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16&-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, May 25, 2004 Local man concerned growth happening too fast e from TREE-CUTflNG on page 1 'he tree-cutting bylaw - a contentious issue when first proposed last year- is stili undergo- ing commissioner of planning and public works, said after the public meeting. The expeetation is to have it in place by the end of the year, she added. "The eonceem was it was too restrictive, that it would hamper the rural residents in the farming community from fully using their property," she said. The original draft bylaw would apply to a forested area .5 ha. (1.2 acres) or greater in suze and permits would be required for trees to be cleared. "So what we're doing now is Iooking at more exemptions where you have a farm management plan," she said, sîressing the intent of the tree- cutting hytawv s Io restrici ilegal cujtting. night ol une 16 and thcn to regional counicil l'or ratification Jonc 23. For more information, visit www.region.hal- tononica. A dozen speakers approached the planning and public works conitîec Wcdncsday night, înost of them cxpressing concemn with various pans of OPA 25. They included a farming property being re- classified as a certain land designation that- wbuldn't permit the construction of a desired horse farm; how an area is defined a "significant woodland"; and that population figures for north Oakville are 100 high and were made without knowing ail of the environmental features of thc massive area. ivi>glowsli s Il)dl)lillg lot) lasl aud dclnand- cd the Region tell taxpayers what the truc cost of growth will bc. "I have a gut feeling that taxes are going to risc dramatically," he said. Overaîl, through OPA 25, under the urban sys- term, it would include cnhanccd poticies to increase the supply of affordable housing. Under the rural systcm, it would include allowing a broad range of uses on thc farnn- like permitting a farmer to operate a welding shop - to help a farmer support a standard agri- cultural business. Under the greenlands system, il would include updated mapping of trees and a revised tree-cut- ting bylaw. t nder ht'a1hi, commrnfities, t 55 0u1(1incîtide Ms Clohecy said OPA 25 shows good plan- ning. It better enables us to manage population employmenî 10 make sure theres a balance 10 promote the work-live relationship, and il gives us much better environmental protection," she said. "We dont need 10 change the urban boundaries so we can accormnodate that population within the boundaries we have." Halîon's population, now more than 400,000, is expectcd to exceed 583,000 by 2021. Board will have to review its priorities from CATHOLIO on page 2 priorities to arrive at a final balaneed budget." Lasi Jonc the board approved 2003-04 budget estimates totaling $200,194,163 for submnission to Uic Ministry of Education. In passing Uiat budget, trustees voted for operating expenditure estimates of $163.9 million - broken down as $106.7 million for classroomn expenditures and $57.2 million for non-elassroom expenditures. These were matehed with opcrating revenue projec- lions to produce a balanced board operating budget for 2003-04. Similarly, the total capital budget was balanced wiUi boUi revenue and expenditures estimated at $36.2 million. 'Me budget approved by trustees provided for an increase in classroomn spending of 14 per cent as well as a 30 per cent inerease in thc arca of Special Education. ,North Halton ifre "CANADA'S MATTRESS SUPERSTORE" i " Visit our website at www.$l.epfoctory.comn " Financing available e Senior Discount " Ovor 40 locations acmoss Canada " W. customize ~ lMAIN ST. l E'.f I .'., g OPEN SUNDAYS! Houts: Mon.-Wed. 106 p.m., Thurs., Fr. 10-9 ., Saturday " p.m., Sunday 11-5 p.m. OMW z z -f PAIRVIEW ST~ NEW STREET COUPON oo 1 FREE ---ý CHOICES 1