MAPLETON – Council here voted unanimously in support of two rural consent applications on May 13.
The first seeks to sever less than a hectare from a 38-hectare farm on Sideroad 6.
The second seeks to adjust a lot line between two 20-hectare farms on Sideroad 19.
Farm severance
Owners of the property at 7268 Sideroad 6 are planning to sever a 0.87-hectare (2.16-acre) rural residential parcel from a 38.3-hectare (95-acre) farm.
The farm parcel will be consolidated with other land holdings of Kalbfleisch Farms.
The retained parcel has an existing dwelling and shed.
The land is designated prime agricultural.
Wellington County’s official plan allows severances for existing residences surplus to farming operations provided:
- the remaining vacant farmland is large enough to function as a significant part of the overall farm unit;
- removing the surplus dwelling does not render the farmlands difficult or inefficient to farm;
- the amount of good farmland retained with the surplus house is kept to a minimum size needed for residential purposes;
- the surplus residence is habitable and not expected to be demolished by future owner;
- the minimum distance separation formula is met; and
- the vacant parcel of farmland is rezoned to prohibit residential use.
According to a Mapleton planing report, “the proposed severance meets all of the criteria listed above.”
Council voted in support of the severance, without discussion, as long as the applicant meets the following conditions:
- address zoning compliance to restrict residential uses on retained lot;
- obtain zoning compliance for accessory structure on severed parcel;
- provide a municipal drain reapportionment or mutual agreement;
- provide driveway access to retained lands;
- meet all municipal requirements;
- pay $505 for clearance letter; and
- submit deposited reference plan;
Mapleton council expressed support for two consent applications during its regular meeting of council on May 13: one for a lot line adjustment on Sideroad 19 and one for a farm severance on Sideroad 6. Image from Mapleton agenda package
Lot line adjustment
Owners of two properties on Sideroad 19 are looking to sever a 0.3-hectare (0.7-acre)lot from a 20-hectare (50-acre) farm and merge it with the adjacent property, and sever a 0.4-hectare (0.9-acre) lot from a 21-hectare (51-acre) vacant parcel and merge it with the adjacent property.
A township planning report describes this lot line adjustment as “essentially trading two small parcels of land between farms to facilitate the construction of a dwelling on the vacant parcel.
“The southerly parcel currently has frontage on an unopened road allowance and there is no expectation to open the road beyond where it currently ends.
“The applicants are proposing the reconfiguration of their abutting parcels in order to provide access to the open portion of the road so that a dwelling can be constructed.”
The property owners have agreed to pay for road upgrades and the construction of a turning circle to improve municipal maintenance operations such as snow removal.
The subject properties are zoned agricultural and natural environment, and are designated prime agricultural and core greenlands, but the lands subject to the application are outside of the greenland system.
Wellington County’s official plan permits lot line adjustments as long as there is no adverse effect on agriculture and undersized lots are made usable.
All minimum frontage and other requirements are met.
There is site-specific zoning on one of the properties that is set to be removed.
Mapleton planners have no concerns with the application.
Council supports the lot line adjustment as long as the following conditions are met:
- enter into an agreement with Mapleton for the construction of Sideroad 19 including a turning circle at the owner’s expense;
- transfer the lands required for the turning circle to the township;
- meet all municipal requirements;
- pay $505 for clearance letter; and
- submit deposited reference plan.
