Guelph-Eramosa council has reconfirmed its stance that any significant future population growth should take place in Rockwood and not in various hamlets throughout the township.
Last week, in response to a letter from a private consulting firm and a subsequent report from township planner Bernie Hermsen, the municipality’s strategic planning committee recommended “that hamlet expansions not be considered.”
John Cox, of J.L. Cox Planning Consultants, came to council on Monday night to ask council to “consider alternatives” to the committee recommendation.
According to his firm, there is a deficit of 17 non-urban residential units in the township, and Cox said that means the township should at least consider expanding hamlet boundaries in response to any private development applications.
But that idea didn’t go over well with council.
“I think in this case it’s bad planning,” councillor Doug Breen said of any proposal to expand hamlet boundaries.
Breen explained he has no problem with in-filling in those areas, but if expansion is to occur anywhere it should be in areas that already have water and wastewater services – in this case, Rockwood.
He noted there is already a huge problem in Ontario with how to deal with septage and every new home with its own wastewater treatment system only compounds the problem. And all rural homes not occupied by farmers present an impediment to the agricultural industry, Breen concluded.
Councillors Roger Knapp and Reta Moyer agreed and council unanimously passed a resolution to not consider hamlet expansions. Councillor John Scott was absent.
