GRUDGING ADMIRATION : WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP/WATERLOO REGION VERSUS HAWK RIDGE HOMES INC.

THE Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) is the successor to the much despised Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). Despised by citizens at least, much less so by developers, profiteers, schemers, aggregate companies etc. The OLT have scheduled a five day hearing for July 18/22 at 10 am. At the moment it is to be a disgusting virtual meeting making in person attendance by citizens and media impossible. I believe that technically Woolwich Township are going alone as the the OLT Case Name is Hawk Ridge Homes Inc. v. Township of Woolwich. That said both Sulco Chemicals Ltd. and the Region of Waterloo are also parties to the hearing and will present evidence and cross-examine witnesses etc. Sadly and glaringly Lanxess Canada have chosen several years back to drop out of the fight although frankly they are by far the biggest threat to the men, women and children who will end up living next door to them, across Union St. As I've written here before this entire plan is an abomination of money taking precedence over humanity. Literally many years ago Hawk Ridge were given expert evidence as to the risks to life and health involved in turning this location into residential housing. Clearly the profits to be made are such that even a many years long battle in which citizens, industries and two levels of government are on side has not changed the minds of the Hawk Ridge Homes shareholders, to their everlasting shame. ............................................................................................................................... Many years back there was an OMB hearing which Hawk Ridge lost, not due to the obvious life and health threatening presence of Chemtura (now Lanxess) but believe it or not due to the night time noise from shunting rail cars at both Chemtura and Sulco. Weird beyond belief to those of us who have spent the last thirty plus years learning about the inherent and ongoing threats and dangers of fugitive emissions, fires and explosions primarly from Chemtura although to a lesser extent from Sulco. .............................................................................................................. Woolwich Township current issues as listed in the most recent document released (Case No(s) OLT-21-001285) include noise as well as whether the proposed zoning bylaw amendment conforms to various sections of the Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statement, provincial growth plan, Regional Official Plan, Township of Woolwich Official Plan etc. The Region of Waterloo also raise noise issues and land use compatibility with a nearby waste water treatment plant and industrial facilities. They also are concerned with development adjacent to natural hazards as per the Provincial Policy Statement. Finally Sulco Chemicals raise issues about noise and land use compatibility including minimum recommended separation distances involving both noise and safety of the proposed subdivision from surrounding businesses. ................................................................................................. My heart goes out to individuals and families who eventually buy or rent homes at 36-38 Union St. in Elmira. No price is worth you or your families life and health. DO NOT BUY or LIVE in this proposed subdivision until or unless Lanxess and Sulco are gone. That said Sulco have shown honest efforts for many years to protect their neighbours from their industrial threats. Uniroyal/Crompton/Chemtura/Lanxess have not.