HARRISTON – The Town of Minto has finalized an agreement to sell a 1.2-acre parcel of industrial land to Jodene and Murray Marquardt.
The sale was authorized during the June 7 Minto council meeting.
In 2010, the Marquardts purchased a property on Highway 9 in Harriston and moved their business, Stones ‘n More Landscape, to the property.
In 2013, they opened a seasonal restaurant, The Red Caboose, on the property.
A report from director of economic and community development Belinda Wick-Graham notes the two businesses employ between eight and 15 seasonal employees.
“Last year staff met with the Marquardts to explore the possibility of acquiring some additional land behind their existing location to expand the Stones ‘n More business,” the report states.
The land, to be sold for $42,525, comes from 12 acres of unserviced land extending from John Street into the Harriston Industrial Park and will be used to store products and equipment.
The report notes further servicing of the property is not required and, as building on the property is not anticipated, development covenants have been removed from the town’s standard agreement of purchase and sale.
“The Town of Minto has always supported the expansion of existing businesses and severing off 1.215 acres from the 12 acres allows this business to grow without the town having to invest in services for the remainder of the Harriston Industrial Park,” Wick-Graham explained in the report.
“Jodene and Murray Marquette came to us quite a while ago, looking to add to their property in the Harriston Industrial Park … work had to be done in terms of surveying and environmental assessments and now we are at the stage to be able to sell this property to them.”
A bylaw authorizing town officials to sign the agreement of purchase and sale was approved at the meeting.
