Councillors here appear to have no issue with a proposal for a second residence at a local equine operation.
On July 17, Erin councillors held a public meeting regarding the zoning amendment application.
Planner Sally Stull explained the proposed zoning amendment was for a second dwelling at 5036 10th Line for farm help to remain on the property while a new home would be built to the rear of the property.
The new home would be located on an extension of the existing driveway.
Stull said the town bylaw only permits one dwelling per farm property, but on numerous occasions the municipality has allowed secondary dwellings to house farm help.
She noted the property is designated as secondary agricultural and the surrounding property is zoned as agricultural.
Angus Footman explained that Park Lane Stables, a nationally-recognized horse breeding and training operation, has existed for the past 20 years.
The operation trains and develops both horses and riders to compete in international show jumping events.
“We bought the property five years ago,” Footman said.
The show jumping stable includes an indoor riding arena, workshop, staff house (on an adjacent property), outdoor jumping ring, grass grand prix field and 10 fenced paddocks.
Typically there are 20 to 23 horses and Footman travels across North America showing these horses.
Because of the nature of operations, he explained there are typically between three to five staff on site 24 hours a day in case of veterinary emergencies.
Councillor John Brennan said if he understood the issue correctly, there were severances to the property several years ago.
Stull said the property has been subject to a number of severances and amalgamations to reach its current size.
She suggested other issues are non-existent at this point.
The zoning amendment is set to come before council for a decision at its Aug. 15 meeting.
