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THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ARMOUR MINUTES February 19, 2001
A special meeting of the Council of the Township of Armour was held on Monday, February 19, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. at the Katrine Community Centre. Those in attendance were Reeve, Frank Gill, Councillors Rod Blakelock, Marty Corcoran, Joanne Cripps, and Gary McFarlane, Laura Rowley, Clerk Treasurer, Office Staff, Leanne Crozier, Dave McCann, Stantec Consulting Ltd, and the following following from M.T.O., Tim Rogers, Evironment Planner, Mike Pearsall, Project Engineer, Mike Nadeau and Foley Soroye. Members of the general public present were, Joy and Richard Holloway, Gladys and Tom Platts, Ken White, Rhoda Smith, Ed Skiffington, George Dibben, Jack Murray, George Terry, Paul Rivais, Gord McCowan, Frank and Diane Pellegrino, Stefan Gerstweiler, Rita and Manfred Falkenthal, Raymond and V. Vowels, Bob MacPhail, Bill Allen, Linda and Peter Brooke, Marty Krbavcic and Harvey and Gail Mulligan. This meeting was called to discuss the Highway 11 expansion through Armour Township. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.. Reeve, Frank Gill opened the meeting by advising those present that this meeting was called to have all parties, Council, M.T.O., Stantec Consulting Ltd. and the public together to discuss the issues of the highway expansion. M.T.O. and Stantec Consulting Ltd. recently held a PIC at the Burk's Falls Arena and Council held a public session at the Katrine Community Centre, at this meeting all parties are together. Frank asked M.T.O. to introduce their representatives and Stantec Consulting Ltd. as well. An overview of Council's concerns was given and asked for response from Stantec Consulting Ltd. Stantec Consulting Ltd. explained that they are completing an alignment review study to reconsider the geometric design of the curve south of Tower Road and the loss of property and tax base to the municipality. When advised that Council and a majority of the public which attended the public session in Katrine agree basically on the AR1B design and that is the map to be discussed, Stantec explained that they were still in the evaluation process of the comments and not prepared to discuss it at this time. There will be another PIC at the Burk's Falls Arena on February 27th at which time the evaluation process will have led to three or four preliminary preferred alignment alternatives. With a recommended plan hopefully selected by the end of April. Councillor, Gary McFarlane mentioned that Council had been advised that this was an urgent matter which required everyone to move quickly so Council set up a public session to collect input from area residents, based on that meeting a case has been presented for consideration, now everyone must wait for a response. Stantec Consulting Ltd. did claim a written response will be prepared and forwarded soon. Stantec Consulting Ltd. brought a map which is the approved plan, the idea is to refine this map to meet some of the concerns brought forward. A member of the audience questioned the south bound lane in relation to Brown's Drive, Stantec advised this is an area that can be refined and would eliminate the need for M.T.O. to acquire land from the Katrine Community Centre. Access for those currently living on the east side of the existing Highway between Katrine and Burk's Falls was mentioned. At this time the only access is right on the northbound lane, to go south these people would have to come north to Burk's Falls to gain access to the south bound lane, this is being evaluated. A property owner on the west side of the Highway between Katrine and Burk's Falls asked if they would have any access, this is also currently being considered but at this time there is no answer. This section of Highway possibly becoming a service road is favourable to some and not to others, it appears this is based on those wishing to sell their properties to M.T.O. and those wishing to remain where they are. Several
members of the public present voiced their frustrations and it was commented
that this evening was redundant. Nothing new was being disclosed, only
vague comments on possible considerations.
While some of the public and Council think it is imperative to have access from Highway 592 through the Township via service roads Stantec and M.T.O. can only see a service road from Katrine north using cost as the main factor against the proposal south of Katrine. Several comments arose regarding cost, no consideration was given when properties were purchased by M.T.O. why should cost be a factor here. Stantec did make mention that M.T.O. usually disposes of property not required. When questioned on the cost of property disposed of covering the cost of bridges no one could provide an answer. M.T.O. personnel were asked if there would be any options for further negotiations, such as upgrading Leggett's Road or Doe Lake Road should M.T.O. decide to proceed with the already approved plan. Leggett's Road and Doe Lake Road/Ferguson Road provide access from Katrine to Burk's Falls, could they be upgraded and used as service roads. The response requested focus on the current issue, M.T.O. is always open for discussion but at this time concentration is on the expansion of Highway 11. The development of service and secondary roads through the Township providing internal routes and options for future commercial development are important issues to Council who want alternative routes to provide safe travel options to people commuting from anywhere between Emsdale and Sundridge. This will bring communities in our area together and offer seniors a safer alternative. A discussion over who has a say in this realignment arose. M.T.O. advised that everyone who submits, regardless of where they are from, is having their issues considered and evaluated. Everyone, cottagers and permanent residents are receiving the same consideration. If the existing Highway from Katrine to Burk's Falls is to become a service road, the bridge at Katrine raises several concerns. This bridge would be maintained by the municipality however, M.T.O. would bring the bridge up to code prior to Armour taking it over. Stantec will get an opinion on the life expectancy of the bridge. When asked when the actual construction of this area would start, Stantec could not commit, they are responsible for delivering the realignment study. M.T.O. have put this section on hold to resolve the issues of Armour Council and the area residents. Once the alignment has been determined, the design phase must be completed again for areas of significant change, this includes environmental and archeological studies and could take 18 months. Any properties that need to be acquired could take 18 months. This all needs to be completed prior to letting out any contracts. At this point M.T.O. is concentrating on keeping on track, their present goal is to have the analysis done on what they have received to this point for the February 27th PIC, they are responding to all written comments they have received. If
the already approved plan is the alternative chosen, what will happen
to the houses that currently remain along the Highway? M.T.O. again assured
that they will only purchase those houses that people wish to sell, they
will not force people to sell. If the Highway is to be a Freeway no access
for residential use will be permitted.
Councillor McFarlane recapped that Armour Council has collected information from concerned residents and submitted this information to Stantec as quickly as possible, he added that these comments and concerns must be considered in this realignment process and that continued opposition will come from the municipality if these comments are overlooked. M.T.O.assured everyone that they are attempting to come up with a design that will please the most possible. Reeve Frank Gill again thanked everyone for attending this first time ever meeting with Council, M.T.O., their consultants, Stantec Consulting Ltd. and the public. Moved by Joanne Cripps, seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby adjourn this special meeting at 9:05 p.m. Carried. |