ALMA – Mapleton councillors are unsure whether to allow a local contracting business to continue operating on prime agricultural land after years of what one councillor calls "deception."
The issue came up at a public meeting in Mapleton Tuesday evening after someone complained about J.M Building Contractors operating out of a second dwelling at 7433 Wellington Road 7 for several years despite the property being zoned prime agriculture.
To bring things into compliance, staff said the zoning would be changed to allow a contractor's business on agricultural land and the building needs to conform with business construction regulations.
Staff said the owner, John Horst first applied to build a contractor construction business on his lot in 2019 but was denied because it didn't meet provincial policies.
The application returned to the committee of adjustment in 2020 when it was conditionally approved after Horst said the building was not for business use.
"I have no qualms about the quality of this business...I think my main concern here is the deception that was going on," said Coun. Marlene Ottens, during the meeting.
Operating at the location since 2017, Horst said he felt it made sense to take advantage of the lot size to facilitate a secondary use like his home business and doesn't think it's "economically feasible" to relocate the business to an urban area.
A report will come back to council with a decision at a future date.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.