Severance should be smaller to avoid farmland: council

KENILWORTH – The owners of a farm seven kilometres southeast of Arthur are looking to sever a lot from their property. 

The proposal, submitted by Lake Agricultural Ventures Ltd., is to sever 1.3 hectares (3.2 acres) and retain 31 hectares (76 acres) from 7269 Jones Baseline, in the former township of West Garafraxa. 

However Wellington North does not want the severance approved unless the severed portion is smaller to avoid cultivated land. 

Township council reviewed the application on Jan. 12. 

Councillor Sherry Burke suggested the severed lot size be reduced to closer to two acres. 

“I don’t have any preference as to how they do it, as long as it comes down to the size that we’ve asked (of) others,” she said. 

Councillor Penny Renken added, “I also believe that the land is too large at 3.2 acres and I would like to see it down [to about] two, but I’m hoping that the land that they leave with the retained lot is land that can be utilized for agriculture.”

Councillor Lisa Hern said, “I want it under two acres, but I worry that if it could have been an acre and a half they will try to get it to two acres – is there a way to put some wording in there that we want it to be as small as possible?” 

Mayor Andy Lennox said he expects it would be hard to defend a recommendation that the severed lot is smaller than what’s outlined in the county’s official plan, and asked staff for confirmation on this.  

Planning manager Curtis Marshall said, “In the last couple of months there has been a lot of discussion at planning committee about making them as small as possible.” 

The lot to be severed is rural residential and includes a home, a pole shed, and the foundation of an old barn. 

The retained lot is vacant prime farmland, and would be rezoned to prohibit residential development if the severance is approved by the county land division committee, the decision making authority on severances. 

Township planning staff recommended council support the application, as long as the severed lot size is reduced and a list of seven conditions is met. 

These conditions include  adequate driveway access,  removing the barn foundation and bringing the property into compliance with the township’s property standards bylaw. 

The portion to be severed is bigger than a typical surplus farm dwelling severance, and Wellington County planners state in their report “there may be an opportunity to reduce the size of the severed lot.”    

The county’s official plan states “the amount of good farmland retained with the surplus house [should be] kept to a minimum size needed for residential purposes, taking into consideration environmental and topographic features.” 

County planning staff are satisfied the remaining farmland is large enough to function as a significant part of the overall farm unit; the severance does not render the remaining farmlands difficult or inefficient to farm; and the surplus residence is habitable and not expected to be demolished. These are all requirements in the county’s official plan. 

The remaining requirements will be conditions of approval: minimum distance separation requirements must be met and the farmland rezoned to prohibit residential use. 

Staff had not yet completed a site visit at the time of the report. 

The application will go to the county’s land division committee along with Wellington North council’s comments.