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Niagara Escarpment Plan Active Plan Amendments

Below is a list of active NEP amendments under review at the Niagara Escarpment Commission. Please tap or click the arrow to obtain more information about a particular active amendment. 

To amend Part 1.9.3.15 of the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP) as a special policy specific to the Mineral Resource Extraction Area on Part of the South Half of Lot 28, Concession 7, Municipality of Grey Highlands (formerly Township of Euphrasia) County of Grey, also known as 825725 Grey Road 40. The landowner-initiated amendment proposes to lower the quarry floor extraction depth to an elevation of 402.0 metres above mean sea level (except where an area of 401.8 masl is currently approved in the north-west corner).

Please click on the links below to download the supporting information.

Staff Report

Map 1

Map 2

Map 3

Technical Studies

Please submit comments to NEC@Ontario.ca by the end of a 60-day window (Monday, August 12, 2024).

To amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP) designation of Escarpment Rural Area to Mineral Resource Extraction Area to permit mineral aggregate resource extraction both above and below the water table within a 26-hectare area on a 40.5-hectare property located at Part Lot 12, Concession 2 East of Hurontario Street, Town of Caledon, Region of Peel. 

Update – October 2023: This file has been referred to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Click here to read the Staff Referral Report.

NOTICE OF APPEAL AND CASE MANAGAGEMENT CONFERENCE
The Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N-2

Proposed Amendment to the Niagara Escarpment Plan PP 213 18 and Development Permit Applications P/E/2017-2018/408 and P/E/2023-2024/291 - Caledon.

Pursuant to Sections 10(3) and 25(8) of the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, the Ontario Land Tribunal (“Tribunal”) will conduct a case management conference (“CMC”) with respect to a proposed amendment to the Niagara Escarpment Plan (OLT-23-001202) and two Development Permit Applications (OLT-23-001189 and OLT-23-001190). 

Amendment no. PP 213 18 proposes to amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan designation of Escarpment Rural Area to Mineral Resource Extraction Area to permit mineral aggregate resource extraction both above and below the water table within a 26-hectare area at 17736 Heart Lake Road, which is a 40.5-hectare property legally described as Part Lot 12, Concession 2 East of Hurontario Street, Town of Caledon, Region of Peel. The site will be referred to as the McCormick Pit. 

Click here to view map of site (external).

Development Permit Application P/E/2017-2018/408 is to permit aggregate extraction and processing within the proposed amendment area. Development Permit Application P/E/2023-2024/291 is to permit the transport of up to 750,000 tonnes (annually) of extracted aggregate from within the proposed amendment area to the existing an aggregate operation referred to as the Caledon Sand and Gravel Pit at 17679 Kennedy Road in the town of Caledon for processing, and to remove common boundary setbacks and allow for a coordinated rehabilitation approach that will create a larger lake feature and associated landforms. 

Those persons who have an interest in this matter must attend the CMC at the date and time listed below to request for Party or Participant status. The status request form should submit to the Tribunal Case Coordinator 10 days in advance of the CMC.  The forms can be found on the Tribunal’s website (https://olt.gov.on.ca/forms-submissions/).

The Tribunal will conduct the CMC by Video Conference for the matter.

The event will be held:

AT: 10:00 A.M.
ON: Tuesday, March 26, 2024
AT: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/687587165 
Audio-only telephone Line: Toll-Free 1-888-299-1889 or +1 (647) 497-9373
Access Code: 687-587-165

For further information, please contact:

Cissy Ip
Case Coordinator
Ontario Land Tribunal
cissy.ip@ontario.ca or 437-227-0870

Please click on the links below to download supporting documentation: 

Initial Staff Report

Staff Report

An amendment to the Niagara Escarpment Plan to add site-specific policies that would apply to Sideroad 26/27 in the Township of Clearview, County of Simcoe that would allow the Township to improve the existing road to make it suitable for year-round use and make other road improvements notwithstanding policies in the Niagara Escarpment Plan which require the consideration of alternatives to the development of infrastructure in wetlands, key natural heritage features and Escarpment Natural Areas. This application relates to Development Permit application ST/2013-2104/9152 that is under appeal. 

Update 09/05/2023: On March 22, 2023, the Township of Clearview formally withdrew their application for the amendment to the Niagara Escarpment Plan, their original Development Permit Application and their appeal related to the Commissions decision on the application. The Ontario Land Tribunal formally acknowledged the withdrawal and closed the related files. The Niagara Escarpment Commission has also formally closed both files. 

