Our concerns with the current/future developments in Puslinch.
Sideroad 20 & Concession 4 Significant Wetland Area and secondary farmland
Estill + Employment Land Development Concerns.
Industrial development would be welcomed if located in existing compatible areas, directing it away from rural residential, farmland and environmentally sensitive areas. Appropriate placement of industry ensures healthy rural communities and honours commitments made to rural character, agriculture, environment, and land stewardships made in the Wellington County Official Plan, that also serves Puslinch.
Groundwater.
All Puslinch homes and businesses get their water from wells on their property and there is concern regarding industry putting unnecessary high demands on our water source.
Noise & Light Pollution.
With the expansion of Guelph’s Hanlon Creek and Southgate business parks and the new Hwy 6 overpass it opens up new industrial lands close to our homes. Infringing on our quiet starlight lives.
Loss of Agricultural Land.
With new businesses making Puslinch their home there has been a lot of designated agricultural lands being re-zoned to commercial/industrial. Loss of these lands impacts the essence of our rural community and the farms in it.
Increased Traffic.
Increased traffic to our rural roads decreases safety for cyclists and dog walkers, increases noise and litter.
The Official County Plan protects our community.
2.1.4 HEALTHY COMMUNITIES - Wellington County supports healthy communities
Foster physical, mental, social and economic well being
Provide residents with a sense of control over decisions which affect them
Are designed to reduce the stress of daily living and meet the life long needs of the residents
4.2.5 The main employment generator in the rural system will be resource based industries such as agriculture, aggregate and forestry
4.3.2 SECONDARY AGRICULTURE AREAS
Areas with agricultural capability, but determined not to be prime agricultural areas will be identified as secondary agriculture areas. Agriculture will continue to be the dominant use…
4.6.3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
f) an assessment of the impact on groundwater resources and in particular existing private wells and municipal supply wells in the area
j) a consideration of the potential to maintain, restore or where possible, improve the long term ecological function and biodiversity of natural heritage systems
Environmental Impact.
The depletion of our forests and wetlands can have significant effects on the environment, the wildlife, the people and the overall rural feel of Puslinch that we all love. Once it’s gone, it’s gone!
4.6.5 AGRICULTURAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
b) compliance with the minimum distance separation formula for livestock operations
d) potential interference with normal agricultural activities and practices
e) potential interference with the movement of agricultural machinery on roads
4.7 URBAN AREA PROTECTION
a) prohibits new development adjacent to existing primary and secondary urban centres, hamlets or cities unless part of an urban expansion (adjacent will normally mean within 1 km of an urban area).
5.4 CORE GREENLANDS - Within the Greenlands System certain areas have greater sensitivity or significance. These areas will be identified in policy and protected and have been included in the "Core" greenlands designation and include:
provincially significant wetlands
all other wetlands
habitat of endangered or threatened species and fish habitat
5.4.1 WETLANDS - All wetlands in the county are included in Core Greenlands . Development and site alteration will not be permitted in wetlands which are considered provincially significant.
Projects like the proposed Estill Factory—a large-scale industrial development including buildings for Danby, Upper Canada Forestry, and an undisclosed tenant—threaten the fabric of our community and conflict with the Wellington County Official Plan, which reflects the very values that make Puslinch a place we choose to call home.
Join us at the upcoming meetings on July 9th and 23rd to make your voice heard and help shape the future of our community!
Rural Lifestyle & Property Values.
Families have settled in this area for a rural lifestyle. The encroachment into our residential areas depletes the beauty of our surroundings and our property values will be impacted.
6.3 PLANNING APPROACH - Secondary agricultural areas of non-prime farmland will be identified. While farming will be the main land use activity in these areas, a broader range of residential, employment and community uses will be allowed than in prime agricultural areas so long as the use does not adversely impact existing agricultural operations and is in keeping with the rural character of the area.
6.5 SECONDARY AGRICULTURAL AREAS
Permitted uses in Secondary Agricultural Areas may include:
b) small scale commercial, industrial and institutional uses
6.8 RURAL EMPLOYMENT AREAS
6.8.3 LAND USE COMPATIBILITY - In rural employment areas, establishing specific areas for detailed land use regulations is normally left to Zoning By-law. In considering rezoning applications, Councils shall ensure that existing and proposed uses are compatible and that sensitive uses are adequately separated from industrial uses. The Zoning By-law may also limit the location and size of the commercial uses.