GUELPH – Using a minister’s zoning order (MZO), the province has approved a boundary adjustment to include the former Dolime Quarry lands in Guelph’s municipal boundary, a move officials say will protect the city’s drinking water supply for years to come.
Following several years of public consultation, the City of Guelph’s council passed a resolution requesting the MZO in July.
On Dec. 6, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark announced the province has approved the City of Guelph’s request for the boundary adjustment, which will enable homes to be built faster on the site of the Dolime Quarry lands in Guelph/Eramosa.
“Young families, seniors and all hardworking Ontarians are desperate for housing that meets their needs and budget. As Ontario enters a period of economic recovery, we are working hard to protect our progress and increase the supply of housing our province needs,” stated Clark in a Dec. 6 press release from the province.
“I’m proud to grant the City of Guelph’s request for a Minister’s Zoning Order to help build more homes faster, all while protecting the drinking water for the people of Guelph and Eramosa.”
Provincial officials say the move balances responsible growth with protecting the environment for future generations. The zoning order will also protect sensitive groundwater beneath the Dolime Quarry lands, where the city draws its drinking water.
The minister has also approved the City of Guelph and Township of Guelph/Eramosa’s proposal to transfer jurisdiction of the quarry lands to the city from the township.
The annexation of the Dolime lands is part of a quarry rehabilitation initiative, following several years of public consultation by the municipalities, the release states.
The annexation and MZO will come into effect on Jan. 1.
“Every step we’ve made toward protecting our community’s drinking water has felt like progress, but this one is the big one,” says Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie.
“I want to thank minister Steve Clark for upholding our community-supported solution to a complex problem. The approval of our requests makes the province’s commitment to drinking water protection loud and clear.”
City of Guelph’s next steps
Land use studies and planning for the residential development are expected to begin next year, the City of Guelph stated in a Dec. 6 release.
In the meantime, the city will be monitoring water quality and quantity at the Dolime Quarry and throughout southwest Guelph.
Results from the testing program will be used to inform the need for, and design and function of a water management system to protect Guelph’s drinking water for the long-term and help determine how much additional water supply is available to meet Guelph’s growing needs.
The city will also be looking into the environmental impacts of using groundwater resources currently used in quarry operations.
