Council has indicated support for an application to expand a Wallenstein area woodworking business that already exceeds the size allowed under the township’s zoning regulations.
The request for a zoning amendment came from Marvin and Sharon Weber for a 150-acre property on Wellington Road 86 north of Wallenstein. The property is zoned agricultural exception.
The applicants are seeking a 4,800 square foot expansion to a 3,700 square foot existing workshop. The expansion would result in a total ground floor area of 8,500 square feet. The proposed workshop expansion will increase the area for office, shipping, assembly, and equipment.
The application notes the business builds “bulky kitchens” and therefore, requires more room. They also wish to add two new machines that require a large footprint. Currently, three family members work in the shop, as well as one co-op student who does not reside on the property.
“I would not normally support a rezoning for a shop this large,” stated Mark Van Patter, Wellington County manger of planning and environment, in a report to council at the Feb. 11 meeting. However, he questioned whether some consideration should be given to the zoning history on the property.
“Clearly the current Mapleton zoning bylaw would not permit such a large shop today. Home industries are only allowed 2,500 square feet now, and that includes all the accessory uses,” Van Patter noted.
However, he suggested council determine how much weight to give to an earlier zoning approval by the former Township of Peel.
“It is the view of the applicants that under a 1991 rezoning [Marvin Weber’s father, who started the business] was originally allowed an area of operation of 9,687 square feet and that they should be allowed a shop up to this size today,” Van Patter explained. “It appears that a former chief building official interpreted the ‘area of operation’ to be the maximum area limit a use could be expanded to.”
Councillor Jim Curry expressed concern about the proposed scale of the operation.
“I’m very concerned with the size of the building that you wish to put up as still being under a home industry. I think it’s exceeding our intent,” said Curry, adding, “I’m not in support of the addition.”
“What are your options if your business continues to grow? Have you thought about it for further down the road?” asked Mayor Bruce Whale, who suggested a condition requiring a move to an industrial area if the business was to expand further.
“I want to keep it as a family operation. I never wanted to have 50 guys working for me. That’s not me at all,” said Marvin Weber. “I’ve kept it there for 20 years and that’s where I want to keep it.”
Van Patter said the business “predates the idea of a home industry” but suggested council could control the scale of the operation by adding a limit on the allowable number of employees living off-site.
Councillor Neil Driscoll was not in favor of making future expansion or employee restrictions a condition of approval of the current application.
“This is just creating jobs in our municipality. It’s not taking up valuable farm land,” said Driscoll, adding, “I appreciate that you’re doing it right. You’re here.”
Driscoll said he has noticed several other shops of similar size in the same area.
Van Patter said there are likely some businesses in the rural areas of the township operating without proper zoning. He also said officials sometimes don’t become aware a business is even operating unless they apply for a permit to build or expand facilities.
“We are aware there are some of those out there,” said CAO Patty Sinnamon. “If we get an application that’s how we become aware of it.”
She added, “If you’re aware of a business that’s up and running and you’re concerned about the zoning, staff can certainly check into it.”
“I’m not looking to point any fingers,” Weber replied.
Council directed Van Patter to prepare a draft bylaw amendment for consideration. Whale said the draft amendment should not include an expansion restriction.
“My read is council isn’t supporting an expansion restriction at this point,” said Whale.
