Topsoil pile continues to shrink in Drayton Heights subdivision

A mountain of topsoil in the backyards of several homes in a subdivision here is headed for molehill status.

Councillor Jim Curry suggested at the Aug. 27 Mapleton council meeting that a timeline be put on efforts to remove the soil, which has been piled up about 30 feet high in the backyards of several homes since 2007.

“About three-quarters of that topsoil is gone now,” responded public works director Larry Lynch.

At the Aug. 13 council meeting, Lynch had reported that some of the soil has been moved from the Drayton Heights subdivision, after developer Activa Holdings allowed it to be taken away for free. Some of it has been moved by the township to Riverside Park and Wellington County workers have taken away another 75 to 80 loads.

Curry also challenged the contention that the developer has been required to keep the topsoil on site until the subdivision is finished.

He asked Lynch if the agreement states that “all soil” or all “topsoil” is to remain on site. Curry contends that much of  the material is actually subsoil.

Councillor Mike Downey noted “it’s hard to define what is topsoil and what isn’t.

“If grass grows on it, it’s topsoil,” he suggested.

Curry disagreed, stating, “I’ve seen grass grow on a rock.”

Mayor Bruce Whale agreed it is more difficult to find takers for mixed soil than good topsoil.

“If it’s all mixed in, nobody wants it,” he said.

A total of 46 detached and 10 semi-detached lots remain in the subdivision draft plan. Future registrations are contingent on additional sewage capacity being allocated in Drayton by the Ministry of Environment.

In any event, Lynch said, “We’ve moved a ton of it.”

The public works director suggested that if the remaining pile was leveled out, the situation for subdivision residents would be greatly improved.

 

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