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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-09-28, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, September 28, 2005 Neighbours oppose rezoning By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — A rezoning application allowing for an auto repair shop on Highway 83 just west of Exeter has raised the ire of neighbouring property owners concerned about the appearance of the prop- erty. Concerned neighbours attended South Huron coun- cil's Sept. 12 meeting opposing the rezoning applica- tion that allows for a maximum of eight vehicles on the site. After a lengthy discussion, council deferred a deci- sion on the matter, choosing to hold a further meeting with property owner Kon Visouvath and his neigh- bours. If passed, the rezoning bylaw would change the prop- erty in question from General Agriculture (AG1) and Restricted Agriculture (AG2) to Agricultural Small Holding — Special Provision (AG4-21). Visouvath had already been bringing vehicles onto his property for his auto shop and was in violation of his AG1 and AG2 zoning, which allow for the operation of an auto repair shop as a home industry only if the industry is an accessory to an agricultural use. Visouvath does not use his property for agricultural purposes, planner Claire Dodds wrote in her report to council. When the municipality discovered Visouvath was in violation of his zoning, he was told he could continue operating his auto repair shop if he changed the zon- ing to AG4. Bylaw enforcement officer Bob Pattison visited the property June 21 and reported there were 25 vehicles on the property. "The definition of a home industry in the zoning bylaw states that a home industry must be clearly sec- ondary to the main residential use and does not change the residential character of the dwelling," Dodds wrote in her report. "The number (of) vehicles and scale of the operation that was occurring on Mr. Visouvath's property was in my opinion beyond what could be considered a home industry." Visouvath has been reducing the number of vehicles on his property to comply with the maximum of eight required in the new zoning. He has also fenced in the area where the vehicles are. The planning department is supportive of the rezon- ing application. But the neighbours at last week's council meeting aren't happy with the proposal, with owner Alvin Campbell writing in a letter to council, "The owner has changed this property into a junk yard and (an) eye- sore," devaluing his and neighbouring properties. "I am against the zoning and bylaw change," Campbell wrote. "If the changes were made, more junk cars would be collected." Another neighbour, Paul Campbell described himself as "very upset about the zoning bylaw changes pro- posed," and said, as of Sept. 12, there were 18 vehi- cles, plus a camper, a chip wagon and other pieces of junk on the property. The fence was described as "a makeshift fence of pallets ... which only makes mat- ters worse." Neighbours also complained about constantly -crow- ing roosters, loose dogs and fears of soil contamination from radiator and gas leaks from the cars. There were also complaints about garbage being burned in the back yard. Neighbours Julia Thompson and Glenn Bartlett also voiced objections to the rezoning application. "He has no concern for his neighbours ... look at the condition of his place in the last 2-3 years," Thompson wrote. Bartlett said the issue is the "general clutter of junk" in the yard. He said cars are sitting on the property rusting and it looks more like a scrap yard than a repair shop. But not all neighbours are opposed to the rezoning. Evert Schaap urged council to grant the rezoning, describing Visouvath "as a man of great kindness and outstanding character. Starting from scratch he built his own auto repair business, and proved to be a hard working, reliable and trustworthy person. I consider him a valuable member of our society." Pictures of Visouvath's property were also submitted to council. Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin said he has received a number of calls about the property and said "to me it's pretty scary to see a beautiful building deteriorate like that ... personally I'm going to vote against it." Coun. George Robertson wondered how the eight vehicle maximum would be enforced should the rezon- ing be allowed. Mayor Rob Morley said it would be done through the municipality's inspections. When asked why the planning department supports the rezoning application, the department's Joyce Wilson said many of the issues raised are municipal standards issues, not planning issues. She said the planning department looks at issues such as if the rezoning represents good planning and if it conforms with the municipal Official Plan, which the rezoning does. Wilson said Visouvath has been work- ing hard with staff to address the neighbours' con- cerns. Pattison said the planning department can only do what the Planning Act allows. "I only enforce the bylaws," he said. The