June 26 the committee of adjustment ruled 3-2 in favour of allowing 23 Mill St. E. to be severed. It is a corner lot bordering Mill and Forestell Streets. Currently one house is on the property and it is zoned urban commercial core.

Monday night town council agreed to appeal the severance decision to the Ontario Municipal Board. Residents in the area asked council to make the appeal last week. New Tecumseth Mayor Mike MacEachern told the residents they must do the same.

If the property is severed, the portion of land bordering Forestell Street is of concern for residents. They fear it will take away from the heritage appeal of the area and increase traffic and parking problems on the corner.

With its present zoning, the property is already part of the commercial core. However, the way the property is laid out, potential development would border Forestell Street, not Mill Street.

Prior to the meeting, council and staff met with the landowner. MacEachern said the meeting brought clarity to the issue and all parties will be working together moving forward.

“There seems to be a general want around the table to work to resolve this,” said MacEachern.

Appealing the decision goes against what town staff suggested to council.

Manager of planning Eric Chandler said the nature of the residents concerns aren’t typically dealt with at this stage. Building facade and traffic concerns are handled when site plans are submitted.

MacEachern said it isn’t council’s practice to go against the advice of town staff.