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The Huron Expositor, 1983-10-19, Page 1i Qrppr t np .Post ac psi•gop) e ositor • Q $EA. FORTH, ()WARM, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1983 — 20 PAGES Zoni wi allow narrower lots Seaforth will have its second public meeting under the new Ontario planning act, following a decision at council Oct. 11. The public will have a chance to comment on a zoning bylaw change which the planning advisory committee (formerly the planning board) recommends, . The change would allow construction on any lot which was subdivided before the official plan was passed in 1967, even if it did not meet minimum frontage requirements Of 'the plan. The lot would have to meet all, other provisions, such as setback, . Seaforth's official plan allows this now for residential lots, and the ptanning.committee says that flexibility should be extended to all zonings. Councillor Henry Mero brought the matter up at the Sept: 19 planning meeting, clerk Jim Crocker told council, because three lots zoned highway commercial on Goderich St. FUTURE FIRE CHIEF—Even though he's only 19 -months -old, Gregory De Vries looks ready for action If the alarm rings, His dad, volunteer firefighter Dave DeVries bough him a hat to wear to the new fire hall's open house Thursday. (Photo by Hundertmark Seaforth grant to rec centre remains $900 '3E,,, lots 22-/4, cannot be used•because they :don't have the required 60 foot frontage, apparently six inches short. Planning chhairman Ken Oldacre said the situation was an oversight in the original bylaw and should be amended. Does that mean lots will have no minimum frontage? "in a sense," replies clerk Crocker. The residential minimum is 50 feet and "a number of lots around town sit there at 40." Three or four of the substandard size lots are In etimmercial zones, Mr. Crocker estimates. The Change would affect existing businesses if tht wanted to rebuild. BEFORE 1967 To get out of the frontage requirement the lots would have had to have been in place before 1967, the clerk emphasized. It's the intent of the plattning committee, councillor Mero said, that "this provision should be there for all zonings." Since the proposed change affects the entire town, a notice will be placed in the Expositor about the Nov. 21 meeting. Councillor ' Mero, and councillor Bill Martin, will chair the meeting. Council passed a byttiw as a result of the councillors first public meeting, held Sept. 26e, It amends the official plan to change two lots in Silvercreek.spbdivision, one owned by the town, the other by the developer, from parks and open space to, residential. Mayor Alf Ross, who lives in the subdivision, declared a conflict of interest and left the room the two times the issue was discussed. Reeve Bill' Campbell chaired the meeting in ins, absence. Are you changing other lands from residential to parks and open space?" asked councillor Hazel Hildebrand. The town's land can be used for parks or road allowance or whatever is needed at a later date, councillor Mero said. Seaforth's recreation master plan had found no need for a park in that area right now, councillor Martin said, "By having it zoned residential it's wide open. We can sell it, do whatever we want to do withit." In other planning developments, council- lor Mero asked the clerk to put a monthly report from the planning advisory committee ootto� council agenda. 'The little things sola times don't get back to council," he said. an Dzus, the Huron County planner w has worked in Seaforth for eight years left the county planning department Oct. 8. Mr, Dzus has moved to Windsor where he has a new job, clerk Crocker said. Although he's not yet been replaced, Cindy Fisher of the county planning office will take,, on his Seaforth responsibilities. Seaforth council agrees with its finance committee that the town's grant to the Vanastra Recreation Centre should stay at $900. A meeting with Tuckersmith council, which operates the centre, and had asked Seaforth to consider increasing its grant didn't change any minds. Seaforth does say though that council will consider annual grants to the centre "provided Tuckersmith requests a specific amount and provides a mote detailed financial statement of the centre's operation." A report from the finance committee explained that the town's grant budget contained the $900 figure and "there are no extra funds available." • Seaforth's net contributions, the actual cost to taxpayers, to various recreation facilities and programs in }983 total 577.645, the finance committee adds. Its recommendation wig ''adopted without discussion at Seaforth council's Oct. 11 meeting. OMB dismisses appeal on minor variance The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) has thesppeitt,b 3avidtindChristitter,. Tremeer and Richard Burgess, of a minor variance granted to Leo Medd. The decision was reached by the OMB's C.G. Charron, Oct. 14, one month after the hearing was held. The hearing stemmed from a decision. by Seaforth's committee of adjustment in June approving the reduction of the westerly side yard requirement on Mr. Medd's property at the corner of Ann and