municipality has no fence bylaw that deals with what a fence must look like, but Dodds says in her report "the outside storage of goods and equipment shall be fully enclosed by a fence." The existing fence made of pallets would have to be upgraded because it doesn't provide "visual screening." Pattison added that he told Visouvath having 25 vehi- cles on his property wasn't reasonable, while a maxi- mum of eight seemed like a good compromise. Coun. Ken Oke asked those against the rezoning what stipulations they would like to see put in the agreement if the rezoning is passed. They responded that the property won't improve, it will just get worse. Coun. Jim Dietrich added while the municipality can try to ensure the property gets cleaned up, it will even- tually return to the way it was. When asked by Morley if he would agree to a restric- tion of four vehicles on his property and no animals like roosters and chickens, Visouvath said he wants to keep the animals because they are pets, but he would get rid of them if the municipality forced him to. (The AG4 zoning, Morley explained, usually applies to rural properties that are isolated, while Visouvath has close neighbours.) Morley said if the rezoning goes to an Ontario Municipal Board hearing, it would pass. In the end, council decided to have staff, Visouvath and the neighbours continue to meet to work on the issues and concerns. Sign location a problem in Zurich By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF ZURICH — "We should have been there to defend ourselves," say Deb and Steve Overholt of Zurich, after a decision to place a sign immediately beside their property was made at the Sept. 19 Bluewater council meeting. The couple was informed of the deci- sion the morning after the meeting. The sign is to be placed at the corner of East and Main Streets and was for- merly at the old Zurich Arena. It has been refurbished by the Zurich Lions Club, which will be use the sign to promote events at the Bluewater Zurich Complex. This proposal to put up the sign was put forward almost a year ago and was deferred to study options on other loca- tions. At the council meeting it was decided a timer would be put on the sign to reduce the illumination to the Overholts. But Deb Overholt said despite the timer, "illuminated or not, it's still going to be there. "We're not a city. We're supposed to work together." A date to erect the sign was not given at the meeting, but Deb said, "they're Deb Overholt stands on her property line at East and Steve Overholt stands at the spot a sign promoting the Bluewater placed. (photo/Pat Bolen) Main street in Zurich while Zurich will be keen to get it up." At the council meeting Lion Richard Erb said "there is no question where the sign should be...we haven't found any- one who objects except the owners." Deb disagreed, saying, the location of the sign is upset- ting residents and wondered with most events advertised, why an arrow sign would not work as in most other towns. Other problems noted by the Overholts were the gas lines running underneath their property, as well as what the sign would do to their property values. The property where the sign will be located joins the Overholts property and they say they have maintained it for 25 "We're n we're su work to years. Speaking at the meeting, Coun. John Becker noted the poor attendance at a recent blood donor clinic at the complex and said "lets promote the centre and the sign will do it." It was also decided at the meeting to keep the sign as far south as possible, although Deb pointed out it would reduce the effec- tiveness of the sign. "You're going to be past it by the time you even see it. "We're not trying to bash them. We just want them to see our side," she said. of a city, pposed to gether." D OVER EB AND STEVE HOLT, ZURICH Blue Water Rest Home going ahead with $6 million renovation project Continued from front said there's no firm date on when the project will be finished, but a major project such as this usual- ly takes 12-18 months once ground is broken. Mitchell credited Craig with doing a good job on the project and noted Blue Water's project pro- posal was complex. Mitchell said she is confi- dent Blue Water will meet the needs of its 65 resi- dents for years to come. "We can do it if we all work together," she said. Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson thanked Mitchell for her work and added Huron County also stands behind the project. "It's important for peo- ple to have a home close to home," Dowson said of Blue Water. "We'll work with you all the way." Craig said she is "very excited" about the pro- ject. "We'll make it suc- cessful and we'll have one of the best homes in Ontario." Craig said renovations will happen in stages, with some residents being moved around during the process. Craig, who has been administrator for over five years, said she has been working on the renova- tion project since 2001. Blue Water Rest Home has 65 full- and part-time employees and is a pri- vately -owned charitable home.