Pleasant View greenbelt designation prohibits residential subdivisions

By Craig Campbell, Dundas Star (March 4, 2005)

Provincial bureaucrats ignored Hamilton's city council and added Pleasant View to Greenbelt legislation passed last week.

Though the decision was cheered by local politicians and environmentalists, just how much protection the Greenbelt plan offers Pleasant View is still unclear - and depends on whom you ask.

In a press release, Chris Henschel of the Dundas Conserver Society stated the group was elated by Monday's announcement.

"This is a huge step for conservation in Dundas," Mr. Henschel said.

Designation

According to the press release, Minister of Municipal Affairs John Gerretsen announced Pleasant View's designation as protected countryside prohibits residential subdivisions.

Ted McMeekin, local Member of Provincial Parliament, said: "There will be no development there."

He explained the decision could be reviewed in 10 years. But the person who helped write the legislation wasn't as definite.

Victor Doyle, manager of the Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt Group, said the type of development previously permitted in Pleasant View will not change.

Mr. Doyle said the Greenbelt legislation provides stronger protection for wetlands and woodlands in the area, and there will not be development like that in nearby Burlington or Hamilton. But previously permitted uses outside the area's special features will still be allowed.

"Low level development permitted by the Ontario Municipal Board is possible," Mr. Doyle said.

The OMB's 1995 ruling allows limited development in Pleasant View. That decision was supported by the Dundas Conserver Society.

"The OMB hearing focussed on whether the area was suitable for development and concluded the area is quite sensitive," Mr. Doyle said. "They restricted development quite substantially."

That decision, plus submission from local Councillor Art Samson, Mr. McMeekin and several respected conservation and environmental groups, all helped convince Mr. Doyle and his staff Pleasant View should be included in the Greenbelt.

Hamilton council's decision to ignore Pleasant View ended up not making any difference, he said.

"When we looked at it more clearly, our analysis indicated it included the types of environmental factors that warrant its inclusion in the Greenbelt," Mr. Doyle said. "It is a direct connection between the escarpment and Cootes Paradise."

Mr. McMeekin said arguments from the Hamilton Conservation Authority, Ontario Nature, the Niagara Escarpment Commission, the Dundas Conserver's Society, Hamilton Naturalists Club and others provided a cumulative effect.

Not priority

"City (of Hamilton) staff said it was not a development priority, that it would be difficult to service," Mr. McMeekin said.

His support for including Pleasant View in the Greenbelt was easy, with all that other support.

And Mr. McMeekin said the idea of making Cootes Paradise and surrounding area a National Park has come up. He figures including Pleasant View in the Greenbelt is a positive step towards Cootes Paradise as a National Park.

"I didn't want to undermine that," he said.

"Cootes has a lot in common with Point Pelee National Park. I happen to think it's got great potential. I support that. I think it's something we should pursue."

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