Recent plowing and planting on the David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) site has area residents up in arms once again.

“It’s just one violation after the other,” said Karen Cilevitz, Ward 5 candidate and David Dunlap Defender. “The town has not served its residents appropriately here. It’s absolutely appalling.”

In a joint press release, Cilevitz and the DDO Defenders, along with the Richmond Hill Naturalists and the Observatory Hill Homeowners Association highlighted concerns related to recent activities. According to the groups, the planting of seed — which Cilevitz said was determined to be barley through independent analysis — represents a violation of the town’s zoning bylaw, which does not allow farming on the institutionally zoned site.

“We believe that we did indeed thwart the landowner’s plan to farm on the Dunlap as a cash crop,” Cilevitz said.

Questions and concerns about the planting, as well as noise generated by late-night plowing, have not yielded the desired information, Cilevitz said.

“We’ve never gotten adequate and proper answers out of the town.”

Ward 6 Coun. Godwin Chan said he raised questions with the town’s planning and regulatory department when he became aware of the issues.

John DeVries, director of regulatory services at the Town of Richmond Hill, said the town is currently following up on the matter.

“We’re in the investigation stage right now,” he said. “We’re seriously looking into those allegations, and we need a bit of time to be able to conduct our investigation.”

Calls made to Michael Pozzebon, project manager for the site’s developer, Metrus Developments, for comment were not returned.

Despite concerns, there has been an upside to the planting, Cilevitz said. Deer have been spotted on the site feeding on the new vegetation.

“We’re thrilled about that,” she said.