Farmers propose building three times bigger than zoning permits
MAPLETON – Clean Field Services is hoping to build a seed and fertilizer building on its agricultural property that’s more than three times the size permitted by existing zoning regulations.
The maximum building size allowed on the prime agricultural property is 591 square metres (6,360 square feet). The proposed building is 1,858 square metres (20,000 square feet).
A public meeting was held about the rezoning application on Aug. 12.
The property, located at 7668 Eighth Line, is a 40 hectare (100 acre) crop farm and crop care operation (seed, fertilizer and spray operation).
Site specific zoning permits the crop care business.
Notice of the public meeting was posted on site on July 22 and mailed to applicable agencies and near-by property owners.
No members of the public spoke during the meeting, and there were no comments or questions from council.
Township planner Linda Redmond said she’s “happy to see this business growing in Mapleton.”
She suggested that the property be rezoned to agricultural commercial, instead of site specific zoning, which would permit the existing business as well as the proposed building.
It would also mean that if the owners want to expand again in the future, they wouldn’t need to return for another rezoning, Redmond said.
Agricultural commercial zoning offers flexibility for other uses, she added, while maintaining the prime agricultural permitted uses in general.
