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Final stamp put on Green Acre trailer park residents‘ future ny hopes Green Acre Atr.ulfl park residents still had of staying in their homes permanently was quashed Monday night. Waterloo council voted in favour of a resolution to creâ€" ate a temporary zoning bylaw to permit some of the existing trailers within the park to be legally used for permanent use until Oct. 31. 2005 to bring their trailers up to code. If they meet the demands set by the city, they will have an additional two years to stay in the park. The decision, which comes from years of planâ€" ning, and many evenings of heated discussion, was passed 5â€"1, with Coun. Gary Kieswetter voting against. Some see the threeâ€"year period to find new permaâ€" nent homes as a fair comâ€" promise, as permanent resiâ€" dence in the trailers has been illegal since the park‘s creation in 1974. Living in the park fullâ€" time was never approved by the city. The practice was warned against in the conâ€" tracts signed by residents since 1991. And on seven documented instances, Waterloo warned Green Acres management against i: Many residents aren‘t happy with the decision. "To me, it‘s as if they‘re twisting the rules to satisfy themselives,"_ said Red McCausland, president of the trailer park association. The park, which is 33 acres in size, located in the city‘s northwest end, started in the 1960s as a picnic park. "The School House Play" by MacGregor Senior Public Dec. 11. 12. 17, 18, 19. 22 6.30, 7 00, 7:30, 8:00 p m . 830 p m Horse Drawn Trolley Rides Dec. 11, 17. 18. 19, 22. 23, 26. 30 & Jan 2. 7. 8 g1th A Festival of Lights By Tim Museny bor Uhe Chrovicte 100,000 Lights â€" 70 Displays f‘ WATERLOO PARK. WATERLOO I Phone 725â€"1086 * e Website. www wondersotwinter.ca ’fl Loghts on daily: 5.30 pm â€" 10.30 pm December 11, 2004 to January 8, 2005 EDCOM Multimedia Driveâ€"in Movie Night Dec. 17 & 18 6:00 p m to 9:00 pm Continuous Kiddie Christmas Movies Burt Mune Mn Thank You to our Sponsors WATERLOO CHRONICLE peviel Ceph . . fatelioo UsSlzwna flly CKCO A decade later it evolved into a trailer park, growing to its current size of 364 campsites. In the fallâ€"out of the Watkerton water tragedy. many municipalities across Ontario began reviewing health standards in their communities, with many concerns targeting trailer parks. In 2001, the City of Waterâ€" loo initiated a review of Green Acre RV Park, to study servicing, building safety, emergency response and bylaw compliance. "Generally speaking it‘s the city‘s responsibility to ensure â€" the â€" legislative responsibilities are fulfilled," said Joel Cotter, a city planâ€" ner. During the review, it was determined by the city a number of the trailers were being used yearâ€"round, which violates the city‘s bylaws. On July 12, 2004, Waterâ€" loo passed a motion to bring Green Acre Trailer Park into compliance with municipal and provincial bylaws. "I intend to enforce the bylaws that are there, as 1 have done in the past." â€" Bruce Martin trailer park owner Those who do not comâ€" ply with the building codes would be required to vacate their homes for a minimum of 60 days between Oct. 31 and April 30 each year. In discussions with the land owner. the city figured out 95 campsites were being used permanently. Bruce Martin, owner of the park, said he has told residents the park is not for permanent use. Martin said he is willing to meet the demands of the city. "I intend to enforce the bylaws that are there, as I have in the past," he said, receiving laughter from resiâ€" dents attending the meeting. Mayor Herb Epp asked Martin if he would be willing to accept legal liability for owners who chose to stay in the park 12 months per year, which Martin said he was unwilling to do. Cotter said the city should not ignore the issue, as a "look the other way" option would leave the city liable should any health problems arise from the resâ€" idents. A resident who becomes sick or injured because of their illegal residency on the park property could sue the city for not preventing it. The phrasing of "a private club or recreation facility open to members only," 50% OFF ‘e didn‘t want ;(:;1 to miss our sale on rugs from Beigium, USA, China. India. Spain, Egypt. Persia & Turkey. We just wanted to call your attention to the fact that every rug at Factory Flooring will be on sale. Save in every style & colour. Designs that date from ancient classics to modern and contemporary. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU DIDN‘T MISS OUR HUGE RUG SALE.) . Aecantiiiee B Pssls I ;?v‘ y .E ALL AREA RUGS F sizes from 3‘ x5‘ to 8‘x11‘ UP TO must also be removed from the bylaw. The phrase was replaced with "seasonal recreation park" to prevent misinterâ€" pretation. "Yearâ€"round residences are not permitted under the agricultural liaison," Cotter said, noting that phrase could potentially allow for other parks. Coun. Mark Whaley questioned Martin on why there is an ongoing problem in the trailer park, when the city has issued several warnâ€" ings, and the contract signed by tenants states the yearâ€" round use of the park is proâ€" hibited. "I think we can go back seven times that we‘ve said to the park owner yearâ€" round use is not permitted," Whaley said. Martin had no answer for the situation. 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