Businesses sent a resounding message to the Erin Village BIA recently, filing more than enough objection letters to quash an expansion proposal before it was even considered by council.
The town received 33 objection letters from the 57 properties that would have been included in the new Business Improvement Area, which encompassed all commercial properties from Dundas Street to Wellington Road 124, plus the Avila property.
That total far exceeded the minimum requirement of having at least one third of owners and tenants object.
And those objectors also pay more than one third of the taxes levied by the municipality – the other requirement to quash the expansion proposal.
So on Dec. 15 clerk Kathryn Ironmonger reported to council that “the municipality is prohibited from passing a bylaw relating to the proposed expansion.”
But BIA chair Shelley Foord and vice-chair Jo Fillery suggest the numbers may have been skewed, thanks to “an individual who had no vested interest in the BIA.”
In a letter to council the pair alleges that person encouraged business owners to sign a hand delivered form letter of objection “without all the facts presented.”
Foord and Fillery also said they are still concerned about “continuing the BIA with its present budget restrictions and limited geographical boundaries.”
They want to continue with the $37,000 budget that was proposed as part of the BIA expansion and would like to meet in the new year with town council and staff to gain “some insight that will assist the BIA in moving forward.”
Resident Deanna MacKay, secretary of the town’s economic development committee, asked if that means the BIA will be asking for money directly from the town.
Mayor Rod Finnie said that might happen and noted the help – if any – from the town would be dependent on the proposal from the BIA and the strains on the town’s budget.
Councillor Barb Tocher said the town has in the past supported groups in charge of beautification projects in Erin, Hillsburgh and Orton.
But, McKay told council, the fact remains that “it’s not a very good time to be raising taxes.”
