Council considered what appeared to be a regular severance application on April 13, but the discussion lead to the possibility of more trees being planted in the township.
J&C Gleeson Farms has applied for a severance of land at part Lots 7 and 8 Concession 11 in old Maryborough township.
The owner wants to divide a 272-acre agricultural parcel into two farm parcels. The severed parcel is proposed to be 87 acres and is occupied by a dwelling and a chicken barn. The retained parcel is 185.8 acres and is occupied by a hog barn.
Deputy-clerk Barb Schellenberger’s report listed the usual conditions required for council’s approval of the proposal after it goes to the county land division committee for acceptance:
– it meets the zoning;
– there is a mutual drain reapportionment or mutual agreement;
– there is a copy of deposited reference plan;
– taxes paid in full; and
– the owners satisfy all the requirements of the municipality, financial or otherwise.
When council discussed the issue, councillor Neil Driscoll asked if the municipality could ask, as a requirement of the severance, that the applicant be required to plant trees along the new property line.
He said the township is engaged in a project where it is trying to plant two million trees. “This would be a great way to start. It wouldn’t cost the landowner,” he said.
The county green legacy program provides trees for planting on farms.
Councillor Jim Curry said the parcel would become L-shaped if the severance is granted.
But Driscoll said planting trees along property lines for severances is something the township should seek for all severances.
“It’s not going to hurt anyone. I’ve seen the results,” he said.
Mayor Bruce Whale wondered if that would cause any problems for the farm operations.
Driscoll said in some instances the township has allowed work that “cleared out” trees. He is a farmer, and he said, “As much as I appreciate bare lands … ”
Whale agreed council could ask that trees be planted along the lot lines.
Driscoll added the trees could also be planted east or west along the lot lines.
Councillor Andy Knetsch liked Driscoll’s suggestion.
Knetsch asked, “Why can’t we start with this application? Why wait? I think it’s a good idea.”
Driscoll said of the applicants, “They’ve done their work” on the application, and Knetsch agreed that is true.
Councillor Mike Downey wondered about winter applications.
But Driscoll pointed out, “We’re supposed to be the leading municipality” when it comes to planting trees.
Clerk Patty Sinnamon said she can ask the county’s planners for their opinion on the proposal. But, she added, “As a condition of severance, that’s difficult to implement.”
Curry then asked about access to the hog barn on the severed property.
Driscoll said there is an access for it at the property.
Downey noted there appears to be nothing indicating how manure would be handled. He wondered if the operation will meet the minimum distance requirements.
Whale said he could ask for clarification when the land division committee discusses the application.
He also noted some of the numbers in the application did not appear to be accurate. He said he could raise that issue as well as the possibility of requiring tree planting as a severance condition.
Council then approved the report.
* * *
Later in the meeting council approved a subdivision agreement that had been on the books in old Maryborough since 1993.
The Wyndott subdivision proposal is 14.47 hectares with 18 lots on two streets, Margaret Court and Sharron Court, located at Lots 21, 22 and 23.
Sinnamon’s report said the lands changed hands several times, and the most recent approval came from Mapleton Township last year.
Part of the plan is the Markham-Waterloo Mennonite Conference’s proposal to construct a new church, which would be accessed through Margaret Court. The group has applied to the county through the developer for a severance of the original subdivision lands.
There has been no problem with the plan as it was presented, but Driscoll pointed out the very first condition of approval of that subdivision agreement was that trees had to be planted in it.
Whale also took note of that, and said of severances in the future “maybe it can” be a condition of severance.
