Wawa Municipal Council's opposing an appeal of a temporary rezoning for a temporary work camp on Pinewood Drive.
Council initially approved the request on June 2nd to rezone the property to allow for a temporary work camp accommodation with trailers to house up to 170 people for three years - with the option for a further three-year extension, subject to Council approval - as mining contractor Sigfusson's hoping to house workers at the site as they work on projects for Alamos Gold outside Dubreuilville.
In a special meeting Monday afternoon, Council was told an appeal had been filed by Outdoorsman Motel owner Ray Valliant, who'd spoken against the rezoning during that meeting - reading a letter signed by multiple hotels, motels, restaurants, and other businesses, warning the camp would not lead to economic benefit for the community but be a "huge negative", citing concerns for hotels that often temporarily house contractors or restaurants and other businesses that could benefit from the business - before Council went "in-camera" for legal advice.
When they returned to an open meeting, CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill read off a resolution noting they are required to submit a report setting out Council's position in response to the appeal and the initial decision's "conformity to the Official Plan", before setting out that stance.
Asked to clarify the question on standing, O'Neill noted the provincial government "made a lot of changes to the Planning Act and took away most people's rights to appeal" in 2024.
Valliant says he's "a little disappointed", saying he believes he meets the criteria outlined on the Ontario Land Tribunal site, as given to him by O'Neill.
The resolution further stated that - should the appeal not be immediately dismissed on those grounds - Council maintains the rezoning by-law "represents good land use planning...is appropriate and desirable for the development of the subject lands", is consistent with the provincial planning statement, municipal official plan, and other applicable provincial plans, and "is in the public interest and supports the long-term economic development objectives of the Municipality while providing for an appropriate temporay land use".
That was initially passed unanimously, with Mayor Melanie Pilon making a statement to the gathered businesspeople watching.
Though Councillor Mitch Hatfield initially voted in favour, she then explained she'd misunderstood what was being voted upon in that moment, with discussion getting heated as she clarified that she disagrees with the advice given by the Municipality's lawyer and the handling of this issue.
Hatfield was allowed to take back her vote and instead request a recorded vote, which ended up the same as the initial vote on the rezoning early this month, 3-1, with Pilon and Councillors Jim Hoffmann and Cathy Cannon in favour, Hatfield against - Councillor Joe Opato was not in attendance for the meeting.