Council here has passed yet another home and farm severance – with the only concerns raised from a nearby landowner who wants new owners to be aware of the proximity to a privately owned-airport.
The purpose of the amendment at council Feb. 15 was to rezone land to restrict future residential development on the agricultural, retained portion of the property and to address the oversized accessory buildings on the severed residential portion of the subject lands.
In addition, a deficiency of frontage was to be recognized for the severed portion.
The rezoning was a condition of severance that was granted by the Wellington County land division committee. The property is at Lots 7 and 8, Concession 1 in the former township of Minto. The parcel in question is just west of Teviotdale on Wellington County Road 123.
Planner Mark Van Patter said it is a fairly standard surplus farm severance. He said the property came into being as a result of a severance resulting in a larger agricultural portion, and a smaller residential parcel. Both require revised rezonings.
Van Patter said that with provincial policy statements and Wellington County’s official plan, the property is considered as prime agricultural. Within those areas, these particular types of severances are permitted.
The retained agricultural land would be rezoned to prevent future residences from being constructed on them.
“The intention of the policy is to allow farmers a chance to reduce their costs when they acquire farmland. It’s meant to help farmers out,” he said
In terms of zoning, Van Patter said the plan will have the properties within two separate zones.
He believed both rezonings are fairly straight forward.
“We don’t have a concern with the reduced frontage.”
He explained the reason for the reduction on the residential property is to keep as much agricultural land in production as possible.
He also had no problems with the accessory buildings on site. There is a 3,200 square foot metal clad building and a 936 square foot metal clad building.
“We’re generally supportive of keeping good buildings,” Van Patter said. He added, the applicant must realize the buildings are not to be used to house livestock or used for commercial purposes.
Frank Spoelstra, representing North Wellington Aviation Services, said when they first received the severance application, they provided a solicitor’s response.
“We’re not opposed to it; we had a concern that anyone who purchases the property be aware of noise of airplanes taking off and landing at the airport.”
The letter was sent to Wellington County; not to the town of Minto.
Van Patter suggested the letter may have ended up in the severance file.
Spoelstra reiterated his concern a new property owner not raise objections because of the noise. He wondered if there is a way of letting potential purchasers be aware of the airfield activity.
Van Patter said Spoelstra’s letter was sent to the land division committee last March.
He believes the committee dealt with the letter at that time, and felt they did not need to do anything additional.
Van Patter also explained the issue being discussed that night was the rezoning – not the severance application.
“It’s a separate process.”
Mayor George Bridge agreed it is something that would good for new owners to know about.
Van Patter added that while he did not know all the conditions of severance, the home was always used as a residence and nothing was changing.
Further, the airport is an existing use.
Bridge said the municipality would attempt to follow it up and look into the matter.
Councillor Rick Hembly quipped, “When are you putting the asphalt runway and control tower in.”
Spoelstra said, “We’re just slowly expanding right now.” He noted 50% of the shares in the operation had been sold and the partners are not planning anything major until 2013.
Spoelstra said even right now, he is uncertain what the future will bring.
He noted there are eight airplanes there right now, with plans for two more in the spring.
