By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A public information session outlining the municipality’s next steps to defend Dresden against the proposed York1 landfill project is set for June 24 at the Ken Houston Agricultural Centre arena.
Chatham-Kent opposes the development.
According to a municipal media release, information will be provided regarding Chatham-Kent’s ongoing advocacy efforts with the province, as well as the “limited information” received from York1 about the proposal.
On Sept. 21, Chatham-Kent will face off against York1 in the Superior Court of Justice. The municipality maintains that York1 needs zoning and planning changes to move ahead with resurrecting the dormant landfill. Mississauga-based York1 disagrees, which prompted the company to file a civil court challenge.
The court action caps months of uncertainty for the Dresden community after the project came to light two years ago. Determined citizens groups have waged a lengthy battle against the project –which includes a regenerative recycling facility and expanded landfill – since that time.
However, the company maintains it has “legal non-conforming rights” and should be allowed to proceed.
People with questions are asked to submit them online to letstalkchatham-kent.ca. This is due to the “highly technical nature of the project and the complexity involved,” the release said, noting there will be no open mic availability at the session.
Questions will be read and answered at the meeting and officials will do their best to answer each question.
The deadline for written questions is June 19.
The Ken Houston Agricultural Centre is located at 1212 North St. in Dresden.
