Some residents living south of Mitchell objected this week to a neighbour's wishes to construct a new shop.

Andreas Esau runs a cabinetry business out of his garage at 14 Sterling Drive. The property is zoned Rural Residential. On Tuesday, Hanover Council denied his application for construction of a 1750 square foot shop.

RM of Hanover administration says Sterling Drive is a small cul-de-sac containing four lots. It has been developed with larger, higher valued homes.

(Andreas Esau appears before Hanover Council.)Several neighbours sent letters to the RM of Hanover, asking for this application to be denied. Anders and Charmaine Toews, who live nearby say growing the business on this lot will increase commercial traffic to the cul-de-sac. And they say more traffic means reduced safety. Further to that, the Toews' say the large shop will disrupt their view and decrease property values.

Gordon and Rebecca Kornelson also sent a letter to council. They fear that with this type of business there could be scraps, other than wood that is burnt there, which could pollute the air. They too say if this business grows it will result in increased traffic and devaluation of property.

And, Patrick and Heather Peters, neighbours to the southeast, say this type of industry is not fit for a Rural Residential property. They say Sterling Drive should be kept as a healthy and quiet environment and not a site with manufacturing side effects like toxic flames and additional noise.

Hanover administration recommended council reject the application, noting it is impossible to fully contain every potential nuisance.

Hanover Reeve Stan Toews says the concerns from neighbours are valid. He says this sort of business belongs on a commercial lot.

Toews notes Hanover Council has seen several of these sorts of requests in recent years. He says they start off as small businesses in a garage and then grow to the point that a large shop is needed. But Toews says it isn't always in the owner's best interest to then build a shop on the same lot. He says by keeping the residence and business on two separate properties, it makes trying to sell either, that much easier in the future.

Councillor Bob Brandt suggests Esau rather develop his business on a commercial lot. Esau says he acknowledges that a commercial lot would be a better fit but says that also adds costs.