BAYFIELD SECONDARY PLAN MOVES TO PUBLIC CONSULTATION STAGE

The process of formulating a Secondary Plan for Bayfield continues and is now moving to the public consultation stage with opportunities for residents to comment upcoming later this month.

An Open House will be held on Friday, Nov. 18 at the Bayfield Public Library and interested individuals are welcome to drop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.  There will be interactive panels provided for feedback and staff available to answer questions.

A Public Meeting will be held on Saturday, Nov. 26 starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Bayfield Community Centre. A formal presentation by staff will be conducted followed by a question period and time to provide feedback.

“Please join us to review and discuss the first draft of the Bayfield Secondary Plan this month! If you are not able to attend in person, online feedback forms will be available on the Huron County Connects page or you can email directly to Planning staff,” said Manager of Planning for the County of Huron and Staff Lead for Planned Bayfield, Denise Van Amersfoort.

Owners of large, undeveloped parcels of land will be receiving an invitation for one-on-one meetings through the mail. Should they not receive one and wish to understand how the Secondary Plan will influence the future development of their property, they should please call or email Van Amersfoort at dvanamersfoort@huroncounty.ca or call 1-888-524-8394 Ext. 3 to set up a time. Meetings can be in person on-site or by phone.

Public feedback will be reviewed by the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) and incorporated into the Secondary Plan before Bluewater Council receives the final document in early 2023.

The CAC has completed their review of the first draft of the Secondary Plan and it is available for public review and feedback. A more condensed version of the draft policies has been prepared in response to Committee feedback. Other recent changes include:

• Removal of Neighborhood Commercial policies;
• Maintain ‘Highway Commercial’ designation name and scale back extent of designation expansion along Hwy 21 and Mill Road;
• Proceed with minimum density requirement of 15 units per hectare for future development lands;
• Proceed with series of zoning-related changes that support the vision outlined in the Secondary Plan; and
• Compilation of additional recommendations that support the vision of Bayfield as outlined in the Secondary Plan.

The community’s vision of Bayfield as articulated in the initial rounds of public input is of a walkable, green and vibrant community that maintains an authentic village character. To achieve this vision, members of the CAC felt strongly that while some of the ideas raised during the development of the Secondary Plan are outside of scope of Official Plan policies and/or Zoning recommendations, it is important to document and forward these ideas to Bluewater Council as part of the Secondary Plan process.

Eleven recommendations are currently included.

The Bayfield Breeze will highlight these over the next three issues starting with Part I: Heritage Conservation District Plan for Main Street North and Clan Gregor Square, Street naming policy, Noise By-law exemption for hospitality businesses on Main Street, and an amendment to Signage By-law.

Heritage Conservation District Plan for Main Street North and Clan Gregor Square – The Heritage Conservation District Plan and accompanying Guidelines are considered vital to ensuring the heritage features and character of the District are conserved and enhanced through future development proposals. The Plan must be updated to reflect changes since its inception (1982) and changes to the Ontario Heritage Act. The updating of the Plan should include consideration of expanding the District to those properties that opted out in the original Plan as well as abutting residential streets (eg. Chiniquy Street and Bayfield Terrace).

Recommendation: That the Municipality proceed to update the Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines at the earliest opportunity. The Municipal Heritage Committee supports this recommendation.

Street Naming Policy – The naming of new streets is an opportunity to celebrate the community’s heritage, culture and history. Carriage Lane is an example of the authentic storytelling that is promoted through street naming. The Committee recommends that the names of all new streets relate to Bayfield or the former Stanley Township’s community, culture, and heritage or relate to pre-settlement history (in partnership with local Indigenous Nations).

Recommendation: That Council establishes a formal process for street naming within the Municipality through the adoption of a Street Naming Policy By-law.

Noise By-law Exemption for Hospitality Businesses on Main Street – The current Noise By-law has created difficulty for hospitality businesses to operate into the evening hours.  This By-law would be improved by increased flexibility within defined parameters to allow both operators and neighboring property owners a clear understanding of what is permitted.

