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Mono objects to Greenwood’s proposed Violet Hill pit

February 16, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Jasen Obermeyer

After long and protracted discussions, public meetings and debates, Mono council unanimously objected to Greenwood Construction Ltd.’s application for a proposed Violet Hill gravel pit.

The decision to object the proposal came at Tuesday night’s (Feb. 13) council meeting, and saw nearly 40 residents, mainly in the Violet Hill area, attend to discuss their concerns and hear the decision.

The proposed gravel pit would see up to one million tonnes of sand and gravel extracted per year for a lifespan of 30 years, on farmland located between 3rd and 4th lines south of Highway 89, and south of 30th Sideroad east of 3rd Line.

In July 2016, Greenwood filed applications to the Town for Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments, and ever since, the pit has been the focal point of the municipality’s politics.

There have been information and public meetings by both Greenwood and the Town of Mono, along with the Town deeming the application incomplete, Greenwood appealing the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), the application then being deemed complete, and numerous residents raising concerns and submissions of objections.

The gravel pit discussion, which needed a final decision by Feb. 18, took precedence over all other matters at council. All members of council gave their thoughts and opinions, in addition to their decision to object to the application.

Councillor Fred Nix was the first to speak. He described this application as a “complicated case,” and weighed in both the benefits and problems of deferring the decision.   

Ultimately, Councillor Nix voiced his intention to oppose the application, after seeing the reports done by the Town’s planning and economic advisory committee, planning consultants, and peer review. “The overwhelming sense that I got was in every one of them there’s still some gaps or omissions in what the Greenwood consultants have done.”

Councillor Ralph Manktelow said he needs to support the local and greater community, and noted several of his issues include health concerns from all the dust, the impact on tourism, local businesses, and the historical norm of Mono. “The culture of Mono is to respect the natural environment and preserve it for future generations.”

Councillor Sharon Martin said she hasn’t seen anything that has “galvanized” the community so much during her time as councillor, and is very proud of the people who brought this forward and standing firm. “I’ve never seen such pushback, and I’m really glad that’s what’s happening.”

She voiced her concerns over Greenwood not taking more responsibility on this matter, and not releasing information sooner.

Deputy Mayor Ken McGhee said after a lot of “soul searching,” he was announcing his objection to the gravel pit. “A gravel pit has a long, long footprint on a community.”

He said he values the heritage and natural beauty of the town. “We are proud of the things we can do, we can provide a lot of things that no other municipality can do.”

Mayor Laura Ryan spoke briefly, and explained to the audience how she came into politics because of gravel, her “dislike for the way it operates and destroys our environment,” and the impacts on residents.

She said when it comes down to it, she must think of the people affected by it, even if she’s not impacted. “I may not be able to hear the beepers or the crushers, but I certainly do use that area to travel back and forth to Shelburne.”

Mayor Ryan said this decision shouldn’t be an emotional or human response, but “I can’t be business-like in this, this is my community.”

After each councillor gave their verbal vote, and town CAO Mark Early tallied them, those in attendance applauded and gave a standing ovation.

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