Gas pains
Posted Sep 20, 2010 03:25:21 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Kitchener council will likely approve a development tonight that will allow a gas bar to be built in a source-water protected area. The decision for the development at Huron and Strasburg roads comes despite the objections of dozens of area residents and even some members of council.
“Not only is it a wellhead protection area but it is also an area that has very high groundwater,” notes Councillor Kelly Galloway, whose motion to remove the gas bar and any other automotive uses from the proposed zoning for the property was defeated at committee last week. “If there’s any contamination (created at this site), it’s going to affect our environment.”
Galloway’s motion was supported by Councillor Christina Weylie but defeated in a 5-2 vote at last Monday’s meeting of the Development and Technical Services Committee.
One of the chief concerns, according to Galloway, is that the original zoning that permitted a gas station for the property was approved more than 20 years ago.
“Obviously, we weren’t as aware of the potential environmental impacts then as we are today,” Galloway points out.
Two petitions with a total of 90 names opposed to the development were also presented at last week’s meeting but did little to sway the vote.
Galloway shares the concerns of those residents.
“There’s the potential that the storage tanks for the gas are going to have to be above ground because of the high water level (in the area),” Galloway says. “Besides the obvious environmental concerns, that could be an extreme eye sore for residents.”
The developer claims new research conducted since a committee meeting in late August has led to the conclusion that the storage tank will be below ground and 133 feet above the aquifer. A spokesperson also says the market shows there is a need for the gas bar in the area and that it’s important to the overall development.
According to a survey done by 570 News, there are five other gas bars or service stations within a four kilometre radius of the proposed development.
Intervening in the developer’s plans would likely mean a hearing with the Ontario Municipal Board, a time-consuming and costly process. Council would have to retain outside planning experts to represent them at that hearing — should it occur — and Councillor Berry Vrbanovic took a pessimistic view of the city’s chances of success at last week’s committee meeting.
Vrbanovic says the likelihood of success at the OMB is minimal and he believes allowing the gas bar is the scenario that best suits the city’s longterm interests.
Galloway disagrees.
“The OMB is definitely time-consuming for staff, not to mention expensive,” she acknowledges. “But it’s one of those decisions I think we have to make this time around because it’s that important for us to really focus on the environment.”
Despite her setback at committee last week, Galloway plans to once again table her motion at tonight’s council meeting, opposing any gas bar or gas station use on the site.
To review the minutes of last week’s Development and Technical Services Committee meeting, just follow this link.
