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The Citizen, 2003-02-19, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2003. Huron E. reviews the official plan By David Blaney Special to The Citizen Three years down the road Huron East councillors are still dealing with the effects of amalgamation. At the Feb. 11 meeting of council Cindy Fisher and Carol Leeming of the Huron County planning staff were on hand to start reviewing the new official plan for the municipality with councillors. The plan establishes everything from the town's long-term goals for land use to stating where and how development takes place. It determines everything from the minimum lot size for farms to a goal for increased forest cover within the municipality. The complete review was made necessary by the fact that -the five municipalities that amalgamated to form Huron East had official plans that sometimes differed substantially. The draft plan states clearly that ‘the fundamental principle ... for rural areas of the municipality ... is to promote the long-term future of agriculture.' One of the stated goals is to keep class one, two, three soils from being used for non-agricultural uses. Councillors were in general agreement with the idea of protecting the farming nature of the area. Despite the general agreement there was discussion about what some councillors considered the restrictive and negative nature of the language in the section on agricultural goals. Deputy Mayor Bernie MacLellan approved of the wording. “It keeps the section from being used for something it was not intended," he said. Brussels councillor Joe Seili, although suggesting more positive language might have been used, also indicated his approval commenting, “They are not making any more class one two or three land. Every acre you take out you lose.” Councillor Greg Wilson of Brussels agreed that agricultural land should be kept for agricultural purposes, “as long as we can look at each thing that comes up through a plan-amendment process.” Two areas of the draft plan policies for agriculture sparked lively discussions and clearly indicated differences in philosophy among the councillors. The current draft states that with one minor exception all new farm lots would Council ponders rental fee By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor The price to rent Blyth’s auditorium is nothing new, but some people are becoming a little upset. North Huron Councillor Jim Campbell said at the Monday night meeting, that he had received complaints from people who had inquired about renting the facility, but discovered that the Brussels arena is cheaper. He said he has explained that the reason is because Brussels has its own liquor licence thus they make a profit from the bar so can charge less for the rental. “I’ve tried to tell them that moneywise they would be coming up equal or more, but they don’t seem to understand. I’m not sure what the answer is.” Councillor Murray Nesbitt, who chaired the arena board, suggested have a minimum size of 38 hectares. This differs from the current practice in Grey and McKillop. McKillop Councillor Fergus Kelly was emphatic in his support of 50- acre lots. He stated that smaller lots helped make farming economically feasible for young farmers. He argued, “Forcing them to buy large lots tends to support what is happening now with large land based operations leading to rural depopulation.” He went on to ask rhetorically, “What’s wrong with a young couple farming 50 acres and having an off- farm job if the land won't support them?” Fisher suggested that the provincial government had indicated its support of large lot sizes in its policy statement on rural land use. She also quoted a Ontario Municipal Board ruling which denied a request by another municipality for a 50 acre minimum lot size. Fisher did however note that smaller severances than the 38 hectare minimum could be sought through a plan amendment. The other area generating some discussion and some heat concerned the severance of surplus farm residences. Tuckersmith policies had permitted the severance of a residential building if it was not needed for the agricultural operation. Previous councils in Grey and McKillop opposed this practice. Those in opposition clearly worried that the surplus residences would be purchased by non-farm residents who might be unused to, and opposed to, normal farm practice. Seili bluntly asked councillors, “Will council pick up the legal bill for farmers when a doctor or lawyer comes out from the city and objects to manure spreading and says I don’t want to smell that three days a year?” Councillor Bill DeJong from Tuckersmith shot back, “In one case you are worried about rural depopulation and in the other you object to keeping houses.” The argument was a continuation of one heard several times before at council, which pits the need for a residential tax base against the predominantly agricultural nature of the rural wards. At its next meeting council will continue to discuss the draft official plan. Too close for comfort It was a crushing beginning to the week when a mini-van and grader collided at the intersection of Hullett-McKillop Road and London Road at around 9:15 Monday morning. OPP Sr. Const. Don Shropshall said the grader was eastbound on Hullett-McKillop Road, stopped at the intersection then proceeded through, hitting the side of the northbound 1995 Aerostar. The driver of the van, a 37-year-old Toronto man was taken to hospital with back and neck injuries. He was treated and released. The 25-year-old grader driver from Clinton was charged with failing to yield. The Blyth Fire Department responded to provide medical assistance. (Bonnie Gropp photo) that these people should compare the rental fee with a facility that has the same licencing. Councillor Jeff Howson acknowledged that he has heard complaints as well, but they have been directed towards the smaller meeting room. “They have thought the fee was quite a bit of money for that type of (room).” Campbell said that one of the parties he had spoken with did not want to bother with the bar, so the rental did make a difference. Clerk-Administrator John Stewart said that the rental fee, which has not been raised in years, is not a money maker. “It’s council’s decision what they want to do, but if the rate should go less, I hate to say it, but we might as well lock the door.” Nesbitt agreed saying that currently the rate is set so the facility might be at a break-even point. RRSP loans at prime! Deadline for RRSP contributions is close of business Monday, March 3, 2003. Extended Branch Hours - Thursday, February 27 to 7 p.m., Friday, February 28 to 8 p.m. (usual hours), and Monday, March 3 to 8 p.m. Shift your retirement plans into high gear. Call our Investment Specialists today for more information (519)482-3466 Gene Baynham, Josie Cook or Sonya Thompson Community Credit Union Limited Where membership makes the difference * Subject to credit approval.