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DECEMBER 2003 To the Editor: Should the new Whitchurch-Stouffville council review the operations of the committee of adiustment? This is a council- appointed committee which holds off-council public hearings on land issues across the municipality. It does not report to council. The committee operates under the provincial Planning Act. By law. only neighbouring property owners need to be notified. Council members can be appointed to the committee. but this practice is not followed in Whitchurch-Stoul'fvillel Our Readers Opinions By law. the committee, does not require a planner as one of its members. The Whitchurch-Stouffville town by-law 200l-28-AP of Ian. 23, 200i includes the planner or designate as the fifth regular member of Should council review committee of adiustment? The first prize Atlantis hot tub was won by Brian Eadey of Markham, second prize of a Napoleon gas barbecue was won by Greg Brenton of Whitby, and the third prize Zenith DVD player was won by the Sabo famfly, also of Whitby. We congratulate all winners. The raffle was a great success and you can rest assured that the monies raised will go towards Lions“ charitable activities. We could not have done it without your assistance and we want you to know that we look forward to future partnerships. To the Editor: On behalf of the Ballantrae and District Lions Club please allow me to thank you for your assistance during our recent hot tub fundraiser. Lions raffle a great success AUTO MAIN STREET the committee. However a planner has only attended a few hearings since Oct 200l, Is the committee in violation of this byâ€"law? Have its hearings been properly constituted and held. without the planner or designate? The committee has heavy responsibilities, which require a working knowledge of provincial laws and municipal by- laws, and which include dealing with minor variances Since the Planning Act does not define 'minor’, this leaves power in the hands of the committee. An example of a minor variance is the re- arrangement of the Giant Tiger parking lot. The committee determined that it met the four required tests for a minor variance. namely. the general intent and purpose of H the zoning Brad Evans Event chairman Glad to be of service, and we thank you for calling on us this past year. MAIN STREET AUTO SERVICE Main Street Stouffville from all of us at 7601/50“ 5 beefing!) byâ€"law and 2) the official plan; also that 3) it was desirable for the development of the neighbourhood and 4) it was minor in nature. An example of the general intent and purpose of general zoning by-law 87-34 and desirability for the neighbourhood is a planned carport approved for an older residential street. In this RI residential area, sideyard setbacks for the properties are 4 and ”‘5 ft. giving the houses an appearance of separation. The committee approved a setback of 2 ft. instead of HS ft. for the carport. This reduces the surface needed for dissipation of To the Editor lust to make sure you understand something here. We have a five-year capital budget of $27 million; $|9 million for roads and public work facilities and equipment funded through development charges and $10 million from our reserve of Sn million; a debenture of $2 million of the $3 million cost for a new fire hallo Your money is funding this development. You have every right in the world to have a say and question every step of the way. You can even stop funding something which is harmful to the town...in fact it is your duty To the Editor I iust wanted to thank you for what I think is a great November issue. I especially loved the pull-out section 'Explon‘ng our History”. I was born in East York, but have lived in Stouffville since Marchl98l. and I truly enioy seeing what happened in our past. My mom always said I was born a hundred years too late. Development borne by taxpayer Fascinated by community history water run-off on the owner‘s property‘ Where will the water go? Will this set a precedent for other 2 ft. setbacks for carports. thereby changing the appearance of the street? What happens when a resident has started to build a structure, or has completed it, without a building permit and the structure does not comply with the general zoning by-law? Can the committee approve a minor variance without reference to the safety standards of the Ontario Building Code? Margaret L, May Stouffville u u - www.sdssreunited.ca Dave Brooks Stouffville Randy Mole Stouffville (905) 640-61 15 Sunshinz 97:55 4%»: Seafood ”WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE THIS MONTH” â€" 9 + Gourmet Pizza * Fresfl Pasta + Fresh SeafOOd FOR RESERVATIONS CALL Steak Chicken RESTAURANT 5812 Main Street Stouh‘ville