PLANNING, DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT OPEN HOUSE Proposal to re-zone 34.9 hectares (86 acres) on the east side of Winston Churchill Boulevard, north of Old Pine Crest Road from Agricultural to Industrial Mineral Extraction. Applicant: Brampton Brick Limited June 26, 2013 1
BACKGROUND In 2008, Brampton Brick Ltd. submitted a re-zoning application to the City to permit the extraction of shale and related uses on its 34.9-hectare (86 acre) site located on the east side of Winston Churchill Boulevard, north of Old Pine Crest Road (within the Greenbelt Plan). The re-zoning application has been appealed by Brampton Brick to the Ontario Municipal Board. In 2010, an associated application for a quarry licence was submitted by Brampton Brick to the Provincial Ministry of Natural Resources, under the Aggregate Resources Act. The City retained consultants to review technical reports submitted by Brampton Brick in support of their re-zoning and licence applications. In response to comments arising from this peer review, Brampton Brick submitted addendum and response materials. The City then initiated a second round of peer reviews on these new materials. 2
PURPOSE OF TODAY S OPEN HOUSE The purpose of today s Open House is to present the second round of peer review results for public input. Before a recommendation report is prepared for City Council, Planning staff will consider public feedback, any new materials submitted by Brampton Brick and peer review findings. 3
Policy Framework The proposal is subject to: The Provincial Policy Statement (2005) The Greenbelt Plan (2005) Protected Countryside and Natural Heritage policies The Region of Peel Official Plan ROPA15 (2006) Schedule D provides protection for High Potential Mineral Aggregate Resources Areas in North West Brampton North-South Corridor Protection Area (GTA-West) The City of Brampton Official Plan (2006) Designated Greenbelt Area OP93-245 urban boundary includes North West Brampton and provides protection for shale resources west of Mississauga Rd to 2016 North West Brampton Policy Area (Shale protection) Adjacent to the North West Brampton Urban Development Area (Heritage Heights)
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Discipline Brampton Peer Reviewers Air Quality Natural Environment Transportation Visual Impact Cultural Heritage Hydrogeology / Hydrology Soil Noise RWDI Air Inc. EcoPlans Limited IBI Group Dillon Consulting Limited Unterman McPhail Associates Genivar Consultants Limited Partnership AgPlan Howe Gastmeier Chapnik Limited (HGC Engineering) Social Impact Assessment Hardy Stevenson and Associates *The materials reviewed by the peer reviewers represent the most current information submitted to the City by Brampton Brick at that time. 6
Peer Review Summary Comments: AIR QUALITY Brampton Brick s report is generally acceptable however, there are some outstanding minor concerns about proposed mitigation measures and monitoring The Applicant has confirmed that they will supply a Best Management Practices Plan (BMPP) for fugitive dust however, this document has not been received by the City 7
Peer Review Summary Comments: NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Inconsistent recognition of the overall zone of influence. Some linkage and operational aspects require more detailed explanation Some remaining gaps/questions in the impact assessment due to missing existing conditions and/or new water analyses: Valley seep communities not assessed; Seep indicator species in nearby wetlands have not fully been addressed Specific implications of loss of groundwater to one nearby wetland is uncertain uncertainties regarding operation and effectiveness of proposed surface water augmentation system in maintaining Main Tributary habitat and Fresh-Moist Black Walnut Lowland Deciduous Forest (and drainage feature B3) No additional discussion of Rehabilitation Plan from an ecological perspective. Discussion of aquatic components lacking 8
Peer Review Summary Comments: TRANSPORTATION No comparative evaluation of alternative haul routes and intersections was presented Only 4 of 14 intersections along the proposed haul route were included in the operational analysis Need to clarify what turning movements were considered Potential timing concerns for the reconstruction of Winston Churchill Blvd It is not clear whether quarry will be operating prior to any improvements to Winston Churchill Blvd 9
Peer Review Summary Comments: VISUAL IMPACT Visual impact of stockpile, acoustic berm and sound attenuation wall/mitigation measures has not been addressed Visual impacts to vicinity homes has not been addressed Loss of long scenic views due to berms and fencing not addressed Some key sightlines have not been evaluated Visual impacts of truck traffic and headlights have not been evaluated, with regard to the two homes across from the quarry s proposed driveway access to Winston Churchill Blvd 10
