PUSLINCH – Wellington County has determined that Puslinch needs 600 more homes to meet its housing obligations to 2051.
With 73 existing vacant units, 73 vacant rural lots, and the potential for 204 new rural severances under the current policy, that leaves a need for 250 more dwellings in the township.
Council heard from Jesse Auspitz, a planner with township consultant NPG Planning Solutions, at its Nov. 27 meeting and discussed at length where and how to encourage more housing starts.
The county has identified the hamlets of Aberfoyle and Arkell as areas that could be expanded. Morriston falls in the Greenbelt Area and is protected from expansion.
Rural lots can be created on land designated as secondary agriculture but not on prime agricultural land.
Under the county’s official plan, an applicant must own their land for at least five years before requesting a lot severance.
Concerned about land speculators buying up farmland and then severing parcels multiple times to build housing, councillor Jessica Goyda suggested adding another five-year time limit before severed lots can be severed again.
“Speculation encourages rapid growth,” councillor Sara Bailey agreed.
“But it should be gradual, intentional growth.”
The policy should also protect farmland and ensure residential growth doesn’t encroach on farmland or impact minimum separation distances, states the report from Auspitz.
Councillors voiced support for adding housing through lot severances including up to three severances on a lot.
They also favoured adding housing by expanding existing hamlets and existing estate subdivisions.
Council also agreed with Goyda’s suggestion to allow properties to be severed every five years and to review the provision every five years to make sure the township is on target for growth.
