ALL IN FAVOUR OF HIGHLANDS DEMOLISHING MELANCTHON?

Regarding the demolition control bylaw that was on a Melancthon Council agenda in December 2009, the following resolution was passed at the May 6, 2010 meeting of Council:

Moved by Hill, Seconded by Crowe:

Be it resolved that: Whereas there has been considerable discussion and correspondence regarding the implementation of a demolition control By-law for the Township,

And whereas Council received a report dated March 29 2010 from Andrew Fyfe providing an update of the By-law,

And whereas the report recommended the creation of an ad hoc committee to establish framework for such a By-law to suit the particular circumstances of Melancthon to include but not limited to,

- the architectural and historical significance of the dwelling

- the potential for relocation to another site

- potential impact on agricultural production

- the cumulative impact of housing stock

- the cumulative impact on the rural landscape, including the proximity to other recent removal of dwellings

And whereas both the planner and legal counsel have stated publicly that a demolition control By-law will not necessarily stop a demolition,

And whereas they have also cautioned about the possible costly appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board,

And whereas subsequent to the April 15th Council meeting the C.A.O. was requested to survey the Counties of Dufferin, Grey and Wellington to request copies of their demolition control By-laws,

And whereas only the Township of Centre Wellington responded, as there is apparently no other Municipalities with demolition control By-laws in those Counties,

And whereas a request was made of Mr. Fyfe to provide a time and cost estimate to complete a By-law,

And whereas he suggested it would be “meeting heavy” with stakeholders, public open house(s), Council, as well as two or three rewrites of a By-law before it is finally presented to Council, with further additional costs of “about $ 10,000,”

And whereas this Council has six months left in it’s term and it is most likely the information and final By-law will not be available for passage within that time frame,

Therefore be it resolved that further discussion of the demolition control By-law be tabled until January 6 2011 when the new Council can review all the correspondence from BOTH open and closed sessions and decide if in their view a demolition control By-law is in the best interests of all of the residents of Melancthon Township and make the necessary budget choices for 2011 depending on their decision.

Carried.

Analysis in tomorrow's blog.