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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1984-08-29, Page 1u x. ui :•,t X r 41. • ,t 4 w • uJ UJ •-" UJ _J 1 0 +-T the communities and areas of Dublin, Hensall and Waifon 407 50c a copy SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1984 — 20 PAGES food plain has Seaforth in a flap Ever since the draft copy of the Seaforth Zoning Bylaw was released to the. public three weeks ago, property owners, whose property is shown in flood plain areas of the town, are concerned that their property may be devalued. Others see their property as being virtually worthless. The draft bylaw shows low lying property as being either in the inner Flood Plain Zone (IPF) or Outer Flood Plain Zone (0FP). Special provisions in the IFP and OFP show that the Maitland Valley • Conservation Authority and/or the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority must first approve construction in -the flood plain. As a result of possible property devalue• tion and building restrictions placed on flood plain property, some residents have talked of withholding tax payments. "That's the incorrect response. The proper response is to confront council and continue to confront council until they respond to the property owners concerns," said Larry Dillon, Mr. Dillon is a real estate agent for Royal Trust. in the past, he has voiced his concern over flood plain building restrictions. "Bylaws are passed by the town. Perhaps it's time we consider changing the bylaws regardless of whether the Ontario Municipal Board or the conservation authority ap- proves," he said. The flood plain mapping is a concern of Mr. Dillon because he feels sonic property is in the flood plain which shouldn't be. Property on one side of Elizabeth Street which he said is located on higher ground it located in the flood plain, At the sante time, property on the opposite side of the street isn't. CRIPPLE THE TOWN "If we refused to pay our taxes, it would cripple the town,' said a concerned Coleman Street residents who wished to remain anonymous. "Why arc we stuck with this law? Why is it right for one side of the Lyons rn street to be in the flood plain and the other side isn't?" The Coleman Street resident said property owners should appeal their tax assessment if their property value has decreased because of the flood plain restrictions. "Swampland was the original name of Seaforth. How can you draw a line through swamp? "If the Ausable-Bayfield r'ontrols us, then maybe we should be paying our taxes to them. I heard one property couldn't be sold because it was in the inner flood plain," she said, NOT CONCERNED His home is on Chalk Street and in the flood plain, but John Sinnamon • isn't concerned. He said if his house burns down, he can rebuild but according to Authority guidelines. "I think the zoning bylaw will devalue my property, but I'm not concerned because a flood plain is something that can be reduced with proper conditions. The CNR bridge underpass is one problem. But I'm not really that concerned," said Mr. Sinnamon. Frank Phillips lives on George Street and his property is in the flood plain. Last year Mr. Phillips removed a structure from the rear of his home and requested a permit to rebuild on the existing foundation. "1 was required to get permission from the Authority and they sent a representative around to see me," he said. "I'm. in the flood plain but have never been flooded tut," Mr. Phillips constructed the addition without formal approval "because the stipulations were unreal". He was later granted a permit after the addition was completed. "Why make us suffer un account of the railway. The flood plain zoning has devalued a lot 1 tied to sell, by half. I'm going to oppose t e bylaw and an going to get my taxes reduced. Why should 1 pay high taxes 11 I'm in the flood plain?" "It's so ridiculous it's like me asking for -, permission•to build a boat dock. And I want the firehall moved because it's in a worse flood area than I'm in. 1 also want life preservers on all four corners of my street, for safety reasons," said Mr. Phillips, An agent for Culligan Real Estate, Maureen Wildfong said the zoning has affected property values. "I had a property sold on Gouinlock Street but the buyer backed out because it was in a flood plain. 