The Creemore
ECHO
Thursday, April 13, 2017 Vol. 17
No. 16 www.creemore.com
News and views in and around Creemore
INSIDE THE ECHO
Be You
Top Players
Creemore Minor Hockey Awards Banquet
Students Paint the Town Pink
PAGE 6-7
PAGE 12
Publications Mail Agreement # 40024973
OMB hears Steer appeal
Staff photo: Sara Hershoff
The Creemore BIA is hanging birdhouses along Mill Street Thursday in time for Easter and in preparation for Happy Bird Day. Pictured from left is Karen Nicolson, Michel Masselin, Katie Vander Wielen, Nancy Johnston, Norma Panzine, Graham McDonald and Laurie Severn. See story on page 3.
Council supports facade improvement program by Trina Berlo Clearview is proceeding with the creation of a community improvement plan to encourage the beautification of commercial areas in the township. With the full support of council, Clearview’s director of community services Mara Burton was directed to proceed with a public meeting in May. The municipality will be asking the public, especially business people, what they would like from the proposed community improvement plan (CIP). The proposed plan would see grant money made available to shop owners or tenants who wish to make improvements to building facades in commercial areas.
In her presentation to council Monday, Burton showed images of Creemore’s downtown as examples of facades that make for a cohesive streetscape. She called the façade “the packaging” of a business and said people will travel for an authentic experience. Burton is proposing a funding program for those who wish to improve signage, lighting and reclaim the heritage aspects of the buildings. She used some of Stayner’s main street businesses as examples. For instance, the program would encourage property owners to uncover the decorative cornices at the top of the buildings. “There are many excellent examples of heritage buildings that are classic,”
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said Burton. There is $50,000 set aside for the program in this 2017 budget. Burton is proposing maybe one intake this year to start, when businesses would be asked to submit applications for funds. “It takes a lot of time and effort to do this so we want to make sure it’s worth everyone’s while,” said Burton. Councillors are very supportive of the plan. There was a consensus that the municipality should not fund 100 per cent of the project and that instead the plan should be offered as a matching grant or have at least some buy-in from the businesses that will benefit. Burton suggested keeping the (See “Staff ” on page 3)
by Trina Berlo An Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing regarding Steer’s relocation to Cashtown Corners began Tuesday at town hall in Stayner. Three days have been set aside for the proceedings, chaired by Ian Rowe. The OMB was triggered by an appeal of Clearview Township council’s decision to approve a rezoning that would allow Steer Enterprises to move from its current location in Glen Huron to a larger property at the southeast corner of Cashtown Corners. On day one of the hearing, witnesses were called for Steer, the municipality and the current owners of the property in question. Appellant John Hillier had an opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses, representing himself and his wife Marnie Hillier. Hillier was set to testify and call one expert planner on Wednesday as The Echo went to press, a day ahead of schedule due to the holiday Friday. Counsel for Steer, Al Burton, said in his opening remarks, “We must carefully consider council’s decision. There is no reason to doubt the correctness of the decision.” Steer is hoping to expand and consolidate its operations (it came out at the hearing that Steer has leased land on Edward Street, the same street the Hilliers live on). At the centre of the appeal is the location. Burton said the proposed location at Cashtown Corners was carefully chosen after two years of searching for a property that was big enough, would be easily accessed by large vehicles, not constrained by overhead hydro lines and (See “Steer” on page 5)
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