07 26 1990 Public Minutes
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THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ORO
SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990 @ 7:15 P.M. - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH MEETING 1988-1991
The following members of Council were present:
Reeve Robert E. Drury
Deputy Reeve David Caldwell
Councillor David Burton
Councillor Allan Johnson
Absent:
Councillor Alastair Crawford
Also Present Were:
Mrs. Thelma Halfacre, Mrs. Anita Beaton,
Mr. Graham Sommers, Mr. Gerald Kenny, Mr.
Jerald Schnurr, Mr. Charles Lowe, Mr. John
Hare, Mrs. Elsie Hare, Mr. Jeff Ball, Mr.
David Kemp, Mrs. Jean Kemp, Ms. Nancy
williams, Mr. Jack Gilhooly, Mr. Allan
Norman, S.R. Harbinson, S.K. West, Mr. Ron
ptasiuk, G.K. Sanderson, Mr. Al Stoer, Mr.
Paul Kelland, Mr. Bob Besse, Mrs. Jacquie
Besse, Mr. H. Cooper, Mr. Ron Sommers, Mr.
S. Holmberg, Mr. John Ferris, Mr. Ron
Cuthbert, B.R. Fleming, Mr. Ron McAfee, W.
Ellis Crooks, Mr. Alvin Smith, Mrs. Diana
Smith, Ms. Ana Hawkins, Mr. Kevin Caldwell
Mrs. Nancy Caldwell, Mr. Stan Boydell, Ms.
Carol Schaefers, Mr. Hubert Schaefers, Mr.
Bob Murphy, Mrs. Eileen Murphy, Mr. Bill
May, Mr. Alan Wayne, W. Reed, Ms. Peggy
Sarjeant, Mr. Jim Drury, Mr. Stephen
Woodrow, Mr. Bob Swerdon, Mrs. Shirley
Woodrow, Mr. Norm Roe, Mrs. Marjorie Roe,
Mr. Steven D. Montgomery, Mr. Alan Worobel
Mrs. Norma Clarke, Mr. Ralph Clarke, Mr.
Ken Hollins, Ms. Catharina Mulder, Mr. Tim
Rideout, Mr. Rid Groves, Mrs. Agnes Groves
Mr. Charles Lemay, Mrs. Penny Lemay, Ms.
Marguerite Handy, Mrs. Joan Fletcher, Mr.
Keith Lees, Mrs. Orma Lees, Ellen Fox, J.
McGuire, Mr. Jim Noble, Mr. Patrick
Capobianco, J.N.D. Holden, Mr. George
valiquette, Mrs. Margaret Valiquette,
? Somers, Mr. W. Rayfield, Mr. Gordon
Woodrow, Mr. Lorne Handy, Mr. Lloyd
Fletcher, Mr. Ted Bromley, Mrs. Shirley
Bromley, Ms. Jean Cornett, Mr. Earl
Hirschfeld, Mr. Barry Brigley, Mrs. Ann
Brigley, L. Waite, Ms. Sue Cardish, A.
Richard, Mr. Robert MacSporran, Mr. Frank
Hirschfeld, Ms. Sylvia Cummings, Mr. Frank
Kasle, Mr. John sutton, Ms. Ruth Isen, Mr.
Marvin Geist, Mr. Alex Toffan, Mrs. Helen
Toffan, Mrs. Ilene Caldwell, Mr. Howard
Caldwell, Mrs. Mary Fellows, Mr. Bill
Fellows, Mrs. Phyllis Nelson, Mr. Calvin
Nelson, Mr. Charles Drury, Mr. Craig
Mr. Jim Reisch, Ms. Sharon Levesque, Ms.
Hope Anderson, Ms. Mary Anderson, G.
Stibbard, U. Stibbard, Mrs. Tuula Dover,
Mr. Gary Dover, Mr. Stephen Sperling, Mrs.
Marsha Sperling, E. Worobec, Mr. Elvin
Williams, Mrs. Jean Williams, Mr. Verne
Leonard, Mr. David Hibbard, Mrs. Laurel
Hibbard, Mr. Tim Crawford,
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Mrs. Ilene Crawford, Mrs. Vivian Bell, Mr.
Gary Bell, Ms. Anne Guiot, Ms. H. Luked,
Ms. Florence Elder, Mr. Gordon Elder, Mr.
Albert Evans, Dr. Dale Hodges, L. Hewitt,
S. Dyment, Mr. Ted Beaton, Mrs. Joanne
Neal, Mr. John Neal, Mr. Garth Daniels,
John Borysiak, Mr. Dick Crawford, Mr.
Murray Ross, Mr. Terry Mesevor, Mr. John
Dunsmore, Mr. Mel Mawdsley, Mr. Howard
Campbell, Mr. Debbie Tanner, Mr. David
Scandrett, P. Carlyle, Ms. Nancy Prosone,
Ms. Shirley McInnis, Mr. Terry McInnis, Mr.
Sheldon Dyment, Ms. Elizabeth Galbraith,
Ms. Elizabeth Polland and Two Members of
the Press.
Reeve Robert E. Drury chaired the meeting.
Reeve Robert E. Drury stated that the meeting was scheduled to run
from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m and was ten minutes late in getting
started so the meeting would now run from 7:l0 p.m. until 9:l0 p.m.
Reeve Robert E. Drury introduced the Council Members present, Staff
Members present and Staff Members present from Ainley and
Associates.
Reeve Robert E. Drury explained there would be a time allotment of
three minutes per person and it would be appreciated if everyone
would keep their comments clear and concise.
The Reeve also stated that everyone would be given three to four
weeks after tonight's meeting to bring any concerns forward to
Council so it may be considered before Council prepares the said
document.
The Reeve then informed everyone that there would be a second
Meeting sometime in October or November and once the document is
prepared it will be brought before the public for a final review.
