A proposed warehouse expansion has drawn the ire of more than one local resident.
On Aug. 15, council reviewed two letters of objection to a rezoning of Ren’s Pet Depot.
In his letter to council, Larry Wayne stated considerable work has been done by Sarah Wilhelm recently, in regards to new design guidelines for Aberfoyle and Morriston to enhance the look of the area.
He added Ren’s is located in a residential area – not the industrial area of Aberfoyle.
While Wayne said he had no issue with the retail store, as it serves the local population, “the warehouse is another matter entirely.”
He contended it is already too big for that part of the hamlet. Wayne said it is very close to the property line on the south side, and extraordinarily close to the marshy/hazard zones, which are protected in the Mill Creek watershed.
“To allow any size of expansion of this warehouse will be detrimental to the entire community for years to come,” said Wayne.
He asked for storm water management and hydrogeological reports on the property because, he alleged, area residences have already been negatively impacted by the operation of the existing warehouse.
Wayne wrote that it was not that long ago expansion for town homes and apartments in this location were declined, because they were too close to Mill Creek.
“The creek hasn’t moved, so what has changed? This needs to be addressed very carefully,” Wayne said. As such, Wayne also requested an environmental impact study be done before moving forward.
Brad Finck also submitted written objections to the proposal. Finck’s concerns included the potential devaluation of the surrounding residential properties, as well as the possible negative affects that this will have on the wildlife in the area.
He stated the expanded warehouse would only serve to increase truck traffic and noise in the area. Finck also was concerned about how the expansion would affect the views from his property, since it was built with the understanding that surrounding lots would remain residential.
“Should my objection be ignored and the rezoning be allowed, I would like to know what kind of protection the county and township will put in place to ensure the change in zoning and warehouse addition will benefit the hamlet of Aberfoyle and not be an eyesore and disruption to the community for generations to come,” said Finck.
On request of the township, Hans Groh, of Gamsby and Mannerow, reviewed the application, and even that did not bring a glowing endorsement of the proposal.
Groh stated that while there was no objection to the rezoning amendment, “the functional servicing report lacks the conceptual site grading, servicing and storm water management designs for the proposed expansion” within the servicing analysis of the planning report.
“We are, therefore, unable to comment on these issues and the ability of the site to support the scale of the intended project,” Groh said.
Councillor Wayne Stokley asked about the next steps, should the additional information come through.
Mayor Dennis Lever said the functional servicing report still needs to be produced so that it can be reviewed by Gamsby and Mannerow.
Councillor Susan Fielding said the proposal is heading to the planning advisory committee.
“Hopefully there will be quite a bit more information then,” Fielding said.
