Council here is objecting to a minor variance application for an oversized home industry in the Wallenstein area.
The application, from Adam Berringer of RR 1 Wallenstein, requested the variance to permit an oversized woodworking shop on his property on Line 86. Mapleton’s zoning bylaw permits a maximum size of 2,500 square feet for a home industry and the applicant is requesting 3,220 square feet for the shop, and an additional 396 square feet for a room to park wagons to collect sawdust.
Councillor Jim Curry said he sees no reason to allow a deviation from the zoning requirements.
“I strongly feel we should follow our zoning bylaw. Otherwise, what’s the point of having a bylaw? We have a bylaw that sets a maximum size of 2,500 square feet, I think we should stay with it,” Curry said at the March 5 council meeting.
Council members also noted it was not clear from the drawings included with the application wether the additional area for parking and sawdust storage was completely enclosed.
Council defeated a resolution stating it did not object to the requested relief and agreed to provide the reasons for their objection to the township’s committee of adjustment, which will deal with the application at a public hearing. The hearing was scheduled for March 13, but was cancelled. The next committee of adjustment meeting will be April 10 at 9:30am.
