Town of Richmond Hill staff recently issued a final draft of the David Dunlap Conservation Management Plan. The document is meant to proactively address how the site’s designated cultural heritage landscape will be protected by the Town.
When it was received by the Committee of the Whole last month, local councillor Godwin Chan advocated for giving all parties more time to consider the complex document. He put forth, but later withdrew, a motion for deferral. Other concerns raised by councillors included the enforceability of the document given that the land is privately owned.
Karen Cilevitz, of the David Dunlap Observatory Defenders, said that the biggest problem she has with the plan is that she feels it’s predicated on planning principles.
The document was scheduled to go before council late last month, in advance of the Feb. 9 public meeting on the landowner’s development application.
Following reports of plowing in the fields at the Dunlap site, the Town of Richmond Hill has launched an investigation into whether or not a bylaw was broken. The site is restricted to institutional uses, which means any agricultural activities would be a zoning violation.
Cilevitz described the situation as frustrating.
“They continuously disturb the land, run their heavy machinery over it,” she said. “This act in itself is so egregious because there has not been a full and complete archaeological assessment on this land.”
Right before press time, John DeVries, director of regulatory services at the Town of Richmond Hill, indicated that the Town would be taking further action, as it believes agricultural activities did, in fact, take place.
“We feel that the current owners are in violation of the zoning bylaw,” he said.
Michael Pozzebon, the project manager for landowner Metrus Development, could not be reached for comment.
UPDATE
Richmond Hill council adopted the David Dunlap Observatory Conservation Management Plan with the understanding that it’s simply a guide for future decision-making, and can be altered and enhanced as necessary.
Karen Cilevitz said that after meeting with town staff to discuss the plan, she is impressed with their commitment to protecting the cultural heritage landscape. Going forward, the David Dunlap Observatory Defenders intend to work with the town.
With regards to the plowing activities, the town sent the landowner a cease and desist order.