It looks like the new year could bring some welcome residential developments in Harriston.
On Nov. 3, council reviewed a proposed development located along Highway 9 near the Tim Hortons and the industrial park.
The amendment removes site specific zonings requiring minimum setbacks from nearby land zoned industrial.
The land for the proposals is already designated as low density residential and a draft plan approval was first issued in 1990.
At the time of the draft plan approval, the land behind the subdivision still had occasional use as a railway corridor. That use has long ended and the tracks were removed.
CBO Terry Kuipers noted that consideration should be given to the industrial park behind the proposed subdivision – particularly in regard to noise. There was also a recommendation for a buffer zone in the area of the old railway property.
Planner Mark van Patter explained the meeting was to drop the 60 metre setback and consider the Ministry of Transportation’s triangular shaped property next to the development. He noted the draft plan for the 11-unit subdivision was granted in 1990.
Van Patter said there were no outstanding provincial policies affecting this property. He considered the current bylaw regarding the zoning as somewhat ambiguous in terms of the setback and buffer.
He offered a sketch of the property with zoning and said originally the MTO property was left unzoned in the Harriston municipal area.
In terms of planning consideration for the Keith Gray property, Van Patter said he believed the 60 metre setback is redundant now that the railway is no longer there.
The setback had actually stretched to the far side of the rail property, which had no zone in place. With that setback, it made it almost impossible to develop the Gray property. Van Patter said since the town owns the former rail line, he did not believe the setback was required.
The second issue is a broader question not about the setback, but the potential nuisance if the industrial land is developed.
He noted Gray is requiring forced air ventilation with central air conditioning in the new homes, as well as a warning clause in the property agreements to inform home owners of the potential of industrial noise.
Van Patter said the plan of subdivision would be the best time to ensure those warning clauses are followed through.
He believed the former rail line should be left as a buffer. “Quite a bit of it is vegetated now.” As to a fence or buffer around the subdivision, the current agreement requires a chain link fence for the length of the property, which abuts the former rail line.
Van Patter said that requirement was originally in place for safety. While the safety element no longer is relevant, Van Patter said there is more awareness of potential contamination of rail lands.
“It may make some sense to maintain that requirement, to try to keep people back off it,” he said. If the county decides the fencing is not needed, council could require a vegetative buffer be in place.
Mayor David Anderson had questions regarding the setback required for industrial buildings and whether having residences on nearby properties cause issues.
Van Patter said residential use is already allowed for the subdivision property. He also noted industrial setbacks are typically determined by what type of industry is proposed.
“The town just needs to be careful when that property gets sold,” Van Patter said.
