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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1989-04-12, Page 66A — THE HURON EXPOSITOR, APRIL 12, 1989 DIRT CHEAP ® ALUMINUM VENETIAN BLINDS — $ 99 TO$ 99 FROM 9 (12" x 36" 1 (84" x 84') ® FABRIC VERTICAL BLINDS FROM $4400 (36-x 48" T®1 O O 9 6 (144" x 94") I► s SINCE 1977 SHOWROOMS IN LONDON, STONEY CREEK, BRANTFORD, KITCHENER, GUELPH, CAMBRIDGE, HAMILTON, BURLINGTON FOR FREE SHOP•AT.HOME SERVICE CALL OUR HURON COUNTY DEALER MR. BILL DON 482-5980 r===sie=3:•=erte=4===>*=31=414=ste=r1 The Stratford office of DIEGEL MALCOLM and HAGEY CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS wishes to announce a name change to GOOD MEYER LITS' JOHNS SCHWARTZENTRUBER CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Own interests, not businessmen's McKillop Township Council was swayed last week, by a presentation made to them at a public meeting by Herman Lansink of RR 2 Denfield. Mr. Lansink was present to oppose a petition by John Hart for the rezon- ing of property located on Highway 8, west of Seaforth in the Township of McKillop. "Council made its decision based on what it heard and Mr. Lansink's presentation cer- tainly had an effect," said Reerve Marie IHicknell, after council's decision to restrict many of the uses requested for the property. She indicated disappointment however, that Seaforth had chosen to have itself represented at the meeting by someone who didn't even live in Seaforth. Mr. Lansink had told council he represented 'some' area businessmen, but declined to name them. At a later meeting with John Hart, Mr. Lansink said he represented four local businessmen, and in response to qucstionn- ing would release the names of only two 1 men. Both those men have indicated they are not involved in anyway with Mr. Lan - 0 0 0 0 Telephone (519) 271-1160 Fax (519) 271-3281 fi aonoa _tet is .11==) >===rtsotK=i Effective April 1, 1989 Dort's r oe acf,...,e Enter your name in our guest (hook when you make your purchase 0/0 Ap it?F ALL u 1.= So9 FR1.5 SAT. IL 13, 14, 15 c tl ASES (Brnckudhrng Sale Otems) WILL -;E DONATED iN YOUR NAMES TO THE SEAPORT HOSITA N. I G F L SEAFORTH STORE ONLY Development from page 1 into a ghost town," said Mr. Seddon. 'He said studies can be done, and would be done by 'businesses before they opted to locate at the site. He said the primary ques- tion council should be considering is "can Seaforth use highway commercial land west of town." Mr. Seddon said the development could not be considered a regional mall, and that it isn't another Masonville Place which is being proposed. In parting Mr. Lansink said: "I strongly recommend restricted use, or that council detain this until such time as studies can be done. OMB hearings are cost- ly, and this will go to OMB. To pass this now would be premature on council's part." REEVE - PRESENTATIION HAD EFFECT "Council made its decision based on what it heard," said McKillop Reeve Marie Hicknell, and added Mr. Lansink's presen- tation, and his saying an OMB hearing would be forced, affected council's decision. "Council took him at his word," she said. Mrs. Hicknell is still optimistic about the proposed development, and says it will create jobs for people in Seaforth and McKillop. "Any of the things we took out can be put back in with studies," she said. "We didn't say 'no way can a grocery store be in there'." Mrs. Hicknell says McKillop Council was also trying to accommodate Mr. Hart in passing the rezoning by-law with many of the controversial uses removed, to avoid an OMB hearing. If an OMB hearing were forc- ed, it could be time consuming -up to a year before a date was even scheduled-- and expensive, With the zoning passed with the currently listed uses Mr. Hart could build his dealer- ship, begin recruiting other businesses, and apply for re -zoning to include any of the restricted businesses. "I'd really like to see it go and I know council would too. We thought we were ac- commodating John, and we wouldn't want to lose his or any other business," she said. While she admits his was a strong presen- tation, Mrs. Hicknell also had certain reser- vations about Mr. Lansink representing Seaforth merchants. "It's a sad commentary when someone who doesn't live here can say what happens here. Could people on Main Street not send someone who lives here to represent sink, and are quite concerned they have been implicated in this matter. Both admit they have concerns about the proposed development, but are not entirely against it. Both indicated if they wished to pursue the matter, they wouldn't have had someone else represent them at the meeting. At a later interview with The Expositor, Mr. Lansink said he had been representing no interests other than his own at that public meeting. "I came in at the last minute as a property owner in Seaforth. I was representing no one," said Mr. Lansink, "I was concerned about Main Street Seaforth and the effect the whole develop- ment would have on it. I own a house in Seaforth, I grew up in Seaforth and I plan to retire there someday. I was shocked it (the development ) had gone that far," he said. Mr. Lansink said he believes a develop- ment the size of the one proposed will hurt the Town of Seaforth, and eventually turn it into a ghost town. represented "I was not in there because it was going to affect my business. I read about it in the paper, and that's how I became aware that the town gave it their blessing. And, if the (Seaforth) council is too proud, or