Mapleton Township has entered a conditional agreement allowing Nieuwland Feed and Supply Limited to build an addition and renovate its existing feed mill.
The mill is located at 96 Wellington Street North, just outside of Drayton.
A building permit is required but has not yet been issued because the proposed construction is waiting for Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) compliance approval.
In her report, chief building official Patty Wright explained MOECC approvals could take eight to 10 months.
“The proposed construction is estimated to take 18 months to complete,” Wright wrote in her report.
“The applicant would like to begin construction prior to receiving approvals.”
Under the Building Code Act, the agreement the township is entering with Nieuwland ensures the company will:
– assume risks for commencing construction;
– obtain approvals by the time set out in the agreement or as soon as practical;
– file plans and specifications of the building;
– at its own expense remove the building and restore the site in a manner specified in the agreement, should approvals not be obtained; and
– comply with other conditions set out by the chief building official.
Wright said the applicant is aware of the risks of a conditional permit.
Councillor Dennis Craven asked if the deposit the company is going to pay is enough for the township to cover the cost to “clean up the mess” if Nieuwland does not finish the site.
“I just want to make sure there’s enough there that we can handle that if they decide to walk away and leave it,” Craven said.
Wright explained the $50,000 proposed deposit is the cap.
“I don’t think Nieuwland is going to walk away,” she said. “They’d have to come up with an alternative plan.”
Mayor Neil Driscoll approved of the idea.
“I just commend staff for coming up with a solution like this,” he said. “This is the way to keep business going in Mapleton.”
