Written By Olena Riznyk
NORTH MIDDLESEX – At the October 1 meeting, council dealt with several planning, drainage, and community service matters, including a barn setback variance, a farm severance, infrastructure projects, and the future of local medical services.
Council confirmed the assessment schedule for the Grace-Lewis Drain after the Court of Revision heard no appeals. Staff explained that the court’s authority under the Drainage Act is limited to reallocating assessments rather than changing the project itself, and council approved the schedule as presented.
A public meeting was held for a minor variance application on Maguire Road, where the applicant sought to reduce the required minimum distance separation from 499 metres to 409 metres to construct a new hog barn. The request was prompted by the location of a municipal drain on the property. The applicant proposed a number of odor mitigation measures, including additives, a covered manure pit, the use of cover crops, and existing tree buffers.
A neighbouring household submitted a letter opposing the reduction, expressing concerns about property enjoyment and potential impacts on resale value. Councillors discussed the implications of the variance, with some questioning the size of the reduction and others noting that the distance would not significantly change odor impacts. A motion to approve the variance was defeated, and council directed staff to work with the applicant to explore adjustments before bringing the matter back to another public meeting.
Another public meeting was held to review a proposed residential subdivision and condominium development on William Street West. The 4.7-acre property is planned to include 13 single detached homes on a public road and 14 townhouse units on a private road, for a total of 27 dwellings. A zoning amendment is required to allow a reduced minimum frontage for one lot and a zero-metre setback from the environmental protection zone, where a buffer has already been included.
Planning staff and the applicant’s consultant presented details on environmental protection, servicing, and planning policy. Nearby residents raised questions about sewer connections, stormwater management, increased traffic, fencing, and the design of future townhouses. No decision was made at this stage, and the applications will return to council with a full staff recommendation after further technical review and public input.
In Parkhill, council voted to repeal the wastewater lagoon by-law introduced in 2024, noting that costs have since been covered by external sources and that the fee structure is outdated. Fees collected under the by-law will be reimbursed.
