Fermanagh Farms Expansion to Boost Economy in Bradford

An application for a by-law amendment for Fermanagh Farms, located at 4023 Line 3 in Schomberg, was presented at a recent Bradford West Gwillimbury City Council meeting. The property, which is currently within the municipality's jurisdiction, is seeking to expand its usage.

The proposed by-law amendment would allow the property owners to utilize the land as an event space. This includes repurposing the existing barn for short-term accommodations, establishing a farmers market, and adding a horse barn, a 140.9-square-metre orchard processing building, a livestock barn, and a garage workshop.

The property has a long-standing history with the Mill family, who have owned the farm since the early 1900s after purchasing it from the Brandon family. During the public meeting, the Mills family presented their case for the expansion of the property’s use, inviting community members to share their thoughts on the amendment application.

Ron Weening, a resident of Line 3 for nearly 60 years and a long-time acquaintance of the Mills family, voiced his support for the proposed additions to the property. He was joined by Ward 3 Councillor Ben Verkaik, Ward 2 Councillor Jonathan Scott, and Ward 7 Councillor Peter Dykie, all of whom expressed their support, recognizing the potential economic benefits for the area.

"This is going to be an opportunity for many families to celebrate and enjoy not only weddings, farmers markets, and short-term rentals,” stated Mayor James Leduc. "It’s what our community needs."

The only concern raised was regarding the use of the land for short-term rentals. Ward 5 Councillor Peter Ferragine suggested that the short-term rentals be managed through an Airbnb model rather than being included in the by-law exemption, indicating a preference for a more regulated approach.

Overall, the application received positive feedback, with council members and residents acknowledging the potential benefits to the community while also considering the need for careful management of the proposed uses.