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THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2004 THE NEW TANNER Defer sign variance request By FRANCES NIBLOCK The New Tanner TOR key player in the Town's new sign bylaw is the first businessperson to ask for a variance to the rules, designed to rid Halton Hills of messy and dangerous portable signs, in favour of well-main- tained permanent signs. Last Tuesday, Herma Buchanan, representing Roos/Vision Travel in Georgetown, asked Coun- cil to overrule a community affairs committee decision denying a second perma- nent read-a-graph sign at the front of the travel build- ing on Guelph Street. The committee granted Roos/Vision relief from the bylaw to erect a permanent sign on the west side of the property and for a second- ary ground sign, but not the proposed third sign. Buchanan told Council that she could have applied for permits for temporary signs, but chose instead to work within the bylaw to clean up the streets. "Wouldn't it be nice to have a well-made and de- signed message board out ' there as an example to other businesses -- a sign board that shows what can be done as an alternative to those cheap neon signs that you really don't like, and those are the ones you re- ally want to get rid of?" Buchanan said. She said Council's bylaw needs to support its unique businesses, or all that will be left will be big box stores. Buchanan also said the Town's solution of adding a read-o-graph sign to the ex- isting permanent ground sign would be unsafe. Georgetown Councillor Moya Johnson asked Coun- cil to permit the variance request, based on informa- tion that the property is only six feet short of what is re- quired for the second permanent sign. Wards 2/3 Regional Councillor Jane Fogal said to not consider the variance request, would be a "breach of trust," because the Town promised to look at variances to help make per- manent signage work. When staff said an addi- tional 150-feet of frontage --not six -- was needed for the second permanent sign, COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND INFORMATION Seniors: SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR SENIORS Do you find you're having trouble managing daily ac- tivities in your own home, but want to remain independ- ent? Consider the Supportive Housing Pro- gram located at the Lakeview Apartments, 17 Elizabeth Drive, Acton.- This program allows eligible seniors to live in their own apartment with the security of knowing someone is available to help. Personal Support Workers are on site 7 days a week to assist with such activities as bathing, laundry, housekeeping, meal preparation, medication re- minders or safety checks. Please contact Stephanie at 519-853-9916. Youth: Off the Wall: Senior Youth (ages 12- 19) It's Café night again on March 19. Join us for fla- voured hot chocolates. Junior Youth (ages 9-11) St Patrick's Day fun...come on in Wed. March 17 to play Irish games. Volunteer Opportunities Meals on Wheels and Wheels to Meals are essen- tial services for many in _ our community. Drivers who live in Acton are needed on an occasional basis (mornings) to pick up hot meals in Milton and bring them to our Acton office. Drivers are also needed to take a small group of seniors to a local lunch location twice a month. If you are interested in Volunteering or would like more information, please call Marlene at 905-873- 6502, or 519-853-3310. Georgetown Councillor Ron Chatten said they need more information before making a decision about whether the variance re- quest is a major or minor. Acton Councillor Jon Hurst, who sits on the com- munity affairs committee, listed five reasons why he voted against the variance for a second permanent sign, including the fact it would be much closer to the property line than other signs in the area and would be too close to the road. Georgetown Councillor Bob Inglis said staff would be coming back with a re- view of the new bylaw in six months and it would be prudent not to amend the bylaw with this variance, at this time. Councillor Chatten urged councillors to be careful, noting they are willing to deal with individual re- quests for changes to some bylaws, but not others, like the smoking bylaw where they want the same rules applied equally for all. "Let's be consistent," Chatten said, asking that the issue be deferred until staff reports on whether the vari- ance request is major, or minor. The deferral passed on a 6-3 vote. 'cutemir ants 8 Otitis: | tae TOWN & COUNTRY HOME/ FARMHOUSE VACATION MSunquest *60...._. ROYAL ADVENTURE 7 hi Ga me You Please' Driving Holiday + January to December i $497. ies HOLIDAYS 3 649. round CASTLE HONEYMOONS Hide away on the ultimate romantic honeymoon! remem TOS: Honeymoons FOCUS ON IRELAND 8-day First-Class Escorted Coach Tour. INSIGHT VACATIONS $] 250.. 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