County residents speak out on new Official Plan

By Fred Groves

Essex County residents had the opportunity to comment on the county’s new Official Plan last Wednesday and the comments and observations will help shape how the county looks for the next 30 years.

“The purpose of this meeting is to hear from members of the public about what they would like to see included in our new official plan,” said Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald prior to the start of last Wednesday night’s special meeting.

This is the second time the county has offered the public the chance to speak on the Official Plan.

The first was a couple of months ago in which the meeting was halted due to unfavourable commotion which members of county council felt to be disruptive.

At that meeting, residents crammed into county chambers in Essex, overflowing into the lobby and were upset about what they perceived as the county’s attempt to create what is being called, “15-minute cities.”

Last Wednesday night’s meeting was held on-line and there was no mention of “15-minute cities.”

“We hope this virtual format will make it comfortable and convenient for those who have registered to make presentations,” said MacDonald.

The purpose of the new Official Plan is to create a long-term vision of how land and resources will be utilized over the next 30 years.

MacDonald pointed out that Essex County is expected to have a population growth of nearly 70,000 people over that period of time which will impact the economy, land use and services.

Essex County has hired Miller Silani as the Official Plan Planning Advisor as well as consultants NPG Solutions.

One of the common themes presented by county residents on Wednesday was land use.

Yang Yang of Amherstburg would like to see a 99-acre parcel of land in the Big Creek area rezoned from the current Environmental Protection to residential. He noted that there is residential development just across the street from this area which is at the Meloche/Simcoe corridor.

“By any measure, this is a highly desirable development property,” wrote Yang in his presentation to the County of Essex.

Tecumseh’s Judy Robson had concerns about the land use policy specifically in the settlement area of Oldcastle where she believes enough land has been used for industrial and it’s time for more residential development.

John DeMarco of Kingsville wants to see nature brought back to a reasonable percentage of the local landscape and suggested the Hillman Marsh and Point Pelee in the Leamington area be connected.

“A greenbelt like the GTA might not fit in Essex County. I suggest a green net so all species including humans can be in a natural habitat,” said DeMarco.

Patricia McGorman, president and co-founder of Canada South Land Trust also had concerns about lost natural habitats and farmland.

“We are in a tight pinch to what we do have,” said McGorman. “We have a lot to protect.

Presentations were also made by the Windsor-Essex County Association of Realtors and the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers.

There is still more opportunity for the public to comment on the official plan and can do so by visiting the county’s website found at www. countyofessex.ca.