Rezoning issue in Port Williams goes to public hearing

BY KIRK STARRATT

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Kings County council voted first to send the matter to the Port Williams secondary planning strategy (SPS) process. However, following a motion of reconsideration by area councillor Janet Newton, a proposed farmland rezoning that would expand the village’s growth centre has been given first reading and will now proceed to public hearing.

Newton asked her colleagues to reconsider a motion to give first reading to Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB) amendments that would redesignate and rezone land owned by Dykeview and Riverbrook Farms, generally located between Highway 358 and Collins Road, from Agricultural (A1) to Residential Comprehensive Development District (RCDD). In May, council had voted to refer the matter to the SPS process underway in the community.

Newton was successful in getting the motion for first reading back on the floor. She said, before the May session was over, one councillor was reconsidering the vote that individual had cast. If the individual had voted the other way, it would have changed the outcome. She said the referral motion had effectively cut off debate and all pertinent information wasn’t heard.

Newton said Port Williams Village Commission chairman Lewis Benedict came and made council aware of issues with nitrates in the village water supply during a presentation at the May committee of the whole (COTW) session. She said if water quality were harmed, county councillors would now share responsibility for that.

Newton said there is concern also that the village would miss out on the second round of provincial Shannex long-term care facility applications if the land isn’t rezoned.

No longer an agricultural issue: Spinazola

Councillor Madonna Spinazola said this is no longer an agricultural issue for her. She said she would like to see the matter move forward to a public hearing so the people of Port Williams can speak. Spinazola said council understands the importance of agricultural land, but the county has a MPS and sometimes growth centres need to be expanded to save the majority of agricultural land.

Councillor Chris Parker said, in terms of the correspondence he has received on the matter, it’s very close in terms of the number of supporters for rezoning and those in favour of sending the matter to the SPS process. However, he said it seems more people outside of Port Williams are in favour of the SPS process.

Parker said Newton lives and works in the village and asked her how many people have approached her on the matter. Newton said fewer than five people, for or against development, had done so. She said later she had received one phone call and a letter that circulated in the community about the matter had an incorrect e-mail address for her.

Councillor Barry Peterson asked why some councillors were so anxious to have a SPS process then want to have the biggest issue dealt with beforehand.

Councillor Jim Taylor said the issue is too important to be pushed through quickly, as it deals with the removal of 200 acres of prime agricultural land.

“Something of this magnitude needs close scrutiny,” he said. “We have got to be careful with our natural resources and our primary industry.”

‘Let’s quit the you-know-what’: Atwater

Councillor John Fuller said the developers have a lot in their favour, as the village commission has spoken quite strongly in favour of having the subject land rezoned. He said an SPS with more complete information is needed.

Councillor Wayne Atwater said, “let’s quit the you-know-what and get to the public hearing.”

Newton said the village boundaries extend well beyond the current growth centre. She said she wanted it all handled at the same time, but council delayed and delayed with the SPS. She said both staff and the planning advisory committee recommended the rezoning, not sending the matter to the SPS process. She said there is no other logical place for the village to grow and asked her colleagues if the community is supposed to stagnate.

“I wouldn’t do anything to hurt the community I live in and raised my family in,” Newton said, pointing out she wouldn’t be so misguided to risk children’s futures.

Council voted in favour of first reading for the rezoning and sending the matter to a public hearing June 30 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers in Kentville.