Planning committee considers ‘legalizing’ farm operation
Roger Varley
At a public planning meeting on Monday, a planning consultant representing two local farmers sought a zoning by-law amendment in order to "legalize" a business that has been running on their farm for almost two decades.
Kevin Bechard of Innovative Planning Solutions said Henry and Jason Eng have been operating a soil mixing business on a portion of their farm, and need a zoning change to make it legal. The Engs' property stretches from Conc. 4 west to Conc. 3, north of Sandford Road. The eastern half of the property is zoned Rural, allowing for farm operations, while the western half is zoned Environmental Protection. On the edge of the EP land, the Engs have been running a soil mixing operation since 2005.
A planning justification report by Weston Consulting noted that the amendment is needed "in order to legalize the existing soil mixing operation on the land."
Bechard argued that the Rural zoning designation on the land allows farming and farm-related operations and that the soil mixing is farm-related. The operation involves bringing in fill, manure, wood and other materials to be turned into resalable soil. He said the Engs want the zoning changed to a rural exception zone to allow for the mixing operation, which he noted "is currently not permitted."
The Eng farm, shown above in an aerial view from a report submitted to council on Monday, has been running a soil mixing operation for almost two decades, and have recently asked the township for a zoning amendment in order to make the business “legal.”
In 2017, the township sought and was granted an injunction that stipulated, among other things, that the Engs must not expand the existing business operation; must not import any fill or construction debris in excess of what was needed to maintain the current business; and must proceed with the process to bring their business operation and activities on the property into conformity with the zoning by-law.
Several area residents addressed the planning committee, with the major concern being an increase in truck traffic on Conc. 4. One nearby resident complained about noise from the operation, saying it was more like living near an industrial quarter than a rural area.
Planning committee chair councillor Todd Snooks allowed two weeks for the public to comment on the application. Director of planning services Kyle Rainbow said a decision on the application is likely to come near the beginning of April.
In other council news, the by-law department submitted a report recommending that chickens not be allowed to be raised in urban, hamlet or village backyards, citing the dangers of avian flu, predators and rodents. By-law said few people have applied for permits to raise chickens.
The Canada Day committee reported that Canada Day celebrations will return to Elgin Park in much the same format as they were run last year, with festivities running from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The report said fireworks will be part of the evening as a majority of respondents to a survey indicated they were in favour of pyrotechnics.
Restaurant patios will be allowed to return to the downtown area this summer. Jennifer Beer of the development services department said a new Temporary Patios Policy will allow patios but restaurants will have to ensure their spaces are safe and accessible.
And, finally Easter egg hunts will be held on Easter weekend in Zephyr and Goodwood, and the BIA is planning an Easter Eggstravaganza event for March 30.