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Thursday, A ugust 13, 2015 - The IFP - H alton H ills - w w w .theifp.ca Page 3 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring L + HST/LIC • Auto/4 cyl • Certified & E-tested • A/C • Split Rear Seats • Heated Seats • Driver/Passenger Air Bags $9,900 2012 Kia Forte $9,900 + HST/LIC • Auto/4 cyl • Certified & E-Tested • A/C • Heated Seats • Steering Wheel Controls • Cruise Control e-mail: hassellsauto@bellnet.ca www.hassellautomotive.com Warranty 2011 Mazda3 GX • Auto/4 cyl • Certified & E-tested • A/C • Power Windows/ Steering • Power Mirrors • Bucket Seats $13,100 + HST/LIC CALL WarrantyWarranty 2007 Hyundai Tucson Warranty • Auto/6 cyl • Certified & E-tested • A/C • Leather/Heated Seats • Sunroof/Moonroof • Tinted Glass • Cruise Control $7,900 + HST/LIC 45 Mountainview Road North Georgetown, Ontario 905.877.7958 NEWS Stull family speaks against regional rezoning of its Eighth Line property The Stull family's aggregate transfer station in rural Halton Hills is facing another potential roadblock, this time from Halton Region. The municipality has launched a process to remove the mineral re- source extraction area designation from their Eighth Line property and instead label it as agricultural and nat- ural heritage lands. A public meeting on the topic was held recently in Oakville by Halton's planning and public works (PPW) committee, where former mayoral candidate Sally Stull was the only per- son who spoke. Two other residents were listed as delegates at the meeting, but didn't attend. At issue is the Stull's property at 12519 Eighth Line, a former sand and gravel pit that the couple is now using as an aggregate transfer station for ma- terials generated through their earth moving business. The Stulls also want to truck in thousands of cubic metres of fill to ultimately return part of the property to its original agriculture use; a proposal that has previously drawn plenty of contention from the com- munity. "We have the best interest of farm- ing at heart. We have the best interest of the community at heart," Stull said at the meeting. "We are long-term resi- dents and will continue to be so." The Region wants to redesignate the northerly two thirds of the Stull's 25-hectare lands through an Official Plan amendment, which would pro- hibit the aggregate transfer station. The fill importation is a separate issue the Town is addressing through a site alteration bylaw process. At the meeting Stull contended the OP amendment is "premature" and that their transfer station is an appro- priate use for the property. She went on to ask the Region to support uses for her property that include the aggre- gate transfer station and agricultural land. "There's an overwhelming need to recycle aggregate. It's supported by the Province," she said, adding that the material brought to their property "is always clean." The proposed amendment comes at the request of the Town of Halton Hills, which has already adopted its own OP amendment and zoning by- law that would prevent the use of the Eighth Line property for an aggregate transfer station. The Stulls have ap- pealed these to the Ontario Municipal Board, but a hearing date has yet to be set. Stull told the Region's PPW com- mittee that she feels the Town's amendments "are not appropriate and are premature, given there is signifi- cant Provincial Policy Statement that supports such uses as we have on the property." While the Region's proposed agri- cultural land designation would sup- port the Stull's goal of ultimately farm- ing the property, the sticking point lies within the large amount of fill needed to turn the depleted quarry into a farm. The Stulls have applied for a sec- ond time to the Town's site alteration committee (SAC) for an exemption/ variance to the site alteration bylaw to bring in the fill. The original applica- tion to import 900,000 cubic metres of fill was turned down by SAC and coun- cil two years ago. The current applica- tion calls for a reduced amount of fill to be trucked into the property-- 820,000 cubic metres, which would result in 8,000 fewer truck trips in and out of the property. "There's nothing preventing them from amending their application and submitting it," said Steve Grace, the Town's water resources program man- ager. The current application is mak- ing its way through the Town review process and will be presented to SAC upon completion. At that time the committee will hear from both Town staff and the Stulls and then make a recommendation to council. "I can't comment on a timeline as we're still waiting for additional infor- mation from the applicant to address our concerns," Grace said, noting they're related to technical issues and site drainage. As part of the Stulls' revised plans, they've changed their site grading scenario and lowered the proposed surface elevation of the fill. They've also filed rehabilitation and agrologist plans with their application. In 2012, fill was imported into the Stull property despite the protest of frustrated neighbours and in con- travention of the site alteration by- law, forcing the Town to issue a cease and desist order. However, the trucks continued un- til the Ontario Superior Court of Jus- tice ordered that there be no further importation of fill or any other mate- rial to the property pending the return of the application or further order of the court or the granting of a variance, amendment or exemption to the site alteration bylaw. Only then did the Stulls' company, 1244002 Ontario Inc., apply for a vari- ance to the site alteration committee in December 2012. The Stulls' application was turned down by both the committee and council in May 2013. Following this the Stulls launched an action against the municipality, which is still working its way through the court system. The next date has been set for Jan. 26, 2016. At the public meeting, Stull ac- knowledged the plans would cause a definite increase in truck traffic, but it would only be temporary. "The road is built to accept the light truck traffic that we'll be proceeding with in the long run," she said, noting her property is located on a designated haul route. While The IFP has previously re- ported that Eighth Line and 22 Sid- eroad residents are divided on the is- sue, with the majority opposed, Stull claimed they have met with many neighbours and received their sup- port.  The proposed Region OP amend- ment will be back on the planning and public works committee's agenda on Sept. 2, followed by regional council on Sept. 9. By Melanie Hennessey Special to The IFP 'We have the best interest of farm- ing at heart. We have the best inter- est of the community at heart.' -Sally Stull- Join us on our trip to the moon! $62,500 will be donated to Georgetown Hospital Founda- tion when the Halton Hills com- munity rides 384,000kms ontheir bikes. Sign up at www.haltonhilsbike- challenge.ca The Challenge is free. Put the wallet away and pledge with your legs!