Aggregate Resources Master Plan

image if heavy equipment being used in a gravel pit

Image of heavy equipment in a gravel pit Image credit: G. Tackaberry & Sons Construction Company Ltd.

On February 24, 2022 Counties Council considered the proposed Aggregate Resources Master Plan and the related implementing Counties Official Plan Amendment. A decision on receipt and adoption of the respective documents was deferred.

If the matter is considered by Council in the future, those on the mailing list will be advised.

Please email the Counties (contact below) if you have any questions or to be added to our mailing list so that you may receive any updates on the Aggregate Resources Counties Official Plan Amendment and the ARMP.

Reports and a copy of the proposed Aggregate Plan and Official Plan Amendment can be found under the Documents tab found below.

Project Description

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville (UCLG) is undertaking an Aggregate Resources Master Plan. The UCLG recognizes the importance of mineral aggregate resources, including sand, gravel and bedrock and that they are a fixed location non-renewable resource that must be protected for long-term use. The UCLG Official Plan identifies that an Aggregate Resources Master Plan needs to be completed and the results of the plan implemented by an official plan amendment.

The Aggregate Master Plan will consider all available mapping, potential constraints, the official plan policy framework and schedules, and recommend potential criteria to be considered with development applications.

The study is being overseen by a technical steering committee composed of local municipal planning staff, provincial staff and UCLG staff and is being undertaken by Meridian Planning. There will be multiple consultation opportunities throughout the study with municipalities, aggregate stakeholders and residents. The draft Master Plan and draft Official Plan Amendment will be presented to Planning Advisory Committee and Counties Council.

The work on the Aggregate Resources Master Plan started in January 2021 with a goal of having the Master Plan and Official Plan Amendment to the Planning Advisory Committee and Counties Council before the end of 2021.

What are mineral aggregate resources?

Mineral aggregate resources are naturally occurring materials on/below the earth’s surface that are suitable for use in construction, industry, manufacturing and maintenance purposes. In UCLG, this mostly includes sand, gravel and bedrock resources. Other examples include clay, earth, shale, stone, limestone, dolostone, sandstone, marble and granite.

Why is planning for mineral aggregate resources important?

Mineral aggregate resources are a non-renewable resource with a limited supply. Therefore, it is important that the most viable deposits be preserved for the long-term as close to where they are needed to meet construction, industrial, manufacturing and maintenance needs.

It must also be recognized that the extraction of mineral aggregate resources can also impact surrounding land uses (e.g. noise and dust). As such, it is important that any mineral aggregate resources land use designations be located and separated appropriate distances from uses such as residential and institutional uses and from natural features such as Provincially Significant Wetlands to reduce impacts.

Phases of the study

PHASE 1: Background Research

Included gathering background information and reviewing existing documentation and policies. Phase 1 also included meeting with a technical steering committee composed of municipal and provincial representatives, an initial aggregate industry stakeholder meeting, direct mailing to license holders and municipality and agency consultation. Phase 1 included engagement with residents via public notice and an online public meeting on May 31, 2021.

PHASE 2: Development of the Draft Master Plan

Phase 2 included analysis of the information and input gathered in Phase 1 and the development of the draft Aggregate Resources Master Plan (ARMP) which included policy recommendations for implementation in the Official Plan.

Public and stakeholder consultation was undertaken on the draft ARMP through meetings of the technical steering committee (composed of municipal and provincial representatives) and an aggregate industry stakeholder group. Direct engagement with aggregate license holders and stakeholders, relevant ministries, municipalities and interested residents also took place as did general notice and posting of the plan on the website.

PHASE 3: Final Draft Master Plan and Official Plan Amendment

This stage involved consideration of the feedback obtained in Phase 2 respecting the draft Aggregate Resources Master Plan (ARMP). Updates/changes were made to the ARMP and the proposed Counties Official Plan Amendment (COPA) which would implement recommendations of the final ARMP drafted. Notice of the proposed COPA was prepared and circulated, exceeding requirements of the Planning Act.

The Statutory Public Meeting was held on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 respecting the COPA and a presentation to the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) of the final ARMP was held on the same date. A decision on the amendment and receipt of the ARMP was deferred so that the PAC could consider comments received from the public on December 14, 2021. The matter was considered again on Monday, February 14, 2022 by the PAC and on Thursday, February 24^th, 2022 by Counties Council.

Counties Council deferred a decision on the ARMP and the COPA.

Documents

All documents are in PDF format:

Current Counties Official Plan Text - See 3.5 Particularly (Note: aggregate is referenced elsewhere also)
Current Mineral Aggregate Resources Areas - 1mb (note: bedrock is not included currently)
Open House Presentation on the Aggregate Master Plan (May 31, 2021) - 2mb
Proposed Aggregate Mapping - 5 mb (note: bedrock mapping will be prepared soon)
Aggregate Resources Master Plan for the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville - draft, Oct. 4, 2021 (4mb)
Appendix A: Mineral Aggregate Resource Study Bedrock Constraints (4mb)
Appendix B: Mineral Aggregate Resource Study Sand and Gravel Constraints (4mb)
Notice of Public Meeting - Aggregate Resources
Draft Counties Official Plan Amendment - Aggregate Resources v.1
Schedule A to Draft Counties Official Plan Amendment - Aggregate Resources Mapping v.1
Proposed Amendment No. 3 to The Counties Official Plan - Aggregate Resources
Additional Comments Received on Proposed Amendment No. 3 to The Counties Official Plan - Aggregate Resources
Presentation - Proposed Official Plan Amendment No. 3 - Aggregate Resources
Schedule "A" - Official Plan Amendment No. 3 to the Official Plan for The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
Schedule "A" - Official Plan Amndment No. 3 for The Counties of Leeds and Grenville - Map
Aggregate Resources Master Plan for The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville

Questions, Comments and to Get on a Mailing List

Please email Elaine Mallory, Planner or call 613-342-3840, toll free: 1-800-770-2170, extension 2422. Please be advised that all comments received form part of the public record for this study.