Council gives green light to Highway 34/Aberdeen Rd. transportation depot

Despite concerns expressed over a proposed transportation depot at Highway 34 and Aberdeen Road, council members in Champlain Township took the advice of their planning consultant and approved a zoning change for the project.

The depot would be used year-round by truck traffic for Mike's Waste Disposal, an idea opposed by nearby residents at a meeting last month. Neighbours cited concerns about noise pollution, air pollution, the potential for site and groundwater contamination, and property devaluation.

Planning consultant Dominique Lefebvre presented a report at the meeting last Wednesday, October 5, saying council could approve the zoning change but keep the residents' concerns in mind by imposing certain measures.

"If council agrees to request a noise study, then proper mitigation procedures can be implemented," she noted. "In addition, the site plan control will address the layout of any proposed industrial project by taking into consideration mitigation measures to attenuate adverse effects on a residential development."

Lefebvre stated the noise study would allow the township to confirm the appropriate setbacks from the residential and other uses of neighbouring properties. The site plan control would show, in detail, the building location, its access, outdoor storage, parking areas, landscaping, grading, walls and fences.

In addition, Lefebvre said the project would be subject to approval by the Ministry of the Environment and a geotechnical report. As the site is adjacent to Highway 34, the site plan will be sent to the Ministry of Transpiration to receive its comments.

The report highlights that the township's noise bylaw does not address noise levels on properties outside residential areas, meaning the site plan and noise study should be used to regulate those levels in this situation.

Vehicle access to the site will be from Highway 34.