James Streets. Mr. Medd's minor variance allowed a 15 -foot side yard instead of the required 25 feet. He planned to construct a one•storey bungalow and to demolish the existing ,Victorian -style house, three months after completion of the new house. The property has since been sold and the new ovine wiIIsktep rthe'eittsti'ng house,. At the Sept. 13 OMB hearing, Mr. Tremeer, a neighbour said the new house could be built without a minor variance but the fact that a drawing with Mr. Medd's application showed a 900 -foot garage between the new house and the corner was his main objection. Mr. Charron said there was no reference to a garage on the committee's decision, that he was dealing only with a side yard variance. DECISION DEALS WITH CONCERNS The OMB decision notes that a 15 -foot front yard setback permits a larger private backyard, increases the separation from the easterly neighbour and permits the retention of nature trees•in the proposed backyard. Market needs people Decreasing attendance at the three- year-old Farmer's Markets this summer has Seaforth's recreation department wondering whether they are worth continuing but local vendors say a solution could be found. "Our main concern' is a lack of attendance with both booths and people; one is related to the other. We want to break even and have the vendors make a bit of money. If it's not successful, we're not going to put it on," says recreation director Bryan Peter. Though fewer people attended this summer than in the past two years, Isabel Hunt says she's satisfied with the market. Numbers increase and decrease depending on what else is going on, those weekends, but Mrs. Hunt always sells her baked goods. "1 wouldn't like to see them quit the market because a lot of people look forward to it." she says. Because the market helps the community. artist ,Alf Dale says a solution should be found to draw more people to the farmers market. CLOSER TO MAIN ST.? "There could have been more people there. if only there was something to draw them. Maybe if we closed off Gouinlock St. and had the booths closer to Main St., people driving through town might stop," he says. People don't seem to know the market is going on even -though it is advertised well As to neighbours',poncernslitbout widetp- 7 raltfee_etr" iiitiiitMr'eit rt, ioftliWf plan to widen Ann treet in the forseeablt • future or that such widening is necessary for the traffic coverage at this time, the decision says. A concern that a ranch -style house would not be in keeping with the neighborhood. which consists mainly of two-storey, older - style homes was dismissed. "There are no minimum restrictions in the bylaw. The owner can build to his requirements, desires and satisfaction." Replying to the objection that the lot area is large enough that a variance is not required to develop the property within the Please see TERMS on page 3 FIRE GUTTED the Olympia Restaurant and Turnberry Upholstery in Brussels late Saturday night and caused an estimated $150,000 In damage. Firemen remained on the sc.ne of the four alarm fire for 11 hours. Cause of the blaze Is unknown but It may have started in a false ceiling in the restaurant. "The fire department did a good lob saving the downtown," said a main street oroorietor. even homeless after fire BY RON WASSINK Seven people were left homeless when fire ravaged the Olympia Restaurant and Tirnberry Upholstery in downtown Brussels Saturday night. -The alarm was phoned in at 10:10 p.m. when Debbie Trollope, who lives above her husband's upholstery store, noticed smoke coming into her apartment. "Smoke just doesn t come in. When i found out it was locally. he says. ww, though los sales were down from the year before, Mr. Dale says that the market is a good place to show his pictures. Another solution may be linking up with the Business Improvement` Association (BIA) and coordinating farmer's markets with sidewalk sales. "If we could join the two and have one big weekend. both groups could benefit," says Mr. Dale. Freda Kerslake's baking seems to sell regardless of the number of people who attend the farmer's markets, she says. "For me, it was a success but I noticed some of the craftwork .didn't go as well as usual. Less people were there but 1 wouldn't say it was a disaster," she says. Setting permanent dates without skipping any months during the summer could solve the problem of low attendance so that people wouldn't forget when the markets are held. "You can't saddle people and force them there." says Mrs. Kerslake. "Maybe local talent performing during the market would draw more people." The recreation committee will meet with the vendors to see if a solution can be reached. says Mr. Peter. "Maybe it's not what the people want but it's worked well there before. Our main aim is to promote Victoria Park and have it used more." New buildings need ABCA okay next door (the restaurant), i phoned the alarm in." The Brussels fire department arrived to find the restaurant engulfed in flames. Wingham, Blyth and Grey township fire departments were called to assist. The Brussels department was on the scene 11 hours, completing cleanup at 9:00 Sunday