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} 120th Year No. 46 Wednesday, November 16, 1983 Waterioo, Ontario 25 conts at the Newstand Representing Joe Forwell of Forwell‘s Super Variety, Waterâ€" loo planner Mark Dorf 021 man told council there is already a ‘*heavy concentration" of 22 similar stores within one mile of the proposed building. Melodee Martinuk Chronicle Staff **‘The question is whether the variety store as a permitted use is good for the community, and I have concluded it is not."" he What began Monday as an examination by Waterloo aldermen of a zone change application turned into a debate over the free market system and the role municipal governments should play in regulating competition. A request for the rezoning to allow construction of a 2,400â€"squareâ€"foot commercial building at King Street and University Avenue ran into heavy opposition when a neighboring businessman argued the building would be used as a variety store and its prime location would give the new business an unfair ‘"‘competitive advantage‘‘ over existing operations. Consistency questioned in zone changing â€" SEE PAGE 5 It seems the parents of some of the school children in Waterioo County could brush up on their reading and writing too â€" with a big emphasis on "reading." Because despite prominentiyâ€"placed signs in front of schools clearly delineating *‘*no stopping" areas,. some drivers are continuing to stop and are posing a great safety danger. according to Waterioo Reâ€" gional Police Const. Roland Pike. The no stopping zones are designated to help prevent accidents caused by youngâ€" sters darting through traffic as they are dropped off or picked up at school. car as they come out of school, and will make a mad dash for it without looking. It‘s a very dangerous situation and that‘s why the areas are designated. No stopping means just that, no stopping, unless directâ€" ed by a police officer." In circulating the reminder to parents, Pike pointed out that the worst offenders in Waterioo schools are at Our Lady of Lourdes and Keatsway public. **But most of the traffic is on the worst days when the streets are wet. conditions are bad and lots of kids get rides to schools. said Pike. ‘"The kids will spot their parents‘ Don‘t stop in zones THIS WEEK INSIDE said. Dorfman asked that council approve the commercial desigâ€" nation but prohibit use of the building as a variety store. Dorfman likened the current application to one which arose last year when council reâ€" fused to allow Waterloo developer Abe Wiebe permission to build a luxury commercial mall in the area, on the grounds it could hinder "It is highly inapproâ€" priate for council to determine in that area who can operate what business ... its up to the free market system to determine what goes in there,""* argued Ald. Glen Wright. forts. In a letter to council, Forwell, who has operated his variety store for 24 years, wrote: *"I am proud of the city of Waterioo and 1 certainly appreâ€" ciate growth and develâ€" opment when it beneâ€" fits the entire commuâ€" nity. This proposed zoning bylaw will create serious probâ€" lems for the city and the area." Representatives of property owners Jim and Chris Zaptces told council there are no firm plans to use the building as a variety store. He added that if council supports the notion of regulating competition, "we may have to do marketing research in city hall, and rather than having zoning, just have a list of what can be built." After heated debate, council approved the application in a sixâ€"to two vote, with the maâ€" joritt of aldermen arâ€" guing the city has no place interfering with competition in the *"free market system." Wright stressed there are no similarâ€" (Continued on page 12) â€"â€" SEE PAGE 9 Transit revitalization ef. Judging by the look of delight on her face during Saturday‘s Santa Claus Parade, one would think little threeâ€"yearâ€"old Meagan Brooks had just spied the jolly man with the white whiskers, but it just wasn‘t so. This was earlier on in the parade when Meagan, standing with her father Rick, spied someone a little closer to home â€" mom Marion was a clown in the colorful event and Meagan wanted to be sure to give her a cheer as she passed by. Thousands flocked to King Street in the Twin Cities for the 23rd annual event. More photos, see page 3. â€" ‘HEY, | KNOW HER‘ Paul‘s a CIAU â€"â€" SEE PAGE 30 Rick Campbell photo