New land use bylaws pass through Queens council
A controversial new land use bylaw will go ahead with some minor changes.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Region of Queens council voted to send the bylaw to the province for final approval, the last step before it is enacted into law.
The bylaw review has been a hot topic in Queens as it brought to light livestock restrictions that have been in place since 2009.
Homesteaders have been raising concerns on social media and during public meetings about the number of livestock permitted on a property, how those animals must be contained, and permitting required to build structures including greenhouses.
Mayor Darlene Norman says council heard the concerns and made some changes to allow raising livestock in Milton and granting some discretion to permit building within 50 feet of the water on a coastline.
While the changes may not satisfy everyone, Norman says it’s important for people to realize the bylaw has been adapted several times since it was adopted and can be changed again if necessary.
“Council were aware and I believe almost every councillor spoke about the fact that these were living documents. Changes can be made however it was recognized that regardless of what one does, everyone is not going to be pleased,” said Norman. “However, council did feel that these documents were the best way to move forward the Region of Queens.”
The bylaw will go into effect once the province signs off on the changes.
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