Long-standing plans for a 30-lot industrial development at the southwest corner of Wellington Road 29 and Highway 7 seem to finally be moving forward.
On Dec. 21, planner Bernie Hermsen told Guelph-Eramosa council a portion of the 33 hectares owned by David and Marlene Robertson are subject to the draft plan of subdivision and a zoning bylaw amendment.
The applications, originally submitted in 2004, would create 30 industrial lots and a stormwater management block fronting onto an internal looping road.
Hermsen said the applicants had wanted an entrance off Highway 7, but the Ministry of Transportation is “adamantly” opposed to such a move, so access to the development is proposed off County Road 29.
Hermsen suggested a joint public meeting with the county on Jan. 18 because the county can comment on the plan of subdivision, while the zoning bylaw is the responsibility of the township.
Councillor Doug Breen suggested expanding the usual notice circulation requirement for the meeting.
“There’s a fair number of people living in that immediate area,” he said.
Mayor Chris White, citing past problems, recommended the township put off the meeting for a few weeks, because people may miss the notification during a busy holiday season.
“I don’t want this to get lost with the Christmas cards,” said White.
He predicted the development plans will likely be “a fairly contentious issue” in the community, and suggested the township hold the meeting on an evening other than those reserved for regular council meetings.
The mayor noted the land in question is zoned as rural industrial in the county’s official plan, but agricultural in the township’s records, and wondered what that means for the application.
Hermsen replied often the township zoning is not brought up to date until an application precipitates a change. He said the basic principle involved is if the application conforms to the official plan. The application would not even be at council if it did not conform to the county plan, added Hermsen.
Breen said if the township rejects it, the matter could end up at the Ontario Municipal Board, where the township will likely lose. That means the “smart strategy” would be to limit the uses within the industrial subdivision to what council deems suitable.
Councillor Reta Moyer added the property in question is located near a well head protection area, so that could also mean limitations on the development.
Council tentatively scheduled a public meeting for Feb. 8 at the township office. For more information contact the township at 519-856-9596 or visit get.on.ca.
