MAPLETON – A severed lot in Drayton may be rezoned from future development to residential to allow the construction of a house.
The rezoning is a condition of a severance application the County of Wellington has provisionally granted and that Mapleton Township supports.
The application was reviewed during a public meeting on Jan. 14.
The lot is located at 137 Wellington St. N and is owned by Robert and Elizabeth Martin. The retained parcel is 26.8 hectares (66.2 acres) and includes a residence and a shed. The severed parcel is 0.4 hectare (1 acre).
Both parcels are located in the urban area of Drayton that is not serviced with municipal sewer or water, and Mapleton planner Linda Redmond said the area “is not anticipated to have services any time soon.”
The Mapleton and Wellington County planning departments, County of Wellington roads, Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), Mapleton building department and Mapleton public works reported no concerns with the zoning change.
The Wellington Source Water Protection committee noted, “The property is located in a vulnerable area; however the activities would not create a significant drinking water threat and therefore the application can be screened out and does not require a Section 59 notice under the Clean Water Act.”
Comments from Mapleton’s fire department have not yet been received.
The GRCA noted “the retained parcel contains a portion of the Conestogo River, a tributary, associated floodplain, valley slopes, erosion hazard and wetland.
“As such, a portion of the retained parcel is regulated by GRCA … Any new development/site alteration within the regulated area will require a permit from GRCA.
“The parcel to be severed, which is subject to this rezoning application, does not contain any natural hazard features of interest to the GRCA.”
The Martins were in attendance at the meeting but did not have anything to add.
No members of the public spoke in support or opposition, but one neighbour did submit a written statement. Rylan Gingrich, who resides at 127 Wellington St. N., expressed his “full support” for the proposal.
