While neither the county’s official plan nor the local zoning bylaw permits barns in hamlets, Mapleton council is considering a zoning amendment to allow a replacement barn in Wallenstein.
The applicant, John Martin of Millside Industries, wants to replace an existing barn with a smaller barn with less livestock capacity further to the north and further away from potential residential development on an 18.9-acre property on Yatton Sideroad.
The requested amendment would permit the replacement of an older, bank barn with a new, smaller barn. The existing barn has a livestock capacity for 50 beef feeders and five horses, while the new barn would hold five horses and 25 beef feeders. Relief from Minimum Distance Separation (MDS 2) is also a consideration.
Wellington County planner Mark Van Patter stated in a report at the Sept. 9 Mapleton council meeting, his main concern is that the new barn does not compromise the potential to develop residential lots along the property’s frontage on Yatton Sideroad.
“If this were in a location outside of a hamlet, and the future dwellings existed already, the proposed barn could be built based on a Type A land use factor,” stated Van Patter. However, he noted, when it came time to sever the residential lots, further zoning relief would be required as the MDS 1 setback is from the lot line, not the dwelling as it is for MDS 2.
“Council should also consider whether the new barn could be located even further north to increase setbacks from Yatton Sideroad,” Van Patter advised.
Since there is an existing barn on the property, Van Patter pointed out, the zoning bylaw permits the strengthening or restoration of a non-conforming building.
“The situation might be worse if he is forced to strengthen the existing barn in its current location,” Van Patter suggested.
“How would that be worse?” asked councillor Mike Downey, who pointed out that if the existing barn stays in place it would simply preclude building on the lots in question due to MDS restrictions.
“If that barn stays there those lots would be non-existent,” said Downey.
“Yes, and that would be too bad, because it’s a hamlet area,” replied Van Patter.
Council directed Van Patter to prepare a draft amending bylaw for consideration at a future meeting.
