Spring Clean-Up Made Easy
WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL.
Stihl Trimmers Also See Us for:
Starting at $149.95
FS38 Trimmer
Stihl Chainsaws, Hedge Trimmers, Pressure Washers & More!
21 Industrial Dr., Elmira | 519.669.2884 | martinssmallengines.ca
05 | 25 | 2013 VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 21
Derek and his destroyers take on arthritis LIVING HERE PAGE 28
COMMENT PAGE 8
stay the course on deflating the housing bubble
Woolwich to continue fight against gravel pit in Conestogo
a sneak preview of robin in the hood
Having evaluated Hunder Development’s new studies, council opts to stay the course in OMB battle
Deal paves way for Dollarama store in Elmira
Township comes to an agreement with Sobeys just prior to scheduled OMB hearing on Wednesday morning STEVE KANNON
STEVE KANNON Woolwich will continue to fight a gravel pit proposed for Conestogo, unswayed by new reports submitted by Hunder Developments. Councillors meeting Tuesday night unanimously voted in favour of opposing the Hunsberger pit at an Ontario Municipal Board hearing scheduled for September. The township has determined the proposal does not conform with its Official Plan. It first rejected the applicant’s bid for an OP amendment in 2011, prompting the property owners to launch an appeal to the OMB. The quasi-judicial provincial board subsequently instructed Woolwich to look at new reports submitted by the applicant and to host a public meeting, which was held April 9. None of the new information changed the minds of residents, planning staff or councillors, however. In a presentation to council this week, Keri Martin Vrbanac of the Conestogo-Winterbourne Residents Gravel | 4
www.OBSERVERXTRA.com
Sir Adam Sanderson was in search of a good jousting horse as knights and ladies from the Robin in the Hood Medieval Festival made the rounds at the Conestogo Victoria Day celebrations May 17 while readying for their own festival in June. [elena maystruk / the observer]
Buy
A Dollarama store will open in the longvacant space beside the Foodland location in Elmira, as Woolwich this week reached a deal with Sobeys Capital Inc. The agreement approved by council Tuesday night made short work of an Ontario Municipal Board hearing scheduled for the following day. Under the deal, in exchange for the dollar store, Sobeys will pay the township $40,000 towards a future commercial policy review, contribute $10,000 over two years to the Elmira BIA and not request any additional expansion at the site for three years, said chief administrative officer David Brenneman the day after councillors deliberated in closed session following the May 21 committee-of-the-whole meeting.
As well, Sobeys will also speak to neighbouring property owner Villarboit Development Corp. about contributing $10,000 to the commercial policy review. That study, to be carried out within three years, is expected to cost about $100,000, said director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley. Like Sobeys, Villarboit has also made inquiries about expanding the range of commercial uses on its land in the south end of Elmira. Council’s decision, made official in a special session following a closed-door meeting Tuesday night, came over the pleas of Ann Tomadini, owner of the downtown Elmira Dollar Store. In the earlier committee meeting, she argued the township’s own studies found that allowing more general merchandise retailers elsewhere in the town would have a negative impact on the core, specifidollarama | 4
Give Pink Yard Sacs of
Soil, Mulch & Aggregates Pick up Delivery Commercial Residential www.StoneLandscapes.ca
2 Kitchener: 68 Webster Rd.
LOCATIONS
10 Breast Cancer Foundation!
& we’ll donate to the
$
For each Stone Landscapes 1 yd soil, mulch, aggregates & firewood “Give Pink” sac purchased,
we donate $10 to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation!
(behind ToysRUs)
Terms: $15 deposit on all sacs
519.894.9997 Waterloo: 650 Weber St. N. @ Benjamin 519.888.9992