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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-03-10, Page 20Anstett Jeweller; LIMITED 11 ALBERT ST., CLINTON Mi• 4a ii PAGE 2A—,rODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1977 Colborneratepayers meet tonight Claim some basic ownership rights threatene When the final in the present series of public meetings called to review the proposed secondahy plan for Colborne Township is held this evening those responsible for the draft are expected to be faced by some opposition. According to Paul Zur- brigg, of Associated Realty Consultants, r certain provisions in the plan threaten some of the basic ownership rights now enjoyed property owners in the Township. "The way the plan is written," he observes, "you would think we were all living in Tokyo and it concerns me that people do not seem to realize what is happening." Mr. Zurbrigg says it is apparent from the plan that many property owners are going to be stripped of property rights that previously have been con- sidered inviolate. "The proposed exceptions for lots of record and proposed exemptions for non- conforming uses," he says in a letter to the township council, "are in fact merely a- smokescreeen when viewed in the light of what is necessary to qualify a parcel for such status." "Council will have absolute control of residential building permits and that being the case should be spelledgoutin the plan so that property owners affected can un- derstand what their position LARGEST STOCK IN THE COUNTY WORK BOOTS —Industrial —Farm " — Factory Plain or safety toe PUNCTURE PROOF SOLES ROSS SHOE SHOP 142 The Square Godertch, Ont. is and that their land wilt, in many cases, suffer a con- siderable value loss." Mr. Zurbrigg says the basic objective of the plan, that of preventing further fragmentation of genuine farmable)and and preserving Natural environment lands, is sound. "However, the severe and extreme measures proposed in the Oak! seen to presume that wgr are in the midst of some crisis calling for War Measures Act action." In that letter Mr. Zurbrigg suggests there is room in the country side for some non - farmers the same as there Is room for some farmers in town. "People do not all fancy the same life style. Steering scattered countryside development to land that is non-productive should provide this option in future. The motion that 'city folk' will disrupt farm operations will not stand up as an argument for the justification of the present plan," he says. He goes on to note that he feels these people have their personal reasons for living in the country and accept what goes on in the country as part of their lifestyle. The suggestion that former urban dwellers moving to the country will begin com- plaining about the smell, noise or dust of a nearby farming operation is un- founded he says. The letter to Township council'''' -notes that the Colborne of the future • is envisaged through the in- tention of the plan as ,.-'a mosaic of 500 .,to 1000 acre farmers (no ,; Smell; lan- downers), numerous tumble down residential buildings that were wasted and deteriorated because they ' were not allowed to be severed, worthless lots of record, valueless natural environment areas that were not allowed the stewardship of a resident owner and are now ripe for acquisition by public bodies at law prices, and a lot of irate taxpayers .w1l did not. realize what was -}aappening -at the time . the Oen was approved. "It is up to Colborne Council, not the planner? (who ° are by the nature of their work, idealistic), whether or not this plan is too strict," Mr. Zurbrigg charges. "Some con- sideration must be given to the people that live, work, and own property today in Colborne and not just to future generations." "'If the farmers of Colborne believe that they are largely unaffected by this plan," Mr. Zurbrigg notes, "then they should be aware that plan- ning is now considered a .process and a trend has been established." "Would farmers like to see a size limit put on their farms WHO SAYS MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES? OPEN A CHEQUING ACCOUNT TO -DAY AT VICTORIA & GREY • WITH A MINIMUM DEPOSIT OF '25.00. YOU GET A CHANCE TO J4 M O N� 0 A 0 (DURING MONTH OF MARCH '77) LOW SERVICE CHARGE - JUST 10e PER CHEQUE AFTER 12 FREE CHEQUES PER QUARTER 4% INTEREST Serving Ontario since 1889 VG WC7YJJI'14 and GREY TRUST COMPANY Manager A.A. Weatherby 5244381 ' Godorich ■ 9r restrictions implemented on who they can sell to, or zoning of cropland so that only certain crops are allowed on certain lands? Is