Despite many objections and concerns raised by residents, Bruce County council approved an amendment to the county’s official plan to allow Carson’s Plumbing Supply to move forward with a manufacturing plant on what was zoned ‘Agricultural’ land usage.
The initial zoning application would, in fact, re-designate the 13.9 hectares of land from agricultural to use for heavy industrial operations, with the proposed entrance from Bruce County Road 3.
The proposed facility on Bruce Road 3 would be across from South Port Golf Course and Saugeen Golf and Country Club and would abut the land of SouthPort Pentecostal
Church.
Since the proposal first came to light, Saugeen Shores residents have voiced their concerns and objections, both in-person and with written submissions, over issues such as increased heavy truck traffic associated with the proposed 24-hour operation, the chemicals and contaminants that would be involved with both concrete and plastics manufacturing and the concerns of water usage of the ground water aquifer and waste water run-off.
A public meeting was held in Saugeen Shores on Tuesday, February 20th, regarding the application made by Carson’s Plumbing Supply to have a zoning amendment made that would allow the company to expand its facility and where several residents expressed their opposition.
Smith said that the lands in question are zoned ‘prime agricultural’ and that a zoning amendment is required to the County’s official plan and the Town’s (Saugeen Shores) zoning By-law to permit industrial use.
The application came before Bruce County Council on November 20th and, according to Bruce County planner Coreena Smith, “Non-agricultural uses are permitted only in limited circumstances, in accordance with provincial and county policies.” She added that the applicant (Carson’s) had demonstrated consistency with those policies.
The province has also implemented the D6 Guideline for Compatibility between Industrial Facilities and Sensitive Land uses. According to Smith, the applicant’s proposal would be considered a Class II, which would require a 70 metre setback from the residential homes near the proposed site.
Dana Kieffer with COBIDE Engineering, the applicant’s ‘consultant’, pointed out that the Bruce County Growth Strategy identifies there is a projected shortfall for industrial lands in Saugeen Shores and an overall lack of industrial lands in Bruce County as a whole.
She added that Carsons will share resources including staff, finished product and transportation between the proposed site and original Goderich St. location and, the Goderich St. location will be the customer based site while the proposed new location will be for manufacturing.
“The Goderich Street site is as little as 10 metres away from residential development and has received complaints in the past due to the lack of separation,” added Keiffer. She also explained that, at the new facility, potable water would be supplied by the municipality service, with industrial-use water provided by a deep well and private septic system.
Bruce County Council followed the county staff recommendation to approve the application on Thursday, November 21st.
Following the approval for the amendment to the County official plan, the next step for the application will come before Saugeen Shores Council in December for final approval.
