Woolwich council set to vote on controversial Maryhill gravel pit proposal next week
The controversy surrounding a proposed gravel pit near Maryhill will come to a head next week as Woolwich council is set to vote on the matter Tuesday.
It’s been a hot-button topic for more than a year with some residents putting up signs throughout the community that read "stop the gravel pit."
The Guelph-based construction company plans to use 230 acres of land on Forester Road for the gravel pit, which would be in operation for 12 to 15 years.
“The materials from the pit will primarily supply our asphalt and concrete plants in Puslinch, as well as construction projects in the Guelph-Wellington and Waterloo areas,” George Lourenco, the director of lands and resources for Capital Paving, said in an email to CTV News.
“It’s a loss of prime agricultural farmland,” said Bonnie Bryant with Hopewell Creek Ratepayers' Association, a group that has been lobbying for the project to be scrapped.
The group says there are several concerns with the proposal, including the site being close to a golf course along with other adverse effects.
“Very disruptive. There’s going to be dust, there’s going to be noise, there’s going to be traffic. There’s going to be a huge amount of traffic,” said Bryant.
But Capital Paving's director countered some of the concerns.
Laurenco said 94 percent of the land will gradually be rehabilitated back to agricultural use. Dust and noise will be kept within acceptable guidelines and the pit would operate at half capacity, meaning 30 trucks per day. It's an increase in traffic the area can handle, according to a study conducted by the company.
"Capital has undertaken comprehensive studies on dust, traffic, noise, hydrogeology, cultural heritage, agriculture, land use planning, archaeology, visual impacts and the natural environment," Lourenco said.
A staff report going to Woolwich council notes "no unacceptable impacts will occur" and is recommending council approve the project.
The Mayor of Woolwich said the township will work to find the right balance before making a decision.
“To listen to the applicant, to listen to the community, and to listen to our staff. And then we just have to try and make the best of overall decision for the community,” Mayor Sandy Shantz said.
“We would like to see council deny it. They should deny it. They should listen to their constituents,” said Bryant.
Some residents said if it is approved, the fight will continue.
“We can file with LPAT (The Local Planning Appeal Tribunal) and take it to the courts basically,” Bryant said.
Capital Paving said it is hopeful council will approve its application for rezoning and an Official Plan amendment.
If approved, a pit license could be issued by 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.