BRUCEDALE – A land severance request that was turned down by council last year returned to the table this week, only to be rejected a second time.
The proposal, which seeks to divide a five-acre farm into two residential lots, was brought forward for comment during the Sept. 8 meeting of council.
“If this is legally a farm, whether it’s 100 acres or five acres, you can’t sever off a piece of a farm to make a new lot,” said councillor Corey Woods.
Despite being rejected previously, this year’s application was presented just as it was last year, with no revisions or changes, something that left some councillors confused.
“How are we here if we’ve kind of already dealt with this?” Woods asked.
Mayor Chris White noted that while the application has been presented to council, it is ultimately up to the county’s land division committee to make the final decision.
“We’re not a decision maker on this,” said White. “We are really commenting.”
“It’ll go to land division [and] land division in their infinite wisdom, will make the decision,” added councillor Mark Bouwmeester sarcastically. “I’d like to think they weigh our comments heavily.”
The previous application was deferred by the land division committed last year on Sept. 12.
Councillor Bruce Dickieson also voiced his concerns.
“Like you said, a new lot can’t be created in an agricultural land,” said Dickieson referring to Woods’ previous comment.
“So that pretty much is a no-brainer.”
If the application is approved this time by the county, it will be based on the following conditions:
- the applicant satisfies all the requirements of the township, financial and otherwise, which the municipality deems necessary at the time of issuance of the Consent Certificate for the property and orderly development of the subject lands. Any fees incurred by the township for the review of this application will be the responsibility of the applicant;
- the applicant pay to the township the required cash-in-lieu contribution for parkland dedication for the creation of one new lot in accordance with Bylaw 25/2018, to the satisfaction of the township;
- servicing on the retained parcel is available to the satisfaction of the township;
- an entrance permit be obtained for the severed parcel to the satisfaction of the township; and
- zoning compliance is achieved to the satisfaction of the township.
The application will be heard at the Oct. 9 land division meeting.
All councillors were opposed to the application.
