MINUTES - PUBLIC MEETINGS
June 26, 2007

PRESENT: Reeve Robert Rydholm
Councillor Mary-Lynne Hunt
Councillor Shirley Hunt
Councillor Brenda Spithoff
Councillor Donna Young
Clerk-Treasurer Patricia Maxwell

ALSO PRESENT: Mark Kukkee, Mike Syryduk, Paul DeOude, Ingrid DeOude, Esko Rautianinen, Tuula Rautiainen, Glen Campbell, Tauno Tuomisto, Debi Tuomisto, Kevin Enders, Dennis Prystanski, Harold Spithoff, Township Ratepayers, Alan Jones, Solicitor for Wolfwood Ent.

1. Rautiainen Zoning Amendment

Reeve Rydholm called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and advised the members of the audience that Council would make no decision on this application at this meeting and were here to listen to any concerns that anyone might have.

The Clerk advised that the zoning amendment was to re-zone a portion of Lot 1, Concession 1 from the Extractive Industrial Zone to the Rural Zone. A portion of this lot was zoned Extractive in 1995, but was never used as a pit. The Clerk read some letters received from various interested parties.

There were no persons present that wished to speak to this application.

2. Wolfwood Zoning Amendment

The Clerk advised that this application was to re-zone approximately 2700 acres of the Wolfwood property and 160 acres of the Miele property from Rural to Extractive Industrial, and read letters from MTO, Ontario Power Generation and Lakehead Region Conservation Authority. There were also two letters of comment submitted by Paul and Marg Rothenberg and Mark Kukkee and Colleen Gascoigne Kukkee read by the Clerk.

Mr. Raino Vitala, a geologist, who does not own property in the Township, presented some pictures he apparently took of the area. Mr. Vitala spoke about the geology in the area. He felt that the 15m buffer zone around water was not sufficient and advised that it should be 60m at least. He also advised that he felt the development would affect the water table as he believes it did when the pit was opened in Stanley. He also noted that there is gold in the Township of Conmee.

Mr. Paul DeOude spoke about why he had come to Canada and purchased property in Conmee Township. He noted that his children are able to play outside with clean air and water and he did not want that to change. Mr. DeOude questioned Council on where the trucks would be running and how the road would be maintained.

Mr. Glen Campbell presented a map showing the water courses on the proposed development and read a letter requesting that Council rezone only a portion of the property at this time. He also requested that access to the property and hauling should be done through Hwy 590, Strom Road and an existing bush road near the western boundary of the Township. Mr. Campbell was advised by Council that Strom Road and Highway 590 are in O'Connor Township and we could not make those conditions. Mr. Campbell also spoke about the gravel pit not being excavated below water level and that the developer should post a bond with the Township for road damage.

Mr. Dennis Prystanski spoke to Council about his greenhouse operations. He noted that the clear cutting of trees on the property north and northwest of his property has increased the wind and therefore the use of water to sustain his plants. He advised Council that he felt that the trees should be allowed to regenerate to stop this wind erosion. He also noted that in the past few years he has had to drill a new well as the water table has been dropping, and he felt this development would impact negatively on the water level as well.

Ingrid DeOude spoke about coming to Canada from Holland because they did not want to raise their children in an area with pollution. Mrs. DeOude spoke about the ability to enjoy the noises, fresh water, and fresh air in the country where they live, as well as the animal life they see. She noted that there are no public parks in Conmee so they must rely on their own property for these things. She also noted that they had invested money in their property and did not want to see the property values go down.

Mr. Alan Jones, Agent for the applicant talked to the audience about the developers plans for the area and the number of different Acts and regulations they will be compelled to comply with, including the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority, which has jurisdiction over any impact to the local waterways. He also noted that only small pockets of gravel have been found to date on the property and the developer will not proceed with the re-zoning unless significant amounts of gravel are found. Mr. Jones advised that his client is willing to comply with any reasonable condition imposed by Council or any other relevant agency, including set-back requirements, and noise abatement. He noted that this area was chosen because it is remote and less intrusive than some other areas. He also noted that the gravel operators do not want to go into water and are regulated against it. Mr. Jones also spoke about the new Aggregate Resources Act, which will cost the company approximately $50,000.00 to comply with and provides even stricter regulations on water and rehabilitation than exist now. He noted the company will also have to comply with regulations from the Federal Fisheries Act, the Ontario Water Resources Act and the Conservation Authority for water crossings. Mr. Jones also noted that the Provincial Policy Statement speaks about the need for development of aggregate resources. Mr. Jones assured everyone that the pit operations will not be seen from the road as there is an initial height of land and then it slopes down away from the road. He advised that the company will be required to remit approximately .11 cents per tonne of material removed, with .6 cents per tonne to be returned by the Province to the Township. Mr. Jones admitted that no development is ever ideal, however, the company is willing to work to make it as least intrusive as possible.

Mr. Vitalo noted that his pictures showed that the company was not being sensitive to the environment around water. Mr. Jones replied that the Conservation Authority has given them permission to cross waterways to look for gravel only, and that further development will require water crossings to be established.

Mark Kukkee noted that the 11 cent per tonne fee was to be based on self-reported, and questioned Mr. Jones on how much the Township would stand to earn. Mr. Jones replied that it would all depend on how many contracts the company had in any given year. Mr. Kukkee asked if there were going to be any other advantages to having the operations in the Township, such as job creation. Mr. Jones advised that they could not guarantee any one person in Conmee would get a job, but also noted that jobs and jobs and all jobs help the district. He did note that his client's intention is to grow the company which would necessitate an increased workforce.

Councillor Mary-Lynne Hunt questioned Mr. Jones on why the company had chosen this area when the company is already located in Lappe. Mr. Jones replied that the company does not own the property in Lappe and only leases it. He also noted that his clients are young and the Lappe gravel potential would probably run out before his clients were ready. He also noted that a pit in this area would be much closer for the company to fill any contracts west of the City of Thunder Bay.

Mr. Kukkee stated he was glad to see the interested parties that came out to the meeting. He noted that since the area has been clear-cut the winds have increased dramatically and that snow drifts are now higher in his area. He also noted that the Conmee Emergency Services had previously responded to a home on the Brule Creek when it threatened to flood them out. He also noted that his neighbour, who was not in attendance, was apparently planning to establish an orchard on property beside this development and he did not think that fumes and dust from the increased truck traffic would be good for the trees. He also expressed concern about the water level in his well and noted he has a 178 foot well that supplies water now but must be conserved.

Mr. Henry Jantunen, who owns property south of the proposed development spoke in favour of the proposal. He noted that the development will bring in more tax dollars as well as revenue from the material extracted. He noted that the LRCA regulates the water and the company would have to abide by the regulations.

Ingrid DeOude asked why a smaller area could not be re-zoned instead of all 3000 acres. She noted that she would be willing to pay more in taxes rather than see this development proceed. Mr. Jones replied that the company could not pay a large amount of money for the lots if they were not assured that they could remove gravel wherever they find it.

Mr. Dennis Prystanski did not approve of the idea of a bunch of small pits all over the place. He stated that the removal of the trees that are left would create flash floods that would remove even more of the vegetation.

The Clerk advised that the Aggregate Resources Act calls for progressive rehabilitation of pits so that no huge areas are left as pits, as well as the establishment of a plan for final rehabilitation.

Reeve Rydholm thanked everyone for attending.

Resolution No. 2007-133

Moved by Councillor S. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT we do now adjourn this public meeting at 7:15 pm
CARRIED.


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Reeve



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Clerk