Haldimand County has partnered with students from the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Development for a research project on infill development. Applications for infill development projects regularly generate a substantial amount of public interest, and a recurring theme is a desire for the development to match the character of the existing neighbourhood, specifically the ‘small town character.’
To address this, the students have been asked to develop design guidelines for infill development based on best practices and feedback from the Haldimand community. Residents are invited to fill out a survey to share their thoughts. The survey will be open until March 21, 2023.
Part of a Master’s degree course entitled Advanced Planning Practice, the partnership allows students to gain experience learning about specific municipal planning issues in a real-world context. In return, the municipality receives extensive research on a topic of interest that can benefit its community. The students are proposing to attend a Council-in-Committee meeting in April to present their findings. Should the guidelines prove to be attainable in the context of Haldimand County, they could be considered for implementation as part of future updates to the County’s Official Plan and/or Zoning By-law.
The NPCA’s Public Advisory Committee (PAC) was established in 2014 and consists of citizen representatives from various watershed sectors, who provide collaborative, local sector-based perspectives on specific projects/programs and other conservation authority matters, as determined by the NPCA Board of Directors or its staff. For nearly a decade, the voluntary group of PAC members have been instrumental in providing valuable input to the NPCA.
The updated Terms of Reference (External link) for the PAC was approved by the NPCA Board of Directors at their Annual General Meeting on February 17, 2023.
The NPCA is recruiting members to fill all the representative seats for 2023-2026 term, with meetings typically happening 4 times per year. If you are interested in gaining experience, providing advice on local environmental/watershed matters of community interest, and being part of a multi-stakeholder committee, please consider joining us!
Applications are now being accepted to fill the following representative seats:
Academic/Science/Research (1)
Agriculture (2)
Business/Industry (1)
Conservation Areas user and/or volunteer (1)
Development/Building (1)
Environment (1)
Planning (1)
Public-at-Large (up to 3)
Urban Indigenous (1)
Youth (1)
Appointed positions:
First Nations (2), appointed by First Nations with Treaty or historical affiliation to the watershed
Métis citizen (1), appointed by Niagara Regional Métis Council
Interested in joining the Public Advisory Committee? Follow these next steps!
Learn about the NPCA including the 2021-2031 Strategic Plan
Applications will be reviewed by an NPCA staff working group and successful applicants will be selected based on the quality and relevance of the application as it pertains to the vacancy posting, and the candidates ability to meet the roles and expectations of members. Recommended candidates will be contacted by staff and submitted to the NPCA Board of Directors for appointment.
The NPCA maintains a strong policy of equal opportunity and recognizes that diversity is a source of strength and works to champion inclusive attitudes and approaches to recruitment that lead to full and meaningful participation.
Haldimand County is undertaking a Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) to determine the preferred wastewater treatment alternative to increase wastewater treatment capacity for Caledonia.
STUDY BACKGROUND:
In December 2020, a Draft Wastewater Master Servicing Plan (MSP) Update was undertaken which updated the wastewater servicing components of the 2006 Caledonia MSP. The Draft MSP Update reflected updated land use and growth forecasts in the study area. As part of the MSP Update, near-term and future wastewater treatment needs were identified and wastewater treatment alternatives were evaluated to address projected treatment capacity constraints.
CURRENT STATUS:
In early 2022, Empire Communities proposed developing a new community at the Lake Erie Industrial Park (LEIP) in Nanticoke, ON, which includes a new proposed LEIP Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). As part of this Class EA process, the evaluation of treatment servicing alternatives from the MSP Update is being revisited to re-confirm the preferred wastewater treatment alternative, including adding a new alternative to pump wastewater flows from Caledonia to Nanticoke for treatment at the proposed LEIP WWTP. The goal of the updated evaluation is to re-evaluate treatment alternatives based on updated growth projections in Caledonia and evaluate the new alternative under the Municipal Class EA process.
THE PROCESS:
This study is being completed as a Schedule C Municipal Class EA. Public, agency and rightsholders consultation is a key element of the process and input will be sought throughout the Class EA process. Based on the previously completed work, the next step in the Class EA process is re-evaluating and selecting the preferred wastewater treatment alternative. As part of the Class EA, studies of the area archeology, cultural heritage, and ecology will be undertaken to assist with evaluating alternative design concepts for the preferred alternative.
HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?
A mailing list for notification of study status and opportunities for public input is being compiled. If you wish to add your contact information to the study mailing list, or if you have any questions regarding the study, please contact one of the people listed below. Project information will also be available to the public on the County’s website on the “Caledonia Wastewater Treatment Plant Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment” page (opens in web browser).
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jane Wilson, P.Eng. Senior Environmental Engineer J.L. Richards & Associates Limited 107-450 Speedvale Ave W Guelph, ON N1H 7Y6 Phone: 226-780-7487 Email: jwilson@jlrichards.ca
Philip Wilson, C.E.T., PMP Manager – Water and Wastewater Engineering Haldimand County Administration Building 53 Thorburn St. S. Cayuga, ON N0A 1E0 Phone: 905-318-5932 Ext. 6431 Email: pwilson@haldimandcounty.on.ca
Haldimand County is conducting this study according to the requirements of Phases 1 to 4 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment which is an approved process under the Environmental Assessment Act.
Haldimand County will collect information in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Except for personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. If you have any accessibility requirements to participate in this project, please contact a Project Team member listed above.
