Notice of Complete Application and Public Meeting: OPA-02 Erie Sand and Gravel

Take Notice that the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, September 7th at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, located at 360 Fairview Avenue West, Essex, to consider a proposed Official Plan Amendment under the provisions of Sections 17 & 22 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990.

The Purpose of the public meeting is to consider an Official Plan Amendment affecting a total of 54 ha of land immediately south of the Erie Sand & Gravel, Mainyard/Woolatt Pit located at 260 County Road 31, identified as “expanded Mineral Aggregate Resources Overlay” and as shown on the Key Map (below). The County has received an Official Plan Amendment Application which seeks to expand the Mineral Aggregate Resources Overlay lands on Schedule E1 of the County of Essex Official Plan. As a result of consideration of an expansion to the Mainyard/Woolatt Pit and a new proposed MOS Pit, it was identified that the Mineral Aggregate Resources Overlay in the County Official Plan did not coincide with the mineral aggregate resources mapping from the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry used for approvals under the Aggregate Resources Act. The owners propose to expand the Mainyard/Woolatt Pit to the adjacent acquired lands with the proposed new sand pit being referred to as the proposed MOS Pit. A license for the expanded area is currently being pursued from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry who oversee the licensing process in accordance with the Aggregate Resources Act. The proposed new MOS Pit will have a combined land area of approximately 7.3 ha. The Municipality of Leamington adopted OPA 13 through By-law 21-22 on April 26, 2022 which amended Schedule “B” to extend the Resource Overlay in the Leamington Official Plan (2008) which amends mapping only. This amendment will come into effect following the approval of the related Official Plan Amendment by the County of Essex.

Any Person seeking to attend the Public Meeting in person should follow all public health guidance to ensure the safety of themselves and others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Any Person who wishes to attend and address County Council by electronic means, must register with the Clerk’s Office no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 1st, 2022. To register for electronic participation, please email clerks@countyofessex.ca. Once you register, you will be given information on how to make your submission at the meeting. To participate electronically, you will need access to a computer or tablet with internet service or a telephone.

Any Person may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation in support of or in opposition to the proposed Official Plan Amendment. Those who wish to address Council respecting this matter are requested to notify the Clerk’s Office prior to the date of the meeting as noted above.

Any Person who wishes to watch the meeting proceedings only, please visit https://video.isilive.ca/countyofessex/live.html.

Written submissions regarding the proposed Official Plan Amendment can be made to Rebecca Belanger, MCIP, RPP, Manager, Planning Services, County of Essex, 360 Fairview Avenue West, Essex, Ontario, N8M 1Y6, telephone 519-776-6441, ext. 1325 or email (please include your mailing address) rbelanger@countyofessex.ca. If you wish to be notified of County Council’s decision regarding the proposed Official Plan Amendment, you must make a written request to Rebecca Belanger, MCIP, RPP, Manager, Planning Services, at the address shown above and such request must include the name and address to which such notice should be sent.

If a Person or Public Body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Municipal Clerk of the County of Essex before the Official Plan Amendment is adopted, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of County Council to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).

If a Person or Public Body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Municipal Clerk of the County of Essex before the Official Plan Amendment is adopted, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

Additional Information relating to this matter is available including a site plan and technical reports to be submitted under the provisions of the Aggregate Resources Act, can be made available for public review, by contacting Rebecca Belanger, MCIP, RPP, Manager, Planning Services, at rbelanger@countyofessex.ca or by calling 519-776-6441 extension 1325.