Wilmot gravel pit goes before Ontario Land Tribunal today

A potential new gravel pit in Wilmot — dubbed the "Hallman Pit" — goes before the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) Wednesday. This appeal was initiated last May after the township council denied Jackson Harvest Farms Inc. a rezoning application, halting the project, township documents show.

However, in late February the township, the Region of Waterloo and Jackson Harvest Farms Inc. submitted a settlement to the OLT, seeking to resolve the issue. That would allow the gravel pit to proceed, with conditions.    

Township documents also indicate that when the previous township council made its decision about the zoning application last year, it was contrary to recommendations coming from township staff and the region.

If Hallman Pit is approved for development, the over-57 hectare gravel pit will be located at 1894 - 1922 Witmer Rd. in Wilmot. 

Concerns about the project

Local activists, Citizens for Safe Ground Water, are concerned about the environmental impact of this project, and said that they will be participating at the tribunal with "party status." 

The organization has been fighting against this gravel pit for the last four years. Rory Farnan, the secretary for the Citizens for Safe Ground Water said the pit would affect air and water quality. The group also has concerns about noise levels. 

"[Local governments] need to start standing up," said Farnan. "And saying, 'No, enough is enough. We're not going to jeopardize our drinking water sources and the land that we bear food from and disrupt the community that has been there — well established —for a long time.'"

Farnan complained about how the township has now entered into a tentative settlement with Jackson Harvest Farms Inc., and thinks it'll inhibit the activits' chances at the tribunal.  

"It is a true David and Goliath story," said Farnan, speaking about the "battle" ahead for their organization. "The Township [supporting the group] in my mind added a lot of credibility, obviously, when your municipal governing body is going to stand with you and make your case stronger.

"They've [now] really put us at further disadvantage."

Discussions in closed sessions

Farnan also complained about the township council having met recently about the issue in closed session. Witmot Mayor Natasha Salonen said they had no choice. 

"When council decides to go into legal matters – which in this case [with] the past council declining the Hallman pit — did force the OLT response to happen, which means it's now a legal matter," Salonen told CBC News. 

"When that happens, everything starts going into closed [session] because it's client-solicitor privileged."

When asked whether council reversed course on their decision in closed session, she explained that she was unable to comment but said, "it's a little more fluid, though, than like a black or white." 

"It's not necessarily changing of decisions, it's weighing your legal options."

Salonen said a Tribunal decision on the matter is expected by March 6.