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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP-152-79u CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT D. N. Smith, M.C.I.P., Director HAMPTON, ONTARIO LOB 1.10 TEL. (416) 263-2231 REPORT TO THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF August 23, 1979. REPORT NO.: P-152-79 SUBJECT: Official Plan Amendment Application Salco Sand and Gravel, Part Lot 32, Concession 10, former Township of Clarke - File: 79-8/D R A f.Yr-R nTTXTn On July 5, 1979 the Planning Committee considered staff report P-115-79 and instructed staff to arrange a public meeting to hear comments on the above noted application. A public meeting was con- vened as part of the scheduled Planning Committee meeting of August 9, 1979 with representatives present from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Durham Regional Works Newcastle Public Works and the Town's Planning Department. The major concern of those members of the public present at the meeting was with regard to truck traffic on Regional Road 20 and the Leskard Road; while a secondary concern was expressed relevant to potential environmental impacts of the proposal. COMMENTS: In light of the staff review of this proposal, as outlined by Staff report P-115-79, and the concerns and comments expressed at the Public Meeting of August 9, 1979, we feel that we are now in a position q q f,. - 2 - to make a recommendation. The primary concern of the area residents being with the effects of truck traffic, it is also of primary importance that this concern be resolved prior to approval of any rezoning to permit the new pit. Relative to the existing situation on Leskard Road, recent Council direction to investigate an alternative truck route or establish a new truck route may result in a resolution of this problem. Although it is not anticipated that this situation is likely to be affected by the opening of a new pit further to the north, it is a very real con- cern related to the operation of pits and quarries in general. The Town should, therefore, be fully satisfied with the resolution of existing problems and the effects of new operations upon these problems prior to finalizing a rezoning. In that regard, it is very unlikely that the creation of a separate truck route would be anything but a localized solution unless it were extended from RegicqaaJroad 20 south to Regional Road 4, thereby and diverting a large amount of existing/new truck traffic from that area as well. In view of the fact that Regional Roads 20 and 57 presently perform similar functions, such a solution may prove extremely costly with little apparent benefit aside from reducing traffic presently using established routes. It should be poihtedmt, however, that the established Regional Road system is comprised of arterial roads which are designed to facilitate traffic movement between major land use activities. In that regard, the proposed use is adequately served in terms of access and is definitely a major land use activity. It should be remembered that the intent of - 3 - the Durham Regional Official Plan is to limit access to such roads and that uses which do not conform to the access policies of that plan will not be permitted, effectively limiting extensive residential development along such roads. In the case of Regional Road 20, in those cases where existing residential uses do not comply with the access requirements or the present land use designations; it is our interpretation, that the intent of the plan, in those instances, is that existing non -conforming uses will cease to continue in the long run and will thus reduce problems of complaint due to heavy traffic. During the short run, however, it may be appropriate to request a limitation of the hours of operation of any new pits utilizing these roads, in an attempt to confine heavy traffic to certain hours, although this affords no control over existing pits or pits located in other municipalities. In respect of environmental concerns relative to this proposal, it is our understanding that the Ministry of the Environment will be requested to comment on the licensing application, as well as, any rezoning circulated by the Town. In that regard, we feel that the environmental aspects of this proposal will be properly addressed and considered prior to the granting of a licence. CONCLUSION: Based on the foregoing, we do not have any cause for objection to the proposed change in the land use designation of the subject lands. However, prior to local approval of the necessary implementing zoning by-law the Town should be fully satisfied with the details of the extraction operation, truck routes, buffering and rehabilitation. If these matters cannot be resolved to the Town's satisfaction, then we - 4 - would not recommend approval of the change in zoning. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning and Development Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. That this report be received; and that 2. The Region of Durham be advised that the Town of Newcastle has no objection to proposed amendment number 79-8/D affecting part of Lot 26, Concession 10, of the former Township of Clarke, but note(,that no approval of the required rezoning will be granted until the applicant has submitted additional information as required in 3) below; and that 3. The applicant, Salco Sand and Gravel, be advised that prior to considering an application for rezoning of the subject property, the Town will require the additional information relative to this proposal, specifically related to, but not limited to the following, all of which shall be subject to the Town's approval: i) Site Plans showing the following: (a) location, boundaries, topography, vegetation, contours, dimeng.ions, area and description of the lands to be used for extraction purposes, (b) adjacent land uses and location of buildings and structures within 500' of any boundary of the subject lands, (c) location, height, dimensions and use of all buildings or structures existing or proposed to be located on the site, (d) existing and anticipated final grades of excavation, contours and excavation set backs, (e) drainage provisions, (f) all entraces and exitsi, (g) as far as possible, ultimate pit development, progressive and ultimate road plan, any water diversion or storage, location of stockpiles for strippling and products, tree screening and berming progressive and ultimate rehabilitation and, where possible, intended use and ownership of site after extraction operations have ceased; ii) Proposed truck routes and eseimated number of trucks entering and leaving the pit on an average day; and iii) Proposed hours of operation; and that 4. The Ministry of Natural Resources be requested to advise the Town of the expected timing for legislative approval of the new Aggregates Act and to provide an outline of the proposed changes to the existing legislation contained therein; and that 5. The Town consider passing a by-law which would restrict heavy trucks from designated roads of local jurisdiction at such time as an alternate truck route to the presently used Leskard Road route has been established. TTE:lb August 15, 1979 W�ubmitted, �. D. N. Smith, M.C.T.P. Director of Planning