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The Huron Expositor, 1988-05-25, Page 1Sports - A6 -A8 Births - Al2 Obituaries - Al2 Walton - Al 7 Dublin - A17 Hensel) - A18 Grand Bend ready to join Huron County. See page A5. rServing the communities and areas of Seaforth, Brusse0s, Dublin, Hensel; and Walton RPEMMINIMMIIIMW sitor fSealforth, Ontario HURON EXPOSOTOR, WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 1988 50 cents a copy Residents concerned about placement of industry Despite the concerns of a number of local residents, Seaforth Town Council decided last week to proceed with the rezoning of town -owned residential land to light industrial. Residents in the neighboring subdivision are not pleased with the decision and have until June 16, 1988 to appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. The land affected is a five acre plot of land southwest of Railway Street, previously known as the northerly portion of the Westbranch Subdivision. "I'm kind of sitting on the fence right now," said Bill Morris, who chaired a com- mittee of concerned residents. "Personally 1 don't feel the town should be changing the designation from residential to industrial, but originally they were going to change the entire 10 acres. This is a halfway position. I don't feel it's the best position, but half is somewhat better than the whole 10 acres," he said. Residents first became aware of the pro- posal to change the land use designation from residential to industrial when they were invited to a public meeting on May 20, 1987. In general they expressed concern about the town's wisdom in changing an ideal piece of residential property to industrial. "This raises the whole issue of long range planning for the Town of Seaforth," said Mr. Morris. "We're told the town needs in- dustrial land for its economic development and we're supposed to believe in that state- ment like motherhood. Well, I'm not so sure growth for the sake of growth is good." He said he thought the change was a 'short term fix' and a 'mistake', and added the town should be looking at long term plan- ing for industrial land - good highway ac- cess, good servicing and an unoffensive and less densely populated location. Mr. Morris noted the town is taking away one of the prime locations for residential use since the Westbranch subdivision is located at one of the highest points of elevation in Seaforth. Since the newly -zoned industrial land is presently only accessible through a residen- tial area, there could also be the potentia] for traffic concerns. Residents noted there would not only be an increase in the volume of traffic, but the traffic would include heavier vehicles, creating a hazardous situation for young children and also in- creasing wear and tear of Railway Street. From a planning point of view residents in the vicinity of this new industrial land said they would not find a nice tidy industry ob- jectionable, since they have been promised a 50 foot buffer zone between themselves and the industry. What they do object to is the fact the town is tucking an industrial area back in the residential area, and there could be problems as a result. Prevailing winds from the southwest were cited as a major concern, since they could disperse any pollutants (odors or noise) emanating from an industry located in the Westbranch subdivision, over a wide area of town. "From a planning point of view the town shouldn't be chucking industry behind residential - because of traffic, because of prevailing winds, because of a lot of things," said Mr. Morris. "This looks like a nice residential area to us, and having an industrial area next door raises concerns as far as traffic, pollution and noise. The town should not be putting any industry upwind of town." "There are a lot of things listed under light industrial that I wouldn't mind having as a neighbor, but my preference is that it (Westbranch subdivision) be left residen- tial. What's the sense of having an official plan if you're always going to be changing it," commented Joan Wood. "It's not that I don't want to see industry in town. I'm probably the first one who'd like to see industry in town, but I'd like to see the shoe factory filled first." Mrs. Wood said she's not worried about what may go into the Westbranch subdivi- sion now, but rather what may happen in another 10 or 15 years. "We (the committee) asked for a large ME AND MY PALS - Two-year-old Lori DeGroof of Walton was not for sale, but her friends were, at the Walton Community Garage Sale held at the Walton Hall on Satur- day. Mcliwraith photo. Public shows up to help spen About 60 Seaforth residents showed up at the Seaforth Town Hall recently to help the Streetscape Conunittee decide how to spend $200,000. The Streetscape Committee wants com- munity input into how the $200,000 grant the town has received for downtown im- provements, could be best put to use. The purpose of the meeting last