November 28, 2002 Public Meeting
M I N U T E S
OF THE CORPORATION OF THE
MUNICIPALITY OF WEST ELGIN
PUBLIC MEETING
WEST ELGIN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
NOVEMBER 28th, 2002
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Duncan McPhail, Deputy Mayor Graham Warwick
Councillors: Brad Bandeen, Mike Mooser, Trudy Balint
STAFF PRESENT: Norma Bryant Clerk
ALSO PRESENT:
Ted Halwa Planning Consultant
SUBJECT: GENERAL AMENDMENT
Also in attendance: Norma Schnekenburger, Paul Gangle, Rick Stewart, Ernie Fodor,
Rob Martin
Mayor McPhail called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. The Clerk informed those
present that notice of this meeting had been given under Section 17(2) of the Planning
Act by publication in the Chronicle on November 6, 2002 as well as by prepaid first class
mail to all provincial agencies and ministries as prescribed by regulation.
Correspondence was received from Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority with
no objections. Correspondence was received from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and
Housing, which noted that MMAH and OMAF support the proposed amendment and that
OMAF have suggested a minor addition to the end of the policy.
Mr. Halwa reported that the request by OMAF would be better considered in the overall
Official Plan review that is presently ongoing.
The Mayor stated that this amendment enshrines in the Official Plan what has been
practice. For instance, a concern about splits from 100 acres into two 50 acre building
lots and restrictions on agricultural that could result. Therefore, flexibility for agriculture
must remain.
Mr. Gangle questioned why residential development in rural area would be discouraged.
Increased assessment and encouragement to move to our area are positive things and
we shouldn’t put up roadblocks in rural areas. The Mayor noted that there are nutrient
management issues, inflate land values if not used for agricultural purposes,
development should be directed to settlement areas.
The Deputy Mayor noted that the municipality is in favour of planned development,
which attracts different kinds of assessment and is economically serviced. Control
where development occurs so that it doesn’t conflict with other land uses.
Mr. Gangle reiterated that he is concerned about growth and the stability of the
community. Councillor Mooser agreed that rural severances bring people to our
community.
Mr. Halwa reported that there have been 38 splits and that in the last year most
severances have been for retirement or surplus dwellings. This restriction has been in
place during the six months and has been largely accepted by the applicants.
Mr. Stewart noted that residential lots can be disruptive to agriculture and noted if intent
is not to allow residential in agricultural areas severances of surplus dwellings shouldn’t
be allowed.
November 28, 2002...Page 2 of 2
The Mayor noted that 75% of lots created for retirement purposes are still in the same
ownership, the policy is working.
RES. NO. 1 Moved by Bandeen
Seconded Balint
RESOLVED that the Public Meeting under concerning a proposed
Amendment to the Township of Aldborough Official Plan be hereby
adjourned.
DISPOSITION: Carried
th
These minutes were adopted on the 12 day of December, 2002.
________________________________ _____________________________
MAYOR CLERK