Written By Alan Good
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Council met for the second time in February, an evening session on the 25th. Among the items address that evening, only one became controversial. An application was received from SBM Limited on behalf of Dairy Lane Systems Ltd.
The company was looking for an amendment to change zoning on a property located at 10651 Gold Creek Drive to allow for a new building and parking. The company currently owns the 207-acre property that has one house on it. They hoped to use about nineteen acres of it for this new project.
The proposed building would be 125,000 square feet and used for manufacturing, office space, storage, and an agricultural equipment fabrication facility. Some 50 parking spaces were required for the estimated 42 staff, plus customers.
In the staff report to council, Dairy Lane Systems Ltd. is said to be a “manufacturer of innovative dairy equipment, offering design and production to meet the needs of dairy farmers locally and beyond”. The business’s current offering of services includes, but not limited to consultation, research and development, design, and fabrication of milking, stabling, feeding, manure and ventilation systems to support the dairy industry.
Presently, the Development Area is vacant agricultural lands used for crop production and abuts residential and commercial venues. Several letters and emails addressed issues, as well residents came to voice their worries.
Nearby neighbour, Don Rose expressed concerns for loss of farmland, increased traffic on the roads, reduction of property prices, and flooding issues. Others joined in as council heard about their ancient drainage system and lack of municipal attention to their hamlet of Lobo.
Lack of greenspace was mentioned and one resident expressed that Middlesex Centre could ‘give back to the community would be appreciated”.
Councilman Aerts said that, although finalizing of plans were a way off, as there were many needs to be addressed. If council squashed it an appeal would most likely be won. But this appeared to be a done deal to residents as the planner had recommended this project to the next step.
As council passed the amendment request, one resident became vocal and slow to accept the decision, speaking after the opportunity for public input had passed and council had started to move onto other business.
