The municipality has approved an amendment to site specific zoning on a rural property to allow the establishment of a yarn mill.
Wellington County manager of planning and environment Mark Van Patter explained at a public meeting on April 19 the current zoning permits cabinet manufacturing and assembly, including associated uses.
The applicants are proposing to use the existing structure on the property for the yarn operation. The property contains a residential dwelling as well as a shop approximately 6,300 square feet in size.
The 3.9-acre property, located on the southeast side of Highway 9 between Harriston and Clifford, is currently owned by applicant Glen Small, who has operated a kitchen cabinet operation for several years, Royal Oaks Kitchens.
Van Patter said Deb Griffey is purchasing the property, conditional on zoning approval.
Van Patter’s report stated the business would receive raw alpaca wool by courier. Then it would be processed into yarn and made into socks.
“There is to be very little dying of the wool; any dyes would be biodegradable,” the report notes.
About 90% of the socks will be sent to wholesalers. The other 10% would be sold on site. A small store is proposed within the existing shop building. No other buildings are proposed. Van Patter states the operation should be “very quiet” and exhaust fans will not be needed.
Councillor Ron Faulkner asked why a draft zoning bylaw presented at the meeting expanded use of the property to “dry” industrial uses such as a builders or contractors yard, business or professional office, custom workshop, service or repair shop, commercial studio, computer programming / data processing establishment, research facility, printing /publishing or a veterinarian office.
‘Added flexibility’
Van Patter pointed out the previous zoning had been very specific, allowing only a kitchen cabinetry operation.
“At some point when Miss Griffey goes to sell the property the only use that’s going to be allowed is a yarn manufacturer, so its whether you want to allow a little flexibility from the outset,” he explained.
“That makes sense,” agreed Faulkner.
“I think it’s fair to the purchaser that they have some added flexibility,” commented Mayor George Bridge.
During the regular council session later that evening, council passed a bylaw authorizing the zoning amendment.
