Post by IAMCAPER on Jun 30, 2004 11:50:50 GMT -4
Coxheath - Residents were given an update on a supposed rock quarry to be developed in the Coxheath hills area by a local contractor, Tuesday night.
Andy Pittman, a member of a citizen’s group opposed to the proposed quarry and Coun. Claire Detheridge hosted the meeting, which attracted some 300 residents to the County Recreation Centre.
A group of concerned citizens believe development by Zutphen Contractors of Mabou, which reportedly wants to develop a rock quarry in the area, will lead to an operation that could disrupt water supplies, increase heavy traffic and lower property values.
Pittman told those on hand that the quarry would not only affect Coxheath residents, but those living in the entire Sydney River valley and ultimately, the entire Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
“Our life will be changed forever in the Sydney River valley,” he said. “What gives anybody the right to come and change your environment?
“The only way we’re going to do this is to be strong and together.”
Detheridge forwarded letters of support from a number of local political leaders to those in attendance, including Mayor John Morgan, Cape Breton South MLA Manning MacDonald, Cape Breton West MLA Russell MacKinnon, Cape Breton Nova MLA Gordie Gosse and Cape Breton North MLA and Energy Minister Cecil Clarke.
Detheridge also informed residents of letters from the provincial Department of Transportation and Public Works from Minister Kerry Morash and Sydney area manager Barbara Baillie.
In the letter from Baillie, it was stated that all applications submitted for development on the site would now be forwarded to the provincial Department of Environment and Labour and that Zutphen Contractors has been notified of the change.
Detheridge said although the applications will be moved to the Department of Environment and Labour, residents should still be concerned.
“All the Department of Transportation did was just pass the buck over to the Department of Environment of Labour,” she said. “That’s where it should have been from day one.
“We certainly are very wary about it – it’s not an appropriate area for this type of activity to take place. We’re in the middle of an urban, residential area.”
Morgan and MacDonald were also on hand and lent their support to the residents.
At council June 15, the municipality agreed with the pleas of residents to defer and reconsider what was supposed to be the final draft of its first CBRM planning strategy and land-use bylaw.
Andy Pittman, a member of a citizen’s group opposed to the proposed quarry and Coun. Claire Detheridge hosted the meeting, which attracted some 300 residents to the County Recreation Centre.
A group of concerned citizens believe development by Zutphen Contractors of Mabou, which reportedly wants to develop a rock quarry in the area, will lead to an operation that could disrupt water supplies, increase heavy traffic and lower property values.
Pittman told those on hand that the quarry would not only affect Coxheath residents, but those living in the entire Sydney River valley and ultimately, the entire Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
“Our life will be changed forever in the Sydney River valley,” he said. “What gives anybody the right to come and change your environment?
“The only way we’re going to do this is to be strong and together.”
Detheridge forwarded letters of support from a number of local political leaders to those in attendance, including Mayor John Morgan, Cape Breton South MLA Manning MacDonald, Cape Breton West MLA Russell MacKinnon, Cape Breton Nova MLA Gordie Gosse and Cape Breton North MLA and Energy Minister Cecil Clarke.
Detheridge also informed residents of letters from the provincial Department of Transportation and Public Works from Minister Kerry Morash and Sydney area manager Barbara Baillie.
In the letter from Baillie, it was stated that all applications submitted for development on the site would now be forwarded to the provincial Department of Environment and Labour and that Zutphen Contractors has been notified of the change.
Detheridge said although the applications will be moved to the Department of Environment and Labour, residents should still be concerned.
“All the Department of Transportation did was just pass the buck over to the Department of Environment of Labour,” she said. “That’s where it should have been from day one.
“We certainly are very wary about it – it’s not an appropriate area for this type of activity to take place. We’re in the middle of an urban, residential area.”
Morgan and MacDonald were also on hand and lent their support to the residents.
At council June 15, the municipality agreed with the pleas of residents to defer and reconsider what was supposed to be the final draft of its first CBRM planning strategy and land-use bylaw.