Industrial land rezoned in Waterford

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Industrial land is available for development in Norfolk County.

Unfortunately, it is not always in the right location.

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Industrial land rezoned in Waterford Back to video

Delhi Coun. Mike Columbus says an undisclosed business in his ward has identified a need for 10 additional acres of industrial land. He said an application to this effect is pending.

Columbus mentioned this development in connection with a planning report on Oct. 20 that recommended rezoning five acres of vacant land on Nichol Street in Waterford from industrial to residential. Subsequently approved was a 32-unit subdivision consisting of single-family dwellings.

Under normal circumstances, Norfolk County is wary of reducing its inventory of industrial land. However, in this case, Windham Coun. Chris VanPaassen said the need for the industrial designation in Waterford has come and gone.

“There was a need to have that industrial property near the rail line, but that has changed,” he said. “Meanwhile, the residential component (in Waterford) is growing in leaps and bounds.

“There once was a need for industrial land to be near rail lines. But those rail lines are gone.”

Senior planner Mohammad Alam agreed. He said staff could find no evidence of industrial activity on the parcel in question dating back to 1964. There are and were, however, a number of industrial uses in the vicinity dating back many decades.

This includes the former Co-op elevators to the west and the Waterford Heritage and Agricultural Museum (WHAM), which was once a pickle-processing facility.

The subdivision in question is located on the south side of Nichol Street between WHAM to the east and the Royal Canadian Legion to the west.

Sponsor of the development is Mayberry Homes of Brantford. The application was the subject of a preliminary hearing at council Sept. 8. Council has received no objections to the proposal in writing or in person.