Minto council discusses part lot exemptions, severance, ‘respecting rural properties’
MINTO – Wrighthaven Homes of Bridge Crescent in Palmerston has requested a 36-month extension to complete the registration of a part lot control exemption, which has been previously brought to council.
The developer of the Palmerston subdivision has completed the construction of 10 stacked townhome dwelling units which, according to a report by planning coordinator Sama Haghighi at Minto council’s June 2 meeting, each have an additional dwelling unit, totalling 20 units.
The subject lands are described as block 26, more particularly described as parts one to 23.
Haghighi told council members the developer is currently in the process of selling the remaining units.
The part lot exemption bylaw is proposed to provide the developer with 36 months (three years) to complete the registration.
Haghighi explained the subject property previously came before council regarding an exemption in October 2023.
Now that the application is set to expire in October of this year, the applicant requested an extension of an additional 36 months to complete it.
The planning coordinator shared town staff have reviewed the application, and no concerns were noted. Zoning requirements, according to Haghighi’s report, appear to be met based on the provided registered plan.
With no questions from council, the recommended motion was carried, after being moved by councillor Judy Dirksen and seconded by councillor Paul Zimmerman.
Severance
Council received another staff report from Haghighi regarding a consent application to sever a property located on O’Dwyer’s Road in the Town of Minto.
The applicant had asked to sever about 1.24 acres (0.5 hectares) of vacant land for proposed rural residential use, and to retain about 11.12 acres (4.5 hectares) with existing and proposed agricultural and rural residential use.
Haghighi’s report states the retained parcel currently has an existing dwelling, shed, horse barn and kennel on it. In 2020, a bylaw was passed in Minto to rezone the land to site-specific agricultural to allow the permit for a dog kennel.
Haghighi told council planning staff had noted if the kennel has more than three dogs, a dog license will be required, and the kennel needs to maintain a 150-metre (492.1 feet) setback from the proposed residential building on the lot. This is in accordance with the town’s dog license bylaw.
The planning coordinator explained the setback does not have implications for the consent application, but it would have implications for the owner’s kennel renewal license.
She added staff are satisfied knowing the proposed parcels will meet the zoning requirements. This is subject to the rezoning that is required to remove the site-specific provision related to allowing the dog kennel for the severed parcel.
Moved by councillor Ron Elliot and seconded by councillor Geoff Gunson, the motion carried that the Town of Minto recommend the County of Wellington land division committee approve the consent application for the proposed land.
Rural properties
During the announcement period of the meeting, councillor Dirksen noted with the weather warming up, there have been people (likely not from Minto, she said) stopping by rural properties and farms for various reasons.
Reasons provided by Dirksen included stopping for a picnic, taking a “stroll” down the back lane or entering fields to take photos or visit animals.
“I just want to remind people that these are private properties, and being on them without their permission is trespassing. If you know of anyone visiting rural properties or farms illegally, please let them know … that this is not a good idea,” she stated.
