Guelph-Eramosa council discussed four different consent applications at the Aug. 8 meeting.
Woodland Properties
Council supports the severance of 0.87 hectares from 5087 Whitelaw Road to be added to 5075 Whitelaw Road, the abutting property to the south where TNS Lanco is located.
Because the section of the property to be severed is within the rural employment designation of the Wellington County Official Plan the lot line adjustment is permitted because there are no adverse effects, explained MHBC planning consultant Dan Currie said at the Aug. 8 council meeting.
A minor variance is required because the retained lot will be 29.8 hectares whereas the minimum requirement is 31.6 hectares. A zoning bylaw amendment is also required to ensure that the severed portion be rezoned as rural industrial and subject to special provisions.
“The other thing we reviewed and looked at is just is there still sufficient area with the severance to be able to allow farm machinery access to the agricultural parcel,” Currie said. “That narrow strip will be almost 27 metres with the typical arterial road right of way that will be sufficient.”
The ultimate decision for the severances lies with Wellington County.
Haley Farms Limited
Guelph-Eramosa council supports the severance of the property at 6906 Wellington Road 30 along the municipal line with the Township of Woolwich.
The current property straddles the municipal line and the property owner has requested a severance so that the two new properties are completely within each of the townships. The retained portion in Guelph-Eramosa will be 26.2 hectares in size, Currie explained.
The application received conditional approval by the Township of Woolwich on July 11, Currie said.
The lands are designated prime agricultural and even though the severed portion in Guelph-Eramosa will be less than the required 35 hectares, the reduced area is acceptable because it can be used for agricultural purposes and it is going along the municipal boundary. However, a minor variance is required.
Councillor David Wolk asked what type of structures would be permitted on the property.
“The owner would be permitted all the uses in the zoning bylaw under the agricultural zone category,” Currie said. “So everything that’s permitted including one residential use.”
Frank Hasenfratz and Judith Steer
Council supports the consent applications for two lot line adjustments involving 5641, 5659 and 5681 Wellington Road 39. The two portions to the east will be severed along the drain and reduced in size. Merging with the northern portions of the other two other properties will increase the size of the property to the west, Curried explained.
The lands are designated prime agriculture and core greenlands. The severances are being considered because the result will be more viable agricultural operations. However, the property at 5641 Wellington Road 39 is vacant and zoned predominantly hazard land. The applicant must demonstrate the there is a buildable lot outside of the required setbacks.
“None of these lots meet the minimum lot area of 35 hectares but they all predate the zoning bylaw so (are) therefore legal non-conforming,” Currie explained. “However, given that they’re now proposed to be altered, the two small ones at 14.2 hectares and 8.8 hectares will be required to get relief through the committee of adjustment to recognize the reduced lot area.”
Currie said these lot line adjustments were being made to merge the majority of the farmable area into one lot.
Jim Thatcher lot line adjustment and easement
Council supports a lot line adjustment and easement for 125 Thatcher Crescent in Rockwood and 284 Division Street.
The applicants proposed to sever 0.42 hectares from 284 Division Street and merge it with 125 Thatcher Crescent. They have also submitted an application for an easement and right of way for driveway access to Fall Street for a proposed residence on 125 Thatcher Crescent that would share the driveway with 284 Division Street.
“The purpose of the severance is to provide access to 125 Thatcher Crescent,” Currie said. “Right now to the buildable area it’s impossible really to get access from Thatcher Crescent.”
The lands in question are designated core greenlands and greenlands.
“This lot line adjustment follows tree lines and does not cross the watercourse and in our view does not impair Greenland functions,” Currie said.
The two properties will need to be re-numbered with Fall St. North addresses.
