To: SLCO Members
Re: November 26, 2018 Hearing re Proposed Lippa Pit and Quarry / Next Steps
As advised in my last communique, the 3rd OMB Pre-Hearing Conference (PHC) took place Monday in Port Carling. A big thank you to everyone that attended the PHC. Despite the adverse weather conditions we filled the hearing room, a clear demonstration of the community’s continuing opposition to the quarry.
At the PHC, Ross Earl made a ‘Motion to Dismiss’ the Lippa application, which was strongly supported by SLCO with filed affidavits and legal arguments. A decision on the Motion was reserved by the Adjudicator and is unlikely to be rendered before mid to late December.
I am pleased to also advise you that opponents of the quarry recorded a significant win at the PHC. Ross Earl has consistently maintained that the Official Plan prohibits rock crushing within 2 kms of a “Waterfront Designation”; that Lambert’s Lake and Mudd Lake are “Waterfront Designation”; that the proposed quarry and associated rock crushing operations are within 2 kms of these lakes; and that the Lippa application therefore violates the Official Plan. This position was supported at the PHC by the Township and by SLCO; and at the PHC, counsel for Lippa conceded to the Adjudicator that this position is correct. As a result, Lippa can in no circumstances proceed with their application unless they also apply for a second amendment to the Official Plan, to allow rock crushing within 2 kms of Lambert and Mudd Lakes. This amendment would be the subject of another time-consuming round of public consultations and would then have to be presented to Township Council. Our expectation is that this amendment would be rejected by Council, consistent with their rejection of the amendment proposed in the original application.
We will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available. In the interim, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Again, thank you for the strong support at Monday’s PHC.
Sincerely,
Scott May, President
Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization
e: scott@skeletonlake.ca
c: 416 559 2839
