Notice- Update on Gibraltar Pit Appeal

The Town of The Blue Mountains has reached an agreement with the applicant for the Gibraltar Pit Expansion which provides a buffer to the Pretty River Park and addresses the other concerns raised by the community. This follows the withdrawal of the Friends of The Pretty River Valley from the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal process in late fall 2019.

Deputy Mayor Rob Potter released the following statement

”This agreement guarantees that we accomplish all of our key objectives without any risk we might lose some, or all of them, through the adversarial Local Planning Appeal Tribunal process. The Pretty River Park is a jewel in our community and through this agreement, we have protected it and the recreational activities in its vicinity."

The settlement agreement between The Town of The Blue Mountains and the Gibraltar Pit representatives addresses the various concerns the Town shared with its citizens regarding provision of a buffer between the Park and the proposed pit expansion, preservation of butternut trees and woodland in the area, the protection of the water table and the impact of weekend operations on cycling and recreational opportunities. The agreement has been accepted by the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal.

The following chart details the key objectives achieved within the settlement:

Concern

How the Concern was Addressed

Proposed Pit Expansion Size

  • The Proposed Pit Expansion is reduced from 10.74 ha to 8.01 ha.
  • Despite any expansion in pit area, there will be no increase to the amount of material that can be removed each year.
  • The Potential for a single dwelling is permitted on the eastern portion of the property after the pit operations cease to ensure that the “rural” character of the site is preserved long-term

Protection of Trees and Existing Woodland

  • Retention of 2.6 ha of existing woodland that includes species at risk (butternut trees)
  • Creation of a new wooded area of 4.9 ha through new tree planting, including approx. 1.3ha  to be planted prior to operations and approx.. 3.6 ha to be planted as extraction progressively ends and the land is prepared/naturalized for its future non-extractive uses.

Protection of Pretty River Park

  • The retained and newly planted wooded areas will ensure there is an improved natural buffer area between the aggregate operations and the Pretty River Valley Provincial Park

Truck Traffic & Cycling Uses

  • No site operations or trucking on Saturdays, Sundays, or statutory holidays, avoiding impacts on weekend cycling traffic

Water Table & Pumping

  • No groundwater pumping or dewatering will occur. This will help ensure no drawdown of groundwater levels in the area

For more information, please contact: 

Nathan Westendorp
Director of Planning and Development Services
(519) 599-3131 ext. 246