The Municipality of Clarington has disputed claims by an engineer that the new Clarington Operations Depot, Emergency and Fire Services Training Facility (CODEFS) is being built on no-go greenbelt land in Bowmanville.
“As noted in your email, Section 4.2 of the Provincial Greenbelt Plan permits existing, expanded or new infrastructure within the Protected Countryside designation. There is no language in the policy or the definitions that restricts this activity to ‘linear infrastructure’, said a statement from Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Darryl Lyons, who is also the municipal Director of Planning and Infrastructure.
“As you will be aware, the Greenbelt Plan also contains implementation policies, and these policies are being addressed through the CODEFS Project,” Lyons said.
He emphasized the CODEFS project is being undertaken in accordance with all applicable provincial legislation, policies, and plans, and it will provide a foundation for the development of new housing to meet the needs of population growth in our community.
Greenbelt Land
Earlier this month, Clarington resident and engineer by profession, Jim McEwen, had raised the issue that the facility at the north-east corner of Liberty Street North and Concession Road 4 in Bowmanville, was being built on greenbelt land.
“Clarington’s new fire fighting facility in the greenbelt is receiving a $3.2 million grant from Ontario’s Skills and Training Fund. It seems odd that Ontario would help fund new development in their protected greenbelt governed by provincial legislation! The optics of Clarington building in our greenbelt is not good given how developers can’t build in this protected area,” said McEwen.
He has written to Durham MPP Todd McCarthy, to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Clarington mayor and other concerned officials.
Permitted Public Uses
Clarington Deputy CAO clarified that public uses are permitted in all zones in accordance with Clarington Zoning By-law 84-63 and as such there is no rezoning requirements for the CODEFS Project.
“Furthermore, the CODEFS Project will meet all requirements of the Planning Act pertaining to site plan approval, and various studies have been undertaken to ensure protection of the natural environment. The recommendations from the Environmental Impact Study / Natural Heritage Evaluation Study and other applicable studies will be implemented appropriately though the site plan approval process,” he claimed.