Plans for a new Petrolia subdivision have been given the green light to proceed, despite community opposition.
At its recent meeting, town council voted 3-2 in favour of passing official plan and zoning bylaw amendments for Elbee Investments Sarnia Limited to build the next phases of its development off Country View Drive.
Nearly 3.6 hectares (8.9 acres) of woodland will be removed.
Councillor Liz Welsh couldn't support the request, saying she was "unconvinced" there would be no negative impact.
"Development at any cost is not good planning or responsible development," said Welsh. "The County of Lambton OP [Official Plan] developed in 2017/2018, the Town of Petrolia OP 2016 and zoning bylaw 2017 did designate this as a significant woodlot. In fact, the Town of Petrolia was authorized by the county to declare this a significant woodlot."
Welsh referenced a petition with 500 signatures, presented to council in a previous request attempt.
"I have received no resident comments in favour of the woodlot removal, and many messages, calls and communications opposed to these amendments," Welsh added.
She questioned the developer's plan to reforest the same amount of removed woodland to a separate property further south to ensure long-term ecological protection.
"It's unlikely to be successful as it's in the Bear Creek flood plain, and we all know what that looks like," Welsh said. "The same species, and the endangered flora species that flourish in a woodland, will not grow in a flood plain and trees grow where conditions are suitable."
Councillor Chad Hyatt also opposed the recommendation, while councillors Bill Clark and Ross O'Hara were absent.
Deputy Mayor Joel Field didn't believe council could be presented anything that guaranteed successful tree growth.
"There's so many variables," Field said. "I believe that we anticipate success, we're hoping for success, we can't guarantee success no matter what."
Field said they've been successful growing trees in flood plain areas before.
"We do have a flood plain that has some very successful trees growing in it on the north side of Bridgeview [Conservation Area]," he said. "I believe trees could [grow], hopefully will [grow], but I don't think we can ever guarantee that it's going to be fully successful."
