City wants MNR to meet with Brock, NEC
City council is calling on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to hold a meeting with Brock University and the Niagara Escarpment Commission to discuss how the two bodies can resolve a boundary line dispute in an open and transparent manner.
The university, which requested council intervene in the matter, is in a fight with the commission over the school’s Lockhart Drive property and how much of it is urban area — which could be developed — versus natural escarpment area.
Brock lawyer Tom Richardson told council the Niagara Escarpment Commission has been changing the designation without input from Brock, the city or Niagara Region.
“I think it’s a perversion of the planning process,” Richardson said.
The urban area designation on the property was 7.2 hectares in 1985. Richardson said the commission has now asked the minister to remove the urban designation from all of the lands, except where the school’s research and innovation centre building stands.
He asked council to ask the minister to stop the process and open it up.
Richardson said the Region’s planning and economic development committee has already unanimously supported the university’s request.
Brock has held the land, which used to be home to an elementary school, for more than 50 years for the university’s future needs.
Richardson said a university’s future land needs are measured in centuries, not years, but future plans for the site could be more research.
A report to council said Brock estimates the re-designation will mean a $12-million loss in equity.
Councillors voted 12-9 in favour of a city staff recommendation asking the provincial ministry to convene the meeting with the two parties, the Region and the city to discuss the resolution process.
It further asked that a public consultation process take place that includes stakeholders such as the Brock University students’ union and related faculty, based on an amendment by Port Dalhousie Coun. Bruce Williamson.
Williamson also asked that council support the preservation of existing forest in the subject lands and encourage Brock to reach a resolution that maximizes the forested land to be retained as escarpment natural area.
But that amendment was pulled by the mayor for a staff report that will come back to council after some debate over whether the wording was taking a stand on the designation itself.
St. George’s Coun. Sal Sorrento said Brock owns the land and has an excellent record of stewardship.
“Why are we telling them what to do with the land they own?” Sorrento asked. “We’re land-locked. Where do we expect the university to grow? In Thorold? In Welland?”
But St. Patrick’s Coun. Mark Elliott said the land represents a significant portion of urban forest in the community and he didn’t disagree with the Williamson amendment.
“It’s important we walk the talk when it comes to urban forestry.”
Councillors heard from two residents who supported the commission’s stance prior to the vote.
South St. Catharines resident Chris McBride said he has serious concerns about the loss of the land and said there is plenty of room at Brock to develop.
And John Bacher told councillors they should advocate in support of the Niagara Escarpment Commission.