Duane Hicks
A public meeting to garner input on the proposed re-zoning of the “Nelson Street Park,” as well as a second piece of property near the riverfront, is on the agenda at tonight’s regular council meeting.
The town is proposing to change the zoning of the property know as “Nelson Street Park,” 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 town also is proposing 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.”
During the meeting, an explanation will be given as to why the re-zonings are being proposed and what the effect of them will be.
Anyone in attendance will be able to speak in opposition to or in favour of the proposed re-zonings, as well as ask questions.
Local resident Eric Rude is on the agenda to present a petition signed by those opposing the re-zoning.
The bylaws relevant to the proposed zoning amendments then will be considered at the next regular council meeting.
The public meeting on the proposed re-zoning is scheduled to start at 6:45 p.m.
The committee of the whole will meet first at 5:30 p.m., but is scheduled to be in-camera until 5:50.
The council portion of the evening should start around 6:25 p.m.
Other business on the agenda includes:
•a janitorial tender;
•a report re: Fort Frances Lakers’ request to operate the upstairs canteen at the arena;
•a report re: a non-budgeted expense for the Fort Frances Museum;
•a report re: proposed Hallowe’en curfew;
•a report re: designated parade route(s);
•a report re: an assisted living survey;
•a report from the Economic Development Advisory Committee on the pricing and sales policy of industrial lots;
•a report re: a request from Parks Canada to maintain a Fort St. Pierre commemorative plaque;
•a report re: the Armit Avenue sidewalk from Front Street to Church Street;
•a report re: the execution of a GIS software agreement;
•a report re: repairs to a water service line at 1107 Second St. E.;
•an updated Fort Frances emergency plan;
•a Fort Frances wastewater treatment facility monthly report for October, 2011;
•a presentation by Lindsay Joy Hamilton of the Rainy River Arts Collective re: a snow-sculpting event;
•a request from the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River District to proclaim January as “National Alzheimer Awareness Month” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•a request from the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame for a 2012 membership;
•a per capita funding request from Safe Communities Rainy River District;
•a Police Services Board request re: the proceeds of the 2011 OPP auction;
•an invitation to participate in the Emergency Services Steering Committee;
•a bylaw to authorize an agreement for a photocopier for the treasury department; and
•a bylaw to adopt a revised user fee schedule for 2012 (the majority of the town’s user fees will go up three percent).
