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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1984-03-28, Page 16RAQA.16.--cliMPN-Nlik041,ECORDi VVE-P.NESDAY,MARCI1211,19114 "No .1 an is carved in stone," Reeve assures Goderich Township ratepayers Goderich Township got its Secondary Plan in 1976 and now work is in the final stages for the township's proposed zoning bylaw. Local residents are concerned that the zoning hylaw wIILhe too restrictive but township council members believe that the bylaw will give them more contra over development in the municipality. (Shelley McPhee photo) By Shelley McPhee HOLMESVILLE - Questions were answered and conerns were heard when more than 40 Goderich Township residents met with council on March 21 to discuss the municipality's proposed zoning bylaw. The bylaw, being prepared by the Huron County Planning Department, is designed to compliment the township's secondary plan. Approved in 1976, the secondary plan provides future land use guidelines, while the proposed zoning bylaw will provide specific land .use regulations to ensure that the policies of the secondary plan are realized. The zoning bylaw preparation has been in the works for 13 years and is now in the final stage of completion. With that comes a 167 - page draft bylaw, which was send to every taxpayer in Goderich Township. A series of open houses were held in Feb. to give the public an opportunity to respond to the bylaw. Additional questions and concerns led taxpayers to call for the most recent public meeting. Many residents were concerned that the bylaw would be too confining and restrictive. One vocal taxpayer, Bill Trick, noted, "It seems you're putting us in a cage and you can't do this without some scratching and fighting." Reeve Grant Stirling said that he doesn't like unnecessary laws and noted, "But some people just want to do as they please and say to hell with their neighbors." "If people would use common sense, we wouldn't need this plan, but we live in a day and age where we need some control," the reeve noted. • In supporting the bylaw, Reeve Stirling said that the bylaw will give the township more authority to control problem areas if the need arises. "No plan is carved in stone," he added, "only some people are too cumbersome to change it." Councillor John Rodges said, "If a zoning bylaw is implemented, it's best done by the township council, not some other_ form, of government." Councillor Laurie Cox added, "It's better that we do it, the people in the township and the farmers." Mr. Trick suggested that it would be difficult to properly enforce the bylaw. He noted that it would easy to find dozens of zoning contraventions in the township. "What if I came in here with 40 objections?" he asked. "We'd have to respond," noted Councillor Cox. Mr. Trick warned council, "Don't put a lot of laws in there that you don't intend to enforce." Another taxpayer, Bob Elliott opposed Mr. Trick's position. Mr. Elliott said, "You don't make laws after the problem." Mr. Elliott said that if taxpayers didn't appreciate council's decision, they had the right to show their choice in the next election. Mr. Farmer: This spring let Thompson's supply your 1984 Crop Inputs Expert advice by a qualified staff to assist you in your planning. Backed by 60 years of serving the agriculture Sector • . ' .1 cf' • . • ' We offer: Computerized Soil Reports — micro NUTRIENTS DISTRIBUTOR FOR ALL MAJOR FARM CHEMICALS "Expert" moaning barley contracts__ "Export" Nattawa soybean contracts that pay $5.00 bu. premium for cleaned seed over board price Forward Grain Contracting Grain Marketing through our own Brokerage Department. EL\PLANT THOMPSON HYLAND BRAND SEEDS HYland \ Seeds / Forage seeds, soybean "Nitragin" Highest Rhizobia count seed, seed corn; cereal seeds soybean inoculant for maximum nitrogen fixation. Thompson's were our sole supplier of high yielding Angusta, Houser fall wheat. L us now custom apply the nitrogen to achieve the yields on all your wheat acreage. Book it nbw. 12 floater units to serve you with liquid or etinular nitrogen products. Phone us collect at 4 locations to serve you. Pt. Albert 529-7901 Mitchell 348-8433, Hensel! 262-2527, Grantee, 225-2360 ..-•••••• In support of council's judgement, he added, "This is the level (of government) we have to -work at. This is the level where we can accomplish something, not at the county or provincial level." Group homes Government rules and regulations, particularly in the area of group homes, concerned many taxpayers. Residential group homes for mentally and physically disabled, are defined in the bylaw as single house -keeping units were three to 10 residents live as a family under supervision. Group homes must be licensed and must follow rigid regulations set up by the government. The homes may be established in township residential areas, but must be separated by a minimum distance of 300 metres. Most taxpayers supported the group home concept, but many were opposed to the possibility that residences for young offenders could be established under the zoning bylaw. County planner Gary Davidson noted that - group home regulations are established by the Ontario government and every municipality must permit them. He noted that a township cannot restrict the number of the group homes or the type, however strict building codes and inspection laws give the municipality some control. Thea Trick suggested, "If we have to have them (group homes) through Toronto policy, that's fine, but let's Punt the number." Mr. Davidson said that the township bylaw could include restrictions, but they would be worthless if challenged. He noted, "When push comes to hove, the group homes will just open. You can't enforce the bylaw since it's