Beaver Staff
The Concerned Citizens for our Community Environments continued their legal challenge against the Township of Stone Mills in regards to a proposed hog farm council approved in the spring.
In late September the CCCE commenced a legal challenge against the township for its handling of the approval of the farm, which would operate in Erinsville. CCCE is asking the court to overturn Stone Mills council’s decision to approve a Site Plan Control Application for the development, which was granted to Mark Slack of Slack Family Farms Inc.
A hearing on the matter was held on Nov. 20. According to the CCCE, at the hearing Justice McLean of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice advised Slack to retain legal counsel. He also advised that Slack’s counsel should obtain more information from counsel for the Township and CCCE before the next court hearing date, which is scheduled for Nov. 27.
CCCE has submitted in its application, amongst other things, that Stone Mills Township proceeded contrary to Ontario’s Municipal Act by holding an improper closed door meeting prior to voting on the proposal, failed to provide proper notice or allow public input, failed to consider hydrogeological and other relevant evidence as well as the risk to public health and safety, and failed to consider the Planning Act, Ontario’s Provincial Policy Statement, and the Township’s Official Plan as legally required. CCCE’s legal fundraising campaign to support the application is ongoing.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/STOPErinsvilleHogFactory or email: susan@moorepartners.ca