Delegates ask council to rescind approval of Hillsburgh gravel pit remediation plan

ERIN – The council chamber here was packed on May 14 with residents opposed to the remediation plan for the Hillsburgh gravel pit.

Among them were delegates from the Erin Citizens Coalition, formerly the Concerned Citizens of Erin, which spearheaded opposition to the project. 

Erin council approved the remediation plan in January for the property at 9516 Sideroad 27. The site operated as a sand and gravel pit for Strada Aggregates from 1999 to 2021.

The remediation plan will allow pit owner Jay Fieger to bring in 5.36 million cubic metres of fill over 20 years. It will see approximately 150 trucks per day arriving and leaving the site. 

“We respectfully request that council reconsider and rescind the approval of the large-scale commercial fill operation ... along with the associated enabling bylaw amendment,” said Erin resident and ECC delegate Brittney Pakkala. 

“Our request is based on concerns related to procedural process, community safety impacts and potential long-term financial risk within the current 20-year agreement.”

Pakkala criticized the town's public consultation process, stating “property owners within 120 metres did not receive written notice of the proposal, which limited awareness among nearby residents and reduced opportunities prior to the public meeting.”

Erin manager of planning and development David Waters previously told the Advertiser the municipality complied with the town’s site alteration bylaw.

“Notice was published in the Wellington Advertiser, posted on the town’s website and mailed to property owners with 120 metres of the pit,” said Waters.

Pakkala and fellow ECC delegate Paul Campbell took issue with the lack signs on the property prior to the decision.

“The town routinely requires physical signage for relatively minor planning matters, such as additional dwelling units,” said Pakkala.

“Comparable on-site notice for a large, long-term commercial fill operation may have supported broader public awareness and participation.”

Campbell added, “We have raised the issue of the pit signage with our legal council who confirmed that the signage raises questions about whether the appropriate consultation process was undertaken.”

Delegates also brought up the Earth Healing Foundation sign on the property, which lists the Metis people of Canada as being involved in the restoration of the land. The organization is not currently involved with the property, but the sign remains, which resident say is “misleading.”

Pakkala and Campbell also raised concerns about truck traffic along Sideroad 27, 8th Line and Trafalgar Road.

“These routes are active school bus corridors where children are picked up and dropped off daily. The haul route also passes Barbour Field,” said Pakkala. 

Other ECC grievances included the fixed tipping fee for the project, road wear and maintenance, and discrepancies with the original remediation plan, which did not call for completely filling the pit. 

A petition signed by over 300 residents opposed to the project was also submitted to council.

Following the delegations, councillors were asked if they had any questions. After no one spoke up, one resident in the gallery exclaimed “Really? no questions?”

Mayor Michael Dehn responded, “I think we’ve done this a lot already.” The same resident responded, “yeah, but we weren’t told about it.”

Councillor Jamie Cheyne asked about the repercussions of pulling out of the agreement.

“If you rescind the contract, it's a breach of contract and there may be legal implications that the town will have to face from the owner,” said Waters.

Councillor Cathy Aylard said some ECC concerns echoed those she has previously brought forward.

"I still need clarification on the circumstances that if we did not approve it at council level, it would go to the province and be approved and we would lose revenue,” said Aylard. 

“Whenever I’m asked about this issue, I cant specifically provide someone a link to that information with background.”

Dehn said TAPMO (the Top Aggregate Producing Municipalities of Ontario) "would be willing to do a training session ... if that’s an interest to council."

“I think it’s an interest to council and to residents,” replied Aylard, to applause from the gallery.

Councillor Bridget Ryan also brought up the Earth Healing Foundation, stating the organization lists the Town of Erin as a partner on its website – but “we are not.”

Waters told council he has had no contact with the Earth Healing Foundation and later stated he “had no comment” on why it lists the town as a partner.

A motion to receive the delegation for information was carried by council.