Steer rezoning approved

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Clearview council approved a zoning change Monday that will allow Steer Enterprises to relocate to Cashtown Corners.

Council approved the agriculturally related commercial exception zone even though not all council members are convinced it is the best location.

Thom Paterson, the only councillor to oppose the zoning change, started off the conversation by saying this has been a difficult decision for him.

“I am disappointed that we find ourselves in this position,” he said. “Everyone supports Steer.”

He recommended council defeat the rezoning and work together with Steer to find a location that is mutually beneficial. The previous council developed industrial lands in Stayner, said Paterson, but this council has not focussed on economic development as it said it would.

He said the decision should not be based on an exception to good planning advice. In speaking with the provincial Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, he learned that half of Steer’s business being agriculturally related is not enough.

“It has to be a primary activity, it can’t be 50 per cent. The test is higher than what the justification says,” said Paterson.

Councillor Shawn Davidson said he agreed somewhat but he was willing to support the staff recommendation

“Some decisions have laid the foundations to continue on this path,” he said, referring to other development in the area that has set precedent. Through the site plan process, Davidson said, buffering, along with good management, would ensure that, aesthetically speaking, the property won’t become an eyesore to people coming up Airport Road.

“We want to show success, the success of this business is enviable to others in the township,” he said.

Kevin Elwood quantified his support saying council didn’t do everything they could to work with Steer to find a location.

“The conflict with the application within the community has come from not having a suitable location and working with them. They had to do something, they were outgrowing their current location… I don’t think we did a good job supporting their growth to find a location that suits the community,” he said.

Elwood also noted that the new use represents a higher tax base, which is in the townships best interest.

“But we haven’t worked that hard to engage with Steer to find a good location. I struggle with that. This hasn’t been an enjoyable process for any of us. It won’t be cured right away and I hope it won’t fester.”

Doug Measures said the decision isn’t difficult for him. He said if 50 per cent of the business is related to agriculture, that’s good enough for him.

“I would prefer the business stay in the community,” he said. “I have no problem supporting this.”

Deborah Bronée said she lives near the industrial park off Switzer Street in New Lowell and work can be heard in the middle of the night. Sometimes residents complain about the noise.

“I can’t imagine [Steer] being in the business park in Stayner and that being a good fit,” she said.

The Cashtown Corners location, she said, has good access and egress for large trucks and farm equipment and she said the new Steer building will look as good as Stayner Rental.

“What a nice site that is, I don’t expect anything less,” she said.

Connie Leishman and Robert Walker also supporting the rezoning, reiterating the site has good access for trucks, which are a necessary part of modern large scale farming.

Steer is planning to build a 2,350 square metre service centre that will accommodate up to 30 large trucks and farm vehicles on a 10-acre parcel of property severed from a farm field on the southeast corner of County Roads 42 and 9.

Google image: Cashtown Corners before Huron Tractor and Agripharm was built there and the redevelopment of the gas station. Steer will be located on the southeast corner.

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