Puslinch residents gather to share and learn about proposed Danby HQ

By: Isabel Buckmaster, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, GuelphToday.com

 

PUSLINCH ― Residents were lining up to pick up lawn signs opposing the proposed new Danby HQ and the minister’s zoning order (MZO) allowing it at the end of a public meeting in Puslinch Wednesday night. 

 

Hosted by Help Protect Puslinch (HPP), a local group opposing the development, the event saw over 100 residents fill the Puslinch Community Centre to learn about the proposed development and MZO, and discuss potential impacts on local farmland, groundwater, infrastructure, traffic, and the community’s character. 

 

If granted, the proposed development and MZO would allow Danby to rezone agricultural properties at 4599 and 4631 Sideroad 20 North in Puslinch, where Danby had already requested a zoning bylaw amendment and an Official Plan amendment for an “innovative employment campus, additional employment lands, and a future strategic road connection.”

 

If the province issues the MZO, the municipality has no recourse to refuse, amend, or appeal the zoning permissions.

 

Justin Wilson argued the proposal doesn’t meet MZO guidelines because it will have no impact on housing supply or affordability, public infrastructure, and/or hospitals, schools, or long-term care facilities. 

 

“Puslinch isn’t just a dot on the map between Guelph, Cambridge, Hamilton and Milton, it’s a living community with a distinct character that’s taken generations to build,” said Wilson. 

 

Wilson specifically highlighted the Six Nations of the Grand River’s opposition to the project, which he said has called the proposal irresponsible, considering there are more suitable locations. 

 

“It’s their opinion that constructing such a considerable development detached from existing wastewater infrastructure while so close to existing systems is irresponsible and that more suitable locations exist,” said Wilson. “Like us, they’re not saying move the business to the US… they’re saying move it to a designated industrial area.” 

 

Environmental lawyer David Donelly spoke about his experience opposing MZO’s in the past, advising residents their best options moving forward are to keep putting pressure on their municipal council and provincial representatives.

 

Puslinch council has openly opposed the development, most recently sending a letter to the province asking that the MZO be refused and the local planning process not superseded.

 

County Coun. Matthew Bulmer and Puslinch councillors Russel Hurst and John Sepulis, who lives on Sideroad 20, were in the audience. 

 

“If you don’t make this a significant concern in the upcoming municipal election, then you may lose your grip on the mayor and council, no matter how credible they seem to be,” said Donnelly. “You’ve got to get constant reinforcement and pledges from them, but if they are on your side, that’s worth more than 10 good lawyers.” 

 

Calling the MZO a “draconian planning instrument” only supposed to be used in a state of urgency or public need, Donnelly went on to clarify that a building permit will still be required if the MZO is granted, but conditions granted as a part of the MZO could interfere with the normal process.

 

“The MZO should be an instrument of good, not an instrument of greed,” said Donnelly. 

 

Mike Balkwill, a member of the Small Change Fund, registered charity where individuals and grassroots groups get crowdfunding help, expert campaign advice, and coaching, encouraged residents to ask council to request an audience with the province’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Rob Flack, and MPP Joseph Racinsky, who was invited to the meeting but didn’t attend.

 

“This MZO application has to get as hot as (Doug Ford’s) private jet. You are the only people who can make it that hot,” said Balkwill. “Your mayor and your council are terrific. They give you good advice. They need to raise the temperature. Your job is to get them … and you do that by surrounding them with warmth.”

 

Another component of the meeting involved fundraising, with local farmer Ken Nicoll among several who publicly pledged money to the cause during the meeting.

 

With a goal of raising $25,000 to start and an end goal of $50,000, the group received over $12,000 pledges, in addition to the over $14,000 raised to date.

 

Donnelly said all funds will go towards the group’s efforts, hiring expert consultants and legal fees.

 

“I thought $1,000 per household was a nice starting number for everybody. You can consider it $250 a month for four months … the bonus, of course, is the tax deductible,” said Nicoll. “I think to fight this … we can’t think small, we’ve got to be realistic in dollars, and I think personally $1,000 is a good start.”

 

Sandra and Dave Pady, the original founders of the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada located adjacent to the development, highlighted the proposed development’s potential impact on their property and the donkeys they take care of. 

 

“The concern is not about preventing development, it’s about protecting environmental and community resources that have been carefully created and nurtured over the past 34 years,” said Dave. “We believe there are more appropriate locations for a project of this scale.” 

 

Dave also spoke about the sanctuary’s ongoing environmental work with various universities, using an ongoing partnership with the University of Toronto, investigating the use of moss to address phragmites on the property and across the township, as an example. 

 

“We don’t want to be forced to move, but the presence of such a major complex affects our donkeys, visitors, and our property,” said Dave. “Our property is unique and almost impossible to duplicate … our location is key.”

 

Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.