A controversial exemption from minimum distance separation (MDS) regulations in the township’s comprehensive zoning bylaw is now scheduled to be addressed in January.
Council is currently reviewing the bylaw and approved a number of housekeeping amendments at the Nov. 26 meeting.
However, although council has stated it will review the contentious MDS exemption, it has not discussed the issue during recent council meetings.
The section in question provides an exemption from MDS requirements for new non-farm uses of property on existing lots in agricultural zones that are less than 4 hectares (9.9 acres).
The exemption has been the subject of considerable controversy over the past 18 months, as it allowed for residential construction on several previously-dormant lots near Moorefield within the MDS radius of an existing, but unoccupied hog barn.
In correspondence to council received at the Dec. 10 meeting, Moorefield area resident Earl Campbell asked council to provide a specific date for a public meeting at which the MDS question will be addressed and the date of the council minutes in which council direction was given to continue supporting the existing provision.
“I have been unable to locate the Township of Mapleton minutes which reference council’s decision to not address MDS as part of the public meeting (regarding the housekeeping amendments on Nov. 12),” Campbell stated.
In another letter to council, Alwyn and Lori Woodham suggested if council plans to maintain the exemption for existing lots, it should also exempt existing livestock operations from MDS provisions.
“It remains my opinion that our farm was never taken into consideration by staff or township planners when zoning bylaw No. 2010-080 was created. I would like to request the same consideration be given to us as was granted to all the checkerboard lots that were opened,” the Woodhams state in the letter.
At the Nov. 12 meeting, Wellington County planner Linda Redmond replied the planning department was hoping to have a proposal ready for review at either the Nov. 26 or Dec. 10 council meeting.
On Dec. 10, CAO Patty Sinnamon said she is now anticipating the matter will come forward in January.
Council has scheduled a public meeting on an amendment to deal with the MDS exemption at the Jan. 14 council meeting.