The Reeve then turned the meeting over to Ron Watkin, Township's
Planning Consultant to explain the purpose and effect of the
proposed Official Plan update.
Ron Watkin:
What I propose to do is give you a basic
brief overview of the planning program of
the municipality, what has occurred since
the inception of the Official Plan in the
Township and a very very brief indication
to you the types of designations that
within the Township's Official Plan.
My discussion I hope will show you that
this Township has proceeded since the
inception of the Official Plan to upgrade
the Plan with existing or new conditions
they have arose and I will start with the
overview.
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I will describe the Township in a series
bands. (Referred to maps on the wall)
Starting at Lake Simcoe, Kempenfelt Bay,
have a band that is Shoreline Residential
Development. Most of these plans are old
existing plans and are based on the
utilization and the benefits of the
Kempenfelt Lake Simcoe Shoreline. They
permit permanent and seasonal residential
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Ron Watkin:
In addition, we find the various Hamlets
and Village communities located along the
major east/west arteries. In other words
along the Ridge Road you find Shanty Bay,
Oro station and Hawkestone. As we progress
along Highway No. II there is Guthrie and
we go up running into Dalston and Edgar and
up to County Road 22 and come to Craighurst
etc.
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The Official Plan can be described as a
policy document of Council intended to
provide a framework for the future
development of the Township. The Official
Plan is not a static document and is
intended to be amended from time to time.
There is a new Foodland Provincial Policy
that has not taken effect yet but it is in
the works. We have the Aggregate Act and
the Aggregate Policy and the new Aggregate
policy was approved in September of last
year. We have two types of environmental
policies which are still in their various
stages. There is the Flood Plain policy
which deals specifically with Flood Plains
and we also have a wetland policy in which
the ministries are attempting to put into
place a series of categories for
categorizing wetlands similar to what they
do with the agricultural where you get
classes one to seven and I believe the
classes are under review from one to five
at the present time.
The other one that doesn't effect rural
municipalities as much as it does urban
municipalities is the provincial policy on
affordable housing but we will not discuss
that tonight.
These are the types of things that I am
referring to when I say "New Provincial
Policies" and we have to update the
document. The Act did give the Minister
the power that if you do not update the
document he will do it for you.
The Official Plan was approved originally
in 1973. That document was the foundation
for everything that has developed in the
Township since that time and the document
has gone through, in its years to date,
approximately forty-five amendments.
These amendments varying in types of small
individual amendments that deal with one
specific individual issue or major detailed
reviews of the policies of this Official
Plan.
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Ron Watkin:
The Agricultural Area we have left is
clear. (pointed to the map)
The Rural category, as I indicated, is
mainly to the north and is outlined in
brown on the map.
Environmental Protection is indicated to I
you in green. !
The Shoreline Residential Area is in yell w
along the shoreline. We do have a
Conversion Policy which means that if youl
are in a Shoreline Residential Area and
zoned Shoreline you could be changed to a
General Residential which is basically a
Permanent Residential Development. The
sole purpose of this is to upgrade the
septic system.
Calvin Nelson:
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(Pointed to Country Residential and Villa'e
Country Residential on the map) I
We do not have institutional in as far asl
colour but it relates to the schools.
(Pointed to Environmental and Woodlot and!
Natural Area on the map) :
Scenic Resource Area are areas located III
along the Ridge Road itself. I
(Pointed to Special Policy Area on the ma~)
That is all I am proposing to say at the!
moment and I think we will start by openirl
it up to individuals wishing to give us a~
indication of concerns they have. I willi
answer any questions that I can but I am
not here to get into a dialogue between J
what should or should not happen; what I
am here for tonight is to find out from
you, as a group, specifically what concer
you have and then we will assess those:
concerns. What we are proposing is to let,
you take over the microphone and give you~
concerns or comments and we hope that we I
will receive your comments as well, in I
writing. As the Reeve has mentioned, we i
will give you until September lst to get ,
anything in, in writing.
I live off the 7th Line and my concern is
the area that you called the white area,
believe this is the Agricultural Area, is
that right?
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Yes.
Ron Watkin:
Calvin Nelson:
What colour would the Airport be in the.
Agricultural Area, since you are taking i~
out of the Agricultural Zone and making i~
an Airport?
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Ron Watkin:
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When you are dealing with Provincial POlic11
with respect to Agricultural land there ar
certain uses that the Ministry of
Agriculture and Food allow you to locate i
certain areas. One of those issues is an I
Airport and they do allow that. The other,
issue that we have is the fact that it is
Federal jurisdiction and that takes out a
lot of the control of the Provincial side I
of it. Just because it says it is I
Agricultural does not mean that there is i
not any more uses or any more things that I
cannot take place. i
I live on the Ridge Road on the south side!
and I would like to know if there is any,
changes in the designation of Natural Area I.
in this new plan and if there is any
development allowed in Natural Areas. I
At the present time, the Natural Area is I
still in tact and there have been no I
changes made to it. It is under review and
I can say there will be a Public Meeting in
September on it and at that time you will ¡
be able to see if there is any basic ¡
changes.
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Catherine Mulden:
Ron Watkin:
steven Woodrow:
My question is in two parts and the first
part is, is the Official Plan not a guide
for Council and for developers as to how,
the Council wants to see the Township i
develop; is that not what it is for is to I
guide? I
One of its functions is a guide, yes.
Ron Watkin:
steven Woodrow:
Why do we have this guide then and go to
the expense of developing this guide if
random changes can be made at any time?
Ron Watkin:
That is an interesting question to respond
to. Everyone here, as an individual in
this municipality has a right to propose an
amendment to this municipality to change a
document. As indicated, the Official Plan
is not a static document. There are a
number of people in this room today that
have gone through a request for changes.
