A proposed solution aims to address the City of Guelph’s concerns with how operations at the Dolime Quarry could affect the city’s drinking water. City Council is expected to make a decision on March 30, 2020 about whether or not to proceed with the proposed solution.
“It’s been a long journey to get to this point,” said Jennifer Rose, general manager of environmental services for the City of Guelph. “We have a real, viable solution to address our drinking water concerns while also addressing the quarry owner’s commercial interests, and now we know our community is generally supportive of that solution.”
The findings of the City of Guelph’s Our Community, Our Water engagement program are summarized in a report. It also includes technical options for an onsite water management system and the need for approvals from various agencies for the redevelopment of the site of Dolime Quarry.
Majority of community feedback neutral to positive
The City of Guelph’s public education and engagement program ran for nine weeks from October 1 to November 30, 2019. It heard from hundreds of residents through open houses, information sessions, and online submissions
A majority of the submitted comments (81 per cent) were neutral to positive, and there is community support for the proposed solution provided:
- Environmental considerations are a focus of development planning, especially with respect to present wildlife and plants.
- Development planning considers and mitigates increased traffic and is designed to be an accessible neighbourhood.
- The City and taxpayers don’t bear responsibility for risks and costs of land development and water safety.
More information about the findings of the engagement program are available in the engagement report, including an appendix with submitted comments.
