Note: Notice provided on November 9, 2021 Special Council Meeting.
Whereas CBM Aggregates has applied for an expansion of the Dance Pit located on the south side of Cedar Creek Road (Regional Road 97) in close proximity to the City of Cambridge and Township of North Dumfries boundary, under the Aggregate Resources Act to the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry; and
Whereas the existing pit which boarders Cambridge and North Dumfries is
controlled by CBM Aggregates and is approximately 74 hectares (182 acres) in area. The westerly portion, being approximately 45 hectares (111 acres) in area, is currently zoned and licensed for aggregate extraction. It is within the remaining 29 hectares (71 acres) along the easterly portion of the landholding that CBM seeks to secure the approvals to modify their license and expand the aggregate operation at the Dance Pit location; and
Whereas the expansion lands adjacent to the Cambridge and North Dumfries boundary are presently under active agricultural cultivation and to the east of the CBM landholding is the City of Cambridge and a long-established residential neighbourhood; and
Whereas the health and wellness of the Cambridge residents that back onto the proposed expansion for the Dance pit is in jeopardy. Currently, the noise, dust, dirt particles, vibration, hinder the residents from being able to enjoy their backyards Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. The stress and anxiety that these factors bring to them is widespread and mounting. The residents are woken up at 7:00 am on the dot, often earlier, by the noise from the pit area. Folks that work shift work cannot sleep during the day. This community believes this expansion and the constant noise, dust and dirt that each property suffers will decrease their property values; and
Whereas there are more than 15 operational gravel pits within 3 miles to the West-to-Northwest of residences in the St. Andrew’s neighbourhood. Emissions of fine dust from these pits and from the heavily travelled and dusty regional roads accumulate in the air as the predominant West-to-Northwest winds blow toward the City of Cambridge. A 2021 Health Canada report concluded that exposure to elevated concentrations of fine dust is associated with short term health impacts on asthmatics, young children and the elderly, and that long-term exposure can shorten life expectancy; and
Whereas there is a Deed to the Land dated September 23, 1993, and an amendment to that Deed dated December 15, 1999, stating that the lands that are contained in the Dance Pit proposed expansion area shall be used for agricultural use only; and
Whereas the Township of North Dumfries is not in receipt of a planning application to facilitate the proposed aggregate extraction land use activity and has requested staff to send correspondence requesting additional time to complete a review of the supporting technical studies to properly inform any planning, environmental and economic/social matters or concerns; and
Whereas the deadline for an objection or the filing of comments on the ARA Application with the MNRF is December 14, 2021; and
Therefore, be it resolved that the City Clerk be directed to send correspondence on behalf of the City of Cambridge Council to the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry objecting to the Aggregate Resource Act application for the expansion, and in support of the residents and requesting that CBM Aggregates honour the Deed to that parcel of land and keep it agricultural use only, and not grant CBM’s Application for License;
And that this correspondence also be sent to the Council of North Dumfries and Regional Council of Waterloo.