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The Acton Free Press Wed March No decision made by OMB Berton Scharf still waiting by Kerry Chalmers St Patrick Day meant more than leprechauns to Scharf a Rock wood realtor who after months and months of uncertainty faced the hearing he has been wait for The Ontario Board represented by Chairman Hugh Kelly met at the town hall to hear test Tor and against Township Bylaw 12 The bylaw in question was passed last July and if ap proved would rezone acres of land east of Queen St in the northeast corner of the vill age from residential to agricultural Mr Scharf is a 50 per cent shareholder In J Developments the major opponent to the bylaw The development owns of the acres Bankrupt The 32 acres was bought in two parcels of and four acres in the fall of J paid for the first parcel and 000 for the second Mr Scharf pointed out that the company would go bankrupt and that he and the other two shareholders would also face personal debt The rezomng of the land to agricultural decreases its value to less than 1 per acre he explained The first hi heard of he was when he picked up a copy of the Acton Free Press ana saw the advertisement Mike McQuaid the com pany s lawyer felt that down zoning was a drastic step to take the Twp Council to prevent a is ion proposal He contended that the township had the authority to control develop ment without this bylaw and that any subdivision plan has to have township provincial and other approvals before proceeding Scare tactic Project Manager for the Ministry of the Environment told the board that the min had supplied him with a figure of about vacant lots but he did not know where the figure had come from or how accurate it was He con firmed that the sanitary sewer system will have a cap acity for l 700 people The and Suburban official plan that covers the village allows for the in fill and rounding out of development on existing lots until the 700 person capacity Is reached t apply Mr Dcrkowski referred to t allow the township to act in this way There seemed to be a great deal of discrepancy about the number of vacant lots avail able in the village and much of the given con on this Numbers Gerogc Day secretary of the Eramosa Township Planning Board told the there were 277 service able lots available for build in the village whereas consultant Andy who was testifying for the bylaw opponent felt there were only 124 service able lots available Mr Day said his total was based on a survey that he and the planning board chairman did in March of 1974 They used a plan of the village to assist them as they drove around the village He said that most lots in Hock wood were double sized to commodate septic tanks and that they would be cut in half after sanitary sewers were installed Mr Derkowski displayed aerial photos street plans and topography maps to illustrate his belief that there were 124 lots He said he had studied the photos walked and drove around the village and checked statistics at the Wellington County Registry office before reaching any conclusions Some of the streets don 1 exist and the area along Div because of the ravine discourage housing develop ments He outlined with the use of a map other areas in the village where ravines or wetlands would affect nous ing and suggested that many homeowners would not want to sell their second lots because they are backyards and that many of these lots have structures such as gar ages and storage sheds on them The lot subdivision proposed by the developer J K Developments would be accomodated with the 1 700pcrson limit and still fall within the official plan rounding out provision he added He also contended that down zoning was poor planning procedure Township lawyer Braids township lawyer pressed the issue of just how many available loth Andrew Dcrkowski felt there were Under ion Andrew said more than lots within the village could be developed but at a terrific price in some cases The homeowners would have to fill in ravines for example and few people would find this economically feasible he said The land in question was originally zoned residential in I960 and council asked for a change in zoning in June The council wanted a bylaw to prevent premature subdiv ision proposals before a com zoning bylaw for was complete They questioned the use of a hold bylaw The township Spoke with William Lehman planning consultant and he suggested a to agriculture because of the indefinite length of time in volved Mr Lehman felt this was a more honest approach to announce to people that council did not anticipate development on these lands in the near future He said the bylaw confirmed with the off icial plan 12 was passed before the water and sewer project was announced The water and sewer project was thought to be dismissed be cause of cost The bylaw was then designed it would ap pear to prevent further devlopment in the village because it seemed the project would not be carried out for a number of years But soon after the bylaw was passed the project was approved In fact the two were so close to gether that in the Acton Free Press of August a front page headline announced the sewer and water project and on page 17 the Eramosa Township Council advertised bylaw 12 Mr J K