City officials want to speed up annexation of the Dolime quarry lands, seeking provincial approval to skip further public consultation and potential appeal processes through a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO).
“This has to do with protection of our water for both quality and quantity,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie of seeking an MZO, as proposed by city staff. “The sooner we can get those in order, the better.”
The city has long held concerns regarding the impact of quarry operations on the municipal water supply – testing done in the 1990s shows the quarry and city draw from the same source.
If annexation is approved, the city would take control of the quarry’s water supply and build an on-site water management system, potentially freeing up 11 million litres per day currently used in quarry operations, explains a post on the city’s website.
“Through (public and stakeholder) engagement in 2019 we heard strong community support for the solution that council approved in 2020,” said Jennifer Rose, the city's general manager of environmental services, in the post. “We’re excited to be able to move the solution forward and really appreciate both the township’s and county’s support in making this happen.”
Dolime quarry is about 230 acres in size, located between Wellington Street West and College Avenue on the west side of Hanlon Expressway. It’s currently part of Guelph/Eramosa Township. Annexation would bring it within Guelph city limits.
Township council is slated to consider the annexation and MZO proposal on June 21, confirmed the clerk there. As for Wellington County council, its only meeting during the next couple of months is set for June 24.
The proposal head’s to Guelph council’s committee of the whole for discussion on July 5, with formal council ratification of the committee’s decision expected on July 21.
An agenda, with staff report including additional information, for the committee meeting will be posted on the city website June 24.
"It's not a preferred process," Coun. Cathy Downer said of seeking an MZO. "I'm still uncomfortable with them and how they've been used in other municipalities ... In this case, what I see is positive."
An agreement reached last year between the city and quarry operators, would see the quarry shut down early and be converted into a mixed-used residential subdivision. Annexation would allow detailed planning to begin, following standard planning processes, notes the city post.
"That gives me some comfort," Downer said.
The deadline to register as a delegate or make a written submission for the July 5 committee meeting is July 2 at 10 a.m. To register, visit guelph.ca/delegation, call 519-837-5603 or email [email protected].