too blind, to see that a development of this size is go- ing to hurt the town, then (I felt) someone had to speak out," he said. "I know a few businessmen would be hap- py to get on my coattail, and I'd be only too happy to let them - that's fine. But, I represented myself at the meeting. I wanted to defend my concerns for my little building in Seaforth. As for Mr. Hart, he is still reeling from the effects of Mr. Lansink's presentation, and is concerned there are conflicting views as to his purpose at the meeting. "I've done everything in my power to be above board and not trick anybody. I've been straight forward, and I feel a lot of things that have been done, have not been up front. Last Tuesday's decision by McKillop Council blew me away," he said. Come t e the Seaforth & District WED., THURS., APRIL 26 & 27 hiJ t Tei 100 - vou- ersl to give away FEATURINS C See Whet' New O Lsai & GardenItiIdeon Prodc Product,,ts• 1 IBpn.. Poole OHelpoduFigctnp Pr -u 0 Suppliers LJ Fre() Advice !J Prizes ere ATTRACTIONS OFroo Admission 0 Cash Prizes IOOamonstrotlons ❑Specinl Events ) U,Mool Your O Come end _ the un 1 C.')y. (Li&. lie' "=REE ADMISYON Seaforth and District Community Centres WED., THURS. 4:59-9:59 P.M. CASH PRIZES Saturday, April 22, 1989 *Harmony Kings' Annual Spring Show! Seaforth & District Community Centres Friday, May 12 * Lowdown Dance Seaforth Agricultural Society them?" Mr. Hart and his associates face a deci- sion of either going through another uncer- tain rezoning process or walking away from the proposed commercial development. He says he wants to stay in Seaforth, but will have to look at how feasible the location is under the current zoning. "As businessmen we've got to make a business decision." Mr. Hart says he and Mr. Seddon have been working with McKillop Township and the Town of Seaforth to ensure the develop- ment and the town complement one another. "If the town was a ghost town we wouldn't do any business," he says. "The ruling (McKillop's rezoning) makes it possible to move the dealership. McKillop council had our best interests at heart," says Mr. Hart. "But the restrictions make the assumption that our market area would be Seaforth and the surrounding townships. We propose that the market would be the county, and this (development) won't be done at the expense of the downtown," he adds. Mr. Seddon says the development would be 'an "aggressive step forward for Seaforth." "When people think of industrial expan- sion, they think next month.a factory will be opening up, but it's not that simple," he says. He explains that the guy opening a fac- tory will look at towns to see what they have to offer, and your town is in competition with all other towns in Ontario. So expansion has to be a package deal." While some may question whether such commercial and residential developments are viable in rural Ontario, Mr, Hart says Seaforth has a lot to offer when compared to large cities. Namely: quality of life, health rt services, churches and schools, the people generally have more disposable income, the town has a strong Main Street, and 1.5 million people drive through the main in- tersection each year. And while a strong local economy is at- tractive to developers, what is attractive to consumers is low housing prices. Mr. Seddon, who works and lives in Kit- chener, says the average house price there is $239,000, and the average price for an average suburban residence is from $150,000 to $175,000. "Here $175,000 would buy you a palace," he says. The developers have not yet decided if they'll be going ahead with their project, but are leaning toward applying for another re- zoning. "Anything worthwhile is worth fighting for," says Mr. Hart. In the re -zoning the developers will apply to have all the restricted uses removed and some new uses added. "Both municipal councils agree that highway commercial land is needed, we just can't agree on what the uses should be," ex- plains Mr. Seddon. "We think it should be lfeft wide open, and let the market decide what's viable." • "If we tell someone a business will go, it's up to us to make sure it does. We're going to be out there too, and we're going to make it work," says Mr. Hart. "We'd be better to be out there alone than be out there with 25,000 square feet of empty building beside us," he says, adding he has to have the develop- ment's and the town's best interests in mind. "But we're not going to be able to sell the public on coming to a dealership and con- tractor's yard," says Mr. Seddon. - from page 5A ACROPOL - Sakis Drouscas is also in favor of commercial development and says something is needed in town, but only in so far as it doesn't conflict with Main Street. "We're spending a lot of money promoting Main Street, and we have enough competition." BOB AND BETTY'S - No comment. KEATING'S PHARMACY - Against a mini mall, but not against those services not already available in the downtown core. BECKERS - Not opposed as long as it's not hurting business in town - "we won't know until it's tried." PHELANS PLACE - In favor of entire development, and would welcome competition. CANDLELIGHT STUDIO - Feels a com- mercial development would stop needed highway traffic. "I'm for it. 90 per cent of the people who go through Seaforth do not know there's a downtown." KEN SMITH POOLS - "I think they should go ahead with it" says Ken Smith. "There have been a few here who have been bit- ching about it, and all they're thinking about is their own self interest. All they're going