this what is coming in the future?" Mr. Zurbrigg readily ad- mits that "some planning is obviously necessary in our modern society," but goes on to say that "too much plan- ning is a disease, the same as any other excess." "We need to preserve farm land and hazard lands, natural environment areas and beauty spots. There is no question of this. However, I do not believe that the severe measures introduced in the plan are necessary to ac- complish the above ob- jectives and the idea of farmer - non -farmer conflicts is»an erroneous concept." The letter claims that what is being promoted in the plan is total discrimination against anyone who is not a farmer (as defined in the plan) from enjoying country life. "I am very concerned about the nature of the plan from a fair and moral standpoint," Mr. Zurbrigg tells the council. "I am also writing to you as a representative of those people who do not understand the intricacies ofrthe prose and text of the plan and cannot protect themselves or launch a protest against an unseen enemy." In an interview, with the Signal Star last week Mr. Zurbrigg stressed his belief in planning but also stressed his belief that some provision for severance of certain properties, and provision of rights to persons already owning, small Lots in the township, would have to be made in the final version of the plan. "By this plan," he noted, "'they are saying that even if you own a lot you can not build on it." "I also dispute the claim that 98 per cent of the land in Colborne is class one and two agricultural land. There is also a difference between what land is capable of producing and how much it would cost to make the land produce to that capability." Associated Realty Con- sultants associate Jim McCaul " observes that the plan is "terribly retroac- tive." "Maybe a resident has five acres worth $10,.000 to $20,000 as a building lot, but as agricultural land it is worth perhaps $3,500 or maybe only $1,000. . The value of the property is being taken away by the plan." "There appears to be a clause making lots of record an exception," he goes on, "but it still gives the Town- ship Council the right to dictate what can be done with those lots." Mr. Zurbrigg goes on to Pioneers both Carmen Straughan points out Hie trail of the black walnut to iellow student in conjunction with the class study of :Inadian pioneer days. (staff photo) suggest that people who now "If someone w hold lots of record in the a house on his b township should be allowed, Ziiibrigg observe in the plan, to build on that. the mercy of tly "As far as I know, this is the Valley Con/ case with plans in Perth and Authority for Bruce Counties," he added. Yet, in another 3 He also points out that the plan, they say argument of farmers, in an agricultural area, becoming outnumbered by non -farming voters is a dead issue in Colborne. "If you consider the mobile home park and the village of Saltford, they are already outnumbered." With regard " to former urban residents filing com- plaints about the smells and noise of farming operations, if they were allowed to live in a rural area, both men feel it just does not"happen. Mr. McCaul goes on to suggest that it is a very simple procedure to place a deed restriction on such pieces of property allowing people to act as such property. R going to do that If live there." The complete severances, imp plan, would a problems for own lots according to consultants. "As 1 concerned," Mr observes, "bush I severed down to 25 acre units without That would be an for an individual keep in shape." The men also qu a _number of Colborne are t farmers in the immediate agricultural- land area of a severed property to tree -cutting by-law avoid complying with the prevents clear Agricultural Code of Practice property. which dictates locations of his "I think it is mo buildings and his activities in to prevent those cases where they might in- farmers from li terfere with a neighbor. country," Mr. Zur The question of bush lots "It also concerns. should also be considered, people do not seem they say. what is happening."; OPEN WEDNESDA' For Your Convenience. HOURS: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Friday nights 'till 9 p.m. IS YOUR GAS WATER HEATER AS UP-TO-DATE AS YOUR RECORD PLA "Toot (scratch) toot (scratch) tootsie (scratch) goodbyes... ". Ahhh, the old gramophone. It seemed as though you heard more scratches and fuzz than you did music. But today? -Wow! Modern audio equipment is some- thing else. Stereo sound. Quadrophonic track separa- tion. 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