NVCA seeks party status at Collingwood OMB hearing

HIGHLIGHTS of the NVCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING of Oct. 19, 2012

News release from Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority November 3 2012

Three research project proposals submitted by the NVCA were selected to be undertaken by senior students in the University of Guelph’s Environmental Sciences program. Research will be conducted on: reducing phosphorus load in the river system, effects of urban flood control programs, and windbreaks and atmospheric deposition of phosphorus.

The NVCA Board of Directors voted in support of the partnership, and requested that once the projects are complete, staff provide a report of the findings for the information of the Board and the County of Simcoe Warden and Council.

The gate system at the Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area was the target of an act of vandalism in late August, resulting in several thousand dollars in damages. The Board approved the use of $3,500 from the NVCA Operations Reserve to cover the balance of the cost not covered by insurance.

The Board of Directors authorized staff, with the help of the NVCA’s solicitor, to seek party status for the NVCA at the upcoming Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing for the proposed Huntingwood Trails Development. Staff will coordinate OMB hearing efforts with the Town of Collingwood to ensure coordinated and effective delivery of environmental technical and planning support to the Town, consistent with Board-approved development review guidelines and policies.

The site of the proposed development is traversed by Silver Creek and contains the Provincially Significant Silver Creek Wetland Complex as well as other unevaluated wetland features.

The Board of Directors heard an appeal of NVCA planning fees from representatives of Sunnidale Estates Ltd., Fresun Estates Ltd., and 1281533 Ontario Ltd., regarding a proposed 940-lot subdivision (Phase 1) in the Town of Wasaga Beach.

Staff noted that the application is large and has required complex technical review related to natural hazards, natural heritage and stormwater management.

The Board resolved that staff use the current NVCA fee schedule for the Sunnidale Estates application, and work with the applicant on satisfactory payment phasing as necessary.

The Board provided the following direction for staff in the development of the NVCA 2013 preliminary budget:

-Maintain the status quo level of program services with no new major initiatives,

-Manage the current cost per person (NVCA municipal levy) for NVCA services at approximately $9.97,

-Consider both population growth and inflation in maintaining service delivery and program costs, and

-Prepare a preliminary budget for board consideration at the next Board of Directors’ meeting on November 23, 2012.