MINTO – A 12-year review of building activity in this municipality shows nearly $340 million worth of local construction since 2010.
A staff report by the town’s building and bylaw department shows 2,187 building permits have been issued for construction valued at $339,838,176 over the past dozen years.
Residential construction makes up the lion’s share of building activity, with 322 permits issued for single family dwellings worth a total of just over $105 million, plus 74 permits for multi-unit residential buildings worth slightly more than $39 million.
Agricultural construction, with 49 permits worth just under $30 million, is the next largest sector, followed by:
- industrial, 29 permits, $24.6 million;
- institutional, 10 permits, $8.3 million; and
- commercial, 11 permits, for just under $4 million.
The report shows residential development was spread across the municipality, occurring primarily in the town’s three urban centre of Clifford, Harriston and Palmerston.
Planning technician Ashley Sawyer said counting projects completed and those currently in the hopper, about 600 new urban building lots have been created since 2010.
“These numbers are based on projects that we’ve entered into formal pre-consultation agreements with, are currently being developed or have been developed,” said Sawyer.
She noted Clifford is expected to see roughly 181 new lots, Harrison 136 and Palmerston 303.
“These numbers, of course, can change with provincial legislation changes and redline amendments, but that’s where we’re at right now,” Sawyer added.
“When you look at the estimated person-per-household number from the county of these proposed new lots, it will bring in roughly 1,850 new residents to be housed.”
The Field of Dreams residential development in Clifford was constructed on a former ballfield in the village. Council agenda image
A bylaw permitting additional dwelling units in existing homes has facilitated and increase in “attainable rental housing option” in the community, Sawyer pointed out.
“We’ve seen 23 permits for these in the past year and a half. That’s 23 new rental housing and options for residents to live in and have a more affordable option,” Sawyer stated.
“This is something that we passed before many area municipalities did, which is a prime example of how forward thinking this council has been.
“Development fosters economic growth and a prosperous community, provides housing for residents and directly relates to our economic development.”
In addition to highlighting historic activity, the report shows building activity in the current year has been strong.
So far in 2022, 220 building permits have been issued for construction valued at nearly $68 million, compared to 202 permits for construction valued at $36.8 million in 2021.
Those figures include 66 residential dwelling units for 2022, noted building and planning services director Terry Kuipers.
“The county’s growth forecast across Minto is roughly 51 houses per year,” Kuipers pointed out.
“So we’re not at the end of the year and our principal units have exceeded what anticipated growth is, and then you throw in the accessory dwelling units … on top of that.
“So, we’re getting lots of lots of new residential units up.”
The report also highlights major commercial, industrial and institutional projects over the past 12 years, including:
- the recent 5,600-square-foot arena expansion in Palmerston;
- an new 18,600-square-foot OPP station at Teviotdale;
- the 2019 expansion of the Snobelen Farms seed processing operation near Palmerston; and
- he nearly completed 97,500-square-foot Hammond Manufacturing facility in the Palmerston Industrial Park.
“If you haven’t been through the industrial park lately, it’s an impressive building that’s for sure,” said Kuipers of the Hammond facility, which is expected to create between 25 and 30 jobs once the first phase of construction is completed.
The 12-year period of the report covers the time in office of Mayor George Bridge and several other members of the current council.
Bridge, chairing his last council meeting on Nov. 1 after not seeking re-election in the Oct. 24 election, commended the town staff for successfully overseeing developments.
“You’ve developed some really good skill sets … I get praise from our developers and I know some of the other councillors have as well, about how easy it is to work with Minto,” said Bridge.
“You all work together and with (economic development director Belinda Wick-Graham) and economic development. I am so proud of you.”
“You hit it right on the head in your last few words there,” agreed mayor-elect Dave Turton.
“It’s not the council, it’s not the building department, it’s not the ec/dev department and water and sewers – it’s everybody.
“I mean, we work together … I’ve been involved with a couple of municipalities and it’s not like that everywhere.”
Council received the report for information.
