It’s a move becoming all too common in rural parts of Wellington.
Severances on farm properties are no longer to create retirement lots for farmers, but rather a severing off of farmhouses from the farm in order that another farmer can purchase the farm to expand his own operation.
In some cases, the revised zoning also means the end of use of existing farm buildings which remain on the severed farm home land.
In short, it means that while those existing sheds or barns may still be used for storage, it eliminates their use for their original purpose.
On Dec, 14, Wellington North council reviewed an passed two such rezonings, both in the former township of West Luther.
The applicant in both cases was David Michael Kelly.
One property, in Lot 13, Concession 3 and 4, former Township of West Luther, is approximately 149.2 acres.
The other one, is located in Lot 6, Con. 1, in the former township of West Luther and is about 97.1 acres.
Both amended rezonings would rezone the subject lands to restrict any future residential development on the agricultural portion of the property.
The second rezoning also included a prohibition of housing livestock in an existing bank barn.
Both severance applications already have provisional consent by the Wellington County Land Division Committee. The consent will sever the existing farm dwelling from the remainder of the agricultural parcel as per the surplus farm dwelling policies.
Planner Mark Van Patter said he had no concerns implementing the decision.
He said “both the Provincial Policy Statement and the Wellington County Official Plans provide for surplus farm dwelling severances, provided the retained lands are rezoned to prohibit future residential dwellings.”
Van Patter said the intention of the policy is to allow farmers to reduce their costs of acquiring additional farm parcels, where the impact on existing and future farm operations can be kept to a minimum.
He added “it is not unusual maintain an existing barn for storage and restrict its use for livestock.”
Van Patter said a number of similar applications have been before council before.
The properties were both designated as Prime Agricultural.
The rezoning would put the larger portions of the severances into a zone which would prohibit future residences on the land.
Van Patter said the only difference with the second rezoning was that there was an existing livestock barn and the change would prohibit that use – even though it could still be used for storage.
The bylaws for both these rezonings was passed later on that night.
