Hello! As we wait for the Tannery Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) process - outlined in a recent newsletter - to unfold, we are helping to prevent another tragic clearcut near Collins Creek in south-west urban Kingston. Council will be voting on it this Tuesday April 16, and your voice is urgently needed to prevent the loss of this important woodland. More information on how to do so is below.
The Collins Creek Development Proposal
More than 750 mature trees are threatened by this 8.6-hectare development proposal at 4085, 4091 and 4097 Bath Road. In addition to the loss of 750 mature trees, hundreds of smaller trees would be removed (tree inventories only include trees greater 15cm in diameter), as well as the diverse plant and wildlife habitat that they support.
The area is a vital connecting piece of the Collins Creek watershed, Kingston's last remaining intact natural-heritage corridor. The woodland at risk is ecologically significant based on its function as a wildlife corridor connecting Lake Ontario and provincially significant wetlands, woodlands, and valley lands that extend to rural areas north of the 401.
The loss of this woodland would be in direct conflict with many Official Plan planning policies, such as the 30% minimum forest cover, and doubling our urban forest cover by 2025 commitments (Section 2.8.2).
Inadequate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) - Citizens concerned about the threatened Collins Creek woodland clearcut have called for an independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
They think that a financially independent third party should conduct an EIA - and the results and study methods should be publically available for review.
The credibility of the present analysis is being questioned because the present EIA involved the developer paying private consultants to conduct ecological and tree assessments.
Consultants providing favourable results to developers tend to be the companies that are repeatedly contracted. It is a flawed system that is difficult, time-consuming, and costly for the public and elected officials to contest.
The methodology and study results of the company that conducted the EIS for this application have been repeatedly challenged by ecological experts - most recently during the recent Tannery Ontario Land Tribunal hearing.
Given the ecological significance of this woodland and the Collins Bay watershed, it is critical to have an objective financially independent third-party assessment before a final City Council decision is made on April 16th.
More information on this development proposal can be found on the City’s DASH site and searching Record D35-014-2021.
Action Needed Now!
Unfortunately, the five-member Planning Committee voted 3 to 2 in favour of the Collins Creek clearcut. Lisa Osanic (Lakeside) and Conny Glenn (Sydenham) voted against. Paul Chaves (Loyalist-Cataraqui), Vince Cinanni (Williamsville), and Gary Oosterhof (Countryside) voted for.
As mentioned, the full City Council will vote on April 16. PLEASE CONTACT your district councillor as soon as possible and tell him/her to save this woodland. No Clearcuts has identified other areas around the city where housing, especially affordable housing, can be built. Further, with a different plan the Collins Creek property could support a similar number of housing units without removing the woodland.
We CAN have homes and trees!
City councillors contact information can be found at https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/city-council/mayor-and-council
Also, please email mayor&council@cityofkingston.ca with your opposition!
When you email, always copy the city clerk: cityclerk@cityofkingston.ca
City Hall’s Credibility
The credibility of the City’s Climate Emergency vote in 2019 and recent support for the Montreal Pledge to support biodiversity initiatives are being challenged by this 309-unit development proposal.
Courageous, green declarations which recognize the serious, even deadly, crises we face have to be followed up by courageous, green policies and actions!
Further Fundraising: Those of us across the city who are trying to save the forest areas that still remain are fighting developers and their allies with deep pockets.
To continue our work, we need adequate funds. As we have pointed out, the Tannery OLT hearing has cost us more than we expected. Expert Witnesses are charging us for many hours of research and hearing appearances.
Several of you have been heroic, donating generously. Thank you very much! Every dollar makes a difference!
Help save hundreds of Collins Creek trees!
The property as seen from the western shore of Collins Creek.
Thank you,
No Clearcuts Kingston