Steve, yourself as one have been on the
Planning Board, you know what happens to
that document and know in fact that it is
not a document that is simply going to stay
in one place.
teve Woodrow:
That is why I am worried Ron, if we don't
follow the guidelines.........
The Township is following the guidelines of
the Official Plan and the Provincial
approach to Planning in this Province. The
document is a guideline, but it does not
say that it is required to stay static.
on Watkin:
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steve Woodrow:
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Why go to the expense Ron, why not just I
have people come in with amendments all the!
time, just come in with their proposals and'
see if Council accepts it or not?
Ron watkin:
In fact, that is what happens, people come I
in with proposals and make an application I
to Council. Council does not have to I
approve it, Council assesses it and if it I
is in the best interest of the Township, in
their view, then they may act and proceed!
with it. I
This meeting is specifically for the uPdate!
of the Official Plan. We want to know if ¡
there are things in the Official Plan that I
we should be upgrading, changing, or if I
there are issues that need to be addressed.
We can sit down and have a philosophical!
argument at another time. I would like to
know what the problems are in terms of the
document.
steven Woodrow:
Just one more comment. We asked Council as
a group and this is what we advertised the
meeting for, to have four or six people
speak and to present our concerns.
Ron Watkin:
Just a minute, this meeting is being
this Council. I am here as a result
recommending to Council that they go
this Public Meeting, I didn't get a
recommendation from you or your group to
have this Public Meeting.
run by
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'I' steven Woodrow:
Ron Watkin:
IIReeve Drury:
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Jim Reisch:
I am not saying you Ron, I am asking
Council.
This is a Council Meeting.
I am going to call an end to this, we are
not here to debate, we are here to bring
positive comments forward so that we can
discuss them at a later date, so I will ask
the speaker to sit down and make room for
someone else to speak.
I am from Shanty Bay area on Baycrest
Drive. One of the things on the last page
of this is called Public Participation and
I think it is shown by the output of people
tonight that when there is an issue or when
they are asked to supply some information,
I think they are ready and willing and able
to do so. I wonder if the Official Plan
couldn't be better supplied if perhaps we
spent a little more time in going to the
Hamlets and going to the people and going
to, whether they be small committees
representing little areas under an umbrella
group to get their input and maybe make a
peoples report that goes to Council. If we
spend a little more time in hearing what
the people really want and what they feel
like on their own land. One of the things
that really hits me is the High Density
Residential Area and I can't think of
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Reisch:
another thing that causes more problems
with the people of Oro.
Reisch:
In response, let me say that the Public
Participation Policy in the document is
there to show people who pick up the
document to read, the way the process does
work. I do not have any great disagreement
with what you are saying with getting the
people involved and the municipality does
that to the extent that is possible. When
they do have a meeting on a specific
development proposal, that public meeting
has no commitment to it by the municipality
whatsoever. They are well published in
terms of the Act, they do more here than
other municipalities do by at least
circulating within 400 feet and in both
newspapers. The problem is, by advertising
the public notice 20-30 days in advance,
people remember at the time and by the time
the meeting comes around they schedule
something else. Council has not been
approving anything immediately. council
would be more than pleased to receive any
of your comments relative to a development.
That's my point, I am not sure just a town
meeting, on a subject, is really enough of
an input to council to be able to make the
decision that really gears and measures the
peoples response. I think maybe a little
bit of extra time and a little bit of extra
effort in getting the peoples feelings and
asking for them, in the Hamlets, etc. might
be a better response.
Watkin:
IIROO ..tH.,
Iisteve sperling:
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We certainly are going to take that in to
consideration and that is a good point to
make and we will see what we can do about
that.
364 Shanty Bay Road. I am a little
concerned as to whether this group sitting
in this room is sitting in a sheltered body
while the County is sitting restructuring
our future. We can sit and discuss and
talk about Hamlets and Villages and
Townships, but where do we fit in with this
Official Plan in the restructuring of the
County. If this Official Plan does not fit
in with what the Province is looking for
then possibly we are wasting our time.
Ron watkin:
I can answer that in a couple of ways.
Firstly, the Official Plan is a document
that has gone through the political process
and through the Provincial process and has
been approved, so regardless of what
happens in the restructuring, the Official
Plan stays. We are not in a position, in
my view, where we are throwing the whole
plan out and bringing a whole new plan in
because many of the policies that are in
that plan are very substantial and solid.
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IIReeve Drury:
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There is a lot of changing in certain
and if restructuring happens, then we may
not get approval. I would say if you go
with a major document and it conflicts
the Provincial viewpoint of what is
to happen in this County then that
will be held up at a Provincial level
they make that decision. If there are
areas we can work with and still follow
Provincial policy then that is perhaps an
appropriate way to go. If for example
certain areas disappeared from Oro or
certain areas are added, those documents
that are in effect right now, apply until
the host municipality addresses them and
corrects them.
The other side is that the municipality and
Council have been working very hard to make
sure their points are made to the County
Committee as to what should or shouldn't
happen. I believe tomorrow at 2:00 o'clock
the County is suppose to release something
on this.
It is my understanding there are four or
five people here from the Association of
Ratepayers in Oro Township who would like
to speak. It is now 8 o'clock and I am
going to ask the people to all come forward
and we will allow you until 8:30 to bring
your points forward.
I am the President of the Coalition of Oro
Township Ratepayers that consists of eleven
groups within the Township. We asked each
of the groups to give us their main
concerns of what they thought was wrong
with the Township, or what way they thought
the Township should go.
It has been too many years since a
comprehensive review of our plan has been
carried out.
There has been at least one significant
provincial Policy statement on affordable
housing that may have to be integrated with
the Plan.
There is significant activity taking place
at the County level at this very moment
including controversial movements towards
Regional Restructuring.
