Norfolk councilors said no to a plan to build a subdivision border on a cement plant and garbage transfer station in Waterford.
Advertisement 2
Article content
Developers Mark Dixon and Paul Aucoin first applied to the county in 2021 for a subdivision on almost eight hectares of land west of Blue Line Road and south of Thompson Road West. Norfolk Disposal Services, which collects curbside waste in Norfolk, and cement company Lefarge Canada are located next to the property.
After concerns were raised, Eldon Darbyson, a planner acting on behalf of the applicants, said the draft plan was significantly altered. The new plan called for 102 units, including 30 single-detached homes and 72 townhouse units, along with a relocated stormwater management pond along Thompson Road to act as a buffer, and a large buffer on Blueline Road. Noise barrier fencing was also proposed along some lots.
Advertisement 3
Article content
“The primary concern from Lefarge and Norfolk Disposal was design compatibility,” Darbyson told councilors at a meeting on Tuesday. “We’ve addressed those. We’ve completely re-designed the subdivision to address compatibility concerns.”
Norfolk’s planning staff agreed, and recommended council approve the zoning change to permit the development, but councilors weren’t convinced, voting unanimously to turn it down. Councilors said they received correspondence on Tuesday outlining Norfolk Disposal’s continued concerns.
“If there had been an existing subdivision there for the last 20 years and we now had an application in front of us to, directly across the road, build a cement plant and a garbage transfer station, I wonder how far that would go,” said Coun. Chris VanPaassen. “I doubt anyone would support that. I think we have a nice little pocket of industrial land there. I’m sure the buffers meet the minimum requirements in the regulations but that doesn’t make it right.”
Advertisement 4
Article content
Coun. Alan Duthie said his concern is, based on the proximity to industry, there would be difficulty selling the homes, which Darbyson said would be built as they are sold.
“I think the impact on local business that we very much need in this community is too significant to turn a blind eye to,” said Duthie. “I’m very much afraid that construction starts on the property, infrastructure starts to go in and it sits there as a lot that’s not moving on the market and it just becomes overgrown.”
Coun. Doug Brunton said he’s also focused on industry.
“We lost our concrete plant in Simcoe a few years ago and I’d hate to see Lefarge pull out because they’re not satisfied,” he said.
Mayor Amy Martin said there is a lot of development happening in Waterford without approving this project.
“This is a small thing we can do to support the existing businesses that are in the area and encourage them to look at expanding or staying.”
Article content