Elisabeth Heslop
Alberton council has decided to put off making a decision on the application for a zoning bylaw amendment made by township resident Gayle Arpin until next month.
Last night’s meeting was the earliest at which council could have made a decision on the controversial issue which drew roughly 170 residents to a public meeting back on June 24.
“I think to make a decision now, while emotions are high and facts are low, would be an injustice to the township,” said Coun. Mike Ford.
Coun. Barb Cournoyer suggested they revisit the zoning bylaw, the township’s official plan, and the provincial Planning Act to ensure the decision they make is based solely on facts, not emotion.
As such, a special meeting has been set for July 29 at 7 p.m. so council can discuss the documents and seek clarification on any issues it’s unclear about.
Council also said it would make its final decision as its regular meeting scheduled for Aug. 12.
Also last night, Alberton council expressed concerned about the possibility that Weechi-it-te-win Family Services, the potential buyers of the Arpin property to re-locate its Training and Learning Centre (TLC) currently located in Watten Township should the re-zoning be approved, might purchase land that’s zoned “Rural Residential.”
Group homes are permitted, according to the zoning bylaw, on such land and council would have no say in the matter.
“That was a very clear threat [by Weechi-it-te-win] at the public meeting,” said Alberton CAO Dawn Hayes.
Councillors noted the strong response at the public meeting indicated “a clear mandate from the constituents [that were present]” that a significant portion of Alberton residents do not want a group home of any kind in their township.
Council decided it needed time to investigate the issue of whether or not “the group home use can be legally eliminated from the zoning bylaw” and “whether the most appropriate means of resolving issues with the group home use is to eliminate it as a permitted use or to modify and/or impose conditions related to the use,” as well as several other “planning and legal issues” related to the same.
In order to allow time for that study, council last night passed an interim control bylaw, in accordance with Section 38 of the Planning Act, to prevent the “establishment or operation of a group home” on any land designated as Rural Residential within the Township of Alberton.
Any questions regarding the interim control bylaw can be directed to Hayes at the Alberton municipal office (274-6053).