lawyer stressed this point and questioned in his summary why it was nee fpr Mr Scharf to receive the news vin head line He said he felt if council felt it was necessary to take away the zoning they should have done it within the proper context The final point made was the lack of careful study and care executed in the rezomng of the said land Mr McQuaid finished by support a statement made by an adjoining landowner stating that he loo felt as had Mr Bonner that it would be a grace to sec the by law passed under the stances Threatened John who owns land abutting the property in question spoke for the of the bylaw saying he threatened by tht sub division proposal feeling it would restrict his agncult practices Harry Bonner supported Mr Scharf against the bylaw He told of how Mr had come the village and bought land at one value in good faith only to have this changed with no notice He concluded that no council or planning board should have the right lo do such a thing and felt it was a disgrace to bee this bylaw approved Welcome James Hodge a local pro prietor spoke on behalf or the merchants who he felt would welcome such a development in the village He said that with the laying of the ind mains business was even more important to help offset the cost of this project Chairman Kelly after listening to five hours of test imony reserved the right to make a decision and told the audience he felt due to the great amount of maps and files to go through it would be difficult to come to any dec at Ihit time Many of the concluding remarks were drowned out by the noise of the construction crews fin ishing for the day Tht blast rumbling of trucks and dynamite blasts had dominated most of the meet but as the weary group left the Town Hall silence descended upon the village as the trews made their way home Btrton still awaits his answer Eden Mills Friendly Seniors in newlydecorated room Fill to be distributed in various town sites Township Council contract with that company Monday evening authorized and the council village trustees lo provide fill for various sites had written a letter to council around requesting fill on such streets The fill will bt from the as bowler Bridge Catherine sewers and witerworks and Richardson and Division such work is written in the R Strong resigns ignation of Rithard strong explained that be- by Mrs Wright Mrs Snow was hostess for the monthly meeting of Eden Mills United Church Women President Mrs Elmer Milson look Devotional reading Scripture Genesis The topic was We Human Beings Who are we How can we relate ourselves to the Scriptures The World is a gift of God We want lo be as wise as God Prayer followed Minutes of the last meeting were given by Mrs Eo Parker and Mrs Howard James gave the treasurers report which showed a good balance from the successful luncheon Cards and flower report was given by Mrs Harold Thomlinson A luncheon was planned for early April in the community hall Mr with prayer and the hostess and Mrs Norman Marshall served refreshments New furniture The Friendly Seniors met Wednesday afternoon in their newly decorated club room at the community hall The pre sident Mrs Anna Wilson read a potm pertaining to St Patrick Day as it was the Canada followed with minutes and treasurers reports given Everyone was pleased with the selection of new furniture bought by the Rockwood roundup Rockwood bowling Jr Formers liblcs Countrymen 101 100 Pin Pais Raggedy Pants Four Corners Optimists Kays Mustangs Women over Nellie man Nancy Cordon Mary Lush Helen Lorraine Nancy Ferguson Bakkcr Pin I Hoi Grace icy Ted Ken Martin Dick Bill Elliot 628 Pul Hoi Jim 604 Camcys Ken Martin AH Lorraine 179 Nortons 2 Nancy Cordon IBS 210 John Cordon 162 Jim 1GS IBS Ross Gordon 187 200 5921 Mustangs 0 Dave 176 541 Harry Sanderson 154 18 Jr Farmers 4 Dick 212 629 Bill Atkinson 204 157 195 Unpredictable 137 589 21B IBS Fran Vanderva1IB7 167 493 Raggedy Pants Bill Clarence Hilton 203 586 Countrymen Bosch Ted Klaver 177 187 Four Corner Nellie 679 Mara McKersie 11B IBS 515 Optimists 69B Jerry 212 185 591 Kay Feeds Mary Lush 194 183 Elmer Allan 132 555 by Kerry Chalmers Village folks are pleased to see Clifford out and around following his eye operation at St Joseph Hospital in Mrs Margaret Hams St is doing fine in the General Hospital following an operation Her many friends will welcome her home again Tht Sunshine Club has been due to the of the streets The next meeting will be April a at pm made welcome Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Max Milne on their wedding anniversary Mrs Alice Hilts friends will be glad to know is out of the hospital and is convalescing at the home of her daughter May Brain 1 Martin St Guelph Village residents would like to extend their sympathy to the Downer family in the loss of a loving mother Mrs Clarence Downer The funcr was held in on day afternoon Several from the village attended Mr and Mrs and Mr and Mrs Stan from Grimsby and Mrs A and children of were guests of Mrs on Sunday for dinner Get well wishes go out to Mrs Hose who was taken by ambulance early Sunday morning to Guelph General Several members of the Sunshine Club joined with the members of the Aeton Senior Citizens Club on March 17 and enjoyed a St Patrick variety