The entire township council will serve as Mapleton’s committee of adjustment for the next four years.
Council was split on the decision to serve as the committee, which deals with issues such as minor variance applications. During the last term, the committee was made up of citizen appointees.
“Based on preliminary discussion at council orientation sessions, I believe council may wish to reconsider appointing a citizen-appointed committee and may prefer to sit as the committee of adjustment themselves,” stated CAO Patty Sinnamon in a report to council on Dec. 9.
Councillor Lori Woodham said she felt the job should be handled by council members.
“I feel, as a council member, we were voted in by the citizens to be their voice … I feel uncomfortable that council would hand that over to other people,” she said.
“I disagree,” said councillor Dennis Craven. “We have three very experienced, knowledgeable people on that committee and I would like to see them remain there.”
Mayor Neil Driscoll noted he had spoken to two of the three members of the previous committee of adjustment and they had indicated they were interested in continuing as members.
Sinnamon pointed out two of the committee members had served since before amalgamation in 1998, while the third was appointed prior to the just-completed four-year term of council.
An amendment to have the committee of adjustment appointment dealt with separately from a motion on other committee appointments was supported by Craven and councillor Marlene Ottens, with Woodham and councillor Michael Martin opposed. Driscoll supported the motion, breaking the tie.
Martin asked Craven to elaborate on his reasons for preferring citizen appointees.
“I think it’s good to have a citizen’s overview of some things … I’m happy with the way it is. It’s working, I don’t think the committee’s broke,” said Craven.
Driscoll said while it’s important that agricultural interests be considered in many committee of adjustment decisions, he felt current council members had considerable agricultural knowledge.
A motion to have council as a whole sit as the committee of adjustment was approved, with Woodham, Martin and Driscoll in favor and Craven and Ottens opposed.
Staff recommended committee of adjustment hearings be held prior to council meetings, beginning at 6pm, ahead of the regular 7pm start time for evening council meetings.
A motion to advertise for citizen appointees needed for other committees was also approved by council.
Driscoll asked council members to advise him of their preferences for committees they wish to sit on.
