“Will of council” to oppose Kemp Rd hemp operation

By Mike Williscraft NewsNow

If the Town of Grimsby is to win an Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) battle over a hemp processing operation proposed for Kemp Road East, it will have to wage conflict on two fronts.

At Monday’s council meeting, a unanimous vote directs the Town’s legal counsel to support “the will of council” - which confirms the Committee of Adjustment’s (CoA) rejection of the proposal.

The rejection was met with an OLT appeal by the proponent of the project.

During council debate in December and at a special council meeting on the issue Feb. 28, a series of concerns was outlined by council regarding not just what is proposed but what the site could evolve into once the door is open.

The proponent had several inconsistent answers to questions, said councillors, which made them hesitant to consider the proposal.

In voting to support

CoA, the consensus was the project was a rezoning matter, not a simple variance matter.

Key to the LPAT proceeding, however, will be the Town’s planning department support of the project.

See HEMP, Page 2

Notice of Intention to Designate

TAKE NOTICE THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Grimsby intends to designate 292 Main Street West to be of cultural heritage value or interest under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act:

292 Main Street West

THE REASON, for the proposed designation is to recognize the architectural value of the building in context of its contribution to the heritage character of the Town of Grimsby.

The historic dwelling at 292 Main Street West is a strong representation of Edwardian Classicism. The style is a reaction to the highly decorated interiors and exteriors of the Victorian era. Edwardian Classicism is defined by symmetrical simplified facades with classical influences, tall gable roofs, smooth red brick, oak interiors, and multi pane divided windows. The historic structure at 292 Main Street West contains all of these attributes as well as a full width two storey porch with square columns supported by cut stone bases.

The historic dwelling and auxiliary buildings demonstrate a high degree of technical or scientific achievement. The Gothic-arch barn roof was a technical advancement in barn building. The innovative design improved the use of the upper spaces in the barn by removing the need for interior wood support posts, as well as using smaller pieces of lumber which were laminated together to create large trusses.

The property at 292 Main Street West is associated with the Pettit and Metcalf families, both of which were influential in the development of Grimsby and Upper Canada. The property at 292 Main Street West is an intact parcel that was once a part of the original land grant given to Andrew Pettit from the crown in 1787.

The historic dwelling at 292 Main Street West known as “Swallowbeck II” is representative of the age and architectural style that was historically found throughout the neighborhood and historic main street corridors. The surviving examples of fruit growing farms along Main Street West and East were built between the 1860’s to the 1920’s.

ANY PERSON may within thirty days of the publication of this notice, send by registered mail, or deliver to the Town Clerk of the Corporation of the Town of Grimsby his or her objection to the proposed designation, together with a statement of the reasons for the objection and all relevant facts. When a Notice of Objection has been received, the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Grimsby will refer the matter to the Ontario Land Tribunal for a hearing.

ANY PERSON may within thirty days of the publication of this notice, send by registered mail, or deliver to the Town Clerk of the Corporation of the Town of Grimsby his or her objection to the proposed designation, together with a statement of the reasons for the objection and all relevant facts. When a Notice of Objection has been received, the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Grimsby will refer the matter to the Ontario Land Tribunal for a hearing.

FURTHER INFORMATION r respecting the proposed designation is available from the municipality by contacting Bianca Verrecchia, Heritage Planner:

Email: bverrecchia@grimsby.ca

Phone: (905)945-9634 Ext. 2122

THIS NOTICE PUBLISHED on the 9th day of March, 2023.

Hemp

From Page 1

Because of that, council wanted to ensure their direction is carried out during the process and signals are not crossed.

“Therefore be it resolved that the Town’s Legal Counsel be directed to support the decision of the Com- mittee of Adjustment at OLT,” reads the motion unanimously approved.

“I am confident in our legal (counsel). This is the proper way to proceed,” said Mayor Jeff Jordan.

The approval drew loud applause from the large gallery of residents in attendance.

Grimsby jacks firearms fines

As a deterrent to illegal hunting in Grimsby, council jacked the minimum fine for infractions at Monday’s council meeting.

Setting a lower bar would simply be met with a “cost of doing business” attitude, said Coun. Lianne Vardy. “They won’t care if they get fined. They would just increase what they are charging (for hunting trips),” said Vardy.

Fines now range from $1,000 for a first offence under Part 1 of the bylaw, but can escalate to $4,000-$100,000 and a court appearance under Part 3.