by Shaun McLaughlan
Back in September of 2011, I mentioned that some on Council wanted to allow a third severance to rural holdings (properties that existed July 1, 1973), where current rules allow just two. They stated that more severances would be a benefit to local tradespeople.
The Town commissioned a study to look at the potential remaining for rural severances and new dwellings based on the two-per-holding model. The result: 547 new lots could be created under the current rules and 152 existing lots do not have houses on them. That means there is the potential for 699 new dwellings in rural Ramsay and Pakenham—a 35 year supply based on current building patterns—without changing the current rules.
There will still be efforts by some on Council to allow a third severance anyway.