In the past few years there has been
dramatic economic development in ontario
and the specific kind of development points
in Oro's direction, may well be in direct
conflict with the underlying principles of
our Official Plan, as these principles are
perceived by the majority of the people of
Oro.
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John Hare:
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There are new development proposals being i
considered by Council at this very moment, 1
including the very controversial "Buffalo
Springs" development, which if approved,
would have catastrophic impacts on existin
land uses and the tax structures within th
Township.
But these are not necessarily the main,
reasons why we are here tonight. The 'I
Coalition of Oro Ratepayers Association is
here tonight to request that a thorough,
Coalition approved review of the Official I
Plan of Oro Township take place immediatel'
because there is overwhelming evidence to I
indicate that either the existing Official
Plan document is not working and/or that
this Plan, formulated for the benefit of 'I'
the people of Oro is being improperly
administered.
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Please be advised that the Coalition notes!
and will be prepared to provide to the i
Ministry of Municipal Affairs or the 'I
Ombudsman, the following, and further
evidence in support of its contention that I
the Planning process in Oro Township is !
failing the people that it is designed for l'
Explosion in the number of ratepayers
associations formed in the Township in the!
past few years to lobby against the presen~
municipal administration; I
Demonstrated, documented evidence of 1
widespread, growing conflicts between the!
residents of Oro and their Council and ~
conflict between residents and non-rural
oriented developers and other proponents 0
dramatic change with the Township; I
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Reported occurrences of expensive legal,
suits being brought against the Township o~
Oro for fraudulent land use administration;1
Increases in the number of requests for OM~
intervention into Council approved land use!
decisions; 'I
Explosion in the number of challenges to I
Official Plan and Zoning By-Law Amendments.,
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Major Weaknesses of Existing Official Plan I
and Plan Administration:
Goals and assumptions of the Plan are I
either not clearly stated i.e. ambiguous or
are too numerous and in enough conflict 1
with each other to create the documented'
conflict between the public, the private
sector and Council;
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John Hare:
Some goal statements aim at mediocrity and
should be elevated to ensure that Council
has appropriate direction i.e. reduce
uncertainty about land use in the Township
should read eliminate uncertainty; so that
existing state of conflict will not be
repeated.
Basic strategies and policies of the Plan
clearly reflect the lack of concise,
unambiguous goal and assumption statements;
Series of recent planning amendments have
severely eroded and actually undermined the
original intent of many of the Plan's
policies and underlying principles.
Plan does not include enough enforceable
mechanisms to protect and compensate
existing residents from recognized negative
impacts associated with conflicting land
uses;
Environmental protection goals, policies
and strategies are sadly out of date;
Plan does not make provisions to protect
quality of life style;
omission of fundamental criteria and
specific definitions to effectively support
intent of plan i.e. limited controlled
growth vs. explicit statement of allowable
percentage of population increase;
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Plan contains many examples of poorly
contrived, short sighted, overly specific
goals and/or principles which often leads
to conflict and undermining of fundamental
principles of Plan e.g. in Southern ontario
and elsewhere the principle of focusing on
preserving only good quality farmland is
very often interpreted to mean that non-
prime farmland is available for the
development of conflicting urbanized
activities; pockets and small areas of
good farmland susceptible to the pressures
of land speculation, or these areas are
artificially preserved to the detriment of
the farmers who own the land and who do not
have the necessary infrastructure to farm
the land for a profit.
And to further assist Council, we will
submit a document that details specific
strategies designed to help meet the above
stated goals e.g. to help meet the sub-goal
of limited urbanization, we propose that
overall population growth in the Township
be limited to 3% a year which clearly
reflects the concerns of the citizens of
this Township.
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Reisch:
I would like to talk about the high density
residential development, and I think I
speak for about 99% of the other residents
of this fine Township. It is the single
biggest issue that causes concern, action,
and in some cases downright hardship.
The concept of the quality of life has been
bandied about for several years, almost to
the point where it becomes nondescript.
But I can assure everybody here that in the
hearts and minds of every resident of this
Township, that this phrase still burns in
his thinking.
High density residential developments are
not what our citizens want and definitely
do not need them. We constantly hear from
developers and indeed sometimes from within
our own administration that these things
are needed to add a tax base. Do we really
believe this? Is it really true that high
density lowers or even keeps steady the tax
burden for existing residents? We don't
think so and neither do the vast majority
of the residents who sent in their
questionnaires.
Schools, fire services, garbage, road
maintenance; whow that's a big one right
there, road maintenance; and schools, we
have had some long talks with our school
board representatives and while they have
some very high praise for our Council and
for the Administration of this Township,
that they always get the information they
need and we think this is great. But
unfortunately is seems that the school
board can't or won't keep up with the
growth that we already have. Not one of
our schools is without a bunch of portables
sitting out there. Talking to the
representative we have in Shanty Bay, she
assures it could get worse before it gets
better.
We are worried about that perhaps this type
of thing should not get involved into the
actual making of a decision that if the
other people, the other boards or other
areas which Council has to venture to, such
as school boards, if they can't or won't
react, we think that is something that we
should consider in making a decision.
It is a great privilege to live in Oro. We
can go out and stretch our arms and not
touch our neighbour's house. We can water
our lawns and not worry that the water goes
on our neighbours sidewalk where he can't
walk. Sewers don't back up. We probably
have the lowest crime rate of any Township
around. What will high density do to all
this?
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Jim Reisch:
council should be commended for its recent
step in setting lot size restrictions.
It's a good first step, in fact, it is a
great first step. But we think maybe it
is only a first step because of things
are going to happen maybe later on in our
Township.