Recommendation: That Council adopt a seasonal exemption to the Noise By-law for hospitality businesses located along Main Street North in Bayfield to allow for evening hours of operation to include music within set parameters.

Amendment to Signage By-law – It is felt strongly that large scale, tower signage is not appropriate in any area of Bayfield, including arterial areas.

Recommendation: That the Municipality of Bluewater Signage By-law be amended to prohibit large, pylon signs within the Bayfield Settlement Area.

The Secondary Plan is available for review at www.connectedcountyofhuron.ca.

Anyone with questions, comments or concerns is asked to contact Van Amersfoort directly. Her contact information is listed above.

SANTA’S BRINGING HIS WORKSHOP TO TOWN

A chance for four to12 year-olds to pick a gift for a special adult in their lives without any adults in the family knowing what it is will be happening at the Bayfield Community Centre on Nov. 19 thanks to Seeds Rooted in Youth. (Submitted photo)

Seeds Rooted in Youth (Seeds) is hosting a new event for children and youth on Nov. 19 that is also a gift for the adults in their lives! Owner and Lead Facilitator Janneke Vorsteveld at Seeds is bringing Santa’s Workshop to the Bayfield Community Centre.

For $30, grown-ups can give their child the gift of picking out a present for a special adult in their life all on their own! The event will run from noon until 4:30 p.m. and participants are asked to register online by picking a time slot: Santa’s Workshop Registration.

So how does this event work? Voresteveld explained, “Kids will get dropped off for a 45 minute time frame, where they will be able to pick, wrap and decorate a gift for an adult in their lives. They can also have hot chocolate, a snack and get their face painted by Snippitty the Clown.All without their parents/caregivers! Yup, you read that right, you drop them off and we do the rest.”

This is a chance for four to12 year-olds to pick a gift for a special adult in their lives without any adults in the family knowing what it is.

Donation Collection for gifts is happening now at the Bayfield Garage, 9 Main Street South.

“Donations do not need to be new items, used are great as well. Anything that could be a great gift for an adult and a child can carry home,” said Vorsteveld. She noted that gift ideas might include such items as scarves, socks, ties, home decor, and costume jewelry.

Fifteen spots will be donated to local youth in need through the Children’s Aid Society. Proceeds from this event will go to a sponsorship program to help get more kids learning outdoors. And the Bayfield Garage has graciously donated a free skate in the arena from 1-5 p.m. so families are invited to bring their skates to enjoy some ice time before or after shopping.

Seeds is in need of some volunteers to ensure that the afternoon runs smoothly – teenagers in need of service hours or adults are most welcome. Tasks include setting up and taking down tables as well as assisting  groups of five kids through picking a gift, wrapping it and decorating it. Please contact Vorsteveld at seedsrooted@gmail.com for more information.

CHILDREN’S CONCERT RETURNING FOR CHRISTMAS IN BAYFIELD

Audience participation is a big part of The Glee Sisters’ concerts – these youngsters were enlisted to help with a song about the jolly old elf during the last concert held in November of 2019. (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

The Glee Sisters will be presenting “Olaf’s Night Before Christmas” through song, story and puppets at the Bayfield Town Hall during the Christmas in Bayfield weekend.

There will be two performances on Saturday, Nov. 19, the first at 1:30 p.m. followed by a second at 3 p.m.  The Village Bookshop will have the book on sale at both performances.

Young children will no doubt love to sing seasonal favorites and play interactive musical games with a gift of a safety-approved rhythm instrument donated by Greg Stewart.  The Village Bookshop will have the book on sale at both performances. The Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society will provide hot chocolate and cookies following the shows.

The choir is directed by Lisa Stewart, accompanied by Mary McGoldrick. Helen Latimer will be puppeteer and Jen Smith will be acting as technical consultant.

