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The Canadian Champion, Frday, April 30,1999 - 7 TOHUR READERS WRITE This site should stay protected as in plan Dear Editor: An application has been made by Jannock Limited to amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan, to delete approximately 31 hectares (76.6 acres) of land from the protection of the plan. And, a second application has been made to amend the Region of Halton Official Plan to permit the inclusion of this land as part of the Milton Urban Expansion Area. This site, located on the northeast corner of Steeles Avenue and Tremaine Road and bounded on the east by the CPR line, was used for shale extraction and once had a brick plant on site. In recent years, a proposai to build a new brick plant was tumed down. The land is within an environmental protection zone in the Niagara Escarpment Plan and is designated environmental pro- tection and escarpment rural area in the Region of Halton Officia Plan. The main argument of Jannock Limited's justification for appli- cation to the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) is its con- tention that this land is not part of the escarpment. The compa- ny's interpretation is that the foot of the escarpment runs along Tremaine Road. The Ontario Geological Survey - Ministry of Northern Development and Mines - has indicated that the base of the escarpment falls within the property in question. Jannock Limited also suggests that the vegetation "old field, successional woods and shrub units are substantially different in character from the vegetation found on the escarpment slope, west of Tremaine Road" and therefore, doesn't warrant inclusion in the Milton Outlier Earth Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI). This still does not mean that the property isn't part of the Outlier. In a letter to Halton regional council in December, 1994, the NEC stated that "urban development is considered to inherently conflict with the purpose of the act, of maintaining the Niagara Escarpment and land in its vicinity, substantially as a continuous natural environment, and ensure such development occurs as is compatible with the natural environment." The staff of the NEC has prepared a Review of Niagara Escarpment Plan Boundary: Milton Outlier East and Surrounding Area. The Review affirms the appropriateness of including the Jannock property and three properties south of Steeles Avenue at Tremaine. Road within the Niagara Escarpment Plan. The Jannock property and the three properties on the south side Starting a Small Business? Attend the Entrepreneur Workshops Hosted by the Halton Business Development Centre May 5 What's an entrepreneur & Small Business Panel? $25.00 May 12 Plan your way to profits $35.00 May 19 Market your way to sales $35.00 'V". haltonbusiriess.com of Steeles Avenue constitute a "special study area" in the region Halton Region Plan because of a lack of infrastructure in Milton of Halton Official Plan. This designation has allowed Halton (i.e. water supply) to support urban expansion in this area. region to weasel out if its responsibility to give the area the pro- By the July pre-hearing, the Region of Halton will, doubtless, tection from the urban development that the escarpment and land have plans in place for a water pipeline fror Lake Ontario to in its vicinity deserve. Milton and is unlikely to oppose Jannock Limiteda application. The individual landowners in this "special study area" have Instead of covering up the earlier damage to the escarpment and been encouraged by the Region planners to make application for changing its character to that ofjust another bland housing devel- individual Niagara Escarpment amendments. opient, the area should be preserved for its historic and cultural Because Jannock Limited has made applications to both the value. NEC and Halton Region, a joint board made up of an officer from Why should it be only th& beautiful or ennobling sites that are the Environmental Assessment Board and an officer of the protected? We have an example here ofnatural regeneration and a Ontario Municipal Board will hear the applications. chance to observe the natural process of healing. We might have A second pre-hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. July 27 in Milton something to lean here. Council Chambers. If the hearings were to proceed now, the Irene Mcllveen Region planners would have to oppose an amendient to the Acton Tne: 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Location: Halton Regional Centre 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville Registration fee: $125 for all 4 Sessions To register: Cal 905-825-6300 Acton 519-853-0501 Georgetown 905-878-8113 Aldershot 905-639-4540 Streetsville 905-823-6720 May 26 Tax tips $35.00