WINCHESTER – In their first regularly scheduled meeting of 2026, North Dundas Council dealt with several housekeeping measures, but also approved three applications for zoning variances, one each in Hallville, Winchester, and Chesterville.
At the public meeting, which took place during the Jan. 28 Council meeting, three applications were presented.
The first, from Ian Drew Enterprises, requested a zoning amendment from the former the Township of Mountain Zoning By-law No. 79-6 to rezone the subject lands from Rural (RU) and Residential First Density (R1) to Estate Residential – Exception Four (ER-4) to permit residential lots with a minimum lot area of 3,609.99 m2 (0.89 acres).
The effect, if approved, would be that the property could be developed as new residential subdivisions in accordance with the draft plan of a subdivision, consisting of a new road connecting north off Kerrs Ridge Road with provisions made for a pedestrian connection west to the municipal park, a future development connection east, and 16 residential development lots with a minimum lot size of 3,609.99 m2 (0.89 acres).
South Nation Conservation Authority have indicated that they have no concerns or comments on the application as presented, and there were no comments received from the public in response to signs which had been posted on the property and/or mailings which had been sent to all property owners, agencies, and public bodies with 120m.
The proposal fit within the Provincial Planning Statement and SDG Counties official plan which encourages development onto vacant lands within existing settlement areas.
The recommendation from staff was to approve the application.
The second application came from Wellings of Winchester Inc. This applicant requested a zoning amendment from the former the Township of Winchester Zoning By-law No. 12-93 to rezone the subject lands from Agricultural (AG) to Residential Second Density – Exception 6 (R2-6) to permit planned townhouse units and an apartment building of up to three (3) storeys.
The effect, if approved, would be that the lands subject to this application could be developed as phases 4, 5 and 6 of the Wellings of Winchester housing development. In accordance with the development plan, phases 4 and 5 will consist of approximately 176 townhouse dwelling units, and phase 6 will consist of a single apartment building of three (3) storeys in height counting approximately 112 dwelling units.
South Nation Conservation Authority have indicated that they have no concerns or comments on the application as presented, and there were no comments received from the public in response to signs which had been posted on the property and/or mailings which had been sent to all property owners, agencies, and public bodies with 120m.
The proposal fit within the Provincial Planning Statement and SDG Counties official plan which encourages development onto vacant lands within existing settlement areas.
The recommendation from staff was to approve the application.
The third application came from Daphne Evans and Rick Froats, owners of the property located at 10 King St. in Chesterville.
These applicants have requested a zoning amendment from the former Village of Chesterville Zoning By-law No. 04-95 to amend the zoning of the subject lands to permit 75 per cent of the total floor area to serve a residential use at the rear of the building while maintaining 25 per cent of the ground floor area to serve a commercial use within the existing building at 10 King St., Chesterville, Ontario.
The effect of the proposed Zoning By-law amendment would allow the owner to have a residential dwelling unit in the rear part of the building as well as a commercial operation in the front portion of the existing building facing King Street.
South Nation Conservation Authority have indicated that they have no concerns or comments on the application as presented, and there was one comment received from the public in response to signs which had been posted on the property and/or mailings which had been sent to all property owners, agencies, and public bodies with 120m.
Gordon Dean (Mike Dean Local Grocer) commented by email:
“I received the package on the 75 per cent rear residential / 25 per cent front commercial change in usage. As this building is directly across the road from our grocery store and it has been in disrepair for decades we are supportive of the redevelopment of 10 King Street in this hybrid manner so long as reasonable property standards are upkept on the property such as grass cutting, weed removal, and regular removal of garbage or clutter on the King Street visible side of the building.”
The proposal fit within the Provincial Planning Statement and SDG Counties official plan which encourages development onto vacant lands within existing settlement areas.
The recommendation from staff was to approve the application.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of Council will be on Wed., Feb. 25, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
Terry Tinkess is a professional photographer, educator and journalist. He has been making a living with a camera and keyboard since 1999 and has been featured in such publications as The Ottawa Citizen, Cornwall Standard Freeholder, The Globe and Mail, The Miami Herald, Ottawa Construction News, The Ontario Construction Report, Ontario Home Builder Magazine, Reed Construction Data, Canadian Potato Business and most recently, The Record and Eastern Ontario AgriNews. Terry lives in Ingleside, Ontario with his wife Brenda, Mia the anxious Pittie and cats Wally and Chubbers.
