The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Favourite Pub! Knolcrest Centre, 360 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-877-6056 presents and NOW by popular demand *AFTER 5 PM Parking on side off of Back Street 54 Mill St., Georgetown 905-873-8196 LIMITED TIME! SAVE NOW!!! Only $399 * 5 year warranty * 3 year Hoses/Tools Warranty * Great for up to 2000 sq. ft.! INCLUDES AIR PACKAGE Upgrade to the ELECTRIC PKG. FOR ONLY EXTRA $100 4 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Despite a staff recommendation to the contrary, Halton Regions Planning and Public Works Committee voted not to support a proposed private elementary school on the Eighth Line. Halton Region Council is expected to vote on the issue today (Wednesday). Last Wednesday the committee supported a motion by Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette to not support the proposed use of lands for the Keswick Sutherland School and Equestrian Centre or approve a Regional Official Plan Amendment (OPA) that would allow for the school. Region staff was recommending support for the proposed use of the lands and approval of the OPA. Bonnette put forward the motion after the committee went in-camera for legal advice. It is not the recommended use in the Official Plan, said Bonnette. I have concerns the green- belt policy is somewhat being challenged. He was also concerned about the logistics of a busing service, road safety and questioned how many of the students would be from Halton Hills. Milton Councillor Barry Lee said he supported Bonnettes position, adding Eighth Line near the school wasnt much more than a glorified cow path. Oakville Councillor Tom Adams said he would reluctantly support the motion. I agree there appears to be significant issues with respect to traffic, said Adams. Oakville Councillor Allan Elgar also said he would support the motion, but Burlington Councillor John Taylor, said reluctantly he wouldnt support it. I dont believe there is an Official Plan amendment (for the Town of Halton Hills plan) that is required, said Taylor. Previously, Town planning staff had stated that a Town Official Plan amendment was not required, however, some Halton Hills councillors disagreed. In March, Halton Hills council voted against the proposal for the private school despite a recommendation from Town planning staff that called the application good planning and a compatible rural use. Taylor said, while he believed there were some concerns with the Eighth Line, the public and separate school boards currently have buses on the road so it cant be completely hazardous. Its very seldom that a council goes against the advice of staff because you end up with not only your own staff being subpoenaed to speak against the council (at the Ontario Municipal Board) you also have to go out to hire (consultants) to testify against your own staff, said Taylor. That becomes a great financial burden on the taxpayer, he said. Jack Dennison, also of Burlington, said he would not support Bonnettes motion either. Dennison said as a private sector guy he did- nt agree with some of the assertions from the public that the school shouldnt be supported because its a private business. We are a growth community, said Dennison. We all have to accept a portion of that growth. Before the committee members made their decision they heard from several area residents opposed to the school application. Safety on the road from the increased traffic to and from the school was a key issue raised The biggest reason Im against this is I fear for my life, said Eighth Line resident Lois Fraser. Im not being dramatic. We cannot safely get out of our driveways and this is going to be horren- dous for us. Glenn Wellings, the planner for Keswick Sutherland, called the application a unique opportunity for both the Town and the Region. Obviously were disappointed, said Wellings after committee made its decision. We will be delegating before regional council. A development permit from the Niagara Escarpment Commission is also required for the application. Committee shoots down private school plan LISA TALLYN Staff Writer