GUELPH/ERAMOSA - The Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) has not made a decision regarding an application for the proposed Rockwood Hidden Quarry site nearly seven months after the conclusion of the hearing.
“We were guessing based on the amount of evidence and complexity of this case that it might take three to four months,” said Doug Tripp, president of Concerned Residents Coalition (CRC). “We’re surprised it’s gone on this long.”
In 2012 James Dick Construction Ltd. applied to open a gravel pit at Highway 7 and 6th Line a short distance from Rockwood. The CRC formed in 2013 as the local opposition to the so-called "Hidden Quarry" application. The issues they’ve raised with the site include possible groundwater contamination, flying debris from blasting and endangering local wildlife.
The CRC was one of the opponents represented at the eight-week tribunal that started in May 2019. Other opponents represented were the Region of Halton, Halton Hills and the County of Wellington.
After dozens of expert witness testimonies, the tribunal concluded in July with a decision expected within the year.
“It was a big file, an awful lot of evidence,” said Linda Sword, CRC member. “We were surprised when it took several months but more than six months?”
Their fight against the quarry proved costly. Despite fundraising and private donations, the CRC still owes for legal and consulting fees.
“Eighty five thousand (dollars) was our estimated shortfall, we still have a shortfall that we haven’t been able to cover,” Tripp said. “We are still trying to reach out and get additional support.”
The adjudicator didn’t give a timeline for how long it would take to render a decision.
“We do know the LPAT adjudicators do more than one job at a time,” Sword said. “There’s at least one other case if not two. We know he has to continue to take on hearings, so he’s juggling his decision with other things that he’s doing.”
The Township of Guelph/Eramosa's legal counsel recently contacted the tribunal to learn the status of the application but Mayor Chris White said he's heard nothing at this time. All the CRC members can do at this point is wait and fundraise.
“Every morning we get up and look at our inboxes,” Sword said referring to an email that will eventually come from a lawyer with a decision.
Tripp said he finds the uncertainty to be one of the hardest parts.
“A decision could come this afternoon or it might be June, there’s no way to tell,” Tripp said. “With all the time, money and emotion we’ve invested in this as a community, it is hard to wait.”
