Puslinch councillors are in favour of excluding a wide swath of land on either side of Highways 401 and 6 should the Ontario government move forward with expanding the Greenbelt in the township.
The issue arose as a notice of motion from Mayor Dennis Lever at the Oct. 19 council session.
In his motion, Lever noted that in June councillors passed a resolution supporting Wellington County planning committee comments regarding proposed changes to the Greenbelt Plan within the southern portion of Wellington County, which includes Puslinch.
Lever clarified that expansion of the Greenbelt into Wellington County was not supported.
At the same time, Lever noted the “province has emphasized the importance of residential and employment corridors next to transportation and transit corridors.”
He said that since Highway 401 is major transportation and economic development corridor, he recommended that “should the province proceed with the expansion of the Greenbelt Plan Area in Puslinch, the township recommends that lands within two kilometres of the Highway 401 corridor and Highway 6 be specifically excluded.”
Prior to the discussion, councillor Susan Fielding stated that she’d been unable to get a legal opinion on whether she had a conflict of interest, but she stepped aside anyway, declaring a pecuniary interest as she had a family member with property in the area.
The property is currently in the part of Puslinch within the Greenbelt boundary.
Councillor John Sepulis believed the recommendation would help the township’s industrial base.
Councillor Ken Roth agreed this was a really good idea, but noted sections of the current Greenbelt are right up against the highway.
Lever was agreeable to have the resolution exclude all of the area surrounding the highways from the Greenbelt.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer echoed Roth’s comments.
“As far as this goes, I’d like to broaden the language … so that if the province chooses to amend or expand the Greenbelt, this would also apply to highway lands currently within the Greenbelt.”
Lever said he also wanted to see the inclusion of Highway 6, both south and north of Highway 401.
Bulmer also suggested the resolution include the reason why the township sought the exclusion.
While the idea of making the area available for transit corridors was clearly made, Bulmer was adamant the resolution should state this would allow for expanded designation and development of employment lands.
“We’d like the ability to designate more lands,” Bulmer said.