week was to get ideas out in the open. To give those who attended the workshop some ideas various displays were set up. Ken Buck of K.W. Buck and Associates, the landscaper whose services have been hired for the downtown improvements project, showed a video of Seaforth, as well as a col- lection of pictures from downtowns all over the world. The pictures were of benches, streetlamps, etc. and people wrote down which pictures they liked. There was also a photographic display of downtown Seaforth with writing paper under each photo on which people wrote their comments on what was good, or bad about that aspect of the town. There were a lot of suggestions about what the money could be used for. A new sign at the town's entry, fountains, benches, lighting, and arches were just some of the ideas. Now that Mr. Buck has an idea of what people would like to see, as well as what they wouldn't like to see, he can prepare a draft concept. He will take all the ideas the people of Seaforth have provided and come up with a concept of how the town will look if they are put into place. The drafts are cur- rently in the works, and will be presented to the public at a meeting on June 8. The Streetscaping Committee hes also sent letters to people in the community ask- ing for input, and has received softie replies. Schools were also asked, and students were able to express their desires for such things as a skateboard ramp in town and a drink- ing fountain in front of the Town Hall. The committee has four years to spend the $200,000, and plans to design the im- o 100feet TO OF SEAFORTH N WEST BRANCH SUBDIVISION AREA So DESIGN PROPOSAL 9 2 562.48 fee CNR s 120' Cr a. 5.4 acres wMsPON • 41110.00• 411611111 `11111•4110 i AINPFIPOIPIPIPIP NPOIMPIP PIMP 41111041141.1111114 (19114111111; SWIM p4 .moi 'temowr 60' o';` Railway St. Elizabeth St. 4 CF2 so•%4 ;rl . 10o ft. ;.;.150 lt,':':':':':', If 466.25 foot Brantford St. parcel of land that can't be divided and the town compromised. But what's stopping it from being divided in the future, and going Buffer Zone •'r'�'�' (Open Space) III Industrial Lot -'•"�� Resld.ntlsl Designation Devolopm.ntol zon• one step up from light industrial," she said. "And if it goes one step up it may affect the whole town because of the wind factor." The Town of Seaforth obtained the Westbranch subdivision after the Arris Land Development Corporation, who had completed a Plan of Subdivision and ap- proximately $1 011 in design work, had no luck in selling the property. After allowing it to sit for 10 years the owner cited the cost of servicing was too high and decided to let it go for taxes. It was the fact the property had remained vacant for 10 years following the plan of residential subdivision, and the fact the parcel of land is too far removed from the commercial core to be developed commer- cially, the Town of Seaforth decided to rezone the land for light industrial use. "I feel council had its mind made up last year and nobody was going to change it," said Mrs. Wood. "But, if it has to change to industrial use, I feel the best plan is in place. I just don't want it to look like Birch Street, and I'd like to see the buffer zone started now, rather than when the industry goes in." "We realize the concerns of council trying to find industrial land in town," added Mr. Morris. "But we're a little bit skeptical. The idea of putting a strict site plan control in effect may help a little bit, but not a lot. I'm per- sonally not happy with the decision but I realize the councillors have a job to do, and aren't personal planners." At the May meeting of council, Councillor Carolanne Doig also expressed concern about locating industry in the Westbranch subdivision. I'd really detest to have another in- dustrial park. I know how hard it is to en- force the by-laws in the existing industrial park," she said. Deputy -reeve Hazel Hildebrand noted use of Railway Street for access to the industrial lands, could result In a bottleneck where Railway Street intersects Main. There are already some traffic problems being reported because of the location of the Creamery on that corner. "We (the Town of Seaforth) also need new residential lots so everyone isn't, going to Egmondville to build houses," she said. of LACAC committee requires direction from council Seaforth Town Council will assure its Local Advisory Committee on Architectural Conservation (LACAC) its efforts are ap- preciated, and attempt to dispell any feel- ings of ineffectiveness on the part of its members. LACAC had written a letter to Council regarding the decision to grant a permit for the demolition of 109-111 Main Street (the property north of the Dick House). LACAC, who had lobbied to save the building, said it felt its report and recommendations were not of use to Council, and asked for some direction on how LACAC could better serve the needs of Council. "As a result of the decision, LACAC has the impression Council favors