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The Brussels Post, 1974-05-22, Page 6there is a. need to preserve irhal remains, and a sectiott ii preserve these historic building! should be included in the "Plan", The buildings list ed are: C.N,R.Station; Philip Amk Residence; Melville Presbytetiai Church; Brussels United Church; Logan W‘I-1.Kerl Residence; St.John's Anglicp Church; St. A rubroR Church; Grewar Residence, William Ain ley Residence; Joi. Ain. Icy Residence Site; Joluj Ament Residence; Pr esbytedo Manse; Brussels Conned Core. AGRICULTURE • Agriculture is carried on will! the boundaries of the village the largest farm holdings arc the northeast and southeast, fruit farm is also within Ill village. As Brussels is desigrol for urban development, the ha for the village intends thatote time this agricultural land developed for husk Development will occur hi Asti so that farming may centinucii the interim, The fruit farm ist exception, as it is a high specialized operation, and asst it is designated for Agricolin; and not fo:r Urban cl e v e .11,•••••••••-•OW.I.0, Somebody Wants What You Don't Need! SELL Through Brussels Brussels plan unveiled New neighbourhoods, core renewal planne The official plan for Brussels, Which has been under preparation for more than a year will be priveiled at a public meeting on !Thursday. Plans will be on display in the Library all day Thursday and a representative from the Huron County Planning Department will answer questions from the public. The meeting will follow at 8 p.m. Extensive research into present and future land use in the village has been done as part of the plan. The map reprinted in this edition of the Post shows the location of theproposed residential, commercial, industrial and recreational zones. The Huron County planning .lepartment has prepared a summary of their conclusions on land use in Brussels, which is reprinted below. RESIDENTIAL LAND USE The existing residential environment of Brussels was found to be most at tractive with a mix of old and new, large and small houses located in all areas of the village, connected by ree-lined streets and with vistas of the River Maitland and the surrounding countryside. All existing residential .neighbottrhoods were further conveniently close to the commercial core. No land use change is proposed . therefore, for any of the existing residential areas. For new - plans of residential subdivision three areas 'that are presently vacant are proposed and these are in the northwest, the southwest and southeast corners of the village. All areas exhibited varying !physical, economic, social and environmental qualities, but all demonstrated a good capability to accommodate new residential development. The one exception to this capability is the flood plain ,in the northwest area which is proposed as open space. Albeit each area has problems and existing social factors had a strong influence upon the designation of these vacant land areas, which in varying degrees are all spatially an integral part of an existing residential neighbour- hood, • The three new residential areas proposed continue a pattern of development that has-occurred in ihe village since its settlement, that of a central shopping area surrounded equidistant by residential neighbourhoods. Apartments are located primarily in the core area above the stores which it was found have a side benefit not only of providing accommodation, but also of contributing economically and socially to the welfare of the core area. It is recommended, therefore, that the presence and maintenance of old and new apartments in the core area be encouraged. One detrimental environmental feature of living in the core area, however, was found to be noise generated by highway traffic, and the activity of shoppers, tradesmen and tavern dwellers. To alleviate this problem, it is proposed that treescape be introduced on the main street in the core area to partially baffle noise, The problem of mobile homes has been arrested presently by the establishment of a municipally owned and operated mobile home park in the northwest of the village which it is proposed should be complimented by two more mobile home parks of similar size in new residential, plans of subdivision in the southwest and' southeast cornet's of the village. It is the intent of the proposed Secondary Plan for Burssels that all future mobile homes be located in these parks., COMMERCIAL LAND USE The Plan identified a compact centrally located village shopping area that offered a wide range of goods and services, and is conveniently accessible from all residential neighbourhoods. The core is well established and has been the major trading place in the village since its settlement. A prime goal of the plan, therefore, is to retain and strengthen the established commercial core of the village , of Brussels. To strengthen the core a number of actions are recommended beyond that or land designation, and these arc related to the upkeep of the physical fabric of the core area. The importance of original architecture is stressed especially the existing scale, proportions and material, To continue the overall spatial harmony of the core area it is proposed therefore, that building height regulations be adopted in the plan that would not permit any new building to build on the main street in the shopping area, at a lower or higher level than the adjoining original building. In this way it is intended that a visual continuity be established from old to new building. Furthermore new buildings should have a brick facing. The Plan further recommends that a core renewal program