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Zurich Citizens News, 1977-12-15, Page 16Page 16 Citizens News, December 15, 1977 Township Plan has very few major objections "The purpose of the plan is to plan the township for some years ahead...planning is something that goes on all the time", stated Reeve Tom Consitt in his opening remarks at the public meeting called to discuss the proposed draft of Stanley township's secondary plan. The meeting, held last Tuesday evening at Varna before a weather -diminished gathering of close to 60 residents, failed to come up with any condemnation of the plan as a whole although there were several criticisms of specific areas in the plan. George Penfold of the Huron County Planning Department, the planner in charge of the Stanley plan pointed out certain areas of importance in the draft plan. According to the draft, the primary goal of the plan "is to. ensure the continuance of Stanley Township as a viable agricultural community and es- tablish agriculture as the long- term future of the Township. In order to achieve this, the prin- ciples, of this Plan will have to promote agricultural develop- ment and support those land uses compatible to it and prevent non- agricultural development except in those very limited areas where it is already established as the predominant form." The plan designates that urban growth is to occur in and around the present urban centres, Bayfield, Brucefield, Kippen and an area south of Clinton with the hamlets of Drysdale and Varna ruled out as areas for possible urban expansion. In the section which Penfold termed "the heart of the plan", agriculture was deemed to be the primary use of land while "commercial and industrial uses will be encouraged to locate in proximity to existing urban areas." Establishment of commercial oriented enterprises geared to agriculture will continue to be permitted, the plan stated, but they will be encouraged to develop in groups and off of prime agricultural land. "The initiative of the public is the most important aspect in the preservation of the natural en- vironment" Penfold stated. The planner pointed out that now all areas such as small wood lots have been designated but "only the most significant ones." with the Lake Huron shoreline, the Bayfield River system and the Bannockburn Creek, the large marsh and large remaining tracts of forest singled out. In a move designed to preserve the existing rural housing en- vironment several areas were designated rural residential. As pointed out by Clarence Rau of Stanley council, there are two important ways in which the rural atmosphere is to be preserved. The maximum densi- ty for the area to be on a ratio of 1:2 which requires that there be twice as much open space as there are lots. "Abutting areas of Natural Environment owned by the developer may be used in calculating density provisions." the plan states. Lot size is to be a minimum of 20,000 square feet with frontage set at 100 feet. Extractive Resources will be permitted to expand in the township but only under strict supervision by the municipality. Existing pits will be allowed to expand with an amendment to the future zoning bylaw required. The opening up of new pits will require in addition to the amena- MR 7 KINLEY MOTOR OILS Distributors of Valvoline Quaker State Medallion Mlaain St., Zurich 236-4830 ment to the zoning bylaw, an amendment to the official plan so as to assess the impact on the natural envirotunent or natural features concerned. Control of seasonal residences is one of aims the section of the plan dealing with recreation. A minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet. is specified and with an equal amount of open space available per lot in the area. The plan states a "bylaw will provide adequate means of preventing seasonal residences from being converted to perma- nent residences." One of the points which both Consitt and Penfold emphasized in the land division section of the plan, is that severances will riot be granted if the intent of the severance is non-agricultural in nature. When the meeting was opened up to questions, several points were brought up about the land division section of the plan. Gord Graham of Bayfield thought that size of lots specified in the plan were too large. The growth of Kippen was of primary concern to Bill Coleman as he stated that building should take place in land that is not suitable for agriculture, such as along in the river. In their reply Penfold and Con- sitt said that growth should take place on land that has already been subdivided. "I can't afford to give away my property" was the statement by Lloyd Jenkins of Bayfield when he noted his opposition to the proposed designation of cer- tain parcels of land which he owns. Most of the land along the south side of the Bayfield River has been designated natural en- vironment and it is in this area that Jenkins owns 25 acres of land that has aggregate extrac- tion potential. Jenkins felt that the proposed plan is too restric- tive. In a question of who defines a farm unit as stated in the land division policy, Penfold told Bev Hill that "its up to council to es- tablish a definition." The possibility of a limitation being placed on the copversion of seasonal dwellings to permanent residences was raised by Philip Durand. He stated that it was difficult to judge when conver- sion was taking place. Penfold agreed with this but said that controls must be placed on this type of development as the provision of services to is ex- pensive. "The intention of. the plan is tnat tne.iaaeshore not be regulations that farmers must used for permanent residential meet when constructing a new dwellings," the county planner building. "How many inspectors added. are we going to have to go Referring to a section in land through in 10 years to construct a division control, Elmer Hayter building?" Hill asked. asked "What is a definition of a The township has very little to viable farm operation?" do with the necessity of having a "That one is going to take a lot of thought, we'll have to look at building inspector since they are the proposed gross income and a requirement of the province, a requirement fold replied. many other factors. I'm just not quite sure what that will look like At the end of the meeting in the zoning bylaw," Penfold which lasted four hours, several remarked. members of the audience thank - Hill objected to the hiring of a ed the planning department and municipal building inspector and council for the good job which pointed to the number of they done on the plan. R. K. PECK APPLIANCES "In the heart of downtown Varna" • Vacuum Cleaners - Sales & Service of most makes • CB Radios & Accessories • Speed Queen Appliances • Moffat Appliances • Smoke Sensors • Insect Lights & Fly Killing Units • Handcrafted Gifts Varna, Ontario Phone 482-7101) Getting along Together is important. This is what Ontario isdoingtohelp develop understanding between people. As our society grows more diverse, community tensions may arise from time to time. Our responsibility is to help individuals, groups and communities resolve any difficulties that may occur, and reduce tension so that greater understanding and respect may be reached. • The Ontario Human Rights Code is designed to assure the rights and dignity of all persons without regard to race, creed, colour, nationality, ancestry, place of origin, age (40-65), sex and marital status. In addition to investigating and mediating complaints of discrimination in such areas as employment, housing, public services and facilities, job advertisements and the posting of signs and notices, the Ontario Human Rights Commission works for healthier relations between groups at the community level. Community counselling is one of the major roles of your Ontario Human Rights,Commission. We endeavour to break down communication barriers among groups by working together with agencies, institutions and the community itself. 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