[All] OMB update re: Country side lines & gravel pits

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Hi everyone

The OMB hearing took place at Waterloo Regional Council Chambers. The list of issues from all parities has been submitted to the Board. The chair stated we can now begin to consolidate issues via a pre-hearing mediation process in an effort to save both time and money for all involved. They will also work on scheduling what issues are to be addressed when. 
A representative from RARE asked to be a participant to the mediation discussions because the conservation area is adjacent to areas subject to this hearing. They did not know what the issues were at this time so they were unclear as to how this process may or may not impact their area. The chair directed them to discuss the matter further with the Region's solicitor Mr. Duxbury for clarification but did not allow them permission to participate in the ongoing mediation processes at this time. 
There was a representative from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing who requested to be present during the mediation processes and during the hearings. They stated they understand the decision to be made is a municipal one but they would like to observe the mediation processes and participate to provide their guidance on issues of provincial planning policy. The OMB chair gave his approval for this. Personally I thought this was wonderful. This will allow ministry officials to grasp a better understanding of the challenges we face at the local level in trying to balance protective policy with growth demands.  It will allow them to understand points of contention and hopefully can serve to set the baseline for reasonable policy formation to protect our primary recharge areas for the long term. Either way, to have them participate shows that the government is willing to foot the bill to allow their experts to study what is happening here and
 that's a good thing. This hearing process is going to take a very long time to work through. I spoke with the MMAH rep and they intend to participate all the way through.
The date of the next OMB hearing, to update the chair on the results of the further pre-hearing mediations has been booked for November 4th and will take place again, at Waterloo Regional Council Chambers this time starting at 10:30am.
That's all for now.
Lulu :0)



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