Bylaw amendments, a subdivision security payment and a community designation were discussed at the June 6 Guelph-Eramosa council meeting.
Subdivision security
“This report is here because we’ve been approached by Charleston Homes,” CAO Ian Roger told council.
“They plan to use performance bonds rather than letters of credit in the new Bonnarrow Meadows subdivision, but at the same time they would also like to replace the existing letter of credit for the Noble Ridge subdivision while they’re preparing the bonds for the new subdivision application.”
He explained that bonds are becoming the norm over letters of credit.
In the report it states the township’s lawyer has reviewed the proposed terms for the use of the performance bonds and the agreement “provides the same level of protection to the municipality as a letter of credit. There are no financial impacts to the municipality.”
Councillor David Wolk asked if it was possible to add a mechanism to indicate the township wouldn’t accept any bonds with sureties provided by an institution that has a poor credit rating.
Roger said that is not something being considered now, but it could be added to the evaluation going forward.
Nicklin Auto Parts and Recyclers
Nicklin Auto Parts and Recyclers, located at 5155 Fourth Line of former Eramosa Township, is asking for permission to expand the business and add a new structure through a zoning bylaw amendment.
The salvage yard business was first established in 1959 and is considered a legal non-conforming use now because salvage yards are no longer permitted in the township. For the business to expand and build a new structure the township must approve the zoning bylaw amendment to permanently legalize the salvage yard use on the specific site. The owners would then have to submit a site plan for approval.
Some issues to be addressed before a public meeting include:
– impacts and implications of legalizing the salvage yard use;
– impacts on surrounding properties and environment;
– extent of requested expansion;
– need for landscaping, screening, buffering and setbacks;
– adequacy of services; and
– impacts on water quality and quantity.
“We’ve gotten most of the agency issues more or less resolved so now we’d like to go get the public comments on the proposal before forming a planning opinion,” said township planning associate Kelsey Lang.
A public meeting has been set for July 11.
Zoning bylaw amendment
The owners of the property at 8572 Highway 7 south of Rockwood are looking to expand their storage business. The land is currently used for equestrian activities and the Rockwood Self Storage business.
The application requests that the equestrian portion of the land be severed and merged with the abutting agricultural subdivision. Rockwood Self Storage would then expand and will include seven more self-storage buildings north of the established business with one unit in the southwest corner. The existing house would remain on site.
Council approved the zoning bylaw amendment to:
– remove the equine, self-storage and accessory office uses as permitted and recognize the existing residence as an accessory use;
– re-zone the lands for the self-storage expansion to rural industrial from agricultural with a holding provision; and
– re-zone the remainder of the lands to rural industrial with a holding provision.
Taste Real
Council designated Taste Real Local Food Fest an “event of municipal significance” so that it can obtain a special occasion permit.
The festival will take place on June 26 at Ignatius Jesuit Centre and Farm. In 2015 the festival received the Culinary Tourism Event of the Year award.
The event celebrates Wellington County’s food and food entrepreneurs and promotes local businesses.
