Township gives conditional approval to eight-unit subdivision
By Liz Dadson

Huron-Kinloss Council

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Despite objections from neighbouring property owners, Huron-Kinloss council has given the nod to an eight-unit subdivision at 726 Lake Range Dr., with conditions.

The proposal, by John and Jane Elliott, came forward at the planning advisory committee April 27 when Bruce County planner Heather James recommended the application be deferred until more information is received and reviewed, and concerns addressed.

The Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) wants further information about a revised lot grading plan to address the adjusted setback from the bluff and significant woodlands, and a preliminary stormwater management plan.

Numerous letters of objection have been received from neighbouring property owners, said James, with concerns about stormwater management, erosion, and tree-cutting on the proposed lots, especially on the bluff.

Councillor Anne Eadie saw the proposal as simple infilling of residential lots along the lakeshore. "It's a relatively simple thing and they are large lots," she said.
Chief building official Matt Farrell said the township and the county need answers from the SVCA, and conditions in place regarding stormwater management and tree-cutting.

"It's there a problem in giving this conditional approval?" asked councillor Don Murray.
Bruce County planner William Hollo said the township could give the application conditional approval and then once those conditions are met, the county would deal with it. He said it would reduce the time required to complete the application.

The neighbours living on Bruce Beach Road, to the west of the proposed subdivision, are concerned they will be flooded out. However, engineer Brad Pryde said the applicant plans to split the drainage for this project, with half of the water draining to the east into the ditch and the other half draining over the hill to the lake.

Brian Clark of Bruce Beach Road, said the township already has two outlets along the ditch, one draining to the creek and the other to the culvert. That's where the water should flow, he said, not over the hill.

"It's not practical to drain from back to front on that property," said Pryde. "We're already improving what's there."

 

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04/05/2009 08:47 PM

 "I don't agree," said Clark.

Melanie Clark, also of Bruce Beach Road, agreed with James and said Bruce Beach Road residents are not being represented because many are seasonal and have not returned to the area yet for the summer. She suggested the township take over the property along the bluff and ensure no clear-cutting is done. The municipality could also ensure tree preservation, she said.

Lucille Fischer of Bruce Beach Road, urged council to give conditional approval to the project. "The Elliotts are trying to do something good here," she said.

Another resident said she has no faith in the township because it cut down eight feet of trees along Cameron Lane in order to install a watermain. "The watermain then went down the centre of the road but those trees have not been replaced," she said.

Council gave the plan of subdivision conditional approval and will leave it in the hands of the county.

In other planning business, council agreed to a minor variance to reinstate three lots at 117 and 118 Boiler Beach Road and 909 Patts Place, owned by Paul Maurer.

Councillor Anne Eadie said she is concerned about putting septics on such small lots.
Maurer said he has already installed expensive anaerobic septic systems which are more efficient than traditional systems. "These were three lots before they were merged into one over the years," he said. "I plan to plant trees on the hill where the driveway was. I've fixed up the cottages so I can get the properties severed and sell them."

"It makes a difficult situation a whole lot better," said chief building official Matt

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