Sorbara has to make more habitat for bobolink, meadowlark

New Tecumseth Free Press February 25, 2013

The Sorbara Group has missed a deadline that will force the developer to set aside a larger block of land in Beeton as an environmental buffer zone to protect two threatened bird species, if it pushes forward with its amended subdivision proposal that drew public opposition when presented last fall.

In April 2009, Sorbara tabled a plan to build 148 units. At a public meeting last November, the proposal had grown to 550 homes, encompassing 60.05 hectares (148.39 acres) legally described as Part Lots 8, 9, and 10, Concession 7 – located west of Sideroad 10, south of Maple Avenue and north of 7th Line.

Here’s how it breaks down:

550 Single Detached Dwelling lots;

2 Future development blocks;

2 Park blocks;

2 Stormwater Management blocks;

Open Space-Environmental protection blocks;

Walkway blocks;

Postal Kiosk blocks; and,

An internal road network

As part of the environmental work that’s required with such plans, “two bird species, being the bobolink and the eastern meadowlark, and their respective habitats, were observed on the subject land. Both birds are recognized as Threatened Species’ pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, 2007. The applicants have indicated that development of the subject land will eliminate portions of the existing habitats for the bobolink and eastern meadowlark. In accordance with the Endangered Species Act, the applicant is required to provide compensation for the loss of habitat to the Threatened Species,” according to a background report on the proposal.

As a result, Sorbara was pushing to advance its proposal to draft plan approval prior to January 1, 2013 which would have required “an area equal to 10 per cent of the habitat for bobolink or eastern meadowlark that the development is likely to damage or destroy is required to be created.” However, as a result of the missed deadline, Sorbara will be required by the Endangered Species Act to provide “an area equal to 50 per cent of the habitat for bobolink or eastern meadowlark that the development is likely to damage or destroy is required to be created.”

Much of the opposition in Beeton is related to its size, the impact on storm water/drainage, as well the fact it did not include a commercial component for a project that would add about 1,600 people to the former village.

At this writing, Sorbara had not submitted a revised draft plan based on the responses to comments made on their initial submission last fall.