Planning report recommends delaying decision on aggregate pit near Everett

Public meeting set for Thursday night

New Tecumseth Free Press Online 

Adjala-Tosorontio mayor Mary Small Brett has called a special public meeting for Thursday night starting at 6:30 pm to consider an Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment at 5556 and 5670 County Road 13 at 5 Sideroad, that would permit development of an aggregate operation that could extract up to one million tonnes of sand and gravel annually.

Donnelly (Nelson Aggregates) has applied for a Class ‘A’ License (Category 1 – pit extraction below the water table) under the Aggregate Resources Act to permit aggregate extraction on the subject property. The Township’s and County’s Official Plans, recognize that the subject lands contain significant aggregate resources.

The area to be licensed is approximately 72.8ha (180ac) with approximately 51.5ha (128ac) included within the extraction area. The pit will operate to approximately 3m below the water table.

Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments are required to redesignate the “Protected Aggregate Resource and Environmental Protection Area” to Licensed Pit and EPA and Extractive Industrial (M2) and Open Space Conservation. Simcoe County ratification would still be required following municipal approval.

Previous public meetings held to deal with the application, have turned up opposition from area residents who suggest the operation will have a negative impact on the environment, ground water sources, increase truck traffic, noise, and dust levels.

In her report to council on the August 20 agenda, Jacquie Tschekalin, Director of Planning, under the “Legal Implications,” notes simply, “Potential Ontario Municipal Board hearing” and recommends, the amendments “be postponed until Council has had an opportunity to consider comments received at the Public Hearing.”

“Based on comments received at the last public meeting (held in April of this year), the applicant submitted revised reports to respond to the concerns that were raised and to indicate how the proposed activities could take place with no or minimal impacts on the property, its features, and surrounding land uses,” writes Ms. Tschekalin.

“Preliminary reviews of these updated reports indicate that, with the exception of items that should be addressed through the Aggregate Resources Act process (such as securities and fees required by the Township) the application meets all planning requirements. The areas to be re-designated and re-zoned have also been amended to reflect this new information. At the time of writing this report, written comments had not been received from all circulated agencies; a verbal update will be provided at the Public Hearing.”