Guelph-Eramosa council discussed emergency management, severances and lot line adjustments at the Nov. 7 council meeting.
Emergency management
Community emergency management coordinator Linda Dickson presented the annual emergency management report showing how the township fulfilled emergency management regulations.
She also told council that the township is looking at partnering with 211 – a call centre that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Guelph-Eramosa is looking to using the call centre during emergencies, Dickson explained. Residents could call 211 and easily learn where evacuation centres are located, where fresh water is available, road closures, etc.
“We’re trying to get the word out about 211 and the amendment is also including policies as to what their roles and responsibilities are as well as municipal roles and responsibilities are,” Dickson said.
Surplus farm dwelling
Council supports the severance of a surplus farm house at 5516 Wellington Road 29. The parcel of land would be 1.4ha and the owner would retain the remaining 32ha of agricultural land. The proposed severed land currently holds a house, shed and solar panel. The retained agricultural land is empty but will require a bylaw amendment because it’s below the minimum requirement of 35ha.
Council discussed whether there should be a cash in lieu of parkland stipulation on the application.
“The planning act empowers municipalities to require cash-in-lieu of parkland and then the township has a cash-in-lieu of parklands bylaw which does allow to collect cash-in-lieu,” township planning consultant Mitchell Avis said.
Counsellor Corey Woods pointed out the house is Bout a century old.
“The people that live in the house now are keeping the house, the severed parcel is going to the neighbour and it’s going to be restricted that no house can be built on the parcel so there’s no new residential building being built so why are we saying cash-in-lieu?”
Council decided that because there is no possibility for a new residential dwelling cash-in-lieu of parkland will not be required.
Lot line adjustment severances
Council saw another severance request. The applicant at 4935 Seventh Line is proposing to sever 0.644ha for a machine shop and 0.48ha for an industrial building. The retained lands will be 3.044ha and the current residence will remain.
“Any future development on either lot created will require site plan approval,” Avis’ report stated. “No development proposals for the severed lots have been submitted at this time.”
Avis explained that the three new lots conformed with the provincial policy statement, Wellington County Official Plan and the township zoning bylaw.
Because the two new lots are buildable, council decided to ask for cash-in-lieu of parkland.
Council supported the consent application.
Lot line adjustment
Council received a re-submission for a consent application that had lapsed as a result of unfulfilled conditions.
The applicants submitted a consent application for a lot line adjustment to sever a 6ha parcel from the property at 8572 Highway 7 and merge it to an abutting property. The 3.8ha retained parcel will contain an existing house, self-storage and equestrian facilities.
Council supported the consent application.
