Council here is asking Wellington County’s land division committee to consider approving a residential severance application on a property classed as prime farmland.
Charles and Lorrie Spaling have applied to sever a four-acre vacant parcel along Wellington Road 11 south of Drayton for a residential lot, leaving a retained parcel of just under five acres.
In a report received by council on Sept. 12, county senior planner Curtis Marshall pointed out the application is not consistent with provincial policy and does not conform to the Official Plan as it’s located in a prime agricultural area and the use is not related to agriculture.
The Spalings want to create a residential lot through the severance.
“We would like to build our new home on this new property, which would utilize this property to its fullest available use,” the Spalings explained in a letter.
“It is just on the edge of the town limits, it would be a continuation of the row of houses that presently goes down the west side of Wellington Road 11, south of Drayton and then would end at our present home, as does other services (gas, etc.).”
The applicants also note “there would be no problem with agricultural impact made on the neighbouring farms because of the existing homes that are presently there.”
Council members agreed the property was of little agricultural value.
“I strongly believe in our county planning department and support our planner when he does have a clear statement that this does not comply with our rules and regulations,” said councillor Lori Woodham.
“But somewhere, common sense does have to play into it.”
Though the land in question is “outside of our urban area and it is designated prime agricultural,” Woodham said it wouldn’t be practical to use the land for anything “other than pasture maybe.”
“I know that in Minto or Puslinch they too have come up with things like that and have what is called secondary ag land and perhaps down the road Mapleton would take a look at something like that.”
Woodham suggested the limited potential uses for the land be explained to the land division committee. “Yes, it’s definitely prime ag, but is it really?” she asked.
Councillor Michael Martin said council should anticipate more such applications for exceptions to create residential lots until a development freeze due to lack of wastewater capacity is addressed.
“There’s nothing prime ag about that property right?” he said. However, “It’s not surprising that we’re going to see more of these applications coming in the future if our wastewater situation doesn’t get straightened out.”
Councillor Marlene Ottens said, “To me that seemed like a logical place to put a house. You’ve got a whole row there and then a space and then another house so it doesn’t seem like ag land at all.”
Council supported the application with a number of conditions, including that services be provided to the municipality’s satisfaction.
Council’s resolution of support states, “Mapleton council wishes (the) county land division to consider that the lands may not be considered prime agricultural for a practical purpose.”
