Wednesday night at the Kerwood Fire Hall was the place to be for those opposing the potential location of a LaSalle Agri Bio-fertilizer storage facility at 25700 Kerwood Road. Residents were out in full force to a closed mic meeting, which permitted only those who had registered time at the podium to speak in order to keep things timely and on track.
But there weren’t too many smiles shared among those in attendance, as Adelaide Metcalfe council voted unanimously to keep, for the time being, the property zoned as industrial while more information is gathered, particularly around the Hold that’s on the location.
Middlesex County planner Erin Besch, says that she’ll revise the Township’s planning document based on the direction she received regarding all Special Policy Areas discussed Wednesday.
Fred Cahill was the first to speak during the evening.
Cahill and his wife Gail have rallied Township residents to speak their minds about the possible facility, which would be located in close proximity to their business, the Texas Longhorn Ranch. He told myFM following the meeting that he thinks they lost some momentum.
LaSalle Aggri declined an interview request from myFM, but owner David Buurma said during his delegation that he felt this process “Seems more like a witch hunt than anything.” Buurma says the intention of Wednesday’s meeting and the ones prior were for council to determine whether the Kerwood property should maintain its industrial designation or be changed to agricultural, but it’s become more about what LaSalle may or may not do with the location.
He pointed to the fact that the community has rallied against a proposed use for the property, on an application that hasn’t been seen by the public. Buurma says the key points of contention the public have against a possible site including water contamination, odour, and the impact of agricultural lands, have all been investigated by LaSalle and would be included in the report.
He claimed the company spent $50,000 in their research. Nevertheless, residents will still have an opportunity to speak their minds.
Besch says the draft official plan and zoning by-law amendments will be brought forward at a future public meeting, giving residents another chance to speak out. She anticipates that being in a couple of months.
written by Grant Deme