Council here deferred passage of a rezoning bylaw to permit a dog kennel operation in a barn north of Harriston after hearing concerns from a neighbouring property owner.
Mervin Bearinger had requested the site-specific zoning for a 79-hectare property at 6280 Highway 89.
He indicated a plan to create a kennel for up to 25 dogs on the second floor of an existing bank barn on the property.
The town’s bylaw specifically prohibits kennels in all zones unless permitted by an amendment.
Wellington County planning staff indicated in a report the county has no objection to the proposal, as it conforms with the Official Plan and is consistent with applicable provincial policies.
“Under the town’s bylaw to regulate and license the keeping of dogs and dog kennels, the applicant will have to submit a detailed site plan to indicate how it meets all the requirements in the licensing bylaw,” noted the report prepared by planners Jessica Wilton and Curtis Marshall.
Minto building assistant Michelle Brown reported the applicant currently operates a kennel on his existing property and is in the process of purchasing the subject property, which is zoned agricultural natural environment. Brown said town staff support the application and “any potential deficiencies will be addressed during the kennel application process.”
Minto resident Jim Tuene, who lives just west of the proposed kennel, pointed out Town of Minto bylaws require that kennels be managed and operated by the owner, who must live on-site.
“He’s not going to be able to live in both places,” said Tuene, who added the dwelling on the subject property is “not habitable.”
“We do have an exception policy. That would all be addressed through he licensing application and it would be up to council to approve or not approve the exemption,” said bylaw enforcement officer Cam Forbes.
“It’s the same thing as having cattle on a different property. Mervin is not that far away from that property.”
Tuene also pointed out that under provincial environment regulations, kennel waste is considered “industrial” waste and, “I want to know how that waste is going to be handled.”
Bearinger said he planned to rent the house on the subject property to a farmhand.
“The roof’s not leaking and I though a coat of paint would be good for a 21-year-old,” he said.
Bearinger said waste from his existing kennel “goes in the cattle pen. It’s 90 per cent shavings,” he explained, noting the waste is composted.
Tuene pointed out that “Under the EPA, industrial waste has to be treated either with a sewage treatment plant or a septic tank … sawdust and compost doesn’t cut it.”
“I don’t want to get into a debate on it. It’s a good point. We’re going to take this back and take a look at it,” said Mayor George Bridge.
“If there was nobody there how would you monitor those dogs,” said councillor Jean Anderson. “You think of dogs as certainly a little different than cattle. You’d be wanting to know how these dogs are doing.”
CAO Bill White pointed out some of council’s concerns relate more to licensing than land use. He suggested council could put off the matter and deal with both processes at the same time.
“I’ve heard enough that I think we need a little more information and the answers to some of these questions,” said deputy mayor Ron Faulkner, who moved for deferral of the bylaw, to which council agreed.