1 imagine it will affect future property sales because it's restricting the people." "I don't blame people for getting upset. They should get a reduction in their taxes," she said. SEAFORTH IS UNIQUE ` • C, Flood plain problems came to light when the town started working with the new zoning bylaw said Mayor Alf Ross, Seaforth is unique because the flood plain works on a two-tier system, he said. The two include the 1 in 100 year flood and Hurricane Hazel flood conditions. "The Taylor Report concerning flood plain management in Ontario has recommended that powers be taken from conservation authorities and given to local municipalities. But we've got along quite well with the Ausable-Bayfield Authority," said Mr. Ross, "1 don't know what the answer is. Seaforth doesn't seem to have a problem. But if we got a bad storm, it wouldn't matter what we did. It's the lav of the land. People would have to prove their property is - devalued but that still doesn't take away the fact that their homes are built in a flood plain," he said. The mayor said he hasn't heard any public response to the draft zoning bylaw except from Mr. Dillon. "If people have' concerns, • ylget extende Seaforth council agreed to extendu•the deadline for thecompletion letion of drains 'n p the parking lot at Lyons Food Market MIT Nov. 31, 1985 as long as an agreement is signed betwe' n the town and Rod Lvons owner of the store, before Oct. 31. 1984. At its Aug. 14 meeting, council told lawyer Heather Rots, who was represent- ing Mr. Lyons, that it would agree with the extension if he meets certain conditions such as removing snow from the lot and taking responsibility for an damage caused by water runoff. Prior to the meeting with Mrs, Ross, council was concerned the town would he liable for damage to nearby homes or businesses since the empty lot beside the parking lot was pas ed u shout provision for drainage. A town hyla« states that the owner of property must provide grading or _waikgl;pati9n in elevation or contour of land provision for disposal of storm water from property or any structures on property. The site plan control bylaw is worded so that it is left up to the discretion of town council, Mrs. Ross said. "The bylaw says the municipality may require the owner to do certain things. Anyone could think that the bylaw doesn't apply to me until the town says it docs," Although the town tent a letter to Mr. Lyons in May urging him to consider having proper drainage installed in the parking lot before paving, the letter was received while Iho perking lot was in the process of being paved. "They did provide him with notice hitt it was too late. He UNDERPASS TOO NARROW—The' CNR underpass Is narrow and as a result, more property In Seaforth Is located In the flood plain than If the underpass was to be enlarged. The railway tracks cross Silver Creek near Topnotch Feeds. Though the water level In the creek is low, two young lads found the spot Ideal for an afternoon of fishing. (Wassink photo) drai,n"deadIine couldn't stop )("then. it wasn't a question of histice " saidMrs. Ross, no M s R ss, The paving` cost between $6000 •and $7000 and Mr. Lyons doesn't want to excavate 'thearking tot before he continues with further expansion he has planned for the next two years.'she said. IGNORANCE NO EXCUSE Councillor Henry Mero said Mr. Lyons had told hits he was unaware the property was under kite plan control. "1 know ignorance is no excuse but it's understand- able and he assured me he would -do everything to keep it under control. He has done the town a great service and it sounds like he's going to do more. By all means, we should give him every benefit of the doubt." Any agreement drawn up between the Area canoeists are national champs Canoeists from Brutefield and Brussels won two gold medals and one bronze at the National Marathon Canoe Racing ('ham pinnships in Fredericton, New Brunswick on Aug. 1" and 18 Winning the gold medal to the junior mixed class were I en Healy. of Bruccficld and Karen Cowan, of Brussels Karen Cowan and Dana Kloss. of Bruccficld also raptured the gold medal in the junior ladies class. Rronfc medal %%inners in the junior mixed class were Dana Kloss and Chris McDonald, of Bruccficld. Althotieh the canoeists admitted having some apprehensions about their cnmpeti- tion going into their races, all said they had expected to do well. '4 was a little worried about the British Columbian team in the ladies event." said Dana Kloss. , ktut they finished two minutes behind us and only got the,silver." The canoeists travelled a 104trlie course which forced them to tackle upstream and downstream currents and a 450 meter portage. 0 DANA KLOSS AND KAREN COWAN, NATIONAL GOLD MEDALISTS. (McIlwralth photo) • town and Mr. Lyons should be binding to •c;.anyo who owns the property, said • Coo illor Bill Martin. "Changes �o happpe The act that Mr. Lyons is not the owner of the -property is not a problem, said Mrs. Ross. 