i ZEBRA MUSSEL HOTLINE INFOHMA9IUN. SIGHTINGS SOURCES 1-800-653-7711 WRESTLING WITH MONEY PROBLEMS? SCHOOL TUITION NEW VEHICLES 71 HOME REPAIRS VACATION FUNDS LET YOUR CREDIT UNION HELP LOAN RATES AS LOW AS 8' PER ANNUM 'Life Insurance Included it Eligible Clinton Community CREDIT UNION 48 Ontario Street 374 Main Street South CLINTON, 482-3467 EXETER 235-0640