Guelph-Eramosa council held a public meeting on March 20 to discuss a proposed comprehensive zoning bylaw amendment.
“One of the primary motivations to advance this housekeeping amendment at this time is regarding the accessory building provisions,” township planner Mitchell Avis stated in the report.
The new bylaw doesn’t contain accessory building setbacks, which staff says “was an error and could be an issue come spring, when building activity tends to increase,” the report states.
The housekeeping amendment would resolve the issue.
Items considered in the housekeeping amendment include: accessory buildings, minor amendments for clarity, efficiencies, minimum distance separation and mapping.
There were no comments from the public on the bylaw amendment, which was passed later in the meeting.
Severance rezoning
A consent application was approved for the land at 5516 Wellington Road 29 to separate a surplus farm dwelling from 32 hectares of retained land.
Council held a public meeting on March 20 to discuss the rezoning of the retained lands to prohibit a new house. This is a condition of the consent application.
“The lands are proposed to continue to be used for agricultural purposes,” Avis’ report to council stated.
There were no comments from the public on the rezoning.
Tax adjustments
On March 20 council also held a public meeting to identify property tax adjustments which “are applications that can be filed with the municipality for the current year and two previous years for a number of reasons including demolition of buildings, fires, gross or manifest assessment errors,” director of finance Linda Cheyne wrote in her report to council.
This year the municipality saw 14 adjustments totaling $6,887. That includes $1,361 for the township, $3,236 for Wellington County and $2,290 for the school boards.
“I’m sure that by law we have to have a public meeting but these should be automatic,” councillor Corey Woods said. “If you come in and get a demolition permit and MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) doesn’t catch up that you demolished something it should just be automatic.”
There were no comments from the public on the adjustments.
Parkwood Gardens
Parkwood Gardens Community Church is located at 501 Whitelaw Rd. Although the majority of the church is on the Guelph side of the municipal boundary about a quarter does fall within Guelph-Eramosa.
The church has applied to both the city and township for site plan approval for additions to the church.
The work that would cross into the township include a parking lot extension, snow storage and a drainage swale.
“Staff is of the opinion that the extent of development on the township’s side of the municipal boundary is minor and does not require a site plan approval process,” Avis’ report states.
“Nevertheless, the municipality must ensure that the development is constructed, as designed and approved, without impact to the township and adjacent properties.
“Therefore, staff is recommending that the township enter into a development agreement with the owner to ensure the property is developed appropriately.”
The recommendation passed unopposed.
