Rizzardos appeal order to stop clearing trees in Beeton
New Tecumseth Free Press Online
Tecumseth Estates (Rizzardo) has appealed last week’s stop work order issued by Simcoe County that temporarily suspended the special permit the upper tier granted to allow the clearing of approximately 30 acres of woodlot on their 9th Line property in Beeton.
The County, acting on a request by New Tecumseth, ordered the work stoppage while it reviews the approvals process that ultimately resulted in the permit to remove 30 acres of “predominantly … mature, mixed hardwood” at 6386 and 6416 9th Line in Beeton, “to expand an existing agricultural area.”
The subject site is 241 acres in area; approximately 60 acres is currently woodland with the remaining 181 acres in agricultural use. Agricultural land class is 1-3 and 4.
Rizzardos ‘appeal is to the County Council who sit as a quasi jury and then vote, likely in April, whether to lift the stop work order, or allow cutting to continue. Beeton residents opposed to the clearing have been pressing New Tecumseth councillors to not permit any further removal.
Last Saturday, Graeme Davis, the County Forester, issued a statement that outlined the process that had taken place to date, adding. “The property in question is privately owned and the landowners, Maria Rizzardo (Tecumseth Estates Inc) have been fully compliant. It is of utmost importance that their rights be respected. Tree clearing that occurred on their private property between January 27 and March 3, 2015 was legally done and in accordance with the Special Permit issued by County Council.”
At this post, no further details were confirmed.
County Forester Graeme Davis says it’s of utmost importance that the Tecumseth Estates Maria Rizzardo’s rights be respected.
What about the rights of the people living adjacent to her property..is he concerned at all about that? It appears he failed to notify them (as required by law) of the Rizzardo application to clear-cut the 35 acre forest? Did he follow proper procedure before making the recommendation to County Council for them to approve the “Special Permit”?
It seems that the tree clearing that occurred on their private property between January 27 and March 3, 2015 was NOT legally done because the Special Permit was issued by Simcoe County without following proper procedure and without approval by New Tec Council.
We live on property adjacent to this land and I assure you that we were NEVER notified of any applications.