Council here has no issue allowing a minor variance for an accessory structure on a property where there is no main building.
On March 9, Wellington North councillors reviewed a request by Richard Bartling who owns a 5.98-acre property at 7890 Wellington Road 109.
Bartling asked relief from zoning that prohibits accessory buildings on any lot until a main structure is built. The already-built structure also sits in an area designated as natural environment.
The GRCA had no objection to the request.
In his letter to council, Bartling stated the property was farmed until 1976 but used for recreation after that.
He hoped his lengthy supplementary letter would help explain the history of the situation.
he land, was originally purchased by Bartling’s grandparents in the early 1960s and has been in his family for three generations.
It was purchased from William Wales, a farmer directly across Wellington Road 109.
After his grandfather’s death, at the age of 66. Bartling said instead of willing it to his wife or Bartling’s mother, it was pledged to Bartling on the provision that he kept the land in the family and ensured his children played on it.
Bartling said his grandfather felt it was important for city kids to experience rural culture and learn about nature.
Originally the property had many farm-related buildings including a three-room house – all of which were closer to the river than the accessory structure.
After his grandmother’s death, he continued to come to the area with his friends several times each year to swim, hike have bonfires and the like.
“The annual pilgrimage to the property became a tradition for myself and my 10 closest friends. The tradition has continued for 30 years, up to the present.”
He agreed that over that time, the structures on the property became unsafe and fell into disrepair.
Over time all of them were dismantled and electrical and telephone services were removed.
He was contacted a few years go by the Arthur Pubic Walking Trail committee and asked if he would volunteer his land to make the trail possible.
The property was located in the middle of the proposed trail’s length.
“I felt it was another way for the land to be enjoyed as my grandfather had envisioned. I agreed. The trail has been constructed. I have seen people walking on it. My friends it. I use it with my children. Its existence has nullified my previous idea about fencing in the property.”
He noted that over the years, as the previous buildings vanished, the yearly trip with his friends turned from a cottage weekend to a camping experience.
Those taking part now sleep in tents or their vehicles. Bartling then began to explore a way to make it more enjoyable to camp on the property and decided to construct a cement platform, the top of which could be used to place tents, gazebos, tables, and anything else needed to stabilize and get up and off of the wet grass.
“I never thought that I did not have the right to put up a maintenance shed on my on property. As far as I knew, the zoning had not changed since my grandfather’s time. “
He stated, “Now that the structure is there, it will be much easier for me to bring my children to the property, and use it multiple times a year. It will make the annual weekend with my friends more convenient and easier to pack for.”
He said that he did not intentionally attempt to put up in an illegal structure.
“I have tried to be faithful to my grandfather’s wishes. Having a maintenance shed will make that more of a reality. I tried to put the shed in an area without any environmental impact.”
Wellington County planner Linda Redmond said the application was before council because the property owner constructed an accessory structure and is now seeking relief from the township zoning bylaw, which allows accessory structures only if there is a main structure.
Redmond said the property is used for recreational purposes. “We have no concerns with this request. They just need the small structure for storage.”
But, she also pointed out any further development will need a permit from the GRCA.
Dave Stack and Ian Turner, with the Arthur Trails committee, were at the meeting to show support for the change.
Stack noted that two years ago as the trail was being constructed Bartling was one of the biggest supporters of the project.
Councillors had no objections to authorizing the minor variance
