New tech aims to render smog harmless

AS OUR COUNTRY’S 150TH birthday arrives, it’s worth noting that some of the attributes indigenous people and early Canadians cherished – such as the pristine land, water and air in which they were living – are the same things we hold dear today.

Ditto for the millions of visitors who now arrive in Canada every year looking for a clean, green experience.

But how do you maintain high environmental standards and sustainability in the face of 21st century development, especially in a highly urbanized area such as southern Ontario?

That’s a challenge we all face, and address in different ways. A great deal of research at Canadian universities, including the University of Guelph, is focused on that very question.

I saw a promising approach to that challenge on Sunday afternoon, in the most unlikely of places: crawling along Highway 401, through the middle of Toronto.

Admittedly, I knew what I was looking for. Near the Bayview Avenue exit, amid

realtor, is opposed to either of the developments.

“We were told that there was a limit of water and waste available and it would limit the growth within the village unless there were improvements made at the plant behind the Home Hardware,” Barker said, noting the addition of many new developments in the area besides those in question at the meeting. “How will that not put additional strain on the current waste and water available if there is expansion made? I would expect that would come regionally and then, ultimately, all of the taxpayers of the region will pay for the expansion, and for that reason I am opposed to the expansion in the village.”

Although no decisions or answers came from the informational public hearing, Mayor Joe Nowak said answers are on the horizon.

“I know there are a lot of questions with regards to capacity and I believe that they will all be answered in good time.”

The land to the east of Greenwood Hill Road is considered by staff as appropriate for future development since there are no environmental constraints, the landowner is interested in developing the land, it is adjacent to the existing built up area making it easy to service, and a large portion of the overall property can be brought into the settlement to allow for the development of a complete community with the rest of Wellesley.

Much the same applies to the land west of Lawrence Street, where the entire plot is to be brought into the settlement.

Strohuest Ont Inc., a builder in the area and owner of the eastern lot, is hoping to build a variety of single-family, semi-detached and townhomes to increase the urban Wellesley area.

Opposed to that proposed development was Alan Jones, a resident of Lawrence Street who wrote a letter prior to the meeting including the signature of all 34 homeowners who would be directly affected by the new development. Jones is asking that only single-family homes be built backing onto the current homes like his own.

Lawrence Park of Greenwood Hill Road echoed concerns about the lack information provided to those affected by the changes proposed in the early stages of planning.

“I realize that development is inevitable. The region is growing and we have to take some of this growth here in Wellesley, as much as we don’t want it,” said Park noting that he hopes the next meeting will present accurate timelines for current residents to be kept in the loop on what is going on. “I would like a clear picture the next time that we get together.”

More information will be presented at the next public meeting, said VanderBaaren.

“We are planning on having a second public meeting. As I have mentioned, we have had a number of submissions both written and verbal to me, and I intend to meet with anyone who wishes to over the summer and into the fall. In probably late fall or early 2018, I would come back with a recommendation report and hold a second public meeting, and then we would see what transpires following that,” he said.