a policy of demolishing heritage buildings inside the conservation district as a trade off for business initiatives that may be the most ex- pedient in the short term, but that limit op- tions for the long term. As a committee our belief was that, on both economic and social factors, we will regret the Loss of that building in the long term," wrote LACAC chairman Walter Armes. He asked Council to provide some direction for LACAC for its future deliberations, so it could serve the Town of Seaforth more effectively. d $200,000 "It's not the fact council went against LACAC's proposal. LACAC wanted reasons why they went against it," Deputy -clerk Michelle Huard explained to council. According to Mr. Armes, LACAC believed its recommendation (to find an alternative to demolition of the Main Street building) was in the best long term interests of the Town of Seafor ,'. "The reaasons for this position were outlined in the committee's report but they boil down to the belief the heritage buildings on the Main Street of Seaforth are the number one physical asset that distinguish this town as a unique and special place," said Mr. Armes. "This belief is articulated in the policies of the Town of Seaforth in the Official Plan and the Heritage Conservation District Plan. Rod Lyons presented a number of per- suasive arguments, but the bottom line is 109-111 Main Street represents an ir- replaceable part of this community's built environment, and Council has established a precedent for the demolition and diminishing of this resource. This precedent is in direct conflict with those policies of the Town-" Bob Dinsmore, council's representative on LACAC said the committee got the im- pression council hadn't even studied its proposals. "LACAC felt council never asked any questions - never even questionned its own policies," he said. "It felt council showed a lack of feeling or appreciation for the amount of work LACAC had done in preparing its report." Clerk Jim Crocker said although it may have appeared council had not considered LACAC's report, the opposite is true. "The report was circulated well before council, and a lot of councillors had resear- ched the question extensively, and made up their minds before the council meeting. We (council) are concerned it appeared council didn't consider LACAC's report, but I think all LACAC knew that building would come down eventually. Rod Lyons was adamant he wasn't going to fix it up," he said. Councillor Carolanne Doig added she didn't think it was necessary for council to delay its decision by one month, just to allow LACAC more time to look into an alter- native to a demolition that appeared a sure thing. "I don't think we need to delay something Turn to page 16 provements more ambiuouaiy than these funds would allow, with the hope more grant money will be made available. It is also hoped the various fundraising groups in the community will get behind the project, and may take on a single aspect of the overall design -such as a fountain or bench - and sponsor it themselves. But a concept to work toward is first needed. The public will see this concept on June 8 and once their comment is received the design will go to town council for final ap- proval. Bell Canada spends $289,000 Bell Canada's municipal tax contribution totalled $48,629.43 in 1987. This includes $2,738.21 in real estate taxes, $44,640.45 in gross receipts tax, and $1,250.77 in business taxes. Bell also spent $289,000 on improving and maintaining local telephone services for the 1,868 customers in the Seaforth exchange and over $1,484,500 in payroll expenses for the 80 Bell employees in the Stratford area. The Gross Receipts tax is set at five per cent of all telecommunications revenue from Bell operations in Ontario in the preceding year. The amount apportioned to each exchange is based on the number of Bell telephones in use. In 1987, this was $29.20 per telephone. In 1988, the Gross Receipts tax is $45,957.65 for the Seaforth exchange. In 1987, Bell spent a total of $1.991 billion in capital improvements. Of this, $1.199 billion was spent in Ontario. The forecase for 1988 is $2.150 billion, with $1.325 billion of the total to be spent in Ontario. Local improvement highlights in 1987 in- cluded $289,000 spent on adding facilities on County Road 12 between Winthop and the exchange boundary, and upgrading service to provide private lines on County Road 17 west of Winthrop. Local plans for 1988 include $938,000 to be spent on beginning installation of facilities to provide private lines to rural customers, and to accommodate growth on rural routes north of Seaforth east and west of County Road 12; and installing new fibre optics transmission equipment to link Seaforth and Clinton. A TOUGH COMPETITOR in the high jump at Seaforth Public School was Jeremiah Jones. He was one of the last two competitors left in the high jump, but in the end he placed second after Allan Hopper. Corbett photo. 1