NOTL councillors have approved a draft plan for an industrial subdivision on Townline Road in Glendale — but not without some conversation about how the developers plan to ensure environmental protection.
The draft plan for 353 Townline Rd. was approved during Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting and includes plans for nine blocks totalling 11.34 hectares, or 28 acres — four blocks for industrial development, two blocks for environmental protection, a block for stormwater management, a block for an existing drainage channel and the extension of a public road.
The lands are designated for employment and industrial uses, with no zoning changes required to approve the proposal.
Before approval, Coun. Sandra O’Connor raised concerns about environmental impact.
“This file has significant environmental considerations,” O’Connor said.
O’Connor listed concerns around amphibian habitats, woodland impact, watercourse erosion, negative mitigation, stormwater management and more.
“This subdivision will result in direct impact to regional designated significant environmental features, resulting in their partial or entire displacement of their current conditions,” she said.
She said her understanding from the latest documentation from the region is that the region staff are unable to support approval of the application.
Kirsten McCauley, the town’s director of community and development services, explained planners have been working closely with the region and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority to develop a number of conditions to address environmental features.
McCauley also clarified the draft plan is subject to the conditions outlined.
Many conditions will end up in the subdivision agreement, where it will return to council and councillors can see how they were cleared, she said.
O’Connor attempted to amend one condition in the plan regarding the vernal pool habitat creation plan.
A vernal pool is a type of wetland: A seasonal pool of water that provides a habitat for specific types of plants and animals.
The goal of O’Connor’s change was to ensure the condition around the vernal pool meets the region’s specifications by adjusting how the condition is phrased in the plan, she said.
McCauley clarified that town staff had cleared all conditions with the region and received its sign-off.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa said that because the region agreed with all the conditions of the proposal, he is comfortable with the condition around the vernal pool as it stands.
Coun. Erwin Wiens agreed.
“I’m confident the region, the (conservation authority) and the town can come together to address those issues,” he said.
McCauley said she is confident the region will receive adequate information to clear the condition.
O’Connor’s amendment was defeated 5-4, and the main plan was approved, with O’Connor voting in favour.
The plan and its conditions will come back to council for review, which will include the conditions around environmental protection.
Kevin Freeman, the director of planning for Kaneff Group, also took questions during the meeting and confirmed that valley lands east of the site will be protected.
“The other wetland located on the site is rather small,” he said, adding that a replication of that wetland will be created elsewhere on the site.