Admission is free but donations to the Bayfield Area Food Bank will be gratefully received.

GINGERBREAD COOKIE DISTRIBUTION MOVES TO CLAN GREGOR SQUARE

Youngsters will be able to pick up their “Take & Make” Gingerbread Cookie Kits from the FOBL again this year but this time the group will be set up in Clan Gregor Square to distribute. (Submitted photo)

It wouldn’t be Christmas in Bayfield without a Gingerbread Cookie Decorating event for the kids! And the Friends of Bayfield Library (FOBL) elves are busy getting it all ready. Like last year, the event will be a “Take & Make” format.

The gingerbread cookie decorating kits will be ready for pickup in Clan Gregor Square on Saturday, Nov. 19 from noon to 1:30 p.m., right after the parade. There is no need to register for this event. Please note the location change as the gingerbread event has been at the library in previous years.

Each cookie kit will contain a gingerbread cookie with all the decorations needed to create a delicious, one-of-a-kind masterpiece at home. A gluten-free cookie option will be available. The kit will also include a “gingerbread” themed bookmark as well as some other fun items and a draw ticket to be filled out at the event for a chance to win one of two $25 gift certificates from The Village Bookshop. Complete the draw ticket and leave it in the jar at the pickup table. The draw will take place on Nov. 19.

FOBL is very grateful to The Village Bookshop and Bayfield Foodland for their generous donations to support this year’s Gingerbread Cookie Decorating event.

As in past years, parents (and grandparents too!) are invited to send photos of the completed cookie masterpieces to contact@fobl.ca. The photos will be posted on the FOBL Facebook page over the following week. For privacy reasons, no photos of children will be posted.

EVENING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT RESCUE

Cardi B (Submitted photo)

Bayfield’s Forgotten Felines (BFF) has so many wonderful cats and kittens looking for their forever families right now that they have temporarily closed their doors to intakes.

Cardi B is the Adopt a BFF kitten of the week.

This teenie weenie feline looks more like a stuffed toy than a kitten. She was found trying to survive the elements on her own with no other kittens or a Momma to be found. She was surrendered to the Rescue and volunteers figure she is about six weeks old now. She will soon be vetted and when old enough will be spayed .

“Her story unfortunately is not unique but she is a striking and playful little ball of fluff,” said Deb Penhale, representing BFF. “We receive calls daily from people who have found kittens or stray cats or are wanting to surrender their cats and we can’t possibly respond to all of them and we absolutely cannot bring in any more at this time. It breaks our hearts to say no, but again, housing, vetting and finances all dictate how much we can do and how many cats we can take on.”

BFF is currently in desperate need of some volunteers who might be willing to do some evening shifts at the Rescue.

Anyone who would like to meet Cardi B or might consider volunteering is invited to contact BFF via email at bayfieldsforgottenfelines@gmail.com for more information.

The adoption fee is now $200. Adopted cats are vetted, shots are up-to-date and they are also spayed or neutered. Donations are also always appreciated. E-transfers can be sent to the Rescue’s email or email to arrange for a drop off or pick up of donations. Cheques can be mailed to Bayfield’s Forgotten Felines, P.O. Box 33, Bayfield, ON, N0M 1G0.

PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MORE HOMES BUILT FASTER ACT

Premier Doug Ford and his government announced Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, on Oct. 25. The bill includes changes to the Conservation Authorities Act with respect to development in Ontario.

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) General Manager and Secretary-Treasurer Brian Horner said ABCA wants to continue to work cooperatively with the Province on the proposals. There is a need to keep people and their properties safe from natural hazards like flooding and erosion while also streamlining permitting approvals.

“We are aware of the lack of attainable housing in Ontario and, locally, we want to be part of the solution,” Horner said. “We are taking a close look at the proposed changes to better understand how they impact the work we do. We expected some of the changes as we have been working closely with the Province but there are some components that are new and we will need to look closer at the details.”

