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5 · Friday, July 16, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Who should pay for growth costs? By Dennis Smith SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Coronation Park East beach safe to swim Those wishing to take advantage of local beaches should know which ones are safe for swimming. The Halton Region Health Department said that the Coronation Park East beach in Oakville has acceptable levels of bacteria and is safe for swimming. The Bronte Park Beach and Coronation Park West beach, however, are not safe for swimming, due to high levels of bacteria. The health department does weekly testing at recreational waters in the region throughout June and August. To get up-to-date information on beach safety, visit www.halton.ca/beaches. Halton councillors don't want to pay for defending growth plans, but they debated on Wednesday over who else should pick up the tab. Fears of 'staggering' Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) costs have prompted a resolution asking the province to cover all appeal costs to the OMB for growth plan conformity exercises. Halton Hills mayor Rick Bonnette noted Halton's population will nearly double to 780,000 by 2031, thanks to Places to Grow legislation that mandates municipalities and regions to meet growth objectives. Bonnette warned developers will challenge municipalities for conforming with the provincial growth plan. "Municipalities are looking forward to expensive OMB hearings," said Bonnette. "They are going to be lengthy." Bonnette, who fears staggering costs, said the province should provide intervener funding for municipalities and regions facing challenges. He noted this was previously given for defense of a landfill site. He urged colleagues to support the Halton Hills resolution and take it back to their own municipal councils. "I've heard around this table that new development should pay for itself. This is a form of downloading on present taxpayers," said Bonnette, who added developers could be asked for the funding. "They have deep pockets." Oakville councillor Tom Adams agreed. "Perhaps the developers could pay. It would be an easy out for the province." But Cam Jackson cautioned against having the costs included in the Development Charges Act. "Wouldn't the intent be literally to get the province off the hook? It would add additional costs to doing business in Halton," said the Burlington mayor. "Do we not have other items in the queue that we'd like in development charges?" Burlington councillor Peter Thoem said adding costs in development charges mixes two unre- lated matters and would affect people who have little or nothing to do with land use intensification. "It takes a serious resolution and adds an air of cynicism." Burlington councillor Jack Dennison objected to how the development business was being classified. "There are lots of hardworking small business people and this would have an effect on them," said the Burlington councillor. But Halton Hills councillor Clark Somerville said putting costs in development charges should be considered and discussed by all parties involved. "You have to present the province with an option. Otherwise, they could just look at it (the original resolution) and file it away until after October, 2011," he said, referring to the next provincial election date. "It's unfair to drive the legal costs and have it put on the taxpayers." Regional council approved the original resolution, then voted 138 in favour of the amendment asking the province to include the costs in the Development Charges Act. JULY SPECIAL'S * MANICURE & PEDICURE $30 * PEDICURE $20 with a FREE EYE BROW WAX GEHWOL & OPI PRODUCTS 416-558-7917 O V E R 1 1 Y E A R S O F E X P E R I E N C E Set sail in August for Harbour days! HOT AND HUMID OUTSIDE! STAY COOL AND COMFORTABLE INSIDE · Air Conditioning · Furnaces · Fireplaces · Outdoor Living / Lighting Receive up to August 13,14 Tickets available for cruising: $ 3830 in *rebates *Call for details 905.339.2500 Heating & Cooling Systems Sore Feet? Sports Injury? Painful Ingrown Toenails? We can help! Routine foot care is important to your health nd well-being! Healthy feet are happy feet. Exceptional footcare for all ages. Rick Werkman, D.Ch., B.Sc. Podiatric Medicine~Registered Chiropodist Get your tickets early as they will sell out fast! Visit www.brontevillage.net Call our Cruise Hotline (905) 825-3258 Tickets available ONLINE or at Bronte RBC (cash only) · routine footcare · corns & calluses · plantar warts · diabetic footcare and education · thick or ingrown nails · heel/arch/foot pain · custom made orthotics · nail surgery · sigvaris compression stockings · sports related foot problems & injuries · evenings and saturday appointments available Call or email for your free information on "Are flip-flops ruining your feet?" J. Richard Werkman CHIROPODIST www.werkman.ca