Inside This Issue
SMITHS FALLS GETS IN SHAPE We preview the Healthy Living Festival, coming to Smiths Falls once again June 20.
SEE OUR FEATURE The arena at the Smiths Falls Community Centre has drawn regional interest as a venue for a sport a ittle different than hockey. Instead of a puck and ice skates, the Jr. B Nepean Knights and Akwesasne Indians lacrosse teams were wielding a ball and lacrosse stick during their game at the Smiths Falls arena on Saturday, May 23. The Knights lost by one point with a final score of 9-10. PHOTO CREDIT/JASON CODE
OMB dismisses Hershey Drive zoning appeal BY AMY HOGUE The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) appeal filed in opposition to a zoning bylaw amendment approved by council in December 2014 for 1 Hershey Drive, has been dismissed by OMB board member, Marc Denhez. The hearing for the appeal was held on April 15 in council chambers, at which time Denhez heard from both parties in the appeal; the appellant, Mark Greer, and the town’s legal representative, Tony Fleming. At that time, Denhez reserved his decision to allow him time to review the evidence presented by both sides. Denhez’ written decision begins by summarizing the central issues of the appeal, and the evidence presented by both sides. Greer’s principal concerns, as outlined by Denhez, pertained primarily to the information provided by the municipality at the public hearing held in November 2014. Further, Denhez identified
Greer’s issues stemming from concerns for the environment, and his perception of a lack of information provided to the community about the chemical processes involved in the conversion of plastic into oil. Denhez also wrote that Greer alluded to a lack of a proponent, or interested party, to install a plastics recycling facility at that location. Further, Denhez referred to Ms. Krueger’s testimony, given in support of the appellant, Greer. Denhez said Krueger “drew the Board’s attention very quickly to a written opinion from the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit, dated the day after the Town planning staff had submitted its sixteen page planning report supporting the proposal.” Denhez said the Health Unit’s letter essentially stated that more information would be required. In the municipality’s defence to the appeal, Denhez said in his decision the municipality did not discount
the appellant’s concerns, but instead allowed that the concerns were the reason for the Holding provision, and the project would be subject to the approval process from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC). Denhez also wrote in his decision the municipality’s information as to the suitability of the location for the development, and the volumes of traffic anticipated, were not contradicted by Greer. Denhez said the municipality’s position was the development agreement would address these issues, including trucking, site cleanup, trailers, and emergencies. “The concerns raised by the
appellant and the [Greer and Krueger] are understandable,” Denhez wrote, “The board agrees with the appellant on the importance of information; and the Board also agrees with Ms. Krueger about
the need for caution.” Denhez went on to say the OMB agrees with the municipality’s approach in addressing those concerns. Denhez deferred to the MOECC in assessing the safety to the environment, while stressing the zoning by-law is “principally intended to address the use of land,” writing that the fact that the operator of the facility is yet to be determined is no basis to reject the zoning by-law amendment. Denhez wrote that the appellant presented no evidence that the development would contradict the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) or the municipality’s Official Plan (OP).
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EXPLORE The Galipeau Centre celebrating all its successes as it expands. AMY HOGUE reports.
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culture Hometown News reporter HANNA LANGE-CHENIER writes about her upcoming travels to Rwanda, 21 years after the country’s tragic genocide.
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community As local police celebrate police week, AMY HOGUE reports on the force’s efforts to curb drinking and driving on prom night,
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