Kraemer Kitchen and Bath seeks expansion approval

MAPLETON – Kraemer Kitchen and Bath in Mapleton is seeking a green light from council to move ahead with plans to expand its existing shop.

Located at 6610 to 6626 on Sideroad 17, the 141-acre property is currently occupied by a residence, barn and large woodworking shop.

A public meeting was held on the matter on July 14.

According to a report shared with council, owners Randy and Susanna Kraemer, are seeking an  amendment to expand the woodworking shop. 

“The owners are expanding the on-farm diversified use by way of a 514 meters squared addition onto the existing building,” states the report. 

“The overall business will comprise approximately 2,000 meters squared [21,527 square feet] of building space and will also provide an increase in employees to 23.”

The current zoning permits a maximum floor area for the home industry use of 1,682 square meters, 15 employees and a reduced minimum lot line setback of 18 meters.

The proposed zoning seeks to permit a maximum floor area of 2,000 square meters, 23 employees and maintain the 18m lot line setback.

Comments were received from the Grand River Conservation Authority, Wellington Source Water Protection and Mapleton’s fire, public works and building departments, all of which stated they had no concerns. 

Comments were also submitted by the County of Wellington citing concerns that “the use is no longer secondary to the primary agricultural use of the property with the proposed expansion.”

The county added, “it is reasonable to expect that there should be an upper limit to the size of a home industry/on-farm diversified use in the prime agricultural area to ensure that it is secondary to the main agricultural use.”

No members of the public spoke during the meting and council received the report for information.