A public meeting on a proposed zoning change that would allow a Georgetown-based fridge and freezer manufacturer to construct a new industrial facility norteast of the City of Guelph is set for Tuesday.
Minus Forty has submitted a planning application to rezone 27.8 acres at 5063 Jones Baseline from agricultural to rural industrial land. The parcel is located just off Highway 7 halfway between Guelph and Rockwood in the Township of Guelph/Eramosa.
The requested zoning change will allow for the construction of a 163,979 square foot industrial facility with 90,000 square feet for future expansions. The first phase of development will encompass administration, manufacturing and warehousing areas with eleven loading bays and 242 parking spaces.
Minus Forty specializes in energy-efficient glass door freezers and fridges and currently occupies an 80,000 square foot space in Georgetown. It plans to move its operation to the new larger plant in Guelph/Eramosa, where its CEO said in an interview it could grow from its current approximately 150 employees to over 400 in five years.
In sixteen letters attached to the public meeting agenda, local residents raise concerns about the proposed facility, including its impact on traffic safety, the environment, surrounding wells and property values. Loss of agricultural land and noise and light pollution are also cited by neighbours as reasons they oppose the development.
The Township of Guelph/Eramosa encourages people wishing to speak and make comments at the meeting to pre-register by emailing [email protected]. However, pre-registration is not required and anyone wishing to speak at the meeting will be given the opportunity to do so, township clerk, Amanda Knight confirmed in an email.
The public meeting will begin at 1:30 Tuesday and will be hosted on Zoom. Information on how to attend can be found here.
Following the public meeting, Guelph/Eramosa council will make a decision about the proposal at a later date.
