CBM is proposing a four-phase 153 acre expansion of its gravel pit north of Hillsburgh.
The issue arose at Erin council on Feb. 21 during a staff report from planner Sally Stull.
She said CBM Aggregates has applied to redesignate and rezone north and east sections of the existing aggregate operation near Hillsburgh. The company is asking the town to amend its official plan.
The hydrogeological assessment will be by Ray Blackport, while Wellington County is undertaking a peer review.
Upon completion of the reviews, Erin and Wellington County will provide notification of a public information meeting, anticipated to be in early June.
Stull said the report was submitted as information and she asked if council deems the application complete.
CBM’s application was to Wellington and Erin to amend both official plans, and for a zoning amendment to expand operations at 6033 Trafalgar Road.
She outlined the documents already submitted to the town, which include:
– drawings of the proposed expansion;
– planning report and summary statement;
– hydrogeological assessment for the extension;
– Hillsburgh Pit Extension Level II natural environment technical report;
– acoustic noise and vibration study;
– traffic impact and site access operational review;
– archeological assessment of Stages 1 and 2 Huxley Pit; and
– heritage assessment of the dwelling and barn intended for removal.
Stull provided a map of where the extensions are planned. Phases one, three and four straddle Trafalgar Road, while phase two is at the rear of the original pit. Phases three and four are shown as stretching from Trafalgar Road over to the 8th Line.
Stull said if council requires more information she would refer that request to CBM and the application would not be deemed complete.
Maieron said CBM wants to add phases one through four.
“That is the expansion,” Stull responded. The original pit lies central to the expansion areas proposed.
Maieron asked what is meant to “deem the application complete.”
Stull said under the Planning Act, council used to be able to request additional information.
“But over the years, it had been used as a stall tactic, so the Planning Act was changed to say, here is the submission, then ask if there is any additional information the municipality requires. Once it is deemed complete, no additional information can be requested.”
Stull added, “But that is not always true. The applicant is usually looking for a positive response from council, so they are willing to provide more information if something comes up.”
Maieron asked, “But we have to deem [the application] complete in order to proceed?”
Stull said if council does not do that, it would have to provide reasons.
Councillor Barb Tocher asked if the application showed any intention of extraction below the water table.
“Part of it is under the water table,” Stull said.
Tocher asked if that meant in the existing pit or the expansion area.
Stull said there is already permission for that and this would mean more digging below the water table. She said a public information meeting is planned for early June and by then the hydrogeological information will be available.
Tocher said the area is part of large water recharge area for Erin.
Councillor Deb Callaghan wanted to know if deeming the application complete means the town is in agreement with the proposal.
Tocher said it just allows a public meeting to be set.
Maieron asked if the proposal is within the catchment area of the two Hillsburgh wells.
Stull said that information would be available in the hydrogeological reports. However, she believes the pit boundary touches the very tip of a 25-year time frame relating to potential contamination, not the recharge area.
“It is based on how long it takes water to travel,” Stull said.
Council deemed the application to be complete.
