Staff
After receiving input on the proposed re-zoning of the “Nelson Street Park” last Monday, town council will vote tonight on the bylaw to amend the zoning bylaw for residential development.
As previously reported, council has proposed to re-zone the property, located between Minnie Avenue and Williams Avenue, from open space to Residential Type 2 (R2).
This is so the property can be divided into five lots and sold for residential development.
(The property in question should not be confused with the park with playground equipment located at Nelson Street and Butler Avenue, known as “Front Street Park”).
Council also will vote on a bylaw to amend the zoning bylaw to re-zone the property on the corner of Minnie Avenue and Front Street from tourist commercial (C4) to “open space,” to offset the eliminated open space that would result from the conversion of the “Nelson Street Park.”
A public meeting was held last Monday, at which time most of the input provided was in opposition to the re-zoning, including the presentation of a petition bearing 807 signatures, about 550 of which were by Fort Frances residents.
If council passes the bylaw to go ahead with the “Nelson Street Park” re-zoning, a notice of passing will be published in the newspaper within 10 days.
Any member of the public who submitted a oral or written submission in opposition to the re-zoning at the Dec. 12 public meeting then has within 20 days after the publication date of the notice of passing to file an appeal with the Ontario Municipal Board, which, in turn, may set a date for an appeal hearing.
Tonight’s council meeting is scheduled to start at 6:15 p.m. The committee of the whole will meet in-camera first at 5:30.
Other business on tonight’s agenda includes:
•a presentation by the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship re: the 2012 tournament;
•a public meeting re: tax adjustment at 1233 Idylwild Dr. (2009 and 2010);
•a request from the Salvation Army Citadel and Thrift Store re: additional parking in front of 316 Victoria Ave.;
•a bylaw to approve a license agreement with Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc. and ESRI Canada for access to web services;
•a bylaw to approve an agreement with Parks Canada for the maintenance of the commemorative Fort St. Pierre plaque;
•a bylaw for the purpose of approving the minutes of current council for the period Nov. 23, 2010-Dec. 12, 2011;
•Tender No. 11-OF-14 (supply of backhoe loader and trade-in of a 1994 426-B backhoe loader);
•a report re: long-range financial plan for water and wastewater systems;
•a recommendation re: a financial request from Safe Communities Rainy River District;
•purchase card expenses for Mayor Roy Avis and CAO Mark McCaig;
•a recommendation re: a request from the Police Services Board and 2011 OPP auction proceeds;
•a recommendation re: a membership request from the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and Museum;
•a report re: 2012 temporary borrowing to meet current expenditures;
•a recommendation re: an invitation to join the Emergency Services Steering Committee (ESSC);
•a report re: non-budgeted capital expense for the Fort Frances Museum; and
•a request for payment from the library reserve account.
