September 27, 2018 - Alnwick/Haldimand Council Does NOT Approve Closure of Road Allowance at the Gravel Pit
This is information from a report prepared by Gritt Koehl:
A Motion to Approve a By-law before Council at today's Planning Meeting, to close & sell a road allowance that runs between the gravel pit and adjacent farmland, was defeated 3 to 2.
Deputy Mayor Gail Latchford put forward a Motion to APPROVE the By-law. Councillor Ray Benns seconded it just to get it on the floor for discussion.
Benns proceeded to say that A/H residents have many concerns regarding the pit operation, including dumping, as well as the possibility of future expansion of the pit. He also believes that Council should share those same concerns. He understands that the pit license falls under MOE and MNR regulations, but he also felt that not selling the road allowance would NOT prohibit the pit owners from pursuing their operation. Benns stated that it is known by the township that the gravel from that pit is of poor quality, and not suitable for township use. Councillor Benns' wish was to defer a decision until more information was received from the pit owners.
Councillor Mike Filip spoke next and said he was not comfortable with approving the road closure after receiving new information. MOE has said that there is adequate fill existing in the pit to rehabilitate the slopes to acceptable levels. His question was "Why do we need more fill?" Filip expressed his concern over testing of loads being dumped, and does not feel that the MNR has the resources to guarantee that all fill/loads will be free of contaminants. He reiterated that the gravel in that area is of poor quality.
Councillor Sherry Gibson agreed with the positions stated by Councillor Benns and Filip. She also suggested that Council become more knowledgeable about the roles and responsibilities of the MOE, MNR and the Township with respect to pits and potential dumping.
Deputy Mayor Gail Latchford stated that all of the above should have been discussed prior to today, that the application has been in the works for a long time, and it doesn't look good as a council to not approve the by-law. She said "We will end up in court!"
Mayor John Logel said that Hydrovac companies exist in A/H, and that A/H does have a Fill By-law in place.
Latchford refused to change her motion from "approve" to "defer", so in a recorded vote the Motion to Approve the By-law was defeated.
Yay: Mayor Logel, Deputy Mayor Latchford
Nay: Councillors Benns, Filip, Gibson
September 10, 2018 - Alnwick/Haldimand Residents Continue Efforts to Control Dumping at an Oak Ridges Moraine Gravel Pit
Concerned residents have respectfully and repeatedly requested A/H Council to act and amend its By-laws to protect all the lands of Alnwick/Haldimand Township. The current Council of Alnwick/Haldimand Township has not acted on these requests. On September 20, 2018 Council will be considering an application to close an unopened road allowance adjoining a gravel pit. Local residents are concerned that this will allow expansion of the existing pit and will allow the current pit owners to once again start dumping Hydrovac industrial waste from the city of Vaughan. The issue is protection of drinking water originating in the Oak Ridges moraine. Citizens are encouraged to write to Council expressing concern about this situation. Information regarding recent developments is available here September 2018 Update On Gravel Pit Issue
June 26, 2018 – Alnwick/Haldimand Gravel Pit Issue Returns to Council
Weston Consulting has submitted a letter to Council on behalf of Cobourg Sand & Gravel purporting to address the concerns of residents regarding the Oak Ridges gravel pit. 2018-06-15 Weston Consulting Letter to Council
Gritt Koehl has written to Council asking them to review the provincial mapping implications as well as the “No Dumping” Clause in the agreement of purchase and sale of the property in question. 2018-06-25 Gritt Koehl Letter to Council
Letters of concern were also written by Alison Howard and Rick Scott. 2018-06-26 Alison Howard Letter To Council 2018-06-26 Rick Scott Letter to Mayor Logel
This issue comes before Council on Thursday, June 27, 2018 at 12:30 pm.
March 26, 2018 - News Coverage of Gravel Pit Delegation
Karen Longwell is the News Editor for the Northumberland News. You can read her article on the Pit delegation here Northumberland News Article on "Resist the Pit" Delegation
March 22, 2018 Gravel Pit Delegation to Alnwick/Haldimand Council
The group opposing operations at the Oak Ridges Drive gravel pit presented a delegation to the Alnwick/Haldimand Council meeting on Thursday March 22, 2018. The spokesperson for the group was Alison Howard. Over the course of a 20 minute presentation, Alison voiced the group's concerns about what was being dumped into the pit and the potential impact on gound water and the Oak Ridges Moraine watershed. She also raised concerns about the application to close a road allowance that would allow expansion of the current pit into the adjoining farm land. The delegation concluded with a number of requests for action by A/H Council. Mayor Logel thanked the group for their delegation and indicated that Council would need to meet to discuss the matter. The presentation can be viewed here Resist The Pit Delegation
March 14, 2018 Gravel Pit Delegation to Alnwick/Haldimand Council
The group opposing operations at the Oak Ridges Drive gravel pit have announced that they will be bringing a delegation to the Alnwick/Haldimand Council meeting on Thursday March 22, 2018 at 12:30 pm. Details of the delegation are available here Delegation Regarding Dumping and Gravel Pit Expansion
February 13, 2018 - A/H Public Meeting Re Pit Dumping & Expansion (Oak Ridges Moraine)
On Thursday, February 8, 2018 a meeting was held at Fenella Hall in Alnwick/Haldimand about a gravel pit located at Oak Ridges Drive and Lilac Valley Road. This was an opportunity for local residents to meet the owner of the company that purchased the pit and ask questions about what was being dumped in the pit and the company's plans for expanding the pit. A summary of the meeting was prepared by Gritt Koehl and is available here A/H Meeting Re Gravel Pit Operation and Plans
Background
Residents in Alnwick/Haldimand have expressed concern about the operation of a gravel pit on Oak Ridges Drive. They question “suspicious” materials being dumped at the pit and are concerned about the potential for future pit expansion. Residents have organized a “Resist the Pit” movement in order to raise awareness about what is happening. Ultimately they are hoping to protect the watershed in the area. Read more about this issue in this document A/H Dumping and Gravel Pit Expansion