A public meeting, a planning report and a parks and recreation report were a few of the items discussed at the April 20 Guelph-Eramosa council meeting.
Mike Newark
Mayor Chris White announced at the beginning of the meeting that former Guelph-Eramosa Township chief building official (for over 10 years) Mike Newark passed away on April 14 after battling leukemia for a year.
“He was very dedicated to the township and he took great pride in his work,” White said.
“Mike was a trusted advisor to council and a wonderful friend and colleague to the staff here at Guelph-Eramosa.”
Parks and recreation report
In the report approved by council, there will be a 2.4 per cent increase in the cost of existing parks and recreations services as well as some additional amendments.
To use the older adult centre after hours at Rockmosa an annual membership of $25 is now required. Also, for parties wanting to host an event at the centre there are additional fees for booking the room.
Other additional fees for township facilities include different rental fees for the small pavilion ($111 a day plus HST and a $200 deposit) and the large pavilion ($194 a day plus HST and a $200 deposit) at Marden Park.
The Royal Distribution Athletic Performance Centre will be offering birthday party packages ranging from $147 to $218 plus HST. The centre will also provide a $18 plus HST prepaid track card.
For active 55+ programming each class after the third will also cost $40.
Added to the schedule include a Tot n’ Play use prepaid card, pick-up soccer fee, Nordic pole rentals, purchase and replacement parts.
Public meeting
A public meeting was held at the beginning of the regularly-scheduled council meeting to discuss the severance of a surplus farm dwelling on A&A Farms at 5439 Wellington Road 29.
Council approved the zoning bylaw amendment that removes the permitted use of a “detached dwelling unit” to comply with the condition of consent from the County of Wellington Land Division Committee. The land will still be used for agriculture.
Resident Randy Piart, who has a farm adjoining this property, asked for clarification that the severed land would never be able to have a new house built on it.
Mayor Chris White said that a new house wouldn’t be permitted but an outbuilding or barn could be put on the severed land.
Public meeting request
A public meeting was requested regarding the zoning bylaw amendment for 31 Bedford Rd. Wayne Morrison, the property owner, has run an automobile body/repair shop at the location since 1990 and the use was approved by council for a three-year period in 2002. As part of the bylaw review process the renewal of the zoning amendment was once again brought to council’s attention.
Morrison expects to retire in 2018, said planning associate Kelsey Lang at the meeting, so he is seeking another temporary use bylaw amendment so he can remain in operation until that time.
Council approved the recommendation to proceed with a public meeting.
