It turns out our church falls under the jurisdiction of the local conservation authority. We have applied to the township to rezone it from institutional to residential, but the conservation authority has to make comments on the application and grant a permit for change of use. I am assured that this is not likely to be opposed. They will also respond to a property inquiry and let us know any guidelines around erosion, flooding mitigation, placement of septic systems, etc. so that when the time comes to do any actual changes to the property, the permit application should go more smoothly. They seem quite easy to work with. Our next step is to draw up a "map" of the property to submit. I'm not much of an artist, but it will need to show not just structures and measurements but elevation and trees, etc. We aren't planning to make any significant changes to the appearance of the side yard beyond the parking spot that the township requires. At one point I had hoped to install a greenhouse, but it doesn't look like that will be possible now.
On a side note, I have been reading about the sacredness to indigenous cultures of cedar trees. I have been graced with eight of them beside the church, rather scabby and spindly-looking, but tall. I will need to nurture them and keep them going rather than remove them. This project is going to need all the blessings and support it can get, and I want Mother Earth on my side.
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