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13Itgt Your No. 8 Wodiogday, February 26, 1986 An army of Bluevale students is putting the final touches to their Black Light Show, to be presented March 5 and 6 at the school. Here, Grade 11 students Sheena Weller (right), Joanne Fishbein (tar left) and Neil Torrie rehearse Love Scene, one of some 20 acts in the production which includes everything from dance to mime and puppetry. in black light and natural light. Chronicle photo BLACK LIGHT NIGHT Waterloo, Ontario 25 cents at the Newstand Mark Bryson Chronicle Staff The City of Waterioo's procedure for hearing resident input about proposed "granny flats" is a mere formality, charged a Colonial Acres resident speaking against a unit proposed for his neighbor- WIVJ‘o'ug Matthews of 359 Whitmore Dr. was speaking to council Monday night about a unit recommended for the backyard of Edward and Nancy Norman MI Whitmore Dr.home. when he made the accu- sations. "To date the process seems like a mere formality. Our (opposed neighbors) input is acknowledged but it doesn't seem to me that opposition is part of the mandate. I am concerned there is a lack of objectivity on the PLUS (Portable Living Unit for Seniors) selection committee," said Matthews. Matthews was referring to the two "tea parties" held at the Norman's home to gain neighborhood input to the proposed structure. In fact, Matthews claimed the PLUS committee "stated they would recommend" the site to council after the first meeting, despite "widespread concern." "iiiry'Giiit'srGris"irydu (council). Do we as local residents have rights, and if so, whqt are they?'.' V "é'iGcifriiirrGGiid/idriliiy to Matthews' accusations, prompting Ald. John Shortreed to jump to the, Aefence of ci..tyAtat.t.. ' MI "iaruGrrrfdriii'ard'ity staff has worked "objectively. That's why you are at an informal public meeting tonight," said Shor- The criticism of city procedure was just one of many concerns raised by several residents of the well-to-do neighborhood during the two-hour informal public meeting, geared at providing council with the information to make a decision. If council should adopt the planning department's recommendation to provide a three-year temporary by-law amendment to the Norman address, Mr. Norman's 85-year-old mother would be able to take up occupancy in one of the prefabricated units on her son's one-acre lot. P"'""""'""'""" __..-_ W -_v_ "H 7 - - Another opponent, Bill Banks of 344 Whitmore Dr., approached council with a petition featuring the signatures of 303 nearby residents opposed to the rezoning. He told council that allowing the unit to be installed would bring real estate values of adjoining homes toppling down. "When it comes to bottom lines: what will someone pay for your home with a granny flat in your neighbor's backyard," enquired Banks. "I've asked people and they said they either wouldn't buy (a home nearby) or they would offer considerably less." Banks did however, say he was against institutionalizing senior citizens and suggested the Norman's consider renovating their recreation room or double garage to provide accommodation. "iiaai.Fuijr,iGertui EounEiI thir granny flats belong "in the northlands." _ _ . "GT/Gill, to remember the value of the houses (abutting the Norman residence) is upwards of $200,000. A winterized cottage does not belong there," she said. _ -- - . HiiFiiaiGiievdn managed to find a spot where we don't have to look at it." 7 - - Via-hr; iiines went on to say that council only had to look as far as 212 Allen St. to see they don't fit into, neight?Yh/sodf. . -s:i'hl/iiien" -strei,t unit is atrdomihabie." she said, referring to Waterloo's first and only granny flat location: - {hirer -cirGrikriiicuieii the "precedent-setting nature of the zone change and the ability of the septic system to accommodate another person on the line. - 7 "ill/ his part, Mr. Norman told council that his mother was an independant woman who woulq bejdeally served by the unit. "It fills a social need for our family. With the granny house she can be in and out and be part of the family," said Mr. Norman. The reaction of council to the opposition was somewhat of shock. "i'm trying to stay objective but some of their objections'; were very forcefully put. When you accuse an entire body of not being objective, when in fact'the staff is not enpowered to make decisions for council, it's an area of concern." said Aid. Lynne Woolstencroft. Ald. Andrew Telegdi was also concerned about the presentations. "I was surprised by the opposition. What I'm wondering is if you can't put them out there (Colonial Acres). where can you." he said. "rhieGiaraiiias been" present for all the granny flat hearings. including four in both Sudbury and Ottawa, said he has not encountered anything like the residengs o! Cplqninl ncres. "riiCdiGar"i'rinrci'ncipal to be OK, but just that it be done somewhere else." said Peter Cridland, senior coordinator of the housing conservation unit at the Ministry of Housing. Hearings just a formality, resident charges "tea parties" held at tht