There are two presentations from the public scheduled for Tuesday's North Bay City Council meeting, both pertaining to the same proposed development and both with an environmental theme.
The presentations, from local citizens Robyn Jones and Katie Vint, will address the recommendations from the City of North Bay that would see a new road extended in the 700 block of Ski Club Road down to a proposed subdivision to be built south of the road. A previous project in the area, entitled Angela Court was approved in the 1990s. The proposed rezoning would join that development with a second swath of land to form a subdivision.
There is also an existing trail system that is enjoyed by residents nearby the proposed development. Jones is an environmental scientist who also runs a social media group dedicated to those who believe that the nearby Laurentian Marsh area should be protected from future development.
Vint also works in the environmental sector and has spent hours of her free time asking questions and raising what she sees as red flags regarding the City's plan for this development.
Over the past few months, there have been several presentations raising concerns about the environmental impact the Millford development might have on the nearby grounds and waterways.
The City acknowledges when it comes to Species At Risk (SAR), some of the specific concerns include the presence of Blanding’s turtles in the wetlands to the south of the subject lands and fish habitat within the small headwater tributary of Chippewa Creek located adjacent to the westerly portion of the subject lands.
The City's Planning & Building Department is recommending Council approves the proposed zoning by-law amendment by Antech Design & Engineering on behalf of New Era Homes Limited and Millford Development Limited – Ski Club Rd. to rezone portions of two properties from a “Residential First Density (R1)” zone and a “Residential Holding (RH)” zone to a “Residential Third Density (R3)” zone.
The file was returned to the committee level earlier this spring for further discussion and conditions of approval for the developer were introduced in a recent report to council from City planner Peter Carello.
Planning agreed with the assessment of the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) that an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) should be completed prior to development with the possibility of species at risk being present in the area. Also up for draft approval is the 13-lot subdivision poised to be built following the approval of the rezoning — subject to these conditions:
"That the owner acknowledges that the property is in an area where there are environmental considerations and Species at Risk may be present. The owner agrees to engage the services of a third-party professional to complete an Environmental Impact Study that shall include a Species at Risk Assessment and that any recommendations from the study shall be incorporated into the final Subdivision site design."
A sampling of the questions Vint raises about the jurisdiction and responsibilities of the environmental impact study as the City of North Bay has stated it falls on the province to undertake it.
She notes the previous Angela Court development was approved at a time the City did not require an EIS. Yet, 25 years or so later, the City now requires an EIS for the new Angela Court development.
"Since the old and new developments are creating one subdivision with a cumulative environmental impact, during construction and after completion, why is the City Planner not requiring an EIS for the entire development?" she asks.
By keeping the projects separate, Vint maintains that the City is establishing that mitigation measures must stop at the boundary of the original Angela Court.
"If the City cannot enforce legislation, nor conduct compliance inspections, then would it not be practical that as a condition of approval that the developer hires an environment person to complete this oversight and to ensure that they comply with the EIS?" Vint asks. "It is at no cost to the City, but would ensure there is a knowledgeable person on site."
Vint is also concerned about the gaps in ensuring compliance by the developer to the conditions.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has said the developer needs to comply with the ESA (Environmental Site Assessment), but how do we report non-compliance? How do we know if the mitigation measures are sufficient without an MECP review of the environmental impact study?
Vint and Jones are scheduled to present at the outset of the regular meeting of Council, available by live-stream, Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
