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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-09-02, Page 1c x * vs N p * * * 3 IC cat reshients rafly to { jig tgIzt Bay ield River "rcipe . " INEORPOR ;.THF; BIA 111 STi\8)ARt)-iiHF: B Fit':U) Fat (.LF: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1987 50 CENTS Please don't tell us we're not doing our part to share our waterways with Canadians 11111M=MMIIIIIKIII 4, 41, By Shelley McPhee Haist BAYFIELD - Villagers are rallying together here in an effort to fight the pro- posed development of a power boat marina along the Bayfield River. Adamant in their verbal fight against the proposal, Bayfielders used descriptive words such as "rape, pillage" and "blackmail" in describing that plan that would see a new power boat marina established on the Bayfield River. Developer Dick Peever, owner of the Harbour Lights marina complex, has pro- posed that more than five acres of river property east of the Highway 21 bridge, be fashioned into a marina area for some 100 small boats. The land in question was purchased by Mr. Peever in 1974. It is presently zoned as Hazard Lands. Mr. Peever is seeking a charge in the zoning to allow the recrea- tional use. Council here sought a change in the zon- ing. In a update Secondary Plan, the land has been classified as Natural Environ- ment, a land use that would not accom- modate a marina. The natural riverfront property has long been the focus of developer's dreams and village opposition. In 1979 Mr. Peever first requested development of the area for boating purposes. On August 29 more than 220 people crowded into the Bayfield Community Centre to meet with council, lawyers and engineers in a public debate on the issue. The opinion of the residents of the lakeside community resounded loud and clear. As Hayfield's Rev. George Youmatoff stated to crowd applause, "We live a coun- try where rape is not permitted. We live in a village that is being raped. We're being asked to sit back and enjoy it." Rev. Youmatoff noted that the village of 700 people has dockage for some 500 boats, "So please don't tell us we're not doing our part to share our waterways with Canadians." His remarks were directed to London Lawyer George Plaxton, who represented Mr. Peever at the meeting. In his opening address to the audience, Mr. Plaxton spoke of the proposal which would see the excavation of the river basin to create a marina for small power boats. The plan also calls for the construction of washrooms, office facilities and parking lot areas. "You cannot deprive a property owner the natural development of land." he told Bayfielders. He further emphasized. "The public of Ontario is entitled to access to our rivers and streams for navigable purposes." Alternate Offer The London lawyer offered Bayfielders an alternative offer to the marina develop- ment, suggesting that the village could purchase the property from Mr. Peever. The property, according to Mr. Plaxton, has been appraised at a worth of $150,000• the value of land capable for marina use. When Bayfielder Gary Hulley question- ed Mr. Plaxton on the original price of the land purchased by Mr. Peever in 1974, the lawyer said he did not know the cost. He further indicated that the question was ir- relevant to the issue. Bayfield Reeve Dave .Johnston sug- gested, "We cannot make them ( Mr. Plax- ton) answer. We can only draw in- ferences by their silence." Silence, however, was not the main feature of this early morning meeting in Bayfield. Numerous village residents repeatedly spoke out against the marina proposal. "Not every area need be raped and pillaged. Can't we just leave it and say it's beautiful?" Mr. Hulley asked in his presentation. He continued, "Why is our mission in Bayfield to be a bedroom community for boaters. Why can't we be a community of peace and no stress. Let it be. Let it be." Dr. Grosvenor Shepherd spoke not har- Laywers, Bayfield council members, Huron County officials and engineers met with an audience of more than 200 in Bayfield on August 29 to discuss a new marina proposal. Head table participants included, left to right, Heather Ross, lawyer for the Village of Bayfield, Bayfield Reeve Dave Johnson, lawyer George Plaxton, for Harbour Lights Development and engineer Jim Knowles. (Shelley McPhee Haist photo) Neil Mustard, a 70 year Bayfield resident, spoke in opposition to the new proposed marina for the Bayfield River. (Shelley McPhee Haist photo ) shly against the marina proposalHe noted, "I live within sight, hearing and smell of the proposed development This area is the legacy we have to leave to the children and the grandchildren." He spoke of pollution from sewage and from gasoline boats that could be the result of the development of the river area as a marina. Ed Kelly, another neighboring property owner, said he was also concerned with potential pollution, "the quiet enjoyment of his property and the freedom from noise, environmental and view pollution." He suggested that the village should ob- tain the land