A reduced setback for proposed livestock buildings and liquid manure storage was turned down by the Committee of Adjustment last week.
The distance from the Hopeville settlement boundary requested was about 170 yards less than what is required for the new livestock buildings and about 125 yards less than the requirement for the liquid manure storage.
That was a slightly lower number than the original request. The setback was about two-thirds of what was required for the distance from the border to the barn, and about three-quarters of what was required for the distance to the manure storage.
The decision on the file had been deferred on May 27, and came back with a proposal of “significant tree planting” west and north of the new barn to mitigate odour.
Deputy Mayor Barbara Dobreen expressed doubt as to how well trees would block order.
Mayor Brian Milne said that he was not convinced that the request was “minor” – and the Committee of Adjustment is charged with “minor” variances from set rules.
The vote to deny the minor variance, which was supported by staff, was unanimous among the four members who voted. Two members were absent, Coun. Martin Shipston and Coun. Jim Ferguson, and Coun. Jason Rice could not vote because he was not present at the first meeting when the matter was presented.
The township had received several letters from Hopeville and area residents opposing the lessened setback and the increased number of “nutrient units”. One person spoke at the meeting to support the application.
The presentation by the proponent’s planner made the point that a larger manure storage meant less frequent spreading. The liquid manure pit would have an organic floating cover to reduce odour.
Grey County planners noted that across the county, staff are generally seeing more development in smaller, more rural settlement areas.
Because Minimum Distance Separation setbacks don’t apply to new houses built in a settlement area, the county said that future development within the Hopeville settlement area, could lead to complaints of odour.
But Grey County did not object to the variance, provided township staff were satisfied by the reasoning, and that the intent of the requirements was being met.
A second variance was requested for the number of nutrient units (NUs), for the expanded dairy operation and a new chicken barn.
The A2 Zone prohibits livestock use expansion if the there are more than 100 NUs and the ratio of tillable acres to NUs is two or greater. In this case, the proposal was for about 150 Nus on 81 tillable acres – just under two NUs per acre.
The proponent’s planner noted that the application met all the setbacks from houses and individual lot lines. It was only the boundary line of the settlement area where it fell short.
His report gave the distance of the barn to the nearest house as about 580 yards and of the manure pit to the nearest house of about 660 yards.
SEVERANCE
A severance of 100 acres on Hwy. 89 into two equal parcels, approved in 2023, came back again to Committee of Adjustment because the two-year time limit was expired.
The Committee approved the application. Township policy allows one severance per original 100-acre lot, and farm severances must be a minimum of 50 acres.
One parcel, with existing buildings, will maintain the Hwy. 89 access. The other will be reached by Sideroad 21, which is now a gravel track for a short length, with no winter maintenance.
The owner must improve the road to municipal standards, including a turning circle at the end, and will work with the Ministry of Transportation on the Hwy. 89 entrance, which will be used for the property which will have an on-farm shop.
The application was from Joseph and Salome Bowman, and Rachel Emerson Bowman. The land is designated Rural, and the zoning was A-1.
PLANNING DEADLINE
Because of the municipal election this fall, the Township has given notice that the last Public Planning Meeting and Committee of Adjustment Hearing of 2026 will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, August 14, 2026 at noon. It must be deemed complete by Planning staff as of submission, and all fees must be paid.
By M.T. Fernandes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Jul 30, 2026 at 09:50
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