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Subdivision would cause harm, resident says

Developers Jeff Avery and Dr.

Developers Jeff Avery and Dr. Patricia Avery, along with technical experts and several far west end residents have each stated their case in an appeal to allow development of the proposed Pointe Estates subdivision proposal at an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing.

The hearing began November 18.

On Friday, those in agreement with city council's July 2013 decision to turn down the Pointe Estates proposal came forward.

First up was Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan-based hydrogeologist Frank Breen.

Breen compiled an independent report in 2011 and submitted it to the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority (SSMRCA), outlining his concerns that not enough study has been done to guarantee safety of the watershed in the area of the proposed subdivision.

Pointe Estates would be a 91-lot single detached rural estate subdivision south of Pointe Aux Pins Drive, west of Dalgleish Road, north of Alagash Drive and Pointe Louise Drive, with access to the St. Marys River for boat-owning residents. 

Breen repeated his concerns to Algoma Public Health (APH) and to city council in July 2013.

The Averys have had experts conduct over 20 studies of the area since 2006.

Lawyer Orlando Rosa, representing the Averys, suggested Breen has not been objective in his own study of the proposal. 

Questioned by lawyer Helen Scott, who is representing the Pointes Protection Association (PPA), a group of 27 families in the area who oppose development of the subdivision for environmental reasons, Breen emphasized his objectivity.

Breen said he is not necessarily opposed to Pointe Estates, but maintained his view "there is insufficient data to warrant approval of this development."

However, Breen said "if technical issues are satisfied, I see no reason why development can't proceed."

Breen will testify again at the OMB hearing next week.

Peter Gagnon, Pointes Protection Association president, then took the stand.

Gagnon has lived on Pointe Louise Drive since 1988.

Gagnon is a registered professional forester (RPF) who worked for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) for 30 years, and, like Breen, presented data questioning the ecological safety of the proposed subdivision to city council in July 2013.

Gagnon repeated his group's view that the area involved is a significant wetlands area  (though not officially recognized as such by the province), susceptible to pollution if development is allowed to proceed.

Gagnon said the development would result in loss of wildlife habitat (referring to deer herds), damage the water quality in the area, and rendered susceptible to noise pollution (from the Sault Airport).

Gagnon said the proposed pumping system for the Pointe Estates canal would be insufficient.

Rosa objected to some of Gagnon's statements about the harm Pointe Estates would cause, saying they could not be substantiated.

The OMB hearing, chaired by Blair Taylor, will continue Monday at the Civic Centre.

An artist's rendering of the proposed Pointe Estates development is pictured above.    

 


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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