Sustainable Development for Grey Highlands

The Municipality of Grey Highlands submitted a brief  to the Minister of Infrastructure, Bob Chiarelli  dated July 22, 2011, regarding SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE FUTURE OF GREY HIGHLANDS THROUGH A WATER WASTEWATER SERVICING MASTER PLAN.

Highlights
General

• Grey Highlands is well positioned to establish its industrial/commercial base in Markdale, a cultural base in Flesherton, development in the Beaver Valley and maintain the strong agricultural base that has been the foundation of Grey Highlands.
• On March 28, Council approved Water and Wastewater Servicing Master Plan to determine future infrastructure needs to service the study area of Markdale, Flesherton, Kimberley, Eugenia and the Beaver Valley Area.
• A water quality survey conducted in 2001 in the Beaver Valley Ski Club area demonstrated that 36 out of 64 homes surveyed failed to meet Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards. Servicing would provide better quality and safer drinking water, fire flows and protection of the Beaver River and its tributaries. 
• The one public meeting held so far met with favourable response. Two more public meetings are planned. One session will be held on a weekend to ensure that seasonal residents have an opportunity to participate.

Development in the Beaver Valley

• There is development pressure in a designated development area not linked to urban style servicing.
• Of concern to the Municipality and the Ministry of the Environment is the cumulative impact of development in the absence of appropriate servicing.
• Development vital to the local economy must be approached cautiously in order to ensure that the environmental safety and the integrity of the Beaver Valley area is retained.
• While development can provide much needed revenue for a small rural municipality, it is important that concerns of current residents can be alleviated by ensuring that the way of life that they have come to know will not be negatively impacted as a result of development.
• By working with the various Ministries on a collaborative and proactive approach, we will be able to plan and develop the Beaver Valley area responsibly and maintain the integrity of the Beaver Valley for generations to come.

To see the complete brief, click here.

Beaver Valley Village - the latest

According to the Municipality of Grey Highlands CAO, Dan Best, Mr. Kiener is working with the Grey Highlands planning consultant to come up with an adjusted plan of a maximum of 16 units that would fall within the existing development area. "The idea is to ensure that we have a suitable development that maximizes the site for future development once services are available in the valley", said Mr. Best. He also emphasized to Mr. Kiener that the concern of the BVRA is sustainable development that is respectful of the environment, including "the protection of water in the valley in the absence of services coming out to the valley." Mr. Best went on to say, "it appears there is common ground from all parties on this point."

The BVRA's submission to Environmental Defence and our proposal to Dr. Beth Parker of the University of Guelph are on hold, pending Municipal decisions on the servicing plan for our area.

BVRA Progress re: The Beaver Valley Village

March - we wrote a letter to Environment Minister, John Wilkinson expressing BVRA concerns about risk of cumulative negative impact to water quality and quantity from increasing development pressures in our area.

March - the Municipality's Water and Wastewater Servicing Master Plan Study was unveiled.

May - we received a response from Minister Wilkinson acknowledging that our concerns are shared by the Ministry and suggesting we contact Ian Kerr, Water Resources Supervisor, at the MOE regional office in London. We were able to set up a tele-conference to discuss concerns.

June - A tele-conference with Ian Kerr, Bill Armstrong (Environmental Planner) and Angela Homewood (Supervisor of Air and Pesticide and Environmental Planning) provided some assurances, including a promise by Bill Armstrong to do his best to arrange a meeting with the Municipality, the County, the Province and us.

August - Ed and Cathy attended a meeting held in the Council Chambers of the Municipality of Grey Highlands. The meeting was chaired by Grey Highlands CAO, Dan Best (DB) and in attendance were Randy Scherzer (RS), County of Grey senior planner, Bill Armstrong (BA), MOE, Dwayne Evans  (DE) Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as well as Kristine Loft (KL), Grey Highlands planning consultant. Included here are the notes from that meeting.