morning. Nearby stores, including Ken's Mens and Boys Wear, Cal Kreuter Plumbing and Heating, and the Royal . Bank, suffered smoke damage. Damage has been estimated at $1504000. "The restaurant is gutted and the Trollope building is almost jbst as bad." said Howard Bernard, Brussels fire chief. Cause of the blaze is unknown. The Ontario Fire Marshall has found that the fire may have started in the false ceiling in the rear section of the restaurant. Bill Protopapas, owner of the Olympia, and his family, left Brussels Friday afternoon to visit relatives in St. Catharines. "My brother-in-law in Kitchener got hold of me at 1 Sunday morning and 1 was back in Brussels by 3," says Mr. Protopapas. ADVICE FIRST "1 don't know what I'm going to do. Rebuilding will depend on the advice 1 receive from my insurance company. if there is a chance to rebuild, I will because 1 love this town." People who want to build houses in the effect Oct, 11. the majority of vacant area of town near Silver Creek, called a residential lots in town arc in that area, clerk special policy area by the Ausable Bayfield Jim Crocker told the Expositor. It includes Conservation Authority, will now have to, the south west corner of Seaforth. because of possible flood hazards. have the The area was identified in flood line Authority's approval. mapping done back in 1981. Council agreed Seaforth council passed a motion to that with an ABCA request to pass the motion. SEAFORTH POLICE DEPARTMENT, Chief Soontiena speaking - David Soontlens tried the Seaforth police chief's chair and hat on for size when the police department celebrated their move to a new location with en open house on Monday. Located in the former fire hall, at the rear of the municipal office, the new police station provides more office space and a garage for the department Police chief, Hal Claus didn't seem too worried that David would take over his lob, yet. (Wassink photo) The four members of+ the Protopapas family and Mr. and Mrs. Doug Trollope and son Jonathan, were left homeless. The restaurant employed four waitresses. "The girls can't get over it," said Mr. Protopapas. The upper section of Turnberry Uphol- stery received extensive fire damage. ''it's a mess," says Mrs. Trollope. "We managed to save a few things, but more importantly, just ourselves. it depends on the extent of the damage whether we will rebuild. We just finished renovating the interior." Friends and neighbours of the fainilies offered lodging, food and clothing. The Protopapas family is staying at the Jack Btyans home, The Trollopes have moved from the home of Larry Cowie and are renting a house in Brussels. "The town has been super," says Mr. Protopapas. "We know now how much we are appreciated. We have no intention of • leaving Brussels. I'm still in shock. 1 can't believe it. We have lost our home and business. It will be difficult for our customers. "1 feel sorry for my neighbour because the foe started in my place." he said. "i'm grateful nobody was hurt, but it's still a great loss for everybody. Donations to the Trollope and Protopapas families can be left at the Brussels Variety. Tuckersmith wants to debenture landfill costs Instead of the pay -as -we -go policy that Seaforth favors on expenses for the new landfill site, Tuckersmith council wants all the costs debentured. In a letter dated Sept. 22. Tuckersmith clerk Jack McLachlan passed on his council's wishes. The letter was included with Seaforth council's committee reports at its Oct. 11 meeting but was not discussed in open session. Seaforth had billed the township 515,713.40, as its share of S35,712 paid .ly the landfill committee (McKillop is the third member) through the town. Tuckersmith prefers that all costs be accumulated and included in the debenture issue, "once the landfill site has been approved." No money was budgeted by the township for engineering fees. the letter continues, "over and above what was Quoted to us earlier in the year.' Since the invoice, from engineering firm Burns Ross and Associates for environmental assessment work. has been paid, Tuckersmith told Seaforth paying interest was acceptable. In a committee -of -the -whole session after its regular meeting, Seaforth council decided to refer Tuckersmith's letter to the landfill site committee. Each municipality has one representative; Tuckersmith's is John Brownridge, appointed after former mem- ber, deputy -reeve Bill Brown, resigned recently. "We're all in the same boat," commented clerk Jim Crocker who has been acting as secretary to the landfill committee. Council also reviewed the final terms of the landfill site agreement. which will be made public when it goes to the three councils, probably within a month, the clerk added. Autumn decorations brighten up hospital A3 Optimists plan busy year A10 Centenaires start season with a win A20 Young people scared about future job situation Alb [Incl@n Births /A8 Brussels news /Al2, 13 Classified /A14, 15, 16 Community Calendar /A3 Dublin news /A4, 5 Entertainment /A10 Family 1.48 Farm /A8, 7 Hensall /A17 Kids /A18 Legion /A10 Londesboro /A18 Obituaries /Al2, 18 People /A10 Sports /All, 20 Walton /A16 4 N