Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1984-05-02, Page 1E incorporating Wednesday, May 2, 1984 Study will help determ� CLINTON - "The Town of Clinton occupies a land area comprising 1,018 acres, which has evolved into a mosaic of different land ' uses." This overall statement introduced land use in Clinton, in a recent study put together by the Huron County Planning Department. The study will become part of the town's official plan and will help detemine Ontario Neighborhood Improvement Plan funding for Clinton. The detailed plan looks at Clinton in four categories: population and socioeconomic profile; existing land use; services and facilities and conclusions. Last week the Clinton News -Record took a look at population, education and income statistics in town. This week land use will be studied. Approximately 58 per cent (590.5 acres) of Clinton's land base has been developed, leaving 427.5 to meet- future _ lan.d:.. requirements. Most of the undeveloped land is located at the town's fringe and currently 71 per cent (305 acres) is used for agricultural production. Residential The study states. that, "the residential component is the greatest consumer of land and places the higest demand on the land base in terms of areal magnitude....the planning of residential areas influences the quality of the living environment and the physical character of the community. The report continued, "Clinton has several attractive and pleasant areas distinguished by many turn-ofChe-century residences, tree lined streets spacious lots. A distinctive character and environment is present, which is most worthy of preservation and enhancement." Figures from the 1981 census show that there were 1,710 occupied private dwellings in Clinton. This number was down from the 1980 figures of 1,273. The 1981 census also showed that more than 50 per cent of Clinton homes were established before 1946, compared to 25.9 per cent in all of Ontario. Because of their age a majority of Clinton housing is in need of repair. The census specified that 26 per cent of all dwellings require minor or major repairs, compared to 22.5 per cent in all of Ontario. The study noted, "This . information is verified by a sample of 232 residences in Ward 3 which revealed that approximately 42.6 per cent were in need of substantial upkeep and repairs. A partial result of this is that the average value of dwellings in Clinton is $46,994 in 1981, compared to $78,218 in Ontario." Figures from 1980 show that housing stock in Clinton ran higher than the provincial averages. In Clinton single detached dwellings make up 78.5 per cent, compared to the 1976 provincial average of 56.7 per cent. The next major category is multi -family homes, which take up 8.6 acres, followed by mobile homes with 7.9 acres and apartments with 7 acres. Commercial The planning department report explained, "The commercial component an integral element in the urban land • structure. Commercial activity provides the goods and services required by the community to function and to prosper:it provides a source of employment aid tax: assessment." Of the 1979 assessment, the commercial sector contributed 26.4 per cent. There are currently 47.1 acres or 4.6 per cent. of the land area in commercial, use, including 4Fe . - area,. highway commercial, `home occupations and local commercial. . The Core Area "The core area is the most concentrated and intensive centre of commercial:activity in the muncipality, providing a broad range of retail, service, professional, entertainment and institutional uses as well as housing -accommodation," the' study reported. "The closely built building S wand sidewalk system provide a multitairpose commercial environment faci1,itath pedestrian comparison shopping iii n attractive, safe and convenient setting," the report continued. "A healthy core has the highest land values, the greatest investment and assessment and provides a major source of municipal revenue. It is also the focal point of social, economic and cultural interaction in the community. The physical and economic condition of the core is a reflection 'of the community. It creates ons about the community and in impress, this way influences the attraction of a munici ality for economic investment, indust'.