The proposed changes would allow the government to freeze or eliminate user-pay fees for developers. Putting a freeze on costs paid by developers is downloading to municipalities and taxpayers, according to Horner. It is also inconsistent with the direction previously given to the conservation authorities about cost recovery and a user-pay principle, he said. This change, if approved, could reduce service and create a greater burden for local taxpayers.

Municipalities need flexibility to enter into agreements with conservation authorities for plan review, according to Horner. Downloading of this service to municipalities that may not have the expertise, could be less efficient.

“Downloading of planning services to municipalities may be less efficient and increase costs to taxpayers,” he said. Municipalities and conservation authorities have worked together for decades and need to be able to continue to do so to provide cost-effective, efficient services for ratepayers.

The Province is looking at conservation authority lands as potential areas for housing development. It is important any proposed changes do not limit the ability to acquire and maintain these lands, according to the ABCA General Manager. Conservation authority lands have been acquired and maintained for public benefit and well-being. These lands protect against flooding and erosion, protect drinking water sources, and generally should be preserved, he said.

Ontario has worked over the past two years with a working group made up of stakeholders including the Province, municipalities, agriculture, industry and conservation authorities. The ABCA hopes this working group model continues.

“We hope the Province will continue to consult with us in the coming days and weeks to make sure we can continue to fulfill our mandate to protect watershed resources and to protect life and property from natural hazards,” he said. “We look forward to working with the Province, and sharing our questions and concerns, in order to ensure we can continue to build natural infrastructure, watershed health, and resilient watersheds to protect the people in our communities.”

To learn more, or to provide input on the proposed changes, visit the Environmental Registry of Ontario for these Notices:

• Proposed updates to the regulation of development for the protection of people and property from natural hazards in Ontario: ERO #019-2927 The first page includes a Consultation Guide on how to provide public input.
• Legislative and regulatory proposals affecting conservation authorities to support the Housing Supply Action Plan 3.0: ERO #019-6141.
• Visit Ontario’s Regulatory Registry for its document on Focusing conservation authority development permits on the protection of people and property: Focus.
• To read Bill 23, visit the Ontario Legislative Assembly at this web page: Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022.

HEALTHCARE SHOULD NOT BE DETERMINED BY POSTAL CODE

Participants in a virtual lecture organized by Gateway Centre for Excellence in Rural Health on Nov. 1 were: top row l-r: Jimmy Trieu, Jay McFarlan and Kristen Watt. Bottom row: Kevin Talbot and Dr. Ken Milne. (Submitted photo)

“Access to healthcare should not be determined by your postal code. Rural people expect and deserve appropriate and timely care,” said Dr.  Ken Milne, the featured keynote speaker at the most recent Virtual Lecture Series hosted by Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (Gateway).

Held on Tuesday, Nov. 1, it was the 18th instalment of the series and “Postal Code Medicine” was the topic.

Dr. Milne is Staff Physician at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, as well as Chair of Rural Medicine at Gateway, The panelists were: Jimmy Trieu, president and CEO of Alexandra Marine and General Hospital and South Huron Hospital Association: Kristen Watt, pharmacist at Kristen’s Pharmacy in Southampton; and Kevin Talbot, realtor at Talbot KJ Realty Incorporated.

The lecture was planned, organized and hosted by Gateway’s Chair of Rural Nutrition and Exercise, Jay McFarlan, MSc.

McFarlan introduced Dr. Milne who spoke to the topic of Postal Code Medicine while directly relating this topic to the five parts of the Canadian Health Act, stroke care, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, preventatives such as clean water and more. Afterwards, the guests had the opportunity to participate in the discussion by asking questions, while the keynote speaker and panelists provided potential solutions to the discussion

Gateway recognizes their generous donors for their support of this lecture series. Gateway is a not-for-profit corporation with charitable status. Its mission is to improve the health and quality of life of rural residents through research, education and communication.

