Monday, September 17, 2007, at 6:00 p.m.

Transcription

1 Notice of Application Fill By-law Mount Albert Pit Inc McCowan Road, File: 15.z.3 Harrison Pit McCowan Road File: 15.z.4 Monday,, at 6:00 p.m. Council Members Present: Mayor James Young Marlene Johnston Cathy Morton Virginia Hackson Jack Hauseman Staff Present: Others Present: Call to Order: Disclosure of Interest: Introduction Thomas Webster, Chief Administrative Officer Don Sinclair, General Manager, Development & Legal Services Lucille King, Director of Corporate Services/Municipal Clerk Wayne Hunt, General Manager, Community Programs & Infrastructure Ken Beckett, Fire Chief Steve Krystal, Manager, Capital Programs & Traffic Engineering Branch Licinio Miguelo, Corporate Strategy & Communications Coordinator Kerry Stillwell, CADD/Design Draftsperson Deb McCulloch, By-Law & Licensing Coordinator Anna Knowles, Deputy Clerk Jan Archbell, Technical Clerk Thirty Five (35) members of the public were present The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Mayor asked if anyone wished to state a disclosure of interest. None was disclosed. Wayne Hunt, General Manager, Community Programs and Infrastructure, advised that this public meeting is for the purpose of considering the issuance of a permit to place fill on private property at McCowan Road and McCowan Road. He noted that application had been made in March of 2007 by Mount Albert Pit Inc., proposing to fill two depleted gravel pits. The General Manager, Community Programs and Infrastructure,

2 Page 2 of 5 advised that the application was advertised in the Era Banner on August 28 th and 30 th, and on September 4 th and 6 th, He further advised that notification by way of a sign on the site was confirmed August 23, 2007 and notification to residents was effected by mail, August 27, The following Agency and Public Comments have been received. AGENCY COMMENTS DATE/AGENCY July 13, 2007 Region of York Transportation & Works Department COMMENT Region completed preliminary site visit - warrants turning lanes; adequate road allowance to construct turning lanes; suggests that, as a condition of approval, applicant construct turning lanes; Region s Development Approvals Section will review drawings and Fill Permit application upon submission PUBLIC COMMENTS DATE/NAME September 6, 2007 Robert Engel 4521 Mount Albert Road September 10, 2007 Barbara Hopkins-Messenger 49 Centre Park Drive, Ottawa September 12, 2007 Jack Hopkins 4592 Mount Albert Road COMMENT Concerned with heavy truck traffic (accidents, noise, dust, exhaust, mud tracking on roads,etc.). Concerns re: history may indicate a family burial ground in the area No problem with clean fill to return decommissioned gravel pit to agricultural-rural land use; 10 years too long, 3 years is sufficient; who will inspect and monitor? Will there be any input from residents re hours of operation; concern re contamination of wells in surrounding areas; is security deposit required with municipality? What is completed look of the pit? Contact persons? A good thing as long as there is only good fill. W. Hunt, General Manager, Community Programs and Infrastructure, introduced Pablo Albanese, P., Eng., of Fabian Papa & Partners Inc. to conduct a presentation on behalf of the Applicant.

