Boundaries expansions set into official plan

Karen Best - Haldimand Review staff
Haldimand Review
Local News - Thursday, June 29, 2006 @ 09:00

[SISIS note: The following mainstream news article is provided for reference only, as an example of how mainstream media treats indigenous resistance to genocide. Mainstream media often presents biased and distorted information, lacking pertinent facts and/or context. Inclusion of this article on our site should not be considered an endorsement by SISIS.]

CAYUGA -- Haldimand County council is turning toward town boundary expansions to keep Caledonia growing.

At a recent council meeting, planning staff recommended bringing a 15 acre River Road parcel owned by Henco Industries into the Caledonia boundary. The construction moratorium on Douglas Creek Estates and upcoming ownership transfer to the Ontario government removes the potential for 600 homes. The four month Six Nations occupation of the property continues.

Coun. Buck Sloat put forward a number of suggestions to increase housing and commercial opportunities in the town. Council discussed these ideas and other items before endorsing a final county official plan on June 26.

Council unanimously agreed to an expansion of the Unity Road hamlet on Mines Road. Sloat, who is confident about solid growth in Caledonia, also asked that lands across from the Henco River Road property be included in the town boundary. Staff will determine costs of linking this land into the town’s water and sewer system, before a decision will be made.

As council kept marching forward with expansion proposals, corporate services general manager Karen General reminded them that $55 million in water, sewer and road works are required to service residential areas in the existing boundary.

Only $7 million of those costs will be shouldered by current residents. New homeowners will pay for expanded services through house prices.

Planning and economic development general manager Steve Miazga tried to slow down the momentum by advising council to complete a comprehensive study on servicing before making any further decisions.

He said the Ministry of Municipal Affairs is aware that Caledonia’s boundary is under review because of lands taken out of development.

Chief administrative officer Bill Pearce said that once land is designated as residential there is an expectation that services will be installed.

In some cases, like Douglas Creek Estates, developers, who want to move ahead, pay for service installations.

Service funding is one of many requests that the county has placed on a wish list with the Ontario government, said Mayor Marie Trainer.

Services will be an issue in the 2,500 acre of residential land in the northeast section of Caledonia. Sloat asked that the lands east of McClung Road and north of Haldimand Road 66 to Highway 6 be included in the town boundary. This area, with a mix of commercial and residential proposals will be a huge plus for Haldimand County, he said.

In an unanimous decision, council directed staff to discuss this property and proposal with the ministry.

In a 5 to 2 decision, council expanded the Caledonia boundary to take in Lot 1, a farm south of the Sixth Line. Developer Michael Corrado would like to build commercial employment projects, houses and institutions, like a church and Catholic high school, on this 60 acre property. He intended to negotiate with blue chip companies to set up shop in this development. Planning staff recommended setting a special policy designation to allow this variety of uses.

This project will create jobs for both Caledonia and Six Nations residents, noted Coun. Craig Ashbaugh.

While Corrado discussed industrial lands in north Caledonia with Maple Leaf foods, he does not intend to bring the pork processing plant to this southern location, the councillor continued.

Council also agreed to amending the large format store size from 2,300 square metres to 465 square metres.

A lawyer representing Dunnville CARES asked that specific and clear wording set out in a Town of Dunnville bylaw be carried over to the county official plan. Without specific details, the sky is the limit for uses on the Dunnville airport, said planner Frank Watty.

Dunnville CARES was established a year ago to lobby against an autodrome at the airport. When the track is used for testing formula cars and executive events, neighbours report loud, annoying noise. The county has yet to issue a licence for track operations which continue. Track owner Lee Abrahamson said he is operating legally under the former town bylaw which permits special events.

Now that council endorsed the final draft official plan, which sets land use policies for 20 years, the document will be sent to the municipal affairs ministry. The province has 180 days to review the document and discuss any anomalies with county officials. During this period, county officials will review the additions of the Johnson and McClung Road properties. After the ministry approves the plan, there is a 20 day appeal period.