- 1 development, shopping and as a p1� DOJ of the high value of commercial Board ucatiQn o:� � _ , � r five per cent in Huron Count: �; • BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE The education tax 'on an average assess- ment of $3,110 in Huron County will increase by $18 or 4.23 per cent. The Huron County Board of Education ap- proved a $37 million 1984 budget at its meeting on April 2. This is up about 5 per cent from last year's costs of $34 million. "To hold the expenditure portion of these estimates' to 5 per cent has taken a major ef- fort by every segment of this board's opera- tion. It is the lowest year over year increase we have ° experienced in many, many years," said Robert Allan, • director of education. The 26 Huron County municipalities will share in paying over $12 million of the board's budget. The majority of the funding is from the , province, through the Ministry of Educa- • _w_...tion,_and has ,:Only ,increased by 4.4 per cent from last year for Huron County. Provincial grants are expected to be over $22.7 million, up from $2L7 million in 1983. The remainder of the revenue of $1.5 million will come from tuitions paid by other county boards of education and rentals, etc. On the expenditure side, the largest single cost is for salaries and benefits and totals $28.3 million,up from $26.7 million in 1983. Transportation costs have been estimated. at $2.98 million, up- from $2.78 million for 1983. General supplies and service costs are ex- pected to cost $2.2 million. These costs • totalled $2 million in 1983. The operation and maintenance of all schools and the administration centre is ex- pected to ,cost $1.4 million, up from $1.3 million in 1983. Debenture payments for the year are $636,000. These are the payments paid out by the board for the schools built in the late 1960s.'These,payments have declined from $1 million in 1979 to $673,000 last year. "The public should know that we have had commitment from the board, commitment from trustees individually in bringing in the expenditure estimates at a 5 per cent in- crease. We have attempted to be a cost con- scious administration and we take some modest credit for the fact that we finished 1983 having spent $390,963 less than the amount originally estimated," said Mr.' Allan. Chairman Eugene Frayne said a very good job had been done on the budget this year. . There was little discussion on the budget and Mr. Frayne Said the board "thoroughly discussed" the budget in a camera session prior to the open portion of the meeting. Trustee Tony McQuail added that budget considerations were made at open commit- tee. meetings such as education and management committees. The main reason for the decline in provin- cialdollars, said Mr. Allan, is because ofthe decline in student enrolment. He noted that the average daily enrolment in Huron County schools has declined by 1,341 students since 1979. The average daily enrolments for 1984 is expected to be 10,063 down 236 studentsfrom 10,299 last year. These figures, noted Mr. Allan; are what the ministu bases its grants on,, _ . "The public needs to have drawn tolls at- tention again the fact that our teaching staff is being reduced to reflect the declining enrolment. You will recall that the teaching staff reduction was approximately 11 teachers," said Mr. Allan. worth placed on the core area, in Clinton 44.6 per Cent of the core area is used for residential purposes, 35.5 per cent is used for., commercial, 11.6 per cent for institutional use and 8.3 per cent for other land uses. Highway Commercial . _ Highwa, . commercial areas ..,play_ a different roleifom the core area structure. _Highway commercial is designed for vehicular, not pedestrian traffic. Highway commercial uses can't be accommodated or would be undesirable in the core area. Clinton's highway commercial area takes in Highways 4 and 8, however the study pointed out that the development has been limited. "Highway 8, which is a high volume vehicular arterial, has predominantly been developed as a residential street, leaving limited potential forhighway commercial development. A similar situation has evolved along Highway 4," the study noted. The report added, "Unless suitable sites Turn to page 3 Just before lunch on Miihday Steve Taylor of RR 1, Brucefield saw the roof of his 200 foot by 40 foot poultry barn lifted by gale force winds and dropped 200 feet away. Fortunately 30,000 broilers had just been shipped out and the barn was empty at the time. Damage has been estimated at between $50,000 and $80,000. On Tuesday neighbors were on the scene to help clean up the mess. Over in Goderich Township, Wayne Tebbutt of RR 2, Clinton managed to climb onto the roof of his barn and secure it, before winds carried it off. (Wendy Somerville photo) The official opening ceremony at the Hullett Wildlife Management Area on April 25 included the unveiling of a plaque. Pictured (left to right) are Minister of Natural Resources Alan Pope, Ducks Unlimited Provincial Manager John Bain and Vice President of Ducks Unlimited Duncan Sinclair. For a detailed story on a opening and a tour of the wildlife area, please turn to Page 17. (Rod Hilts photo) The huge pine tree at the front of Rick and Marilyn Tyndall's home on Victoria Street in Clinton took a nose dive in a gust of wind on Monday.The top half of the tree landed on the roof of their two- story home: Downtown, -a-storefro-nt'Window was mashed in the storm and Margaret Dykstra, north of Clinton, called in to