A gravel pit proposal in Wellington North is drawing fire from area residents, the local conservation authority and the county agricultural federation.
About 25 people packed the council chamber in Kenilworth for a June 23 public meeting on the pit, which would be located in the northeast portion of the township on parts of Lots 5 and 6, Concession 5.
The land is owned by Alette Holsteins Ltd., which has entered into an extraction agreement with Mount Forest-based H. Bye Construction Ltd.
The company is seeking an amendment to the Wellington County Official Plan that would add a mineral aggregate area overlay to a 24.5-hectare area on existing prime agricultural land, as well as a township zoning amendment that would rezone the property from agricultural to extractive industrial.
Included in the meeting agenda package were written objections from seven area property owners, plus letters expressing concern about the project from the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) and the Wellington Federation of Agriculture (WFA).
A petition containing 26 signatures asked council to deny the application for the official plan amendment.
Wellington County senior planner Linda Redmond told council the planning department was not prepared to make a recommendation, given the number of concerns expressed about the project.
She noted concerns included potential for destruction of agricultural land, dust impacting neighbours, damage to roadways, heavy truck traffic in the area of a local parochial school, a possible decrease in the value of nearby properties and a negative impact on wildlife.
“We need to hear more from the public,” Redmond stated.
She said the project would result in about 75,000 tonnes of aggregate being extracted annually at the pit, which would operate from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, excluding holidays. The proposal also contains a provision for Saturday operation if approved by council on an as-needed basis.
Engineer Bill Bradshaw noted the proposal calls for rehabilitation of the subject lands to agricultural uses after 20 years.
Bruce Fulcher, a consultant representing the proponents of the proposal, pointed out a public meeting about the project was held in Mount Forest on March 19 and “no issues were raised that day.”
However, local resident Brett McHugh responded that Wellington North Mayor Ray Tout only found out on the day of the meeting that it was happening.
“So I don’t know how the rest of us were supposed to know about it,” McHugh said.
Resident Louise Hopkins said she is concerned for her 12-year-old son, who has asthma and a severe dust allergy.
“I’m worried that he won’t be able to play outside near a pit that is open daily,” she said.
Hopkins also wondered if the pit would operate in the winter months, with trucks travelling down a road where white out conditions often prevail.
Hopkins took little comfort in the proposed 20-year limitation on the project.
“My husband and I will be in our 70s when this pit operation has run it’s course and it’s heartbreaking to know how it will affect our lives,” said Hopkins.
Though the pit proposal calls only for extraction above the water table, McHugh pointed out the project “sits on top of the main aquifer for the area.
“You contaminate that aquifer and we’re all done,” he stated.
Local WFA director Charles Weber read from a letter from federation president Grant Flewwelling, indicating the WFA does not support the application.
“Sixty acres will be lost to food production for a generation or more if this pit proceeds,” said Weber. “Is the local industry living up to its commitments to put farmland back into viable food production?”
A letter from Erik Downing, SVCA manager of environmental planning and regulations, asked that the official plan and bylaw amendment be deferred pending further information from the proponent and additional SVCA review. The letter notes a portion of the proposed area to be rezoned and redesignated is within natural environment and/or core greenlands areas.
“The Clare Creek Provincially Significant Wetland is located within 120 metres of the subject property and this proposal has not yet addressed this feature,” Downing stated.
Tout noted safety concerns and traffic were key to most of the objections presented at the meeting.
“I’m very concerned with children’s safety and bicycles,” the mayor said.
Councillor Dan Yake noted a number of good presentations were made at the meeting.
“It tugs at your heartstrings when you sit up here at this end of the table,” Yake said.
“I have some of the same concerns as you have and I hope to get some answers,” said councillor Sherry Burke.
Councillor Andy Lennox said he was glad residents had the opportunity to express their concerns.
“Our job is to try and balance the outcome,” he said.
H. Bye Construction owner Randy Bye pointed out the proposed pit is listed on a provincial government map of aggregate locations.
“The province has already designated the area for gravel removal,” explained Bye, who said if the licence to draw aggregate is ultimately approved, “we will do our best to please everybody.”
Bye said if his company’s application was withdrawn another company would have an application in “within 15 minutes. If we don’t licence this pit then the big guys, and I mean really big guys, are going to come in,” said Bye, adding he doubted the next applicant would be someone “that cares as much for the community as we do.”
Bye said his firm works hard to maintain the trust of local residents.
“If I thought I was going to create a problem with someone’s quality of life, then I would make it up to you. If it does affect your well, then we will dig you a new one,” he said.
Tout noted there were “a lot more questions than answers here tonight,” and noted the process would continue for some time.
“We have a long row to hoe here,” he said.