'Mr. Lyons is in control of the property be he a tenant or assignee. He would be bound to such an agreement. And. I don't' see any difficulty to getting the owner's agreement." "The bottom line of all this is just reasonableness. Mr. Lyons has said he would do everything that had to he done and council has demonstrated an ability to be flexible." said Mrs, Ross. Councillor Paul Ross. Mrs. Ross' husband. was absent during her presenta• tion but still declared a conflict of interest. Newspaper poll shows that voters are undecided With the federal election less than a wcck away, a straw poll conducted recently by the t'luewater ' 'gional Newspaper Network 1RNN) in les 51.4 per cent of voters arc undecided about how they'll vote. BRNN, of which this newspaper is a member. conducted the poll in the federal riding of Huron -Bruce during the week of Aug. 13 to 1', Of the 160 people polled, 82 of them or 51.4 per cent said they were undecided when asked "Which poltical parry will you he supporting in the Sept. 4 federal election? The BRNN shows that '3 per cent of the committed voters polled said they favored the Progressive Conservative Party. 19.2 per cent of the committed voters said thec would vote Liberal and 7.69 per cent said they would support the NDP. Pollsters indicated that the majority of those polled were women. The calls were made at all tines of the day including the early evening hours. Prof. Ed. Grabb of the Uniscrsity elf Western Ontario's science department said polls deal with probabilities and it is difficult to know how •accurate any poll is. He did, however. say the high number of undecided POLL / Staffa man killed A Staffa area man was killed Sunday when his car went off a road and struck t%%n trees. Exeter OPP said Kenneth Eugene Upshall. 24, was in a car travelling case of Exeter on Highway 83 when the mishap occurred, The drhier of the vehicle. Ronald Riley. '21. also of RR 2. Staffa. is in University Hospital. London, where he is listed in staple condition. 1 he %chicle. a 19'9 Mercury Cougar owned by Mr. Upshall, was demolished. Police said they arc still investigatingthe mishap to scc w h% the vehicle a ent ofthe road. "We know hors he w• nt off the road. hut don't know a hf• except To say that he drove off the road." said Constable Rick lupanc•ic, the investigating officer. Charges are pending following further in%t'sti$atmn Authority gives tour Over 100 interested local polntcians and citizens accepted an invitation to tour the Ausahlc•Bayfield Cnnsersation Authnnts. last Thursday. The tour sponsored by ABCA included visits to agreement forest properties. Parkhill conservation area, erosion control sites in Port Franks, Grand Bend and Bayfield and sites concerning flood pl,cm management projects in Seaforth. Dan Kennaley. ABCA spokesman was impressed with the response to the tour and looked upon the daylong outing as an information day. Projects recently completed or just underway were shown off to the bit busloads of observers. Future plans were also outlined. With the recent rain some erosion pmhlems were sighted along the eay. The tour took in Silver Creek through Seaforth with attention drawn to the fact that a special flood plain mapping and policy was set. The authority reviews construction or filling plans on the flood plain arca. A emd shelter %%as seen in Mt. Carmel. Although nnls hyo %cars old, the stand was already fnc to SIN feet high, Mr. Kennaley stressed how important maintenance is and h% keeping the uccds down the trees were able to get a head start COUNCILS INFORMED 1 h lour keeps municipal councils in• feinted of e here new projects arc being Initiated and it is caster for the ARCA representati%es to discuss these projects lith loyal councils %%hen the councillors are made aware of the situation the Authority has just completed a nen brochure nn a self guided tour of the Rannnckhurn park arca. The, brochure has an ecological theme and is designed for Ilse hs tea%hers. The ARCA has conservation areas and camps in the southern arca, ft%ervnne is ucicnmc to take part in the programs. of which the closest to Seaforth is the Bannockburn fall walk, Oct 14 from 2.4, Bell Canada pays faxes Bell Canada paid more than $33.300 in taxes to Seaforth in 1983 as a result of telecommunications operations there In addition. Bell will spend more than 5115,000 in 1984 to maintain and upgrade telephone service in the exchange. In 1983 Bell paid $33,314 in tares to Seaforth comprised as follows: real estate $1,093; business$886; and gross receipts tax. 530,335. M 1984. gross receipts tax will total $33,378. The gross receipts tax is a levy of five per cent of all telecommunications revenue derived from Bell Canada operations in Ontario the previous year and apportioned to each exchange based nn the number of Bell owned telephones in use. In 1983 each telephone leased from Bell generated $22.35 in revenue for the mnnici• path y. In the Stratford arca Bell employs 115 people with a total payroll of over $3.1 million. In 1983 Bell's .capital expenditures were over 51.13 billion. In 1984 this is expected to he more than 51.3 billion Bell had 1.262 customers in its Seaforth exchange at the end of 1983. Seaforth back -to school sale/ A3 Manor residents buy ghetto blaster/ 46 Diamonds are a girls best friend/ A2 INDE Brussels /Al2 Ctassilied /416, 17 Dublin news /A4. 5 Entertainment /A19, 20 Family /A6, 7 Farm /A9 Hensel( news /A18 Kids /A8 Obituaries /A7 People /A8 Sports /A14, 15 Walton /A13 0