say that the storm window blew out of her screen door. (Shelley McPhee photo) - County discuss growth• of Huron BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE Is Huron County, as it is known today, disappearing? This was the feeling at the March 29 meeting of Huron County, Council when Brussels Reeve Cal . Krauter said "I'm hollering for help", after he learned the Royal Bank of Canada is pulling out from his village. He spoke of the "considerable jolt" • he received earlier that morning when the Brussels manager of the Royal Bank told him the bank was leaving. • "I'm concerned where the county as a whole is going. I have no figures, but I'm told we're losing population, industry and commercial projects," commented Reeve Krauter. The Brussels reeve noted that he had been in conference with MPP Murray Elston (Huron -Bruce) and the provincial parlia- ment member wanted to know what the village is going to do about the bank. "We're going to `fight. We have to do something," said Reeve Krauter. The Brussels reeve also noted that on the side of the street where the Royal Bank is located, three or four other businesses have left in the past year. He feels the smaller urban areas are be- ing phased out and the county as a whole is being pushed into regional government. Other reeves commented on the lost businesses in their own communities. Turn - berry Township Reeve Brian McBurney said as he drives through neighboring coun- ties he sees similar problems with small hamlets disappearing. Exeter Reeve William Mickle said attrac- ting businesses and industries to the county isn't something that happens overnight, but it is one solution to the problem described by Reeve Krauter. In attracting companies to Huron County there may be one sound con- tact out o£150 said the Exeter reeve. "We have to make a commitment to create development, a time consuming com- mitment." commented Reeve Mickle. "We have to fight for this county. The county has to stand behind (Brussels) and help," added Reeve Mickle. One problem, as . outlined by Howick Township Reeve Jack Stafford, is the amount of "red tape" any potential develop- ment has to go through. "Maybe we've created some of these pro- blems ourselves," said Reeve Stafford. County council's morale seemed to reach a low ebb when Reeve Mickle reminded his colleagues that Huron County does have pluses. "One other thing, don't downgrade your county. We have recreation along the shoreline, communities here are close to markets. We've got something here. It's a matter of telling people," he said. • Colborne Township Reeve Russel Ken nighan said the county has. to pull togethei and one area could be to assist the Town of Goderich in the Goderich harbor expansior, project. Reeve Krauter acknowledged the fact, that Huron is based on one industry - agriculture. "Maybe it's time to diversify." Morris Township Reeve William Elston said his township is suffering too, but from another problem. He noted part of the pro- blem is that the province's new grant . system is based on the number of households in a municipality and last year Morris lost 17 houses. "There's a reason for that. When the press is here I won't say ...," said Reeve Elston. "They ( not the press) don't care about our homes, our community." • Reeve Krauter commented that he hoped something could be done about the losses in Huron County. "This is the most beautiful county in the world," the Brussels reeve said. Londesboro seniors get Horizons grant LONDESBORO - A group of retired people from Londesboro will receive a New Horizons grant for $4,708, Health and Welfare Minister Monique Begin announced recently. Founded in July 1981 by Myrtle Fairservice, the Happy Gang Seniors will establish recreational programs, social get- togethers and catering. Beth Knox, Presi- dent, said the group also hope to use the grant for Londesboro Hall supplies, card tables, chairs, kitchen equipment and shuf- fleboard equipment. The group meets on the last Wednesday of every month in the Londesboro Hall. The 46 member organization started with a membership of 20 in 1981 and today they have six women who make up the executive. They are: president, Beth Knox; vice- president, Hazel Watkins; secretary, Isabel Scanlon; assistant secretary, Stella Adams; press secretary, Doris Shobbrook and treasurer, Margaret Taylor. Jean Scott was the past president. They will be electing a new slate of officers at the end of June. As part of their us ial activities, the Happy Gang Seniors meet for tea and play card games like progressive euchre. New Horizons is a federal government program that enables retired people to create ,projects of their own choosing. It of- fers grants to groups who undertake ac- tivitieS for the benefit of themselves and others in their community. The accent is on local needs as seen by older people and on their willingness to meet such needs. 7