Public meeting on rezoning application
An October 27 public meeting to hear input on a rezoning application to change a Providence Bay property, formerly a restaurant, from commercial C1 to residential began at 7:15 (before the normal 7:30 pm start of council) and continued until nearly 8 pm.
At question was a letter of concern from an adjacent property owner who voiced concerns about former gasoline tanks and the scent of residual sewage and the possibility of asbestos residuals from the demolition.
The new property owners’ representative Peter Ferro, an architect and property development consultant, took council through a detailed rebuttal of the complaint letter, including letters from all of the other adjacent landowners, the real estate agent handling the sale of the property, the demolition company, the Sudbury and District Health Unit and his own extensive experience with environmental issues.
Mr. Ferrell pointed out that had any issue been found, it would have impacted on negotiations for the sale of the property, but no issues arose from his extensive investigations.
The consultant noted that the couple purchasing the property intended to build on a very different footprint and location on the property, a necessity given the Ministry of Transportation regulations and setbacks that come into play due to the property’s proximity to a highway and intersection and a desire of the owners given concerns about road salt etc coming from the nearby roadway.
“We have not seen a huge influx of people looking to open a business in Providence Bay in the last few years,” noted Councillor Patricia McDonald. “The gas pumps in the community were removed because they were not sustainable. We see Providence Bay as a highly residential community.”
The only other comment from the floor came from Sam Bondi, who noted that the property owners seeking to build were a young couple. “It is nice to have young people moving into our township,” he said. “We would like to see the zoning approved so we can welcome these new people to our community.”
“That is quite an appropriate comment,” said Mayor Richard Stephens as he closed the public meeting. “It will likely be an improvement to the town.”
Council approves Providence Bay rezoning
On a motion moved by Councillor Derek Stephens and seconded by Councillor Alex Baran, council approved bylaw 2016-21, being a bylaw to rezone a commercial property in Providence Bay to residential.
“It’s nice to have a young family move into the community,” said Councillor Stephens. “Build a home and have babies,” he suggested.
“Welcome to Providence Bay,” said Councillor Alex Baran. “I assure that you find it to be more pleasant than this council meeting.”
Manor board minutes accepted
Council accepted the Manitoulin Centennial Manor board minutes of July 21 on a motion made by Councillor Ted Taylor and seconded by Councillor Derek Stephens.
OPP policing costs added to 2017 budget
Council moved to add $521,931 to the municipality’s 2017 budget as called for in the OPP billing statement for Central Manitoulin. The motion was moved by Councillor Alex Baran and seconded by Councillor Dale Scott.
“Any chance they will move their new office to Mindemoya?” queried Councillor Ted Taylor.
“I am sure it is under consideration,” replied Mayor Richard Stephens.
Fire Chief honours recognized in Safety,
Security and Health Committee Report
A motion moved by Councillor Linda Farquhar and seconded by Councillor Ted Taylor accepted the report of the Safety, Security and Health Committee.
Mayor Richard Stephens drew attention to a notation in the agenda that the Safety, Security and Health Committee where the committee was congratulating fire chief John Reid on receiving his 30-year service award from Ross Nichols of the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office. Chief Reid had attended a ceremony in Sudbury on October 6 for the presentation of his service medal.
“Chief Reid was the fire chief of the former Campbell Township prior to amalgamation,” noted Mayor Stephens. “He has actually been a fire fighter for more than 31 years.”
“We are proud of Chief Reid and the time and dedication John puts into our Central Manitoulin Fire Department,” reads the note from the committee, “and we ask that council acknowledge Chief Reid’s milestone accomplishment.”
Financial reports and cheque registers approved
A motion by Councillor Alex Baran and seconded by Councillor Dale Scott approve the financial report ending September 30, 2016 for the Finance and Economic Development Committee.
The cheque register in the amount of $650,006.49 was approved on a motion by Councillor Alex Baran and seconded by Councillor Derek Stephens.
Planning Board minutes approved
The Manitoulin Planning Board minutes for September 27, 2016 were approved on a motion made by Councillor Linda Farquhar and seconded by Councillor Derek Stephens.
