Protecting the rural landscape.
Urban sprawl and industrial development threaten our rural community.
Help Protect Puslinch is a resident-led community group committed to ensuring responsible growth and development in our township and beyond.
We advocate for planning decisions that protect the rural character of our community, lands, and the environment while supporting appropriate development in designated areas.
Proposed Industrial Development
This 1 million square foot facility will take over 54 acres of secondary agriculture land that is currently leased to a local farmer.
It will be a large scale “prestige industrial campus” (a fancy term for complex) that could employ up to 600 employees and bring over 1,500 vehicle trips during peak hours only to the area. That doesn’t include the traffic during other times.
With 36 transport bays and operations that run throughout the night, there will be constant truck traffic on our rural roads that have weight restrictions and are not built for this kind of traffic.
Despite the Puslinch by Design Study recommending these lands are not suitable for industrial developments, Estill is still seeking Provincial approval to push his agenda through.
We cannot allow this to happen. It would set a dangerous precedent for the entire area permitting developers and land speculators to go above local government and erodes the democratic and comprehensive planning processes.
Key Concerns:
Traffic and Road Safety: Township roads and intersections are not designed for projected volumes, and this is the only option as there is no direct access to the Hanlon Expressway.
Loss of Agricultural Land: The site is zoned secondary agriculture and supports local food production.
Water Resources: This development is not suitable for an area without municipal services. This is not a “dry industrial” facility and demands heavy groundwater use and pressure on this common resource with 90,000 L of wastewater per day being directed to a leachate bed
Noise and Light Pollution: 24-hour operations will disrupt the rural character and natural environment.
Environmental Impacts: Wetlands and endangered species at risk.
Community Fabric: Rural quality of life will be negatively affected.
Not Aligned with Puslinch By Design study: Recently completed planning study identified suitable lands to accommodate industrial development to 2051 and beyond. This location was not recommended, confirming there is no demonstrated need
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
MINISTER’S ZONING ORDER
In May, 2026 Jim Estill on behalf of Puslinch Developments GP Inc. applied to the Province for a Minister’s Zoning Order to by pass local government and push their project forward.
OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT
Application from Puslinch Developments GP Inc. to re-designate the majority of the lands at 4631 Sideroad 20N from Secondary Agricultural to Rural Employment Area.
PUSLINCH BY DESIGN STUDY
Puslinch Township and Wellington County completed an employment land study that identified options for future employment use until 2050.
Estill’s land was not selected.
How You Can Help
Contact provincial government officials and voice your concerns.
Help us continue the fight
Our small neighbourhood group has recently sought reinforcements to support our concerns. Help Protect Puslinch has retained Donnelly Law. They are a firm that specializes in working with citizen groups on land use planning matters and have been very successful on similar applications in our area.
We are also working with Small Change Fund to support building funds to pay for the lawyer fees. Small Change Fund is a registered charity where grassroots groups can get crowdfunding help and coaching support.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead
Let’s come together as a community and plan our future.
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