concert and a dainty lunch Thanks to the talent that was enjoyed by all Mr and Mrs Raymond Hunter and children of Brant ford were Sunday guests of Mr and Mrs Charles Milne Friends and neighbours held a Ire Benefit Dance for the Andy family on Saturday night at the Town Hall It was a very enjoyable evening with Andy and Barb being presented with a paint It was their wish that all Ihe money be given to the Soccer Club to be used for the children The lions Club will hold sale on May If anyone his articles to donate or consign they are asked to contact any Lion for further information A plate to hold the auction has not been settled on due to the con in village It will either held Hock Park or Centennial Public School depending on the progress of the project I his will be it a later date t- The I art holding a bazaar this Saturday at Centennial Public School from Thtrt will be a hake penny tabic odds and cuds plants and table is welcome A lady looked out her window last week to see i year old neighbour coming through her back yard in deep snow walking with the help of in old broom She help but laugh when she thought of how much her neighbour looked like the old Dutch lady who appeared on the Dutch cleanser tins of ago The explanation was that this ladyhadbttna prisoner in her own unable to get out because of the water and sewer construction taking place on her street When an invitation came lo attend the Wedding Anniversary for friends Mr and Irs Max Milne at the Colon lal Hotel she was determined get out She did and con to her for her originality This rmy give a few other people a good idea directors who were pointed New business was discussed and old business attended to A short program followed Mrs Georgina Wright gave a reading Its St Patrick Day followed by a won by Mrs Mancel The meeting ad journcd lo Iht card tables where and euchre were enjoyed Happy Birthday was sung to about five members whose birthdays are in March then blrthdiy cake and ice cream and a cup of tea brought a pleasant afternoon to a close Trips Mr and Mrs Ed Jennings have returned homt after a month holiday in California Mr and Mrs Ralph Thompson returned this week a month in i londa Mr and Mrs spent a long weekend in New Jersey visiting relatives Bob Wright left Thursday to Strong from the Planning Board was accepted Monday evening by the Township Council In a letter to Council Mr of business and per reasons his resignation must become effective mediately Council will discuss a new fitttfatt WEEKLY SPECIAL Assorted 27 54 SCATTER MATS Rig now Wr- spec in in et in jnd floor do it your tit or on by ir staff profess Main St HID EASTER ISN T far away the 1st Eden Mills Brownie Pack took advantage of the March break to tour Schneider candy factory on Monday The girls are holding just a sample of the chocolate animals and characters that are handmade here in the village From 1 to r are Kathy Johns Sharon and Marcia Vandriel Need assistance Can try OHRP Km Chalmers The provincial has tome up with a way to help people with modest in tonus repair the famil homes live in will provide up for impro ving the structure plumbing heating wiring lion for your home How then in this help with tht hook up of water and The Ontario Ministry of Housing or your local pdhly will help find out if arc eligible fur assistance dnd will explain how will fill your P of money is low loan with inttrest rutts varying from zero to eight percent de pending on your family In tome your family size Your repayment rate will re flet i your Township funds on hand from govern There is a sliding stale of family with in income of or under might be eligible for 100 per tent An income over this is at low inter est rates inform is at the Vilhge offices Don deny tall and enquire tout this new pi in ONTARIOS NO 1 UPHOLSTERERS THIS IS WHAT UPHOLSTERY IS ALL ABOUT JlSIHONfrN I Si- I i of Fabrics to Choose Froi Skilled Dedicated Craftsmen For your FREE Estimate Call Collect 416939 or Free Pick Up and Delivery 10 Day Service WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEE mi CHubor Dntarto Ho Custom Upholstery Furniture ReFinishing Milton Concord Aurora- Newmarket SERVING ACTON COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTRE AT THE Y 8533310 Grant The Grand River Con Authority has received a provincial grant of for the acquisition of land in the area of the proposed Everton dam and reservoir In a report prepared in entitled Review of Planning for the Grand Watershed it was recom mended that a total of 3 500 acres be acquired at a total cost of To date acres have been purchased YOUR HEADQUARTERS FOR A Quasar Television Works in a drawer FIRST LINE TELEVISION SALES oral SERVICE Acton Thinking of a Silo in 76 Book now for Winter prices be sure of completion in time for Haylage WE FEATURE Poured Structure Silos with concrete ladder safety cage roof fill pipe and silage distributor Choice of 3 Silo and Choice of Feeding Systems FREEMAN FARM SYSTEMS FARMSTEAD MECHANIZATION SPECIALISTS R Rockwood Ph 8564927 Weve got Spring Fever prices on all new MF farm tractors under 80 hp Spring into action and save SAVE die SAVE Limited to available Inventories until 2nd l7G Come on in see for yourself you cant beat these Spring Fever Values ALLISON Georgetown