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Zurich Citizens News, 1977-02-23, Page 1OMB approves zoning bylaw The Ontario Municipal Board approved Zurich's zoning bylaw at a hearing held at the arena, Monday. OMB member A.J,L. Chap- man, Q.C., said it was a good bylaw and he was satisfied it was in the interests of the people of the community. The hearing attracted only 10 people, including four members of council, Reeve Fred Haberer, Leroy Thiel, Ray McKinnon and Isidore Laporte, along with clerk Betty Oke, solicitor Dan Murphy, county planning director Gary Davidson, a press representative and local ratepayer Leonard Debus. Mr, Debus had been among those filing seven objections to the new zoning bylaw, but it was pointed out by solicitor Dan Murphy that the objection was not really over the zoning bylaw, but rather in regards to a right- of-way involving Mr. Debus and Mr, & Mrs. Percy Bedard. The ministry of housing, in altering a plan of subdivision, had originally planned to cut off a right-of-way used by the Bedards on the Debus property, but Davidson said this problem had been brought to the attention of the ministry and the matter was straightened out. Mr. Chapman explained the situation to Mr. Debus and the latter indicated he was satisfied. The OMB member went on to say he was satisfied that the other objections had been "properly and satisfactorily" dealt with in revisions made to the zoning bylaw by council and the county planning department. He said there appeared to be few non -conforming uses in the village and noted there were guidelines for assisting people if they wished to seek rezoning for their property. "The board is normally con- cerned about the rights of these people," he explained, but noted that if the people had objections they surely had an obligation to voice their concerns to the board. None was in attendance at Monday's public heaing. Mr. Chapman also indicated some concern about the large industral zone provided in the north-east quadrant of Zurich, but said he was satisfied with the explanation provided by Davidson that council would still have control over the land. Davidson had said he didn't see any . need to change the designation to developmental when he was asked a question on this matter. One of the other problems cited by the board member was regarding the densities allowed under the three residential areas—R1, R2 and R3. After an adjournment in which Murphy, Davidson and council reviewed the matter, the village solicitor explained that while R3 permitted "high density" housing, there was a height restriction of 45 feet for any apartment buildings in such an area. "That would very effectively control density," Mr. Chapman replied. Murphy said that this could permit an apartment of up to four storeys and council had no ob- jection with that. In his concluding remarks, Mr. Chapman said he was entirely satisfied that the limits of density allowed were in keeping with the intent of the official plan and the atmosphere of the village, He said that high density in Zurich would be entirely different than the same designation in a metropolitan area. NO. B FIRST WITH LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1977 Price Per Copy 20 Cents Weather improves, does crash total The area experienced its first "storm -free" week in some time and the improved driving con- ditions were reflected in the accident statistics released by the Exeter OPP. Only three crashes were in- vestigated and there were no injuries reported. One of the crashes involved two snow vehicles at the Pineridge Chalet during the annual Crip- pled Kids' weekend. The Resort set interim rate Grand Bend council Monday, night set an interim tax rate to' cover the first two installments for the year 1977. Tax notices are being mailed this week calling for payments of 45 mills each due February 28 and May 31. The overall tax rate will be set within the next couple of months and the balance of the mill rate will fall due on September 30. The interim rate charged in 1976 for the first two installments was 40 mills. machines were driven by Donald Mousseau, RR 2 Hensall, and Richard Mattucci, RR 1 Hay. Damage was listed at $500 by Constable Wally Tomasik in the Saturday crash. Vehicles driven by Wayne Butt, Seaforth, and Brian Meriam, Hensall, were involved in a Friday accident on Highway 84. Damage in that was set at $900 by Constable Al Quinn. The other crash was reported on Sunday when vehicles operated by James Rolph; RR 3 Exeter, and Durk Bakker, RR 3 Exeter, collided on concession 4 of Usborne. Constable Frank Giffin estimated total damage at $325. During the week the local detachment officers laid 15 charges under the Highway Traffic Act, six under the Nar- cotics Control Act, four under the Criminal Code and two under the Liquor Licence Act. Other occurrences and in- vestigations included: three mobile home escorts, two domestic complaints, one assault, one disturbance, two dog bites, one dangerous driving complaint, two thefts, one stolen vehicle, two impaired drivers and one suspended driver. NOT EXACTLY LIKE THE PROS Sitting down on the job is one thing, but two year old Andrew Grainger discovered sitting down while taking a shot with a hockey stick is not too easy. Andrew and his mother were taking advantage of the Wednesday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. skating for mothers and tots at the Zurich arena. photo by McKinley WELCOME AMERICANS — Minor teams from Garden City, Michigan spent the weekend in peting in a series of games. Above, Brian Horner and Paul Johnston of Zurich welcome Garden Ryan and Dan Prevo. Chamb r x r urge more Iidi:.s r There is_a definite place in the Chamber of Commerce for ladies and the Zurich Chamber has been urged to make every effort to get ladies active in that particular organization. The urgings came from two guest speakers at the last Chamber of Commerce dinner meeting, Nancy Lumb and Bob Blowes. Ms. Lumb is manager of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce and president of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Managers. Mr. Blowes is the first vice-president of the Stratford Chamber. In her remarks Ms. Lumb congratulated the Zurich Chamber on the things it has accomplished in the community over the past years, including helping to bring a doctor to the community and aiding in funding to repair and update the com- munity centre. Ms. Lumb urged the Chamber "not to be shy about asking someone to volunteer for something" as all they may need to get involved is a prod. Mr. Blowes seconded Ms. Lumb's remarks concerning both getting the ladies of the com- munity more involved in the Chamber and in asking members to volunteer their services. jflI'lV c tivi ties "Encourage new members to join your Chamber and then give them a job" urged Mr. Blowes. He said people will take a more active interest in the Chamber if they feel they are doing a service to the community. "People want to see something tangible" said Mr. Blowes, "do not be afraid to let the com- munity know what you are doing. Zurich com- City's Keven Don't be afraid to be active." In the business portion of the Chamber meeting, a motion was passed raising dues to $40 per year. Much of this money goes to pay for the dinners enjoyed at the Chamber's seven dinner meetings throughout the year. Secretary of the Chamber, Rev. Blackwell, informed the Please turn to page 2 You can borrow a tot... You don't have to have a "tot" to take advantage of an afternoon skating program offered at the Zurich arena every Wednesday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The skating time is reserved for "Mothers and tots" but those mothers who usually attend will quickly assure you there are lots of tots around if you wish to "borrow" one or two for the afternoon. The program has been gaining in popularity over the past few weeks and last Wednesday over thirty Mothers and tots took advantage of the ice time. When the program first started there were often only one or two mothers with. their children. The tots are allowed to bring their hockey sticks and practise their shooting if they wish. Many use the hockey sticks as a third leg to prop themselves up which makes shooting a hazardous pastime. Some mothers even bring their tiniest tots to the rink and get some exercise themselves while pulling their tot around the ice on sleds with runners. It is an excellent chance for the younger children to learn to skate without worrying about crashing into each other for being hit by bigger faster skaters as so easily happens during the more crowded public skating hours. The cost of the afternoon of fun is minimal as mothers are charged 50 and children only 25 .