A zoning amendment to allow an over-sized accessory structure for a home industry in Minto was approved by council July 23.
The amendment was approved following a public meeting on an application by Leon Brubacher for a 136-acre property on the Minto-Normanby Townline.
Existing zoning on the property would have limited the structure to a maximum of 1,500 square feet, while the proposed structure will be slightly more than twice that size (3,250 square feet). The proposed building will be used as a combined home industry (corn planter meter repair) and agricultural storage building. The land is zoned Agricultural (A) and Natural Environment (NE). Home businesses that are secondary to the principle use of the property are allowed as a means of supplementing farm incomes and providing services in rural areas.
Linda Redmond of the Wellington County Planning Department noted that the department has no concerns with the application, which is in keeping with official plan requirements and provincial policies.
Deputy mayor Terry Fisk asked Redmond if the municipality is responsible for ensuring home businesses adhere to zoning requirements restricting home industries to one employee.
“If we had such a thing as a bylaw enforcement officer, would they have to be taking attendance?’ he wondered.
“I assume it would be done on a complaint basis,” replied Redmond.
In response to another question, Redmond explained that, while Minto’s bylaw allows only one employee for this type of business, some other area municipalities allow two or three.
However, she noted, “ Minto allows home industries on smaller farm acreages,” than some other municipalities.
No one spoke in opposition to the proposal during the public meeting.