Prior to making a decision regarding a
developer's plan, you go to very heavy
measures to secure a surveyor's plan, a
hydrologist's plan, a traffic plan, a
provincial plan, a runoff plan, a height
plan, and on and on. I would like to
propose tonight that with each decision,
also incorporate, for the lack of a better
name, a people's plan. This might sound
you like some kind of leftist, socialist
plot; I assure you that it is not. It is
the exact opposite. It brings democracy
the decision. Had there been something of
this instance already installed, perhaps we
might not have had some of the adverse
publicity we have had in the past.
There is an Advisory Committee I
understand, it just doesn't seem to be
working very well. Whether it is because
of Town Hall bureaucratic procedures or
indifference to its functions, or the
committee itself, I don't know. But if
this committee or one like it could report
directly to Council and carry the same
clout as the above mentioned, plans that I
talked about before and bring the people's
feelings and input, especially regarding
the issue of high density housing, we feel
that council could better govern
accordingly.
Please understand that this in no way, and
I mean this sincerely, no way is it
intended to undermine council's elected
right and indeed mandate to govern this
great Township. It is intended only to
complement information already being
considered by Council.
Whether you love or hate the United states,
their constitution starts with a preamble,
"We the People..." for 150 million strong,
we the people, and we don't suggest for a
moment that we adopt a style of their type
of government, but we do state that we the
People of Oro are a great bunch of people.
We have inherited this living style from
way back and we the people would like to
make sure that we can pass it on to future
generations. High density housing with all
its problems of high cost and unsettledness
will never allow us to do that.
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Anita Beaton:
The Guidelines in the Official Plan
with aggregate date from 1983.
Supplementary By-Laws do not exercise the
full potential for regulation that is
available to the municipality. The
aggregate situation in Oro Township has
changed considerably since 1983.
In 1983, 374,000 metric tonnes were
extracted and trucked. In 1989, 1,300,000
metric tonnes were extracted and trucked.
In 1992, 3,000,000 metric tonnes, extracted
and trucked is a conservative estimate
should pending developments be approved.
The need for review of the guidelines for
regulating the aggregate industry in Oro
Township is clear and urgent.
Residents and Council need to work together
if we are to achieve any measure of success
in minimizing the negative effects of
aggregate mining on our environment, our
road safety, our land value and our quality
of life, present and future.
As residents, we are doing our best to be
informed and active in the search for a
reasonable balance between aggregate mining
and all the other activities that do, and
should, take place in Oro Township. As an
indication that all of us in Oro Township
are working together towards the same end,
we would like to see the following
considered by Council and responded to with
a position statement.
First, we would like to see a statement of
policy in the Official Plan that the
Township will always exercise all powers
available to it to protect the Township and
its residents from the negative effects of
aggregate mining, including a policy
regarding the future use of aggregate
sites.
2. That the Official Plan state clearly
the areas under consideration for aggregate
activity, and the policies and procedure
for dealing with the future developments of
the aggregate resources in Oro Township.
Representation of concerns to the Minister
of Natural Resources should be considered a
responsibility of Council. The possibility
of limitation of gravel pit operation
should be approved as an ongoing topic of
discussion with the Minister of Natural
Resources. Council should have a policy
for the support of objections to aggregate
developments up to and including an O.M.B.
hearing once the need has been demonstrated
to the Planning Advisory Committee.
- l7 -
Beaton:
3. That sections dealing with aggregate
operations in the Official Plan be
automatically drawn to the attention of
persons applying for a building permit
within a reasonable proximity to areas
considered for aggregate activity.
4. That rezoning to industrial
classification will not be done until
conditions set by the Township have been
met and concluded in a signed agreement
that is public knowledge.
5. The section in the Official Plan
concerning aggregate operations will be
reviewed and approved only after council
has explored to the full, any powers and
authority the municipality has to regulate
pit operation, i.e. hours of operation;
landscaping and housekeeping of the
periphery and the site; noise production
levels relative to the type of operation
and the quality of equipment used; truck
traffic flow; parking, turning, and
holding areas for trucks at the site; haul
routes and speed limits; regulation and
control of truck traffic in relation to the
type of road and the state of repair. In
drawing up the section on aggregate, input
will be sought from residents as well as
employing legal counsel to make sure all
control legally possible is being exercised
and in a way that is understood and
acceptable to the residents of Oro.
6. As a source of assistance in the
drawing up of the aggregate section, the
Ministry of Transportation and the County
of Simcoe will be asked to carry out a
traffic study, not only because of the
increasing numbers of gravel trucks, but
the number of other vehicles and school
buses sharing the roads are on the increase
also. The traffic study should be
accompanied by or followed by a task force
composed of representatives from council,
o.P.P., County, Residents, M.O.T. Aggregate
Operators, to find ways and means of
regulating gravel truck traffic to be
included in the Official Plan or a By-Law.
7. That any monies received as a result of
aggregate operations will be identified and
before being relegated to general funds
will be designated to deal with the
expenses to the Township that inevitably
result from aggregate operations being
located here.
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Beaton:
8. That Council make known to the Minister
of Natural Resources, if they have not
already done so, that they endorse the
suggestions made by Vice-Chairman McRobb of
the O.M.B. in the recent decision resulting I'
from a hearing into the matter of Seeley
and Arnill's application for licence to I
expand. (A copy of that decision in the i
O.M.B. hearing is appended for your 'I
convenience) .
There are a number of general points I II.'
would like to have made also, but I will
conclude now in order to let someone else
ç_k. ,
I am from Big Cedar Estates and my concern I
is Traffic Volume and Patterns. i
Lucer
In the matter of traffic, we request you tol
consider the following points:
1. We have been only able to obtain one
traffic survey. This suggests there are
approximately 3,000 vehicles a day
currently using Horseshoe Valley Road
(county Road 22). We implore you to
request a comprehensive traffic count for
our Township. We feel this would be the
first step towards a goal of proper and
safe routes of traffic for our citizens.
