Midwestern

Public Meeting Set For Northern Bruce Peninsula Zoning Changes

Cottagers and residents in North Bruce Peninsula are joining together to ensure the municipality backs down on plans for various new restrictions on their properties.

Local resident and realtor Kathy Dimaline says the municipality needs to take note of the outcry from citizens, after about 850 people turned out at public meetings to oppose the plans.

Dimaline say says the 3,800 people on the peninsula have a negligible impact on the land, as it is mostly government owned but pay all the taxes to support the region and Bruce County's tourism push.

Dimaline is pleased the municipality removed plans to require advance septic systems on lots less than an acre due to high costs and higher rates of failure. But she is waiting for more clarification from the municipality.

She adds that although planners have removed the black and red lines from properties, written provisions will retain the setbacks and flood-proofing requirements.

She adds the proposed setback for inland lakes is now up to 15 metres, when the provincial recommendation is 5 metres.

The municipality is still considering creating zones and setbacks for Environment Hazard, provincially significant wetlands, slope erosion, intake protection and wellhead protection.

The municipality has set a public meeting for 1pm on December 2 at the Tobermory Community Centre to update people on on the comprehensive zoning bylaw.

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