Please click on the links below to download supporting documentation: 

Initial Staff Report 

Staff Report – Oct 2020

Public Meeting: May 8, 2019 

The Niagara Escarpment Commission received an application from Columbia Northcliffe Campus Inc. to amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan to permit the use of the former convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph as a day use private school with up to 1000 students and 80 staff. The application also proposes to upgrade the existing septic system and build an addition to the convent for a gymnasium. A Development Permit application has also been submitted for the proposed development. A decision on the Plan amendment and Development Permit has not been made.

The subject property is located at 154 and 574 Northcliffe Avenue in the City of Hamilton. The property is in the Niagara Escarpment Plan Area and is now in the Area of Development Control (Pleasant View Survey).

Update – June 2023: There were formal objections to this amendment, so it is being referred to the Ontario Land Tribunal. However, the file is currently the subject of litigation; therefore, the hearing at the Ontario Land Tribunal is on hold until the matter has been resolved. 

Please select the links below to download the staff reports and corresponding appendices:

2023

Staff Report

Appendices 

2022

Information Report

Appendix 1 (Initial Staff Report – Columbia International College)

Appendix 2 (Summary Public Comment Table – 574 Northcliffe Avenue, City of Hamilton)

2021

Staff Report

To access the site plan, select the link below:

Site Plan

To access the latest information submitted by Columbia College for their applications, visit the following link: https://ibigroup-574northcliffeavedundas.ca, or contact Sandy Dobbyn, Senior Strategic Advisor at sandy.dobbyn@ontario.ca.

Columbia International College hosted a Neighbourhood Open House on April 27th, 2022. A video recording of the Neighbourhood Open House can be found here: Northcliffe Rezoning – YouTube.

Special Commission Meeting: On November 16, 2022, the NEC provided the public with an opportunity for further comments on the proposed land use change. View Special Meeting Minutes.

Public Interest Advisory Committee (PIAC): The Committee carried out a site visit on January 24, 2023, and met on February 6, 2023, to discuss the application and to provide a recommendation for the Commission’s consideration. Review PIAC meeting minutes. 

The Niagara Escarpment Commission has received an application on behalf of Nelson Aggregates Co, to amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan to expand the existing Nelson Aggregate Co. operations at the Burlington Quarry in both a southern direction and in a contiguous western direction. The proposed expansion lands are designated Escarpment Rural Area and are proposed to be redesignated to Mineral Resource Extraction Area through this application. The application also seeks to apply a special policy to the current extraction site that will permit the continued use of existing aggregate extraction infrastructure. 

The proposed expansion lands are estimated to contain ±30 million tonnes of mineral aggregate resource; Nelson Aggregate Co. is applying for a maximum tonnage limit of 2 million tonnes per year with the expectation to extract, on average, 1 million tonnes per year. 

Update – April 2023: This file has been referred to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Click here to read the Staff Referral Report.

Please click on the links below to download supporting documentation: 

Initial Staff Report

Technical Studies: 

Burlington Nelson Quarry Extension 

Halton Region Mineral Aggregates 

Mount Nemo Quarry Park Burlington 

Decision. On April 4, 2024, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry decided to approve the application to amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan to change the land use designation from Mineral Resource Extraction Area to Escarpment Natural Area and Escarpment Protection Area. The extraction activities have ceased, the site has been rehabilitated, and the licence has been surrendered. The subject lands are being re-designated to Escarpment Natural Area and Escarpment Protection Area, consistent with the Land Use Designation Criteria and Objectives in the NEP.

Initial Staff Report

Maps

Staff Summary Report

Decision. On April 4, 2024, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry decided to approve the application to amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan to change the land use designation from Mineral Resource Extraction Area to Escarpment Protection Area. The extraction activities have ceased, the site has been rehabilitated, and the licence has been surrendered. The subject lands are being re-designated to Escarpment Protection Area, consistent with the Land Use Designation Criteria and Objectives in the NEP.

Initial Staff Report

Maps

Staff Summary Report

Decision. On May 14, 2024, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry decided to approve the application to amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan to change the land use designation from Mineral Resource Extraction Area to Escarpment Rural Area. The extraction activities have ceased, the site has been rehabilitated, and the licence has been surrendered. The subject lands are being re-designated to Escarpment Rural Area, consistent with the Land Use Designation Criteria and Objectives in the NEP.

