A residence south of Mitchell will be allowed a larger shop than what the municipality permits. However, it comes at a cost.

Bold Vision Projects, on behalf of Menno and Erna Funk, proposed the construction of a 2,400-square-foot building on a parcel of land located at the corner of Centre Street South and McKenzie Avenue. The applicant indicated that the shop would be utilized for personal use.

According to the site plan, the building would be located to the north of the residence and the existing garden shed at that location would be relocated to the south of the house to accommodate the new construction.

The applicant was applying for a variance as 2,000 square feet is the maximum size permitted in that zone. The construction of the proposed accessory building would also exceed the maximum number of accessory buildings allowed on a rural residential lot. The variance would permit up to three accessory buildings. 

Jeremy Neufeld is Planning Manager for the Rural Municipality of Hanover. He says based on the submitted plans, all structures would comply with property setbacks. Neufeld says Administration has no issues with the application.

A public hearing was held Wednesday afternoon. A neighbour questioned what such a large shop would be used for and whether its exterior would be aesthetically pleasing. Council was told that the shop would have two bays and that one bay would be used to park the applicant's camper so that it no longer needs to be stored outdoors. The other bay would be used to park his vehicles. The exterior would have a metal-clad finish.

Councillor Ed Penner made a motion that they approve the variance for a 2,400-square-foot shop but that the applicant not be allowed to relocate the existing garden shed. Rather, that shed will need to be removed from the property. Council approved the motion made by Penner.