A hearing is happening at the Ontario Land Tribunal to discuss a request to change the zoning rules for a proposed asphalt and cement plant in Napanee, Ontario.
R.W. Tomlinson wants to build a permanent asphalt plant and a concrete plant in Greater Napanee. They appealed after the Town of Greater Napanee rejected their request to change the zoning rules. The proposed plant would be located about 2 kilometers from the downtown core The company already owns a nearby quarry.
A citizen group called Keep Napanee Great (KNG) is against the proposed plant. They started in 2021 when they learned about the plant’s plans. They believe the plant could harm the environment and the people of Napanee.
During a public meeting in February 2022, local residents shared their concerns about how the plant might affect air quality, water, noise, and traffic. The town’s witnesses at the hearing will talk about the evidence from that meeting.
The hearing will show that having a permanent plant at the proposed site is not a good idea and that the town was right to deny the zoning change.
R.W. Tomlinson’s lawyer said on the first day of the hearing that he didn’t understand why the hearing was necessary. He argued that the town had no good reason to deny the zoning change and that the plant would not change much about the company’s current operations.
KNG supports the town’s decision to say no to the company’s request to change the zoning. They will bring in experts to talk about how the plant could impact the environment, air quality, and noise. They will also have people who live near the plant site speak at the hearing.
The hearing is happening online and is expected to continue until the end of next week.
Written by Emily Chatwood
