Council and Citizens Working Together

The Springwater Council meeting on Sept 8th was one of those that makes you proud of how the local government can work effectively at times, especially for one group. I wrote about Splash Canyon Water Park some time ago (http://springwatercitizens.blogspot.com/2009/07/splash-canyons-lack-of-planning-causes.html) and the concern raised by the local neighbors about noise. Splash Canyon applied for a temporary use by-law amendment back in July for an August event. Many local residents attended the public meeting and expressed their views and concerns. Councillors and staff were surprised at the complaints as there was nothing on file. Instead of granting a one year term the by-law allowed for the one concert. The residents were unhappy about this as they had thought after leaving the public meeting on July 13 that the Council would deny the application at the July 20th Planning and Special Council meeting. At the two meetings the management of SC said that if they were allowed the one time concert all other concerts would be cancelled for the rest of the summer.
Guess what? About three weeks ago, someone from Mills Circle, which is close to the park, found an advertising brochure promoting a three day concert on Sept 18th at Splash Canyon. On checking with councillors and staff at the township, no one was aware of this concert. To the township's credit, staff informed Splash Canyon that they must apply for a Special Events Permit, which they did. The Clerk reported to council that concerts are not a permitted use in the zoning of the property and the special events permit should not be allowed as a condition of a permit is that the event must be a permitted use in the zoning by-law.
The residents gathered at the Midhurst Community Centre to discuss the matter the week before the council meeting and requested a delegation to forward their frustration and express concern about the lack of clarity on the matter.
Terry Cheaney a local resident and Angela Baldwin a land use planner addressed council and reiterated with specific detail the position that the clerk had taken. Their conclusion was that concerts are not permitted on the property under the Campground Commercial zoning designation. The only exception to camping use on the property is the Waterpark.
It shows that when residents take the time to be involved in matters that affect them, council will listen if you have your facts and can present them in a well informed manner.
At the Sept 8 meeting, the special event permit for the three day concert on Sept 18th was denied.
There are many things going on in the township and residents need to stay informed. Check the township website for both planning meetings and council meetings as they are the ones that can impact you for the long term In the Midhurst area, people need to stay close to what is happening. There are huge plots of land designated for future residential growth. If some developers have their way, you would find about 5,000 new homes surrounding the existing Midhurst area. Because of provincial policies, these developments for the most part must be on municipal services. Numbers like sixty million dollars for new municipal infrastructure are being tossed around and that is an estimate. If we don't pay attention we may face uncontrolled development that could impact us on our tax bills but more importantly ruin the rural and peaceful nature of Springwater. Stay informed. Anotherway of keeping abreast of council activities is to read our local newspaper Springwater News http://www.springwaternews.ca/.