GUELPH – Wellington County’s plan to transfer 120 units of rural severances from Erin to Puslinch has upset some Erin residents.
The change comes in a proposed policy update to the county’s Official Plan, which guides development in the county.
A change is also proposed that makes it possible for Puslinch landowners to receive more than one rural residential land severance.
Currently, they can’t get another severance if they’ve had one in the past 20 years. But to encourage more Puslinch development to hit a 2051 growth target, the county wants to remove that limit for landowners there. Erin landowners would remain subject to the 2005 limitation.
“We feel that the update of the date for Puslinch and not Erin is not equitable,” Erin resident Marieke Wevers told county council on Sept. 25.
She noted there is already a shortfall of rural lots in Erin.
“Why are we being discriminated against and why [does] Puslinch have the ability to get these lots and Erin doesn’t?” Wevers asked.
The transfer of lots to Puslinch “deprives our local businesses, trades people, farmers and landowners the economic benefit from these lots,” Wevers stated.
She suggested Erin council made recommendations to county planners without consulting the public.
Wevers requested county council reconsider a date change that is “equitable to both communities,” pushing the cut-off to 2015.
After her allotted 10 minutes of delegation time was almost up, Wevers requested an additional 10 minutes. The motion to allow her more time failed by a vote of 8-7 (councillor Gregg Davidson was absent).
“I can’t even tell you how disappointed I am in that you couldn’t even offer another 10 minutes. I think it’s scandalous,” Wevers told council.
According to Wevers, others in Erin haven’t been permitted to speak to town council.
“We’re being blocked every step of the way and it’s unacceptable,” she said.
The town, in an email conversation with Wevers, said its still reviewing the county’s proposed OPA updates, and added delegations to council must align with matters on council’s agenda.
In a letter to the Advertiser Erin resident Tom Carroll said the proposed transfer of the severances to Puslinch will threaten the livelihood of Erin’s “real estate agents, contractors, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, carpenters, surveyors and lawyers.”
He said, “The transfer of this wealth out of our township is shortsighted and poorly thought out and will have long-term negative impacts on the residential market in our town.”
Erin county councillors at odds
Following the delegation at the Sept. 25 county council meeting, Erin county councillor Jeff Duncan said he agrees with Wevers.
“There is a carefully written sentence in [the planning report] and it says ‘the reallocation of the 120 units is in keeping with the town of Erin’s preference,’” Duncan said.
“When I read that it tells me … Erin council is probably okay with this and I don’t think they are.
“I don’t think they’ve been formally given the opportunity to actually comment on it.”
Duncan later told the Advertiser Erin council has not passed a formal resolution stating the town wants the 120 surplus units given to Puslinch.
In June, county staff presented the 120-unit idea to Puslinch council – but so far nothing for Erin, he noted.
He said Wevers “is directly impacted by this,” as are “dozens of other landowners out there.”
Duncan added, “It’s been very murky … I want it crystal clear. What is the town’s position?”
According to the county planning report, Erin and Puslinch councils “were asked to provide input about how to address their long-term rural residential growth needs” as part of a “rural growth review” launched in September 2024.
Erin Mayor Michael Dehn told the Advertiser Erin council didn’t give the 120 units away to Puslinch, but placed them back under the county’s control.
The bottom line, Dehn said, is, “Anything you could do in Erin at the beginning of the year, you can still do in Erin related to severance.”
He added, “What has happened is we have 5,000 new homes still to be built and we’re way ahead of our target for overall housing in Erin.”
Asked about Wevers’ specific complaint, Dehn said, “I just think she wants a severance and there isn’t a rule that says she can have a severance …
“I’m not exactly sure how [Duncan] fits into this.”
County council directed staff to schedule an open house to provide an opportunity for public comment on the amendment.
The county will hold a public meeting under the Planning Act at “the appropriate time,” Warden Chris White told council.