Peer Review Summary Comments: CULTURAL HERITAGE Brampton Brick s report is generally acceptable however, there are some outstanding minor concerns about the recognition of the cultural heritage landscape: Haul route assessment - expand study area beyond 300m along the route, particularly impacts on Cultural Heritage Landscapes resources 1, 2, 3 and 5 The Cultural Heritage Landscape on-site may be of considered higher cultural heritage significance than off-site through a broader based comparative analysis of the original settlements in both, Brampton and Halton Hills. 11
Peer Review Summary Comments: HYDROGEOLOGY/HYDROLOGY No contingencies to address immediate or short-term impacts to the groundwater or surface water resources that could negatively affect the Main Tributary and local wetlands Concern regarding the effectiveness of the Storage Pond for temperature and water quality control Based on the preceding two (2) comments, insufficient information has been provided to support the proposal There is a reliance on the supply of a municipal water supply to residents with water wells within 5 years. While this contingency is reasonable to maintain a sufficient water supply well to the public, the supply of municipal water must be coordinated through an Agreement or Official Plan Amendment by Brampton Brick, the Region of Peel and Region of Halton 12
Peer Review Summary Comments: SOIL No discussion on the ecological value and ecological function of site soils No discussion on the maintenance and or/ improvement of ecological value of surficial soils Soil quality before excavation has not been compared to soil quality after rehabilitation Effects of mining below the water table are not described as they relate to soils as part of the natural heritage system No data on the soil quality to be available for soil rehabilitation No discussion on the ecological value or ecological function of surficial soils in the context of current adjacent land use relative to the future adjacent urban land use. No detailed discussion of the application of surficial soils in other technical reports supplied by Brampton Brick 13
Peer Review Summary Comments: NOISE Noise impacts from on-site operations may be higher than predicted at second storey windows. There is potential for minor sound level excesses The potential impact of noise from off-site truck traffic may be underestimated during off-peak hours Sound levels at residences may exceed the limits by a minor amount on occasion. There is no means in place to ensure ongoing compliance The potential impact of the noise from off-site truck traffic has not been thoroughly investigated No consideration of noise impact on the natural heritage system 14
Peer Review Summary Comments: Social Impact Assessment Noise, dust, and visual intrusion, as well as disruption during periods of construction and rehabilitation on the east side of Winston Churchill and Old Pinecrest Road Disruption due to headlights, occasional noise and dust during operations in the vicinity of the proposed quarry Complaints based response requires residents to complain in order to enforce corrective actions Burden on local residents to manage their relations with Brampton Brick Limited, Provincial Agencies, Peel Region, Halton Region and the City of Brampton with respect to the community impacts, AMP for water loss, Dust Management Plan, Property Value Protection Plan Potential loss of well water and consequent activities requiring monitoring and correcting related social impacts. 15
Consolidated comments from the Peer Reviewers on: ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN The Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) is voluntary and has no enforceable status at this stage Relevant framework and components for an AMP have been identified by Brampton Brick No details on the operation of quarry water surpluses to the main tributary at the upstream property boundary. AMP proposes that a municipal water supply will be available within five years of shale. To date, there is no commitment from the Region of Peel to extend the water distribution system. Post rehabilitation conditions and associated potential residual effects are vague. Gaps in the impact assessment and mitigation measures lead to questions and uncertainties. 16
NEXT STEPS Planning staff will consider the feedback from the public and Agencies, any new materials submitted by Brampton Brick and the peer review reports and evaluate the application against relevant planning policy to prepare a recommendation report to City Council on Brampton Brick s re-zoning application. Recommendation report to present to Council is anticipated before the end of 2013. 17
For more information please contact the planner on this file: Natasha Rea, MCIP, RPP Land Use Policy Planner III Planning, Design and Development City of Brampton 2 Wellington Street W, Brampton ON L6Y 4R2 Phone: 905 874-3861 Fax: 905-874-2099 Natasha.rea@brampton.ca For additional information, please visit the project webpage at: http://www.brampton.ca/en/business/planning-development/projectsstudies/pages/norval-quarry-re-zoning.aspx 18