Councillors and residents had plenty of kind words for the Mills family and their plans to expand the offerings at Fermanagh Farms during a public planning meeting at the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library this week.
Based on a report and presentations from Priscilla Lan, town planner; Mitchell Baker, planner with LandPro Planning Solutions on behalf of the Mills; and Thom Mills; the family are looking to rezone portions of the 39.77-hectare farm and event space at 4023 Line 3 to add exceptions to the agricultural (A) and marsh agricultural (AM) zoning.
That’s to permit continued use of the 495-square-metre historic barn as an event space, and the addition of short-term rentals, a farmers’ market, a 140.9-square-metre orchard processing building, plus additional lane ways and parking spaces.
Mills’ presentation included a short history of how the family settled in the area in the early 1800s from County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, how the family has supported the community, how he grew up on the property as a seventh-generation farmer and his hopes for on-farm diversification to help keep the family farm viable for the next generation.
“It’s about the interpersonal connections, the environment and the economy all coming together,” Mills said of the annual spring and fall markets, weddings and other events held at the farm. “We see an incredible future for our family and our farm here in Bradford.”
Two neighbours who live near the farm spoke in favour of the idea and praised the Mills for their efforts, including Ron Weening who “absolutely, fully” endorses their proposal.
“I think it’s an excellent opportunity to ensure ... the agricultural aspect as well as to bring the community together,” David Gangle said.
Lan explained that prior to the meeting, staff also received correspondence from several members of the public in favour of the proposal, including The Helping Hand Food Bank, for whom the bi-annual markets regularly raise donations.
Councillors were also largely supportive, with Coun. Jonathan Scott calling the plan “a home run,” and Coun. Peter Dykie praising the Mills for having “the drive” to bring investment to the community.
“I totally support this,” Coun. Ben Verkaik said.
Mayor James Leduc thanked Mills for investing the time, energy and funds since 2021 to follow the proper application process, and called the plan a “great idea.”
“This is going to be an opportunity for many families to celebrate and enjoy not only weddings, farmers’ markets and short-term rentals,” he said. “I think it’s fantastic. It’s what our community needs.”
Deputy Mayor Raj Sandhu also praised the idea of finding more revenue sources for farmers as “people are getting out of farming.”
However, there were some concerns over the short-term rentals, with Sandhu wanting to know just how short-term they will be, and Mills explained they’re mostly for weddings on site, but would also be available through other rental platforms and available “as people book it.”
Those short-term rentals are already offered in one 15.5-square-metre tiny home and one 67-square-metre cabin and planned to be expanded to five new 40-square-metre tiny homes and one 164.4-square-metre trailer, near a wooded portion of the property.
While largely in favour of the plan, Ward 5 Coun. Peter Ferragine thought the short-term rental component should follow an Airbnb model, rather than expressly being included in the bylaw exemption, as that could “open the floodgates” for others to make similar requests, and Coun. Joseph Giordano shared the concern over that potential precedent.
In response to the sole resident who submitted concerns to the town prior to the meeting, over the potential loss of prime agricultural land, Mills said they have no plans to take agricultural land out of use.
That resident also asked for a study of noise and other impacts from the orchard building.
At the time of the meeting, staff had received no objections from internal departments or external agencies.
The Mills are also planning to add a 140.9-square-metre horse barn and paddock, 507.5-square-metre livestock barn and 286-square-metre garage workshop — all of which are already permitted under existing zoning.
The southern portion of the property is also zoned for environmental heritage, but none of the proposed changes are expected to impact that portion.
The request for rezoning initially came after staff discovered in 2021 the use of the barn as an event space is not permitted under the current zoning, with the Mills taking that opportunity to look at other ways to diversify the property.
While the barn was expanded and solar panels installed in 2014, the Mills began using it as an event space in 2019.
Following the normal process for a public planning meeting, council is not expected to make a decision until after staff review the public feedback and provide a future report.
Residents can still provide written submissions about planning file No. D14-24-01 via email to [email protected], and those submissions will be accepted up to the date that council makes a decision on the matter.
