Couple upset with expansion plans for nearby grain elevator

Richard Kavaloff and Dianne Leiskau are concerned that planned expansion of a nearby grain elevator will ruin the pleasure they have in their retirement property.

The couple lives west of the commercial business on the 4th Concession of Huron-Kinloss, and brought a list of concerns to the township at the council meeting last night (Aug. 21).

Kavaloff said he understands that the owner of the grain elevator wants to expand the business to the edge of his property and install a weigh scale, meaning increased traffic right beside his house.

"This will ruin our quality of life, our privacy and our tranquility," he said. "We'll be subject to excessive noise and dust, and our property will be flooded. There will be exhaust fumes, employees yelling at each other, noisy truck air-brakes, and more."

He said the water run-off is slated to run into a roadside ditch, so it will all end up in his front yard and garden.

"We want the weigh scale to remain within the boundary area of the business," said Kavaloff. "We don't want to see it ruin our retirement house. "

Councillor Don Murray said it shouldn't be a problem, and suggested Kavaloff work with his neighbour to try and eliminate these problems.

"These people have been in business for a long time," he said. "You should try to work together rather than getting upset right from the start."

Leiskau said the neighbour has not talked to them at all.

In his report to council, chief building official Matt Farrell said the owner of the grain elevator wants to relocate the weigh scale and scale house for safety reasons. Currently, they are too close to the road, he said, so the plan is to move them to the west side of the elevators and further back from the road to relieve congestion around the elevators and reduce hazards to other traffic on the road.

Farrell said the property where the elevators are located is zoned AG-24 and permits the existing grain-handling and drying facility. The owner also owns the land surrounding which is zoned AG (Agriculture General).

Since weigh scales are not considered a structure under the Ontario Building Code and do not require a building permit, they can be located partially on the land zoned AG-24 and on land zoned AG, said Farrell, adding that the scale house will be located on the elevator property and conforms to the zoning requirements.

"The owner plans to expand the existing AG-24 zone in the near future but would like to do the work now," said Farrell. "He is aware that the zoning process is not guaranteed to go through, and any construction would be at his own risk. He would not be allowed to use any land that is currently zoned AG to support the grain elevator operation until the required planning process is approved."

Farrell said there is nothing the township can do since there has been no contravention of the zoning bylaw.

"However, if the zoning change is not approved, and the grain elevator owner is using the weigh scale for the business, it would have to be removed or used only for personal use," said Farrell. "During the planning process, we will ask for a site plan which will allow us some control over dust, noise, and drainage. However, we urge the neighbours to work with this agriculture business."