Vol. 10 No. 39
YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER COVERING NORTH DURHAM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2013
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Solar farm plan to begin moving again in Scugog BLAKE WOLFE The Standard
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SCUGOG: A solar farm proposed for a Shirley Rd. property will start moving ahead again in the near future, after an environmental review tribunal recently concluded its hearing on the matter. The hearing, dealing with a pair of appeals from Scugog Township and local resident Jacqueline Visconti, wrapped up on Sept. 13, after both parties appealed the proposed 10MW Canadian Solar Inc. development - slated for a 142-acre property within the Oak Ridges Moraine - earlier this summer, on the grounds of potential negative impacts to the local environment and wildlife. A number of deputations, including those from neighbours of the proposed facility, were heard by the tribunal over the course of several days before both sides sat down to negotiate. According to Community Services Director Don Gordon, the developer and appellants reached an agreement on the facility, which will see a number of setbacks from nearby environmentally-sensitive features (including a wetland and savannah) increased to as much as 40 metres, as well as the movement of a communications tower and substation away from neighbours’ homes. Ms. Visconti noted that a wetland, designated as a seepage area, will be completely fenced off from the project, while other parts of the development will be opened up to allow for local wildlife to more easily move across the area. TURN TO PAGE 5
The Chalk Lake Strings braved the rain on Saturday, September 21, to perform on Brock Street for the Uxbridge Art Happening Street pARTy festival. Despite the inclement weather, many local artisans, performers, and citizens shared in showcasing the community’s artistic flair. BENJAMIN PRIEBE The Standard
O’Tooles talk commercial fill with Uxbridge council DARRYL KNGHT The Standard
UXBRIDGE: It was a family affair at council’s meeting on the evening of Monday, Sept. 23, as both MP Erin O’Toole, as well as his father, MPP John O’Toole, appeared before councillors. Commercial fill operations were discussed by both O’Tooles, as Uxbridge continues to experience issues with heavy truck traffic, leading councillors to question the legitimacy of an airport
expansion project current underway in Greenbank. “It’s troubling when you see people being able to manipulate their way around something that we know will never happen. It will never be an airport. In my humble opinion, that’s not an aerodrome, it’s a landfill project,” Mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor said of the Greenbank Airport project. “It’s very disturbing to us, because we have no authority over it.”
Regional Councillor Jack Ballinger, who has emerged as a watchdog for the township in regards to heavy trucks making their way through Uxbridge en route to Greenbank, expressed concerns over the level of oversight at the project. “It’s wonder mountain out there now. At what time does the federal government step in and say ‘let’s see your plan?’” Councillor Ballinger inquired. Erin O’Toole responded that he
shares concerns over the site, and has been in contact with Transport Canada regarding the project. “I share your healthy skepticism about the site. I have made inquires in Ottawa since being elected, and the owners have not yet contacted Transport Canada about an amendment to date,” said Erin O’Toole. “If they’re using federal regulations to try and get around something, then we should change those regulations.” TURN TO PAGE 4