be initiated to renovate and restore the facades of many of the commercial blocks and also that a co-ordinated design and :colour scheme be prepared. Enlargement of the commercial core to include the entire block bounded by Mill .Elizabeth, Flora, Turnberry Streets was decided upon to accommodate new stores as the village populationand business increases. The location of Highway commerce was decided to be in the north end of the village of County Highway #12. Highway commerce has tended naturally to locate in this area and so a process of infill and strengthening of this location is recommended. To enlarge frontage of highway commerce in this position it is recommended that a service type road be created. Home based commerce will be permitted in the village but with careful guidelines so as to prevent disturbance to the residential areas: INDUSTRIAL LAND USE Like many small rural communities Brussels has witnessed a near eclipse of its once thriving industrial economy and today only one industry., remains employing a total of ton people. The residents have to travel to larger towns and cities to work in manufacturing industries. Two factors could arrest this decline, one being the installation of full municipal services to accommodate industrial effluent and the second "spillover" of urban activities from the larger cities to the south. The first requires investment by the municipality in its future and the second salesmenship, It was considered imperative, therefore, during the preparation of this plan that the village does not cut off its options to attract industry. The Plan identified a need for ail industrial park in the village and vacant land in the nottheast area of the village was chosen. Criteria that influenced the decision to select this particular area for industry included: Areal The Side for the industritti park was comparatively large and suitable for industrial lots of varying sizes, Access There is immediate access to Highway #12 for heavy trucking and the railway line. Lueation The proposed industrial park is comparatively remote from the remainder of the village and its activities would, therefore, have a minimum effect on the residential areas, The railway line acts as a buffer zone between the park and the village. OPEN SPACE LAND USE The Plan observed that while there was little open space presently ill the village. opportunities were present for a diverse selection of open spaces from neighbourhood park system. It was considered that the provision of and enhancement of public open space would in turn greatly enhance the environ- mental quality of the whole village. Already, the prestigious residential neighbourhoods are gravitating towards the river environs and its attractive natural setting. This natural resource. well developed, can also be shared by other neighbourhoods. This Plan, therefore, proposes that flood plain lands south of the river and north of Mill St„,' extending from the Medical Clinic to the Logan Mill, and flood plain lands north of the river from the Lions' Club Park in the east to the village boundary in the west should be designated Greenbelt and eventually be made into public park land. • Neighbourhood parks should also be established in new residential plans of subdivision as vacant lands . in the northwest, southwest and southeast are opened up for housing.. Treescape lining the streets in the established residential areas is observed in the Plan to be a positive and pleasing part of the natural environment ,and 'should. be extended into new plans of subdivision. INSTITUTIONAL LAND USE The Plan found that institutional uses occur in a random fashion through the, village although two loose groupings • could be observed, with the churches ,and school in the residential areas and Municipal 'and federal buildings centred in and around the commercial area. The location of institutional uses has generally added to the form. of the village and are compatible with the neighbouring land uses. It was considered. however, that the future location of inst hutional uses should be carefully guided so that the village form is strengthened. and that accordingly institutional uses should not be frec to locate in any area. It is recommended that the Council in so designating an institutional land use category should have control over their location to ensure compatibility with Surrounding areas. New locations for institutional land uses would, therefore, -require a plan amendment and a public meeting, HISTORIC FEATURES The analysis of the physical features, observed that there are many historical features remaining in the village that are not only of historical value but that also enhance the aesthetic qualities of the village environment. Some of these buildings are part of the street- scape, and others are visual foehl points. They are not, therefore, only relics of the past but beautiful features of the :village. today. Thirteen buildings, an historic site and the village commercial core are listed for preservation and these buildings include a railway station, seven residences. four churches and a mill. Because of the rapidly diminishing number of fine old . buildings, not necessarily yet in Brussels, it was decided that For all members of the family 11013:8SELS POSt: :MAY g 1974 A good selection of DRESSES in the latest summer styles and colors Sizes 5 18 LADIES' SANDALS 5.9 Men's Sport Jackets, check plain 39.98 — 1 8 440:9988 & Men's Co-ordinate- Snits for summer 49,98 BRUSHED DENIM JEANS and JACKETS Sizes 7 — 16 28 — 38 , WEEKLY SALE BRUSSELS STOCKYARDS LTD., EVERY FRIDAY • PHONE 887-6461 — BRUSSELS, ONT, AT 12 NOON