Initial Staff Report 

Maps 

Draft Schedule A

Staff Summary Position Report

Final Schedule A

To amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP) to redesignate approximately 30.6 ha (75.6 ac) of lands described as Part Lots 11, 12 & 13, Concession 1 (former geographic Township of Esquesing), Town of Halton Hills, Region of Halton, from Escarpment Rural Area to Mineral Resource Extraction Area, and;

To apply a special policy under NEP Part 1.9.3 (Permitted Uses) that applies to the subject properties described as Part Lots 8-10, 13 and 14, Concession 1 (former geographic Township of Esquesing), Town of Hilton Hills, Region of Halton and Part of Lots 8-14, Concession 7 (former geographic Township of Nassagaweya), Town of Milton, Region of Halton, that would permit the continued use of an office and maintenance buildings, facilities for washing, processing and stockpiling of aggregate, truck washing facility, recycling facilities and the entrance, for the purpose of supporting the extraction of aggregate on the lands proposed to be re-designated to Mineral Resource Extraction Area, and only while the two sites are actively operated by a single license, as an integrated operation.

Please click on the links below to download the supporting information.

Initial Staff Report

Maps

Schedule A

Technical Studies – https://www.dufferinaggregates.com/community-information/#tab-id-5

Comments were to be submitted to the Niagara Escarpment Commission by October 31, 2022.

To amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP) to allow greater flexibility for the consideration of the development of agricultural uses, on-farm diversified uses, and agricultural-related uses.

Update – November 2023: This file has been referred to the Ontario Land Tribunal. 

NOTICE OF CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
The Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act,
R.S.O. 1990, c.N.2

Proposed Amendment to the Niagara Escarpment Plan
PC 225 22 – Proposed plan-wide amendment of agricultural policies

Pursuant to Section 10(3) of the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, the Ontario Land Tribunal will conduct a Case Management Conference (CMC) with respect to a proposed amendment to the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP) (OLT-23-001157) to allow the opportunity for the development of on-farm diversified uses and agricultural-related uses outside of prime agricultural areas by amending the Escarpment Protection Area Permitted Uses to be consistent with the Escarpment Rural Area policy, and; to amend the NEP Part 2.7 policies respecting Development Affecting Natural Heritage to recognize that the development of certain agricultural uses may be compatible in Key Natural Heritage Features, under certain conditions. Additionally, to undertake a housekeeping-related amendment to Part 1 Escarpment Natural Area Permitted Uses to better align with R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 828 Development Within the Development Control Area.

A copy of the proposed Amendment together with the background information may be found at the links below. 

Those persons who wish to participate in the hearing, must attend the CMC at the date and time listed below to request Party or Participant status. The status request form should be submitted to the Case Coordinator/Planner 10 days in advance of the CMC.  The forms can be found on the Tribunal’s website at https://olt.gov.on.ca/forms-submissions/.

Time and Location of the CMC

Time: 10:00 AM

Date: February 26, 2024

Hearing Link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/909787981

You can also connect to the call by dialing 1-888-455-1389 (Toll Free) or +1 (647) 497-9391.  The access code is: 909-787-981

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Hanh Dang
Case Co-ordinator/Planner
Ontario Land Tribunal
hanh.dang@ontario.ca or (437) 994-0521

Please click on the links below to download review documentation:

Staff Referral Report

Posting on the Environmental Registry of Ontario

Initial Staff Report

To amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP) by redesignating 14.68 ha (36.3 ac) of lands described as Part Lots 29 and 30, Concession 5 West of Centre Road, Town of Caledon, Region of Peel from Escarpment Protection Area to Escarpment Rural Area.

Please click on the links below to download review documentation:

Initial Staff Report

Cheltenham Quarry Phasing Plan

Maps 1- 5

Visual Impact Report

Planning Justification Report

Cultural Heritage Screening and Evaluation Report 

Geological Assessment Technical Report

Natural Environment Assessment

To access the latest information submitted by Brampton Brick for their applications, please visit the following link: https://bramptonbrick.com/en/news-centre, or contact Sandy Dobbyn, Senior Strategic Advisor at sandy.dobbyn@ontario.ca.

Comments were to be submitted to the Niagara Escarpment Commission by August 21, 2023.

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