1
2. In the previous elections, many of you I'
have campaigned on the "Road Issue". We .
respectfully request that you honour these'
promises. with the amount of growth you I.
are now proposing, we must ensure adequate
roads for our citizens. '
3. Horseshoe Valley Road presently is
extensively travelled year round, due to ,
summer vacationers and area winter .1'
activities. The Old Barrie Road is seeing
more traffic as vacationers discover it and
are using the road as an alternate route. i
Highway No. II is extensively travelled 'I'
year round. The proposed industrial growth
along that corridor will add more strain tol
the overcrowded condition. '
The Ridge Road is becoming a major
alternative for the commuters from Barrie,
and Orillia. The Ridge is now designated I
as a "Bicycle Path". While this was a verY11
noble gesture, given the contours of the
road and increased traffic, a tragedy seem~
to be unavoidable. One suggestion may be '
to request the County to erect "caution
Cyclists" or "Watch for cyclists" signs.
4. We suggest that a comprehensive traffig
study be integrated with the Official Plan.i
We must know the numbers before we plan fo~
our future. '
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Woodrow:
First of all before I speak Mr. Reeve, I
would like to apologize to you and Members
of council for presuming wrongly, that we
were going to be brushed aside tonight and
I only wished it had been stated at the
start of the meeting how it was going to
operate so those comments would not have
been made and I also apologize to everyone
in the audience for making those comments.
Drury:
There was a letter sent out to your
association indicating the allowed time.
Woodrow:
This by the way is not my speech, the lady
who drafted it up could not be here tonight
so I am forwarding her comments and these
comments are on Groundwater contamination.
In the 1988 Assessment for Oro Township,
4,679 residences were identified with a
population of 7,789 persons. Oro's
population in 1985 was 7,326, so in those
three years we experienced a growth rate
approximately 2.1% per year. A recent
report to Oro council indicated 2,500 lots
are under review by the Township, which if
realized will result in a 54% increase in
the number of residences in our Township.
Major recent and pending contributors to
this increase are:
l. Horseshoe Valley with l,OOO approved
and under construction.
2. Sugarbush with 350 approved and under
construction.
3. Buffalo Springs with 348 approved in
principle.
A total of 1,698 new residences in Oro
Township.
The first two developments, Horseshoe
Valley and Sugarbush were originally
intended to be used for "Seasonal"
occupancy, and were designed accordingly.
The currently approved expansions, and the
proposed Buffalo Springs, will use
individual septic systems for sewage
disposal, as did the original units built
in these developments, but will be
with septic systems designed for year
occupancy.
According to the data supplied by
c~nsulting Enginee:s for Buffalo Springs,
n~trate concentrat~ons emanating from the
development will be up to 9.6 mg/L as they
enter surrounding wetland areas. Lawn
fertilizer applications and septic failures
will doubtlessly raise nitrate emission
levels well over the generally accepted
maximum allowable concentration of lOmg/L.
- 20 -
steve Woodrow:
While we have official documentation for
the Buffalo Springs Development, we have no
similar data for other developments in the
Township. As the Township's policy is to
require individual septic systems, it is
reasonable to assume nitrate concentrations
will be close to the levels indicated for
Buffalo Springs.
We already have a number of wells in the
Shanty Bay area of Oro Township which show
the presence of coliform bacteria which
originated in septic systems. We do not
want other parts of Oro Township to suffer
this same disaster a few years hence.
Nitrates from septic tanks, animal waste,
fertilizers, landfills, decomposing
vegetation and geologic deposits may be
single most common cause of groundwater
contamination. Nitrates in drinking water
supplies have been linked to nervous
impairments, cancer, birth defects,
blue baby syndrome.
Biological contaminants in groundwater
include bacteria, viruses, algae, and other
microscopic creatures. While groundwater
usually has fewer micro organisms than
surface water, substantial numbers of them
do occur, due primarily to the natural
decomposition of plants, animals and animal
wastes. Once in the aquifer, some
contaminants may flourish due to the lack
of light and air and the presence of
moisture.
Dangerously high levels of bacteria and
viruses in well water can be caused by
leaching septic tanks. This leaching of
fecal material near well water can result
in outbreaks of various serious infectious
illnesses. All statistics show biological
contamination affecting human health.
We believe it would be wise to stop further
dense residential development based on
septic tank systems in the Township of Oro
until a proper assessment of their total
environmental impact can be made.
Bob Swerdon:
Mr. Reeve and Members of Council.
My impression of the purpose and intent of
the Official Plan is that it is the means
of planning the needs, services and
progress of the community over a period of
five years.
Therefore, it is a public document which
communicates the proposed directions of
this Council and the next Council. As a
document of communication, we must have
openness of Council to ensure that the
views of todays Oro Taxpayers accurately
represent the vision that they have of Oro
Township five years from now.
- 2l -
ob Swerdon:
For the people of Oro to have faith in this
document, you must demonstrate that this
proposed amendment will be conceived with
openness and sensitivity to their concerns.
You must also ensure consistency to its
application over the next five years. The
people have a right to know that there will
be no surprises affecting the use and
enjoyment of their properties because of
what happens unexpectantly next door. If
this document is to have any meaning, we
must stop planning by amendments on a
weekly basis and depend upon the five year
guidance of this document. spot rezoning
must be the exception not the normal.
When people use to ask "What's new?", they
would talk about the kids or their
vacation. Now they talk about the airport
next door or the boat launch next door or
the 500 home subdivision next door. None
of which are in the guidelines of the
Official Plan.
Because this Township has been planned by
convenience, rather than the use of the
Official Plan, you have seen more
ratepayers associations formed,
organization of these ratepayers
associations into the Umbrella Groups. But
the most embarrassing thing is to have our
neighbouring municipalities voice their
concerns over the unexpected alterations to
the Official Plan. Vespra voiced its
concerns over the Simoro Golf Course
subdivision. Medonte communicated their
concerns over the Buffalo Springs issue.