already allowed by the province." Councillor Pat Osborn said he objected to the government's right to, set up "the jail," the young offenders detention centre at the former site of the Bluewater Centre for the Developmentally Handicapped. Mr. Trick asked whether he could establish a jail, since the zoning bylaw applies to all lands within the township boundaries. Mr. Davidson noted that a private individual can't open a jail and Township Clerk Robin Thompson said that the zoning bylaw applied to all lands in the township under the control of the township. The Highway 21 site of the detention centre is not --under the- township's control, but gonernrnentajuriStlictiink Another taxpayer said she felt insecure about the entire aoning bylaw and its limitations. She suggested, "The only thing we may do is move into a (group) home." Developmental zoning Another area of concern was developmental zoning proposals. Mr. Davidson explaiood that #reas are zoned developmental because 10).eir future use is =certain. Often the at*: s will be developed as rural residential, however lot and road patterns have not been determined. By limiting these areas to developmental zoning, council can control that type of building that may be established here, Gerry Ginn suggested that council already had this control by issuing building permits, but Mr. Davidson explained that the building code specifies that building permits must be issued, unless some regulation isn't being met. Council does not have the authority to approve or turn down building permit applications if they meet all the requirements. Mr. Davidson explained that developmental zoning disallows a developer from building without council's approval. He noted that the zoning amendments can be made W allow other uses, but council has the right to approve or defeat alternative uses. Bylaw approval Necessary changes will be made to the proposed bylaw by the planning, department and council will study the concerns expressed by taxpayers. A revised edition of the bylaw will be send to ratepayers and if no objections are filed, council will approve the bylaw. Reeve Stirling hopes that the township zoning bylaw can be approved by April 30. Council study Holmesville ball park plan Accounts totalling over $160,000 were ordered paid when Goderich Township Council met in regular session March 19. Of this amount, over $129,000 was for Huron County Board of Education taxes and almost $30,000 was for road superintendent payroll. Mr. Steenstra, Mr. Mustard and Mr. Langdenoen were at the meeting to present a plan for a new building at the Holmesville SHOP AND COMPARE' ON YOUR NEXT FURNITURE PURCHASE Compare price, selec- tion and service. You'll find the best for less, in Clinton at BALL & MUTC FINE FURNITURE 71 ALBERT ST. CLINTON 482-9505 Open six days a week 9 - 6, Fridayl•ill 9 p.m. Ball Park. This building is to include washrooms and a lunch bar. No motions were recorded regarding this matter. Dr. and Mrs. Walker were at the meeting to discuss the condition of the Mill Road. Following this discussion, council passed a motion authorizing the road superintendent to close a lower portion of the road temporarily for maintenance purposes. Council also- passed a motion approving the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority's proposal to hire five stunner students for work at the Falls Reserve, with the stipulation that the hiring does not increasethe budget levy.. By-law no. 5-1984, a by-law to appoint a lottery licencing officer, was given three readings and passed by council. Building permits were issued to Triple D.J. to demolish a barn on lot 67, Base Line; to Joseph Laurie to demolish a house on lot 30, Base Line; and to M.H. Worsfold to build a patio deck on part of lot 32, concession 6. A building permit requested by James Hallman to build a house on lot 10, concession 1 was also approved but held pending Huron County Health Unit approval. Council instructed the clerk to contact Okon Structures to finish the. Goderich Township Hall additions and to finalize the account._ The meeting was then adjourned until April 2 at 8 p.m. Lila Webster celebrates her 75th birthday By Mary Chessell VARN A -Shelly Hayter, Robyn Norman and Janet McBeath received honours in their Gradel-Royal Conservatorx9f Music • piano exams in Stratford. They thestudents of Marjorie Hayter. Mrs. Mel (Lila) ; Webster was the honoured guest& the Webster Webetetfanilliesat a- , party in Varna hall celebrating her 75th bir- ' thday on Sunday. She was presented with roses and gifts as mementoes of a happy oc- casion. • • Florence Elliott returned . home from Seaforth Hospital on Friday. She had • surgery the previous Friday. Joan Beierling is confined to St. Joseph's Hospital in London. Bill Chessell received a news clipping • (Courtesy of --Geiirge Divoki.OntariorHyrlro) -- taken from the Mitchell Advocate, about a friend of his, Earl Squire, who bought and restoredaconple of army motorbikes in the '40swith Bill's help. The first one, a Harley Davidson, came ui pieces in three baskets. The other was an Indian Chief he bought from Bill Holland of Clinton. Pictures of the men and bikes accompanied the article. Earl and his wife Marion still ride a bike, and occasionally drop in to see us while out touring with it. NNIVERSARY clean•ue wdr` water PREMIUM QUALITY ONE LOW PRICE Glidden '4 litres* Durable Enamel Beauty for Walls and Trim! Reg. $26.99 SAVE $7.00 It's Famous For A Reason: QUALITY! made in CANADA fatirique au CANADA LANGFORD LUMBER HOME CENTRES As twiddling centre Royflold Road CLINTON 4412-3995 OPEN: Monday to Friday, 0 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday, a.m.. 4 p.rn. lit QUALITY PRODUCTS If QUALIFIED SERVICE * COMPETITIVE PRICING It •