Township withdraws 26/27 SR applications

The Township of Clearview has withdrawn its applications and appeal regarding the re-construction of Nottawasaga 26/27 Sideroad, which would have facilitated a plan to close a portion of County Road 91 at the quarry in Duntroon.

The township’s lawyer informed the Ontario Land Tribunals Niagara Escarpment Hearing Office on March 22 that the development permit application and an application for a Niagara Escarpment Plan amendment, along with an appeal of the Niagara Escarpment Commission’s refusal to approve the development permit, were being withdrawn.

In a statement released by town hall on Wednesday, Mayor Doug Measures said, “What was once a practical, reasonable and cost-effective proposal to manage local traffic in the vicinity of the Duntroon Quarry – a plan that was agreed upon by the County of Simcoe, the County of Grey, Grey Highlands, the Township of Clearview and Walker Aggregates and one that was fully vetted and endorsed by the Province of Ontario’s Joint Board – has been met with opposition from individuals, groups, some of our municipal neighbours, and various departments and agencies of the Province of Ontario.

“Over the past dozen years, the Township has been faced with the rescinding of approvals granted by provincial departments and agencies, and the introduction of increasingly onerous changes to the law and policies that govern municipal road authority and projects; events beyond the Township’s control that make the improvements no longer practical, reasonable, or cost- effective.

Throughout this application, the municipality has proceeded in good faith. The expenses to date have not fallen on our taxpayers as has been falsely inferred. However, due to the recent changes in requirements, moving this matter forward would needlessly cost our taxpayers. “Council and I will work with local stakeholders, including Walker Aggregates, to find a solution that we are confident will protect the environment, the local road network, and the needs of our residents.”

In December, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks advised Clearview Township that the project had been wrongly classified and determined that the Project should be appropriately classified as Schedule C, including a requirement to carry out an environmental assessment process, public consultation, and the preparation of an Environmental Study Report.