Although Minto is ready to allow a parochial school to be built here, there are still a few issues that need to be worked out.
The proposal for part of Lot 30 Con 14 is for a parochial school for about 30 students.
Planner Linda Redmond said that the land is designated as secondary agriculture, in which there is provision for use as community service facilities – such a schools for the local community.
She noted the site is currently occupied by a farm and dwelling, in addition to a kennel.
Redmond said there are two issues for council to consider.
One is that the property is located on a large curve on the 14th Line.
After a personal visit to the site, she considered the area “visually clear. You can see quite a distance.”
The second consideration, she said, is the minimum distance separation formula applications between a school and nearby agricultural uses.
Redmond said that the type A rather than B parts of the formula were applied because the school is specifically for those in the area who travel via horse and buggy.
The only concerns raised during the public meeting, were not about the school itself, but the conduct of some of those travelling back and forth to the school.
Brian Bauman, who drives a truck locally, said he has concerns about safety on the road.
There was an incident where a family making use of a horse cart for student transportation lost control of the horses.
Councillor David Turton said the group’s elders have been looking for a school site for the past year.
He suggested that if the only issue is “the guys with the horses and cart, perhaps they could walk to the school.”
The elders agreed that family did live within walking distance of the proposed school.
Turton did have concerns that the application had the use of a pit for sewage treatment.
Clerk Barb Wilson explained that Chief Building Official Terry Kuipers has already indicated that the private sewage system must comply with the Building Code before a permit is issued.
As for the entrance for the school, Works Superintendent Norm Fisk said four different sites were reviewed and this location was determined to be the safest.
Fisk said that no doubt there is a concern with the bend in the road, but said that he has more concern with individuals rollerblading on the highways and wondered whether that should be allowed.
Anderson said the main concern is safety of the kids.
He stated that should council agree to the location, if one of the children were hurt, the municipality might be held liable.
He said that if there is any situation that could put them at risk “you, as elders, could look after it.”