from Mr. Peever "at a sensi- ble price and put it to a higher purpose" such as a nature park. Other Bayfielders also spoke of pollu- tion, irresponsible power boaters, en- dangering the natural habitat and fish, erosion and further marina developments in the future if the Harbor Lights proposal was approved. Fred Clift, a 24 year Bayfield resident, and avid boater suggested, "We would never have a chance of stopping anyone else if we let this go on The harbor gets busier every year. The harbor is so full that many boaters won't go out on weekends. It's already dangerous to use the harbour with the present number of boats." "The river belongs to all people, not just the boaters," summer resident Anne Tillman suggested. John Elliott, spokesman for the Bayfield Ratepayers Association also spoke of con- cerns regarding marina development on the east side of the Bayfield River. Future bevelopment He said that the 529 member Ratepayers Association had unanimously voted to maintain the area as natural environment. He said that the ratepayers voted in favor of leaving "the entire Rayfield River and valley upstream from the bridge in its natural state for the purpose of canoeing, row boating, sport fishing and bird wat- ching for everyone to enjoy. To allow a power boat marina in the area immediate- ly east of the bridge would lay the total 4,000 feet of this quiet waterway open to more marina development in the future." He further noted, "Any changes in the course of the river, by dredging or drag - lining could result in erosion of the river banks." Bill Knowles, an engineer who studied the environmental impacts of the marina for Harbour Lights, told the audience that environmental disturbances would be minimal if the development of the area was permitted. He said that the developers would not altar the vegetation band along Highway 21. "The developers have no desire to disturb this as it is a protection against hank deterioration." Mr. Knowles' findings were challenged by Dr. Neil Mustard, one of Bayfield's resi- dent experts on the river Dr. Mustard pointed out that he also is a qualified engineer and a property owner on the river for 70 years. He said, "The Bayfield River does not have fast enough (water) flow to carry away pollution from motor boats." He and Mr. Knowles debated technical data and opinions. Audience members applauded and cheered when village lawyer Heather Ross spoke out against the Harbour Lights proposal. In a written submission, Mrs. Ross noted that the land in question has never been zoned to allow for marina development. The zoning of the area shows it listed as Developmental Zone ( existing agriculture and wood lot) in a 1969 bylaw; designated as hazard lands in the 1976 Secondary Plan, and designated as Natural Environ- ment in the proposed Secondary Plan ( passed by Huron County Council in 1986). Mrs. Ross noted, "We fail to see where, at any time. Harbour Lights had a right of development, which is now being taken away. These lands do not appear to have been zoned Parkland as suggested, for ex- ample, in the appraisal by Egerton Associates Limited." Mrs. Ross further suggested, "With respect to the appraisal submitted, we are not in a position to comment as to whether $150,000 is a fair price for the subject lands. We do note however, that this figure was arrived at on the basis of the lands be- ing developed as a small craft harbour. This is not the case. In our opinion, $150,000 appears 'a tad' high for lands zoned Developmental, Hazard Lands or Natural Environment." The village lawyer also said that the municipality is riot obligated to purchase private property that is unsuitable for a proposed use. "Harbour Lights seeks to show that the major onus on a municipality is to either buy private lands or rezone them, as in this case to allow a small craft harbor. We sub- mit that the onus is on Harbour Lights to establish that development of the lands can be done in accordance with sound planning principles. We would suggest that there is no onus on a municipality to reim- burse an owner of land, if those lands can- not be developed within good planning principles. If that were the case, municipalities would be forced to purchase land in flood plans, swamps and other equally difficult locations." It was suggested that council seek to have an independent land appraisal com- pleted. At that time further discussion of land purchase by the municipality will take place. Irish Ferguson, a sailor and Bayfield resident, suggested that the village could buy property and develop it as parkland, as done along the Thames River in London. Others, like Fred Clift suggested that Harbour Lights should willingly donate the land to the village; He said, "It's time that Harbour Lights gave something to this village." Reeve .Johnston suggested that council would consider buying the land if the village taxpayers supported such a proposal. Turn to page 3 • TRICIA BUS rae TINA OVERHOLT School days, school dayst Summer draws to a close as students ready for class By David