The next Gateway Rural Health Lecture will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Those who wish to take part are asked to register here: Rural Health Lecture Series. Additionally, anyone who would like to support this unique community driven health research organization is invited to visit the Gateway website to make a donation: www.gateway rural health.ca.

WATER ADVISORY LIFTED FOR AUSABLE BAYFIELD WATERSHED

The Water Response Team (WRT) has removed the Level 1 Low Water Advisory for the entire Ausable Bayfield watershed. Watershed conditions have seen a slow but steady improvement in response to wet weather through the first part of the autumn season. Several months of normal rainfall totals have resulted in more frequent runoff, and steady baseflow through October, something that had not been seen since early June. Dry weather through the summer produced almost no runoff and a significant reduction in baseflow, which saw many of the smaller watercourses around the watershed dry up.

Davin Heinbuck is Water Resources Coordinator at Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA). He said long-range forecasts show that a normal weather pattern is likely to persist through the last half of the fall season.

“With improved conditions, seasonal weather, and a lower demand for water, we are optimistic that watershed conditions will continue their recovery,” he said.

According to Heinbuck, even though streamflow is slightly below normal, streamflow measurements are trending in the right direction.

“This is supported by what we are seeing in ground conditions and in our shallow aquifers,” he said.

The Chair of the WRT, Doug Cook, thanked both industries and individuals who voluntarily reduced their water usage in response to the dry weather observed through the summer.

“During dry periods, conservation of water is an important measure to prevent further declines in water supplies and actions taken earlier this summer will have helped to prevent any further Low Water Advisories,” Cook said.

The WRT was formed in 2001 in response to the low water and drought conditions that year and the team has been active ever since. The WRT includes representatives of major water users (such as, aggregate industries, agriculture and vegetable growers, and golf and recreation) and includes local municipal representatives and staff of provincial ministries (such as, Natural Resources and Forestry; Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and Environment, Conservation and Parks). ABCA staff will continue to monitor precipitation and streamflow data and keep the public informed of any changes in watershed conditions through the winter months.

Visit the Surface Water Monitoring Centre  for further resources on the Ontario low water response program or the website at abca.ca for the dynamic low-water advisory tool which alerts people to low-water advisories in effect in the watershed.

CONSIDER AUSABLE BAYFIELD CONSERVATION ON GIVING TUESDAY

Giving Tuesday is celebrating ten years of work to engage people in giving to charity on a special day. This day of giving takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 29.

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF) is asking people for their support, for community conservation projects, on Giving Tuesday. They may donate to support all the programs of the Conservation Foundation or they may specify which program they want to support.

The Chair ABCF is Dave Frayne. He encourages people to donate to community betterment.

“It is your generosity that makes it possible to enhance trails and natural areas in our community and to support conservation education and other programs for young people and people of all ages,” he said.

To donate to ABCF for Giving Tuesday, visit the Conservation Foundation’s Giving Tuesday web page.

There is a private message box for donations so that individuals can type into the text field there to let the Foundation know which program they want to support. Examples of community enhancement projects include habitat for turtles, conservation education, trails, Student Environmental Award, Junior Conservationist job opportunity program, tree planting through Carbon Footprints to Forests, wetlands, habitat for pollinators; conservation areas, or another conservation program of their choice.

To learn more about community projects of the Conservation Foundation, or how to support their work with a donation, visit this web page: ABC Foundation. Also, feel free to contact the Conservation Foundation by email at info@abca.ca or by phone at 519 235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday in late November are popular days for shopping and to buy things. As those retail mega-days wind down, the Conservation Foundation asks people to consider a different kind of day – Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is not a day to buy things but a day to give a gift of a different kind, a gift to nature and to the community.

Giving Tuesday is a global movement, for giving and volunteering, that takes place each year after Black Friday. Black Friday is a day devoted to supporting the economy. Giving Tuesday (#GivingTuesdayCa) is a day devoted to supporting the community. To learn more about Giving Tuesday, visit the Giving Tuesday Canada website.