Township of Clearview (c/o Steven Sage, CAO) - Approval of an amendment to the Niagara Escarpment Plan

Proposal update

This notice was updated on November 25, 2021 to advise the public that there has been no change to the status of this proposal, and it is still being considered. No additional opportunity for comment is being provided for at this time.

Description of instrument

A 2014 Joint Board decision granted approval to expand the nearby Duntroon quarry (Niagara Escarpment Plan Amendment #161). Under that decision, some of the parties to the hearing (Township of Clearview, Walker Aggregates Incorporated and the County of Simcoe) were directed to enter into a Road Improvement Agreement to close a portion of County Road 91 in order to expand the quarry, and to make improvements to Sideroad 26/27 to make it an all-season road to replace the County Road.

The purpose of the Township of Clearview’s proposed Niagara Escarpment Plan Amendment is to add site specific policies in the Niagara Escarpment Plan for Sideroad 26/27 which would allow proposed road improvements, notwithstanding policies in the Niagara Escarpment Plan which require the consideration of alternatives for the development of infrastructure in wetlands, (Part 2.6.2 e), in key natural heritage features, (Part 2.7.2 e) and in Escarpment Natural Areas, (Part 2.12.5).

The proposed road improvements include:

• Improving the vertical alignment;
• Replacing road-crossing culverts to improve fish passage;
• Improving and widening the road base;
• Channel re-alignment to increase the current separation between the road and a watercourse;
• Tree removal;
• Re-surfacing the road;
• Ditch improvements;
• Addressing environmental and road side safety measures such as drainage, erosion and sedimentation issues.

Once the Niagara Escarpment Commission has considered the proposed Plan Amendment, its recommendation will be sent to the Environmental Review Tribunal and the adjourned hearing on the related Development Permit Application can resume. 

Other information

The Township of Clearview has provided the following documents as justification for its Amendment application:

Planning Report Sideroad 26/27 Reconstruction;
Environmental Impact Study, Proposed Improvements to Sideroad 26/27.

Other public consultation opportunities

Notice regarding the proposed Plan Amendment will be placed in the following local newspapers:

• Collingwood Connection
• Creemore Echo
• Stayner Sun
• Flesherton Advance
• Owen Sound Times

Pursuant to the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, the Niagara Escarpment Commission may hold a public meeting to promote public discussion of the proposed amendment.