Councillors here are bringing their property use bylaw up to date to meet requirements of the 21st century.
The theme of the public meeting March 5 was to modernize the property use bylaw to address internet use and fibre optic cable systems. Clerk Barbara Wilson said bad weather cancelled a previous public meeting on Feb. 6.
Planner Mark Van Patter supported both amendments and considered both to be of housekeeping issues. “From time to time the world changes, The long and short of it is that the current bylaw is out of date.”
Internet, fibre optics
He said Wightman is proposing new fibre optic services. There was some question if such use could be interpreted to fit in under the existing provisions of Minto’s bylaw of uses allowed in all zones.
That part of Minto’s bylaws generally deals with utilities and services typically present in urban areas. They are permitted in all zones and usually have little impact on compatibility with other uses. Until the amendment, the bylaw was silent on internet services and fibre optic cable networks.
Van Patter said the amendment simply adds the services to the list of traditionally allowed services.
In addition, provision is made for an emergency generator, which could be required to provide continued services during power outages. The generator would be required to be sound proof, and compatible with surrounding dwellings, when situated in residential zones.
Councillor David Turton questioned how many municipalities have included the new categories.
Van Patter’s response was that most have, most recently Wellington North Township.
New private wells prohibited
Council also amended its bylaw to prohibit new private well in areas where municipal water supply exists, within a road right-of-way abutting a property.
Van Patter wrote his understanding is that the change is to address Ministry of Environment concerns with contaminated rail lands in Palmerston.
The goal is to reduce the potential for pathways into the groundwater. The second component of the bylaw was to require the decommissioning of private wells where a municipal water distribution system already exists.
