July 17, 2003 Special Planning Meeting
M I N U T E S
OF THE CORPORATION OF THE
MUNICIPALITY OF WEST ELGIN
SPECIAL PLANNING MEETING
RODNEY RECREATION COMPLEX
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JULY 17, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Graham Warwick
Councillors: Trudy Balint, Michael Mooser
STAFF PRESENT: Norma Bryant Clerk
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:
Ted Halwa Planning Consultant
Erick Boyd Ministry of Municipal Affairs
Paul Hicks Ministry of Municipal Affairs
Bill Armstrong Ministry of Environment
Jennifer Moulton Ministry of Environment
Mike Keane Ministry of Natural Resources
SUBJECT: NEW OFFICIAL PLAN
The Deputy Mayor welcomed those in attendance to this review of the Background
Study for a new Official Plan for the Municipality of West Elgin.
The Planner began by noting that amalgamation has brought us here, we wish to have
one message, one direction for the entire geographical area. He reported that Council
has had one informal public meeting with focus groups to provide input into the
background document and has held a seminar with David Douglas on economic
development issues. There are 3 or 4 main issues to focus on. West Elgin is not
sharing in the growth activity in Southwest Ontario, distance is an issue. We need to
create new opportunities, and hence look to villages, attraction of industry, development
along the lakeshore area as an undeveloped recreation potential. People are looking to
live in the rural areas rather than the villages. Agriculture is important in this area and
this will be recognized.
Erick Boyd noted that the background study was circulated to Ministries of Culture,
Transportation, Environment, Agriculture and Food, Northern Development and Mines,
as well as the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, Health Unity and County of
Elgin. The following is a summary of the comments received:
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines: request their standard mineral policies be
included in the Official Plan.
County of Elgin: no comments received
Ministry of Transportation: preliminary comments received, will be forwarded to
municipality.
Health Unit: No comments or concerns.
Ministry of Culture: need to include policies regarding heritage issues. This area is rich
in archaeological sites and this should be included in OP. Standard policy will be
forwarded to municipality.
Ministry of Transportation (MTO): Policy regarding wayside pits, etc. should be included
in OP.
July 17, 2003…Pg 2 of 3
Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR): There are 7 licensed pits in West Elgin and
should be shown on the maps. Petroleum resources policies should be included in OP,
this includes oil and gas reserves mapping, exploration, establishment of wells with
setbacks and closure of wells. The Rodney pool should be protected in OP. MNR is
satisfied with comments regarding natural heritage features. Almedia proposal should
proceed by amendment where the necessary background studies, ie. wetlands, would
be part of process.
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA): There are 7 provincial
significant wetlands (PSWs) in West Elgin. The Planner noted we have identified these
as locally significant wetlands. The province determines what is a PSW. The LTVCA
have identified environmentally sensitive areas and these should be included in the OP.
Hazard land policies need to be included in OP. No objections to tourism in lakeshore
area, however due to high erosion along bank, trailer parks would be preferable over
permanent structures.
Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF): Reported that under the Nutrient
Management Act, figure 15 should be deleted, MDS criteria must be used to restrict
livestock storage structures. Province is now regulating location of storage structures
and spreading of manure, no need for municipal nutrient management by-laws.
Designation of additional rural residential areas and area along lakeshore does not
conform to provincial policy statement (PPS).
Ministry of Environment (MOE): Communal services would be evaluated prior to
approval for new trailer parks. Landfill sites are not mapped, closed and open and
reference should be made to development limits. MOE will provide location of
abandoned landfill sites. Groundwater studies will be released soon and should be
included in OP. PPS discourages partial servicing, preference is full municipal services,
second communal servicing, third private servicing and last would be partial servicing
and considered only where failed services or physical constraints exist.
Discussion arose regarding communal services vs. municipal servicing. Concern is
communal services are not designed for long term and there are financial implications
for the municipality. MOE prefers municipality operate these systems. MOE would
require a master servicing study to justify servicing, this would include a review of
extension of municipal services as well as other options.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH): It was noted that there is no
justification in the study for future expansion of growth. In reality there is an oversupply
now and it would be difficult to justify more land being developed as residential,
particularly in the lakeshore area. The lakeshore area is considered prime agricultural
area.
The Planner noted that the PPS refers to healthy communities and orderly development.
We are proposing a different way and recognizing the need for community sustainability
while preserving agriculture.
The Planner reported that it is expensive to extend municipal services to the lands
proposed for industrial use north of Rodney and West Lorne. Collection and capacity
are both issues. Mr. Boyd noted that agriculture would be limited in the area proposed
as industrial due to MDS criteria.
Mr. Boyd reported that OMAF is requesting a minimum farm lot size of 100 acres.
Severance policies for retirement lots and surplus dwellings will remain, however the lot
sizes are affected. The Deputy Mayor asked about our policy whereby no further
residential development was allowed when 50 acre splits occur. OMAF would make the
decision on this policy direction.
July 17, 2003…Pg 3 of 3
Councillor Balint requests clarification on residential development along county roads,
referring to the area south of West Lorne to Eagle. Mr. Boyd noted that OMAF would
consider this prime agriculture and PPS would not allow residential expansion. Infilling
would be considered only.
Rounding of the village limits was considered a good idea and allow minor expansion of
residential areas of the villages.
SUBJECT: CONFIRMATION BY-LAW
RES. NO. 1 Moved by Balint
Seconded by Mooser
RESOLVED that the mover be granted leave to introduce a By-Law to
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confirm the proceedings of the meeting of Council held on July 17, 2003
and this shall be the first and second reading and provisional adoption
thereof.
DISPOSITION: Carried
RES. NO. 2 Moved by Mooser
Seconded by Balint
RESOLVED that a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the meeting of
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Council held on July 17, 2003 be now read a third time and finally
passed, signed, sealed and numbered By-law Number 2003-51 –
Confirming By-law July 17 2003.
DISPOSITION: Carried
SUBJECT: ADJOURNMENT
RES. NO. 3 Moved by Mooser
Seconded by Balint
Resolved that this Special Planning Meeting of Council shall adjourn at
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13:30 p.m. to meet again on July 24, 2003.
DISPOSITION: Carried
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These minutes were adopted on the 14 day of August, 2003.
_________________________ _________________________
MAYOR CLERK