3 Page 3 of 5 Presentation by Applicant Mr. Albanese began his presentation by informing the public that he was conducting this presentation on behalf of the owners of the property, Jim Harrison, the owner of the property at McCowan Road, who was present at the meeting, and Nick Marchese of Mount Albert Pit Inc., who was not in attendance. Mr. Albanese described the lands to which this application is subject, and confirmed that it is the intent of the landowners to place clean fill into the depleted gravel pits to allow these lands to be used again. At this time these lands are in an unproductive state, containing many areas where stagnant water pools. Mr. Albanese stressed that clean fill will be placed in the pit area, which will create useable land for agricultural/rural uses. The quality of the fill will be regulated through chemical analysis and periodic on-site testing, with periodical reports to the Town. He further advised that the wooded area will be left untouched, allowing for a buffer zone. Access to the site will be from Mount Albert Road by way of Highway #48 or Woodbine Avenue, with additional safety measures being put into place such as a slip around lane and turning lanes. He stressed that McCowan Road, Doane Road and Kennedy Road would not be routes used to access the site. The estimated timing for the completion of this project is 7-10 years, with noise on the site allowed from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. An appropriate cleaning schedule to keep dust and dirt levels down will be adhered to with a 1000 foot paved road being constructed to keep surrounding roads free of dust and dirt. Mr. Albanese ended his presentation by advising the public that there are many advantages to this project, including the protection of vegetation, filling in an eye sore and bringing this area back to agricultural land through the use of clean fill. Public Comments The Mayor addressed the meeting and invited those in attendance to bring forward any questions and/or concerns, and state their name and address. Jack Hopkins 4592 Mount Albert Road Mr. Hopkins asked if neighbours of this property will have access to Reports relating to this application. Mayor Young advised Mr. Hopkins that the Reports will be held at the Town Offices, and residents will have an opportunity to view them here. Mr. Hopkins further expressed his concern that 10 years is too long, and is also concerned if the economy goes flat and the applicant requires more time to complete the project. He would like to see timing at 3-5 years. Mr. Hopkins further questioned whether a security deposit will be posted with the Town. Mayor Young replied that this would most definitely be done. Mr. Hopkins is also concerned about the close proximity of this site to his own property and has concerns about well monitoring. Mayor Young asked that Mr. Wayne Hunt look into well monitoring.

4 Page 4 of 5 Mayor Young advised the public to send a letter, or telephone the Town if something of concern comes to mind later. Jim Harrison McCowan Road Mr. Harrison expressed that he feels extending the period of time required to complete the fill process may be more beneficial, thereby keeping the number of trucks down and creating less of a traffic impact on the area. Mr. Harrison is further concerned about the amount of topsoil. He would like to see sufficient topsoil brought in to bring it to a level suitable for agricultural use, with a blending of lands. He is greatly concerned about contaminated soil and the closeness of this site to his well. Mr. Harrison stated that the Ministry of Natural Resources standards are too low for farmland and has a problem with the existing standards. He wants to make what is not good, better. Mayor Young responded to Mr. Harrison by advising him that, in 2006, Council passed a Fill and Site Alteration By-Law. Prior to the passage of this By-Law there was no provision for traffic monitoring, etc. This By-law provides a means of regulating the placement of fill and site alteration activities on private properties. Mayor Young further advised that it is as a result of this By-Law that an applicant must enter into a formal Agreement with the Town. Larry Preston Mount Albert, Ontario Mr. Preston asked how many cubic meters of fill would be brought into the site. He was advised that it would be in the 1.3 million cubic meter range, which translates into 120,000 to 130,000 truck loads. Mr. Preston further asked if the Permit will be approved for the entire period of time required to complete this process or annually. Mayor Young advised that it would probably not be every year, but 10 years is too long, and he would be looking for a time period that would be beneficial to the people in the area. Elwood Hoover 4533 Mount Albert Road Mr. Hoover expressed two major concerns relating to this Application. Firstly, the pollution caused by the trucks and secondly the increased volume of traffic. Mayor Young requested that Wayne Hunt look into Mr. Hoover s concern relating to the potential of increased pollution. He advised Mr. Hoover that there would be approximately 120,000 truckloads of fill required. Matthew McEwan, Minister Holt Methodist Church McCowan Road Mr. McEwan expressed his concerns that access to the fill site may be changed in the future to include other access roads such as McCowan Road. Mayor Young responded by advising Mr. McEwan that this change would require full discussion by Council before

5 Page 5 of 5 any changes could be made. It was further stated that both McCowan Road and Kennedy Road are half load regional roads and this change would not be permitted. As there were no further questions or comments, the Mayor advised that if anyone wished to receive notice of Council s decision, or further notices relating to this matter they should leave their name with the Recording Secretary. Adjournment: The Public Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. James R. Young, Mayor Lucille King, Municipal Clerk