Federal food regulations are forcing a township man to expand his poultry processing plant’s loading dock – but councillors here are unwilling to set up many objections.
Council held a public meeting on April 10 for Paul Martin, who has property at Part of Lot 8, Concession 5 of old Peel township, with the municipal address of 7707 4th Line. The property is about 150 acres.
He is seeking a zoning amendment to permit an addition to his existing poultry processing plant. The addition is a 1,352 square foot enclosed loading dock. The difficulty for Martin is current zoning restricts his building to 6,760 square feet, and the addition takes him to 8,112 square feet.
Martin is being forced to add the space because of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ current food safety requirements.
County planner Mark Van Patter works for the township and reported he sees no problems with the amendment.
There was no one attending the meeting who spoke against the proposal, but council did receive a letter from the Wellington Federation of Agriculture.
President Gord Flewwelling wrote, “While we support this application for expansion, some concerns have been brought to our attention by our members that we feel need addressing. Some of our members have had issues with vehicles parking on the 4th Line. This is a safety issue, especially with the narrowness of the roadway and widths of ever-growing farm equipment and trucks using the roadway.”
Flewwelling added, “In the interests of safety of motorists, farmers and patrons of the company, we would like to request that the Township of Mapleton work with the business owners to put in place suitable signage directing patrons to proper parking locations. Some of these signs may need to be erected on the roadside.”
He wrote, “We are told that there are suitable parking locations off of the roadway; however most customers do not seem aware of where to park safely. With proper signage and verbal instruction from the business owner to patrons, this safety issue could be eliminated.”
Martin told council three years ago he began directing trucks off the 4th Line.
“‘No parking’ signs could make a bigger difference yet,” he said.
Councillor Mike Downey noted that half of what will become the loading dock was a parking space, and he wondered where those vehicles would now park.
Martin said no one used that space. “It was an open loading dock. Now, we’re covering it and extending it 10 feet.”
Councillor Jim Curry asked if there is ample room for trucks so they do not have to park on the 4th Line.
Martin said those trucks now come in the “back way” to the property. He added there are no problems if too many trucks arrive at the same time.
Downey said if signs are needed, “I’m not sure the township should pay for that.”
Curry said the WFA is concerned about parking on the road, but Martin says the trucks are not an issue because they use a different route onto the property.
Downey said the trucks are “still on the 4th.”
Councillor Neil Driscoll had a different view. He said he travels the 4th Line “a lot – and I can’t see a problem.”
Further, he added, “There are too many signs on roads not being obeyed” and forcing Martin to provide some opens up other issues.
Driscoll said Martin is being forced by upper tier governments to do something to keep operating his business, and, “I don’t think we should make it difficult.”
Martin said he has one person directing traffic at the business and “I feel we’ve looked after it pretty good.”
