Ontario Construction News staff writer
A proposed manufacturing facility in the Township of Guelph/Eramosa would threaten the groundwater and farmland, opponents said at a public meeting.
The proposed plant, subject of a recent public meeting, would be located on a 27.8 site between Guelph and Rockwood, off Highway 7.
Georgetown-based fridge and freezer manufacturer Minus 40 has asked for the property to be rezoned rural industrial to accommodate a plant to build energy efficient freezers and fridges.
A planning application has been submitted to rezone 28 acres from agricultural to rural industrial to allow for the construction of a 163,979 sq. ft. industrial facility with 90,000 square feet for future expansions. The first phase of development would encompass administration, manufacturing and warehousing areas with eleven loading bays and 242 parking spaces.
According to a planning justification report, the proposed new building will include space to accommodate an office, warehouse, and industrial operations. The total building area for Phase 1 will be 15,234 sq. m. and include 11 loading docks.
A stormwater management facility has been designed at the rear of the property, as well as the proposed septic system as seen in the Overall Site Plan in Figure 1b. The Site Plan also illustrates two future expansions of the facility with a building area of 4,180 sq. m. (45,000 sq. ft. per expansion.
Janet Harrop, speaking on behalf of the Wellington Federation of Agriculture, said about 5.3 acres of farmland is lost daily in Wellington County.
“We should lead by example and treat this finite resource carefully and with foresight,” Harrop said. “Once farmland is lost, there’s no turning back.”
A staff report will be presented before council votes on the proposal later this year.