Land to be rezoned, severed to permit development of new parochial school in Minto

MINTO – A zoning amendment here will facilitate the development of a new parochial school.

A public meeting was held during Minto council’s Oct. 6 meeting, at which planner Jamie Barnes requested council approve the rezoning of 9782 Ski Rd., Minto. 

The property is about 20 hectares (50 acres) in size.

The amendment will rezone a portion of the land from an agriculture (A) zone to an agriculture exception (A-133) zone to permit the new school.

Town clerk Annilene McRobb explained the application was a condition of severance application B09/26 that was conditionally approved at the June 2026 land division committee meeting.

Barnes explained to council that the consent application severs off two acres of the farm in the secondary agricultural designation. 

The two acres will be used for the parochial school, and there are roughly 48 acres of farmland that will remain, which has an existing dwelling and farm structures. 

“A little more specifically, the applicant has indicated the development will include a schoolhouse. I think they proposed some baseball fields as well as parking for both car and horse and buggy attached to the report,” Barnes added.

Planners included in their report that staff were supportive of the application as it is consistent with the Wellington County Official Plan, applicable provincial policies and the town’s zoning bylaw.

Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority staff also determined the proposal was consistent with natural hazard policies and had no concerns.

No written submissions or registrations to attend the public meeting were received prior to submitting the report.

Mayor Dave Turton said this “Certainly isn’t new to the Town of Minto, we have many parochial schools operating and functioning very well.”

Council, staff and those in attendance recognized the proposal as “well summarized,” and no questions followed the presentation.

Council approved the bylaw amendment.