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eMurWIR MM NggbW5AN 1 ) ,13989 PAGEiS Region facng money, space crundi By Mike Johnston The Region of Durham is run- ning out of space, Region revenues are falling and growth in the area is occurring too fast, according ti the Region's chief administrative officer. Don Evans painted a bleak picture for regional councilllors at a meeting of the finance and administration committee last week. Besides the issue of landfill, he outlined a number of what he called "major" issues facing the region. "The region is suffering greatly because there is no plan for longterm accommodation," said Evans. The Region was involved in a debate over a new regional head- quarters two years ago when both Oshawa and a Whitby deve- loper, Graywood, were bidding to build a new regional headquar- ters. Regional councillors voted to remain at the Rossland Rd. E. site. Some of the Region's depart- ments, such -as finance, are now located in Oshawa while works and. planning are located in Whitby. "Some of those departments should be together," said Evans who noted that the Region has no more office space available. "We can't get anyone else in Rossland Rd. and we have new staff proposed in the budget and I don't know where they are Grants are approved for local shelters Durham Region is breaking its no-grant policy by giving $13,870 to Hostel Services (Durham Region) Inc., according to the Region's commissioner of finance, Jack Gartley. "Administratively, it (no-grant policy) is an ideal situation, said Gartley. He made his comments as the finance and administration com- mittee last week tried to untan- g e a mix-up in grants.to two local shelter groups. Themix-up occurredwhenthe Region was approached by. a i oup called Durham Regional Acesto. Permanent Housing Committee. The committee had askéd the Region to contribute 20: per cent, or $62,590, of the committee's $312,950 budget. The Region agreed. The Pro- vince was to fund the remaining $250,360 if it approved the entire program. Provincial approval, however, was not immediate so the Region assumed the committee would not require all of the $62,590. The Region was then approa- ched by Hostel Services asking for a contribution of $32,000 to complete a new hostel project. The Region agreed to the grant and took the funds it had set aside for the Access Housing Program. In the meantime, the Access Housing Program received pro- vincial approval for part of its program at a cost of $222,300. This meant the Region's portion of the program dropped to $44,460 from $62,590, leaving the Region with $18,130. A day later, the Region's finance department was approa- ched by Hostel Services for the $32,000 promised by the Region. Since only $18,130 was avail- able, the Region's finance depart- ment authorized that amount to be given to Hostel Services. The Service has now asked for the full $32,000. "We should allocate the remainder but this should be the last of amending the council's grant policy," said regional chair- man Gary Herrema. CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY SOFAS & CHAIRS RECOVERED LIKE NEW Choose from a large selection of fabrics Repairs •Refinishing ANTIQUES BOUGHT AND SOLD 513 BROCK ST. N WHITBY BUS. 668-5481 RES. 655-3524 The committee has recommen- ded-that the $13,870 be given to Hostel Services. The committee has also included a reminder in the recommendation to the new council about the no-grant policy. going to go," said Evans. He suggested two possible locations where staff could be housed including a floor in a downtown Oshawa office build- ing where the finance depart- ment is now located, and space in the new building now under construction in Whitby, on Ross- land Rd. E. at Garden St. As for Region finances, Evans noted that revenues coming from the Province have been frozen while Region expenditures are increasing. Regional council recently approved a 7.1 per cent increase in water and sewer rates, and Evans said regional councillors could be faced with a budget calling for taxes higher than inflation. "There are a number of press- ures coming to bear including a huge staff increase," said Evans. Growth is also causing pro- blems - but it is also affecting all municipalitie within the greater Metropolitan Toronto area, said Evans. He noted that the Province's eight- to 10-year timetable for expansion of Hwy 401 is "not satisfactory." Highway 401 is to be expanded to 12 lanes from six lanes from Port Union to Brock Rd., Picker- ing, with later expansion to Osh- awa. Regional chairman Gary Her- rema noted that all regional municipalities are facing pro- blems in moving cars. But unlike regions around Metro which have many roads for east-west traffic, Durham has only the 401, Rossland Rd. and Taunton Rd. Other items Evans expects that the committee will deal with during the next three years are: a code of ethics for regional staff; an internal audit function; a management seivice to deal with planning the Region's manpower; and an industrialland policy. A recent report indicated that the region is short on industrial land, but Evans told councillors the Province is interested in sel- ling land inm Whitby to the Re,T on. Re think we should develop that land but you have to make some sort of decision on that," said Evans. Residents oppose subdivision FROM PAGE 1 Rossland Rd. and at the Sato access. Another resident, Sandra Bar- riault, received applause when she described the application as "spot rezoning," since residents were led to believe the whole plan area was low density when part of it is actually medium density. But planning director Bob Short said the zoning established for both low and medium density was in place before the existing hor"'s had been built, and that no changes have occurred. "This is not a spot zoning," added councillor Ross Batten. 'it doesn't resemble a spot zoning. The zoning was in place before you bought your property." Batten told residents that "there is going to be something on that property," as the plan and public comment now go to planning department for agency comment and consideration. "I think there's room for con- siderable movement on both sides,"said Batten of the applica- tion and planning department recommendation. IE3F~ ~J 1?~Ç~ lji ~. A. E~ w 1ê4rF1It m-j'- STORE WIDE SAVINGS WITH OUR BEST PRICES OF THE YEAR! INTERIORS our past part of your future. 507 Brock Street, North, Whitby 686-1123 (3 blocks north of Hwy. 2) Mon. - Wed. 10-6, Thurs. & Fri. 10-9, Saturday 10-5:30 Also in Mississauga PIONEER Making the legacy of