It took nearly two decades but Perth County has voted in favour of Surplus Farming Severances.
Allan Rothwell, Perth County's Director of Planning says the topic was first approached in 1997 but didn't materialize much until three years ago when the county came forward with amendments to consider.
This past April's meeting in Monkton brought forth a very strict policy.
Rothwell notes after much discussion, a more agreeable policy came forward this fall in Mitchell.
"Council came back again to the public in September of this year with a policy which was much more flexible," says Rothwell.
"Properties did not have to be in the exact same name - they could be in a personal or corporate name. They did not have to be abutting properties, they just had to be located within Perth County."
The Planning Director says the amendment to not allow the severed property to participate in any kind of farming activities factored in swinging the vote to a 10-6 majority.
Rothwell adds the Surplus Farming Severances Policy will be available for viewing on the county website in due course, once the notice has been put out to all local papers this week.
The policy will then be subject to a 20-day appeal period. If no appeals are submitted, it will then go into effect.