Emslie CLINTON - While' many parents will un- doubtedly breath a sigh of relief when their children return to school next week, these sentiments aren't shared by all. of their offspring. In a poll taken by the Clinton News - Record at the Clinton Public Library on August 26 four out of six children questioned said they are looking forward to returning to their schools. Twelve -year-old. Tricia Bos was the first of these children, and she is looking forward to going into Grade 7 at Clinton and District Christian School. Listing physical education as the thing she likes best about school, Tricia commented she is looking forward to the end of vacation, "Because then I can see my friends, and, it's something to do." She noted that the high point of her sum- mer was a camping trip to the Pineries. Young Tina Overholt wasn't quite p vocal about' her school and summer feelings. By nodding her head, seven-year-old Tina was prompted into confirming the fact that she is looking forward to meeting her new teachers, and making new friends, as well as playing on her new playground at Seaforth Public School. A former Clinton Public School I CPS) stu- dent, Tina will be entering Grade 2 in Seaforth. After further questioning, she came out with the answer that at school, "I like everything but health." While she enjoyed her summer going swimming and visiting at her friend Angela's, she stated the high point was simply, "swimming." Of course, in any group of children polled, there are sure to be those who don't want to go back. David Elliott, 8, was one of those children. "I don't want to go back to school because I barely have enough recesses," he said. • Although he isn't fond of the idea of going into Grade 3 at CPS, there is one part of school he does enjoy...the playground. At least the summer proved to be a good one for David who enjoyed swimming at Clinton Public Pool and travelling to Hully Gully twice to see the all terrain vehicle races. "I can't wait, I miss it. I keep counting how many days are left until school," said an enthusiastic Kathy Garniss, 10. Kathy will be entering Grade 5 at CPS. Listing what she likes about school Kathy stated, "The teachers are nice, some of them, my friends, and the school playground." Kathy also had a long list of her favorite subjects at school and they included math, French, music and gym. As to whether or not she had P good • Heart and Stroke campaign increases /i 7,400 HURON COUNTY - Campaign revenues for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of On- tario are growing in Huron County. Stan Connelly, President of Huron County Chapter, announced that final figures for the year ending .June 30, 1987 show an in- crease of $7,400 over last year with a total collected of $56,825. In addition, $32,000 was raised in Huron County schools through the .Jump Rope For Heart program. During National Fitness Week, the first ever Dance For Heart was held at the Seaforth Community Centre, organized by Drusilla Leitch- Participants worked with six area fitness instructors and raised $2,310 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Campaign Chairman was Barney Goldsmith and his successor for the 1988 campaign will be Chuck Rowland, a super- visor with the Huron County Board of Education. Two Heart to Heart programs are scheduled for the fall. These programs, to be held at the Wingham and Clinton hospitals, are designed to benefit those peo- ple and their spouses who have had a recent heart attack or heart surgery. Further information can be obtained by contacting Sandra Shantz at Wingham Hospital and Barb Guse at Clinton Public Hospital. A mer, Kathy stated, "Sort of." Included in her summer activities were swinuning, playing with her friends, watching televi- sion, and going to visit her Aunt Heather for a holiday in Blyth. Back on the "no" side of the poll, one youngster didn't want to return to school even though he wasn't enjoying the summer. When asked by the News -Record whether or not he wanted to return to school, Adam Carter, 8, replied, "No, because I don't like school, because it's boring." His reply to the question of whether he had had a good summer was almost the same. "'Sort of. Not really. It was boring." Adam, who will be entering Grade 2 at Clinton Public School noted the favorite part of his summer was watching television specifically the Magic Palace program. Our final student was 10 -year-old Mac Overholt. Mae, a former CPS student, will be entering Grade 5 at Seaforth Public School. Since she is entering a new school she is looking forward to meeting her new teachers and friends when the school year starts. Her favorite subjects at school are, "Music. Because I'm good at singing, and French." Later Mae added gym to this list. Although Mae enjoyed the suinmer because she spent most of it at her friend Angela's home, she explained the high point occurred when she held a slumber party. "I'm looking forward to going to my new school," she concluded. CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL BUILDING FUND