These reactions occur because people and
municipalities don't know what is happening
in Oro and are afraid of what is going to
happen next.
What will be in this document that
ensure trust that it will be used?
will be in this document that when
exceptional need for amendment is
considered that those interested will be
aware because they were able to see the
agenda of a council Meeting in advance of
the meeting?
A Public Meeting under the planning Act is
one of the last requirements for an
amendment. With the exception of tonight,
why is it usually the first opportunity to
communicate with the public.
will
What
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Chuck Lowe:
I live on the first line of Oro and I
like to talk about the environment.
l~hUCk
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- 22 -
Lowe:
The long term effects of failing to
preserve our agricultural lands, forests
and wetlands could be devastating for the
future inheritants of this Township. The
preservation of these precious features,
unique to Oro, must be considered when we
are planning development. There are many
aspects of maintaining these; the well
being of the people in the community, as
well as drawing upon the outside through
tourism, etc.
If the land had been left and not put into
forest, it would have been as pleasant to
come to ski, or golf in an area of sand
doons, as it is to be in beautiful spruce
and pine forests. Is it not pleasant to
drive into a rural area and see farming in
progress? What of the waters and shoreline
of Lake Simcoe do we wish to see our water
resources polluted, or a worse scenario,
dried-up.
It is stated in the guidelines for Wetland
Management Policy Statement, General
Guidelines, that all municipalities should
ensure that the Official Plan, By-Laws and
Planning Programs undertaken by their
respected Council, or by delegated
authority have regard to these planning
guidelines. Zoning By-Laws state, lands
identified in an Official Plan for
protection as wetlands should be placed in
a zoning category that only permits uses
that are compatible with wetland
management, such as forestry, aquaculture,
fisheries management, wild rice, waterfowl
production and open space.
The latest Ministry of Natural Resources
Fact Sheet states that Wetlands are
extremely important natural areas because
they provide critical habitat for rare and
endangered wildlife species, and a diverse
variety of reptiles, amphibians and plants;
maintain and improve water quality; help
to control flooding and erosion; act as
spawning grounds for fish, many of which
are commercially important; and,
contribute substantial social and economic
benefits, including many outdoor
recreation, and tourism related activities.
Throughout Southern ontario, wetlands over
five acres in size have been evaluated and
ranked on a scale of one to seven. Class
one, two and three wetlands are considered
provincially or regionally significant.
Many wetlands have disappeared over the
years through urban encroachment, land
clearance, drainage and filling. In fact,
surveys indicate that 75% of Southern
Ontario's wetlands have been destroyed. It
is therefore critical that we protect the
few that remain.
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I~on 'atkin,
Irry DOVer<
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- 23 -
with the wealth of wetlands Oro possesses,
namely Bass Lake, Hawkestone swamp,
Shelswell Creek, Bluffs Creek, Coulson
Swamp, and Dalston Swamp, we feel that you
our Council should see that registration is
in place to protect these for our future
generations.
The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation
Authority has presented an open house and
wishes to be recognized by Oro Township and
the respective fill lines be registered.
with the inheritance of reforestation,
thanks to our Reeve's grandfather, and his
foresight, can we not continue this and
have it a viable managed forest industry.
It seems to be possible to do so in Europe
and the united States. We would strongly
suggest that our Council undertake
preserving the unique features of the
forest we have in our Township. It would
also behoove us to protect and maintain
these in their natural state, with all the
gravel pit activity at present, and
proposed for the future.
To conclude, we feel it is most imperative
that you our Council should include the
protection of these valuable resources,
forests, wetlands and agricultural lands,
in the Official Plan.
An environmental Advisory Committee should
be set-up with Council. As stated in the
May 1, 1990 Memorandum to Regional
Directors and District Managers of Ministry
of Natural Resources policy, adhere to and
support the principles contained in the
1984 Guidelines for Wetland Management and
promote the principles outlined in the
Draft Wetlands Planning Policy Statement;
provide input to and comment on planning
proposals and development applications with
a view to protecting provincially
significant wetlands; ensure that official
plans, comprehensive zoning by-laws and
amendments reflect the provincially
significant wetlands; where it is evident
that insufficient regard is being accorded
to provincially significant wetlands,
pursue such matters at the ontario
Municipal Board.
We still have some time left and I would
like to continue with any individuals who
would like to add any further comments.
I live in one of the areas that is
designated Rural and I am relatively new to
all of this. Could you give me a quick
definition of Rural and an indication as to
whether or not there is any changes to that
definition as far as what is happening now?
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Watkin:
That information can be obtained in the
Township Office and we can provide you with
a copy of the policy as it applies.
At one point in time agricultural land and
rural land were classified as the same
thing. Through the Provincial Ministries,
they wanted something more defined so they
brought out a class one to four for
agricultural land separate from rural
was considered not to be suitable for
agriculture. It does not mean that there
is not good agriculture land within the
rural area because in some cases there are
a lot of places in the rural area where a
farm operation may be better than the
agricultural area because of the ability
the specific farmer to manage his property.
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,Ron Watkin:
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Primarily in the agricultural area there
very limited severance possibilities.
In the rural area, although there is good
agricultural farms, there is a little more
room for allowing such things as
agriculturally related industrial uses,
etc.
Is there a High Density designation in Oro?
That is a point to be clarified. We do
have in the Township of Oro, a specific
High Density designation. We did take
steps to provide for second accessory
apartments in certain designations,
provided they meet certain criteria and
they go through a rezoning process. We do
have provision for some limited amount of
townhouses, duplexes, but there is nothing
designated.
Irarjory Rowe:
,~on Watkin:
l~rjorY Rowe:
Iron Watkin:
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Is there or will there be a designated
truck route?
There is already designated truck routes in
the Official Plan.
