The recent approval of a part lot control exemption here adds more power to a proposal for a hydro generation station.
The exemption applies to the reserve at the west end of Allan Street and the Grand River.
In his report to council managing director of planning and development Brett Salmon explained that as council is aware, the future plans for the proposed redevelopment of the former Little Folks property in Elora by the Landmark Group include the restoration of the power generating rights that run with the property.
Landmark has established a separate corporation, known as the Elora Power Corporation, to operate the water power facility. In order to create a separate parcel of land to accommodate the power corporation operations, Landmark has applied for a part lot control exemption bylaw.
Since the subject land is part of a registered plan it is eligible for part lot control.
The water power facility itself is governed by the Green Energy Act and is exempt from any other municipal planning approvals, and any official plan and zoning bylaw in effect does not apply to such a facility.
The water power facility requires its own approval process that is governed by the Ministry of Natural Resources. A public open house regarding this approval process was held at the Elora Mill last October.
At the time it was suggested that if approved and constructed, the Elora generating station would have a capacity of one megawatt (MW) and annually produce 3,800 MW hours of renewable energy.
Salmon noted There have been no objections to the proposal.
Council quickly approved the exemption.
