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THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1998 GRAPEVINE Sweet Dreams returning? After a short recess and restructuring, Sweet Dreams Café is hoping to re-open after the Labour Day weekend. Pat Lee, owner of the café said they are reviewing some final numbers and looking into a new and improved system for customers to have quicker service. Along with the other changes there is a possibility of different hours. Lee said one possibility is concen- trating on the daytime clientele with being open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sweet Dreams is still available for catering and operates the canteen at the Civic Centre in Georgetown. THE NEW TANNER 5 oe ar iS le " i : LAURA DIETRICH MEMORIAL GARDENS on the banks of the School Creek is one of many beauty spots in Acton which are carefully tended, this one by the Acton Horticultural Society. Unfortunately, some people who enjoy sitting there to muse also leave litter, which spoils the setting. 2 - Sata SAILORS IN TRAINING: Brian Albers, Brent Emigh, Justin Leu, Taryn Klarner and Janine Klarner pose for the photog- rapher before setting off for another lap around Fairy Lake. The group was part of a sailing class run by the Town of Halton Hills. - Maggie Petrushevsky photo "Our Survey Says..." What do you think of Provincial Highways being taken over by the municipalities? I don't think it's a good idea. It's confusing with the maps and they are spending money on the extra signs. Miram Rehfeldt Wellington 125 If Halton has enough money to cover the costs of the maintenance of their sections, it seems logical. Victoria Glassford Acton I'm used to the highways; it hasn't affected me. Wanda Rowsell Acton Idiotic. Everyone was used to the other numbers, now one highway has three names. Roger Clark Acton It's confusing for people travelling through. It's okay for local people. Why change it? Claude Nadon Acton This week's New Tanner survey by Angela Tyler -- Ted Tyler photo By ANGELA TYLER The New Tanner The Town of Halton Hills re- cently completed an Industrial Strategy Study in which staff re- views Halton Hills industrial ar- eas, the Official Plan, uses, zon- ing and employment predictions. The Acton Industrial Area is included in the study. Acton's Industrial Area in- cludes the 180 acre Maple Leaf Foods site (the former Beardmore location) and the north industrial area which is in the northwest sec- tion of town on Highway 25, Wallace Street and Commerce Court. The study does not include the Maple Leaf Foods site in the inventory of land, as it is not cur- rently serviceable. The north area is comprised of 280 net acres. Only 96 of these acres are occupied. The major employers of this area include; ABT Canada (formerly Building Products) which employs 240, Eagle Ottawa (formerly Hellers) which employs 110, Purity Life Health Products which employs 60 and Acton Precision Millwrights which employs 60. Acton business Purity Life has recently completed a large expan- sion and Galvcast is currently ex- panding their operation. ABT Canada opted to expand their warehousing and shipping facili- ties in the Milton area instead of Acton. There are 28 industrial employ- ers in Acton. Nearly half of the businesses in the Acton Industrial Area are manufacturing type busi- nesses. In comparison, Georget- own's industrial area has approxi- mately one third of its businesses in manufacturing with 140 indus- trial companies. Although there are 184 acres be e e e Acton loser in industrial survey still vacant, waiting for development, only 156 of these can be developed on full services with sewage load restrictions. Generally, industrial areas in Georgetown have full mu- nicipal sewer and water services. Many industrial designated lands in Acton do not have full municipal sewer and water services. According to Zoning By-law 1358, the Acton Urban Area has two main industrial zoning categories, Industrial-Light M1 and Industrial-- General M2. Some uses for this zon- ing could include; light manufactur- - ing, a wholesale business, repair shop, public utility, yard storage and an eating establishment. The Geor- getown Urban Area zoning includes M1, M2, M3, MS5-1 and M6-1. Some uses for Georgetown zoning could include; a hotel, restaurant, retail warehouse, pare garages/service stations, professional offices, a rec- reational facility and a transportation depot. The final report states "Develop- ment in the Acton Industrial Area has not been significant and is ex- pected to remain so due to the na- ture of existing development, serv- icing restrictions, the limited size of the Acton community, and the indus- trial area's more distant location from Highway 401." Obviously, they didn't take into account that Highway 25 is a direct link to Highway 401, far better to access the major highway than any- where in Georgetown. Is Acton doomed? Improving ap- pearances and the right marketing could change Acton's future. The report makes recommendations as to the direction of our community. One of them is the upgrading of the roads and the appearance through Com- merce Court and the potential for de- velopment in the Crescent Street area. It also suggests The Town of Halton Hills, in co-operation with De Maple Leaf Foods, try to develop the former Beardmore site, as well with partnership with the B.I.A. to pursue Acton's commercial at- traction as there are already many visitors to the olde Hide House. The report confirms what most Actonions have known for years; "Tt's worth the drive to Acton" is one of the strongest marketing messages in the G.T.A. The, "It's worth the drive..." campaign has an opportunity for economic growth and investment, especially in' downtown ~~ Acton. |-- The survey concludes that the Georgetown south designated in- dustrial area will be required to accommodate to accommodate the major share of industrial lands over the next 10 years until the 401 corridor land starts to de- velop. For the entire Town of Halton Hills to continue with develop- ment the report urges Town Coun- cil and staff to make economic development a corporate priority. The building blocks of economic development must include the Town delivering a full range of services required by companies and their employees. The development program start-up is divided into two phases. Phase one, at a cost of $100,000, concentrates on the re- tention of existing firms and de- veloping tourism. Phase two, es- timated to cost $150,000, focuses on enhanced economic develop- ment and tourism marketing, which could include hiring a pro- fessional advertising firm to de- velop the Town's image. The two phase, five step pro- gram is suggested to start in 1999 and conclude with a review in 2002. The measures suggested in the report indicate the Town will achieve future growth and jobs. S- WHAT'S YOUR REEF? Put it in a letter to the Editor! Deadline is Tuesday at noon.