Is Line 9 one of these routes?
There is a section called gravel haul
routes which have been there since the 1983
review. The haul routes were specifically
between the Oro/Orillia townline between
Highway No. 11 and county Road ll,
Concession 7, between Highway No. 11 and
Bass Lake Sideroad, Concession 3 from the
Bass Lake Sideroad to county Road ll.
Those are the specific gravel routes and
for the most part, the Township when
dealing with the gravel industry have been
advising them as far as they can, to use
these routes.
The second question is, what are the
Council doing with the illegal houses at
Bass Lake or are they going to be able to
do anything about them?
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,~arjorY Rowe:
I on Watkin:
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I arjory ..w.,
- 25 -
That is under review and I believe it is in
the courts.
I understand that they did not apply for
Building Permits?
I cannot answer that, that is something
that is before the courts. I cannot really
get into this when it is in the legal
system because I am not at liberty to do
so.
council is not supporting that development
in the Bass Lake area.
We know you are not supporting it, but we
want to know what authority you have to
remove the houses if the owner does not
remove them?
Drury:
We are working on it.
Scandrett:
Up in the northeast corner of your chart,
has that land use been changed from rural
to residential and if so what are the
implications?
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ron Watkin:
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What you see on the map at the present time
is what isn't approved. Are you talking
about the Woodland subdivision area?
avid Scandrett:
No, I am talking about the Edgar Centre, in
that area there; you have it boundaried by
a brown line.
on Watkin:
That brown line represents where the rural
classification is now.
avid Scandrett:
Is there any change to that?
on Watkin:
There is nothing at the moment.
Can you tell us when you anticipate having
a draft of the amended plan available and
how it will be distributed and what the
anticipated time frame is for public input,
etc.?
arry Brigley:
on Watkin:
As a result of the meeting tonight, we
would like anyone who wishes to write in
with comments to please do so and we would
like these comments into the Township by
the end of August. During the month of
september we will be dealing specifically
with Council with respect to those concerns
and address those issues and then respond
back to the individual people who submit a
letter.
After preparation of a Draft Policy, we
will have a Public Meeting again, in either
October or early November.
~arry
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Briq1ey:
After the draft is distributed, what time
frame do you anticipate that Oro Council
will make their approval?
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- 26 -
IRon Watkin:
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IBarry Briqley:
Ion Watkin:
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That I cannot answer. It could be two
weeks or it could be two years it depends
on a lot of different things.
Further Public Meetings are planned?
Yes, there will be definitely another one.
with due respect Ron, maybe I should
address this to the Reeve. The Township
really does not have a full time Planner
now and with the period of time we are
going through, the amendments and changes
that are going on, I was just wondering
what the Township is planning on from the
standpoint of having a full time Planner?
We are actually pursuing a Planner, at this
point we have interviewed quite a few
Planners and have found none satisfactory.
We will keep interviewing until we find a
person we think will suit the job
description.
~ope Anderoo",
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~arl Hirschfeld:
~on Watkin:
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I would like to say that we do fill this
planning function on a Wednesday. I am in
the office every Wednesday to answer any
planning questions. I cannot say it is as
fast as if there was a full time planner
here but at least there is an avenue for
you to have your questions answered and
someone to deal with your problems and I
think it is working fairly well.
When will the meeting for Unassumed Roads
be scheduled?
The Public Meeting is going to be scheduled
in early September and it looks like it
will be September 4th.
Has there been any plans on building new
schools?
I know this is a real serious problem for
everyone, it is not just here it is right
across the province. There is virtually
nothing that a municipality can do. The
Ministry of Education requires that before
they build a new school you have to have
the number of students there to fill it.
ohn Muckleston:
I know you would like to have comments as a
result of this meeting by the first of
September. On the other hand, your Natural
Area study isn't going to be until sometime
in September, so I don't know whether to
make a comment or not.
on Watkin:
I would suggest that you make a comment. I
know your situation and it is part and
parcel of the review that is taking place.
That is all I can tell you right at the
moment.
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What is the status of the Shanty Bay
Secondary Plan? I would also like to know
if there will be a reassessment of the
Township's severance policy?
In response to your first question, I am
not at liberty to go into detail regarding
amendments. This is an overall general
policy for the municipality and that
information is available from the Township
if you would like specifics.
In terms of your second question with
respect to a reassessment of the severance
policy, I doubt very much if you will see
very much in terms of a reassessment of the
severance policy. The policy in itself was
designed, went to the province for approval
and was remoulded by the province to the
wishes of Agriculture and Food and the
Ministry. I am not sure whether you would
get anything through any different than
what the severance policy is now. I think
I am fairly safe in saying that in the next
five years you will see the severance
policies getting even stricter.
It might be of some interest, in terms of
severances, there are more lots created
every year by severances than there are by
Plan of Subdivision in the Province of
ontario.
eeve Drury:
,
tan Boydell:
Are there any more questions or comments?
I would just like to make a couple of
comments, that being, a big thank you to
Council and all the employees. This kind
of rapport with your residents is vital and
you have to do it on a continuing basis. I
think it will be to your benefit and
certainly to our benefit.
I would also like to say thank you to the
people of the ratepayers who spoke tonight
and I think from what I have heard they
have done a lot of good homework.
Lastly, I would like to say that I am the
guy who said these few words at your last
meeting. South of the Border, the leader
down there says "Read my Lips", please read
our lips, listen to our concerns and act on
our behalf.
e Reeve, after enquiring and ascertaining that there were no
rther questions from those present, thanked those in attendance
r their participation and advised Council would consider all
tters before reaching a decision.
- 28 -
MOTION NO.1
Moved by Burton, seconded by Johnson
Be it resolved that we do now adjourn this
Public Meeting to consider the Updating of
IOfficial Plan' "00 p. m.
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Cferk Robert W. Small