Minor variance application approved for new pullet barn, manure storage

MAPLETON – Property owners are set to build a new pullet barn closer to a watercourse on their property than is usually allowed. 

The proposed location for the pullet barn is 17m from the  area zoned natural environment instead of the 30m minimum setback typically required. The owners applied for a minor variance to allow for the smaller set back. 

The farm property is 61 hectares (150 acres) and located at 7452 3rd Line, between Yatton and Glen Allan and is owned by Ammon and Luella Weber. 

The property is zoned prime agriculture, core greenlands and greenlands, and includes significant woodlands and a flood plain and slope valley regulated by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA). 

The proposed location for the new pullet barn is within the existing cluster of buildings on the farm, entirely within the area zoned prime agriculture and within the GRCA’s regulation limit. 

According to a planning report presented to Mapleton’s committee of adjustment on Sept. 9, “it would appear that the proposed location provides for operational efficiency,” and township planners have no concerns with the application.

County planners also have no concerns, provided GRCA has no concerns. The GRCA issued a permit approving the proposed location of the barn and reported no objection to the minor variance application. 

“Information currently available at this office indicates that the subject property contains the Conestogo River, Yatton Creek, additional watercourses, floodplain, valley slopes and the regulated allowance adjacent to these features,” GRCA officials state. 

Wellington Source Water Protection risk management inspector Jordan Gigg has no concerns with the application and noted “the proposed activities do not create a significant drinking water threat and can be screened out.”  

In order for the committee to approve a minor variance application, they must find it: 

– is minor in nature; 

– is desirable for the appropriate development or use of lands; and 

– maintains the general intent and purpose of Wellington County’s official plan and Mapleton’s zoning bylaw. 

Committee of adjustment member Robert Stanners expressed concern about the proximity of the proposed barn to the GRCA-regulated flood plain: “it’s right up against it. 

“From being up and down that road all my life, I think if that barn goes ahead it would have to be raised significantly ... I’ve seen water right up to the main barn on that property,” Stanners said. 

“I don’t want to see chicks drowning there the month after it’s built.” 

Adrien Martin, representing the property owners, said “the barn is being raised to the highest grade that there is where it’s located –it’s not being dug in – so there are measures already for that.”

An uncovered manure storage pit will also be built with the pullet barn, and committee member Ed Benjamin asked if  it would be dry manure. 

“In the nutrient-management regulation it requires to be dry enough to be in an uncovered storage .. so yes,” Martin said. 

The committee, which had two absent members (Dennis Cuomo and Jeff Duimering), unanimously approved the application.