Township council is expected to consider a draft bylaw amendment to allow an asphalt and concrete recycling operation after county planning staff indicated concerns about the province’s role in monitoring potential groundwater contamination have been satisfied.
Moorefield Excavating has applied for a zoning amendment to permit the additional use of recycling asphalt, concrete, bricks, etc. in a small existing gravel pit on Concession 17 near Wellington Road 109. An area of just under a half-acre would be used to stockpile the material, which would be blended with sand and gravel.
At the June 9 meeting Wellington County manager of planning and environment Mark Van Patter said he was “fairly sure” concerns would be monitored by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). He asked for time to consult with the ministry and council deferred a decision.
At the July 14 meeting, Van Patter indicated in a written report the ministry would enforce the standards via the site plan amendment process and license.
Van Patter stated he was advised by Kristy Sutherland, an aggregate technical specialist with the ministry, the site plan would require recyclable asphalt materials not be stockpiled within 30 metres of any water body or man-made pond; or two metres of the surface of the established water table.
“I am satisfied with Ms. Sutherland’s response in terms of groundwater protection. Also, we are talking about a very small area, 0.44 acres, where a small amount (3,000 to 5,000 tonnes annually) of recycled materials are being stored,” Van Patter stated in his report.
Van Patter indicated he considers an application by Moorefield Excavating to the MNRF to increase the allowable extraction from 30,000 to 100,000 tonnes per year, “as separate and unrelated to the current rezoning.”
Council will consider the bylaw amendment on July 28.
