County of Brant Council has approved a zoning by-law amendment and draft plan of subdivision for two properties on Powerline Road in Paris to be developed into an industrial area during its regular Council meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
The applications were submitted by MHBC Planning, the agent on behalf of West Select (Two) Inc. and West Quarre (Two) Inc.
Ryan Cummins, a senior planner with the County, explained that the two properties, totalling an area of 267.7 acres, are located at 986 and 1034 Powerline Rd. will be divided into four industrial development blocks.
The subject lands are located on the south side of Powerline Road, just west of Rest Acres Road, designated as Prestige Employment under the County of Brant’s Official Plan. It is currently zoned for agricultural and special-exception light industrial uses (M2-47).
“The development proposal entails a draft plan of subdivision totaling eight blocks, of which blocks one through four are quite large blocks for future industrial developments, a stormwater management facility, open space block, servicing corridor, and a portion of lands to be conveyed to the MTO for the 403 corridor,” said Cummins. “The draft plan also entails the extension of Chambers Road from Orlando’s Phase One subdivision, and a future street connection to Powerline Road. This application also entails a zoning by-law amendment and there two sight-specific zones being sought for approval; two light industrial M2-47 and M2-48 zones, as well as an open space zone to be applied to the storm management block.”
It was explained that the M2-47 zone would permit a maximum building height of 20 metres and parking rate of one spacer per 250 square-metre of ground floor area, while the M2-48 would permit additional uses of a chemical and pharmaceutical industry, a food processing plant and a processed goods industry.
The M2-48 would also permit a maximum height of 20 metres, parking rate of one space per 250 square-metres, and permit open storage in an exterior side yard, subject to screening.
Some key considerations presented were that the subject lands fall within the MTO’s Corridor Control Area and are subject to its approval, and that the scale and scope of the proposed development will entail major servicing infrastructure.
Following Cummins’ presentation, David Aston spoke on behalf of MHBC Planning, saying the project has been in the works for a long time.
“What we’re doing tonight is putting in place zoning and a subdivision that is for lands that members of this council, and councils before, looked at as establishing a premier employment opportunity in the County,” he said. “These approvals tonight will take that to the next step, and I think what you’re considering tonight will place these lands into a market situation that will put the County in a very competitive scenario within your surrounding municipalities, and really, in my opinion, in southwestern Ontario.”
He said while there’s still work to be done, the applications represented a major milestone.
“What you’re getting is approval. You’re getting roads and blocks of land that are setting an opportunity for millions of square feet of future investment opportunity into the municipality. There’s still work to be done to address conditions of approval and working with your staff on the details, including site plan approvals as we get into the layouts of the blocks and understanding of how lighting, landscaping and all of those things will work. But tonight’s a big milestone,” said Aston. “…This is the master plan. Right now, it shows a large number of buildings but this can evolve over time. What we’re doing tonight is just setting the building blocks of the roads that will be subject to future approvals and future investment. It may be that one large employer looks at one large block; we don’t know that yet, but what we’re planning for is the greatest flexibility for investment in this area in the community.”
When Aston finished speaking, Councillor John Peirce brought up his concerns with Road B coming out directly onto Powerline Road and intersecting with a residence on the other side.
Aston confirmed that after several discussions between County staff and traffic consultants, it was determined that Road B is offset from the residence’s driveway and does not sit directly in front of the house. Peirce, however, said he was still unhappy with the proposed location.
Councillor John Bell also asked several questions in regards to future improvements to Powerline Road, wastewater servicing and source water protection.
Aston confirmed to him that yes, the County will still be able to collect as much water for the groundwater recharge from the area in the future as they do now.
Councillor Ella Haley also brought up her own concerns regarding traffic and noise, and about mitigating impacts on the aquifer and chemicals, all of which were addressed by Aston.
Later, Councillors Lukas Oakley and Jennifer Kyle both expressed their support for the project.
“I’m going to support this application. About four years ago, we were all running for election, and one of the things I talked to folks about at the door a lot was the lack of employment options for a variety of industries in the area. Cainsville is one sort of approach that we’re taking in regards to prestige employment, and getting these lands online is another. I think it’s a great way for us to be environmentally friendly too because as we stand right now, we’re a bedroom community, and this allows us to get more folks working closer to home and in their car less.”
Kyle added, “I know in the past I’ve had some concerns with respect to the agricultural properties in the neighbourhood there, but I am appreciative that the applicant has worked to apply for a zoning that allows for a bit of a buffer between the most industrial of the uses that they’re proposing. I do think that that is a welcomed aspect of the application, so I’m happy to support this one, recognizing Councillor Oakley’s point that we do need to get these lands online so we can start getting more people working closer to home.”
The applications were then approved by a vote 9 to 1, noting that Councillor Robert Chambers wasn’t at the meeting, and Haley voted against it.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
