Mapleton council will consider a zoning amendment to allow a small horse and buggy barn within the hamlet boundary here.
The applicant, Lloyd Brubacher, is proposing to construct a 600 square foot barn to house a horse and buggy, which is used as his family’s main mode of transportation.
The rezoning is required to allow a barn as a permitted use, address MDS II setbacks and lot coverage and height requirements.
“At this time staff has no concerns with this proposal for the barn structure,” states a report presented by Wellington County senior planner Linda Redmond at a May 10 public meeting.
“With respect to the location as it relates to the MDS II requirements, there does not appear to be alternative locations for the structure and there are no reasonable alternative building sites for the proposed barn.
“With respect to the impact, with the exception of the adjacent rural residential properties, the subject land is surrounded by large farm uses with existing livestock facilities.”
The report states the application generally maintains the intent and purpose of the Official Plan and zoning bylaw as the lands are located within an agricultural area.
Redmond told council the current zoning, unserviced residential, does not permit any type of livestock.
“Normally in hamlet area MDS doesn’t come into play,” she explained, adding council would have to “apply the hobby barn use to the criteria even though it is not permitted, the lot size does not accommodate it and MDS cannot be met with adjacent houses.”
Councillor Michael Martin asked if any thought had been given to using an existing shed on the property, located at 7291 Third Line, to house the horses.
“Not really. It’s kind of a low building,” replied Brubacher.
“Is this the first time in Yatton that this issue has come up?” asked councillor Marlene Ottens.
“In Yatton, I don’t know. There could be a legal nonconforming use,” said Redmond. “I have some in Wallenstein and Glen Allan and rural residential properties outside hamlet boundaries, so it’s not uncommon, especially in this community,” she added.
Council passed a resolution to receive the application and directed the planner to prepare a draft amending bylaw.