to accomplish is to chase him out of town." Asked if he thinks the development would detract from Main Street Mr. Smith replies "It would sure detract less from Main Street than if he isn't in town at all." KID'S KLOZE - "There are a few things I would love to see, Seaforth needs a motel, but there doesn't have to be an overlap (of services)," says Joanne Aubin. "I wouldn't want to see anything taken away from Seaforth, but I think we need something." KLINGS - "I think if would be great. I think the town needs an attraction like that," says Marilyn Chesney. SEAFORTH JEWELLERS - A dealership would be all right, but not a lot of other businesses. Small retail businesses would be better kept for downtown, to keep traffic here. KNITTER'S LOFT - "I think we need it but I hate to see strip malls." Hart's dealer- ship or a lawn and garden centre would be good uses - and there wouldn't be many other businesses would say no to, says Anne James. She adds she would hate to see the loss of a grocery store downtown. SEAFORTH MEAT MARKET - No objec- tions to Hart expanding, no objection to mall as long as it doesn't effect other retail food outlets in town. Would like to see the dealer- ship and the sale of new products. HILDEBRAND FLOWERS - "I'd rather see it here than on this side of Clinton," says Steve Hildebrand. HILDEBRAND PAINT AND PAPER - "I'm for it, but I do think we've got to look closely at it," says George Hildebrand. "I don't want to see opposition to Main Street, but from what I can see John Hart doesn't want to put anything out there that will hurt Main Street." WONG'S GRILL - Yee L.K. says the pro- posed development would rob a lot of business. "If you have everything out there it's like a town itself." He wouldn't oppose a dealership or a motel, but would object to a supermarket, some retail stores etc. CAMPBELL'S HARDWARE - "It would be nice to put limits on the development, but sometimes if you try to limit expansion you lose It. We can't afford to lose it," says Mr. Campbell. "We can't sit here and be judge and jury on someone else's enterprise," he says, ad- ding that if other towns acquire this Invest- ment it could entice business away from Seaforth. SEAFORTH SEWING CENTRE - Liz Moir says the development would have a good effect on Seaforth, but some of the businesses proposed aren't necessary. "It would bring more people in, and give them some incentive to stop, but we should put things out there that' we don't already have." CUSTOM ART DESIGNERS - Laurie Dumas says "I thought it was a great idea. It means development, and it means growth." She points to a small development like this with a fruit market in Clinton, and says it always appears to be busy. "A, mall would only help this place." FUTURES HAIR DESIGN - It would be an advancement and a good idea. "Anything goes. Put more hair shops in - makes good competition." BAUER TRAVEL - Gaby Costello says "I don't think it's such a bad idea," but admits her opinion would be influenced by the types of stores listed. She says we don't need more gas stations, but she would like to see another department store, drug store and supermarket. "The stores here are well established and if they have a good reputation people will go back to them," she says. "It might even create more business for Main Street," STEDMANS - Dave Deighton says the town could benefit from a motel and other similar commercial developments. Retail establishments, he predicts, would have some effects on his store but not a great deal. Most of the effects would be seen on weekends, he says. He opposes competing retail outlets, but doesn't oppose the pro- posal as a general commercial development. DON'S SHOE PLACE - Don Corriveau says from his experience of locating a store in the Suncoast Mall in Goderich, that he doesn't believe the proposed mini mall would take business from Seaforth. He says he has no objections as long as there aren't "fly by righters" who use such locations for dumping stock. GINETTE'S RESTAURANT - Dave de Vries says he does' not approve of everything in the plan, but believes a com- promise can be reached to satisfy all par- ties. "We don't have to lose the dealership and possible other investment." "How many merchants have actually sat down and talked to John about his plans?" he asks. STEWART BROTHERS - "I don't think it will transpire. I'm not confident they will find people to go out there," says Dave Stewart. He adds he's not opposed to the dealership, but that he simply doesn't give it much hope. COMMERCIAL HOTEL - Doesn't see enough information to make a decision at this point, but Brian Coombs says commer- cial development would probably be good for the town. CHIPPER'S CHICKEN - Janet Taylor says "as far as I'm concerned it's O.K., but don't think it will go. Mrs. Taylor points out there are already, too many restaurants in town, and says the development should in- clude businesses which are needed - Such as a motel - and not conflicting ones. QUEEN'S TAVERN - "I'm for Hart being out there, but it depends what else goes in." says Cathy Ferguson, adding there are enough restaurants and supermarkets in town currently, but that a motel would be great. "The town needs accommodations." LEO'S AUTO - John Hart being out there is no problem, but a mall out there will hurt the town - "I think it'll just blow it away." MCLAUGHLIN CHEV OLDS - No comment. MAC'S MILK - A good idea and a good way to draw people. WHITNEY-RIBEY FUNERAL HOME - "It's progress. You can't stand in the way." 1 1'