I was a little shocked to hear that a 2.5 ha parcel of the Hanlon Creek Watershed non-core protected area is being seriously considered for development. Although I have not resided in Guelph for years, I was closely involved in the debate over adoption of the Hanlon Creek Watershed Plan in 1993-1994, as Coordinator of OPIRG’s Speed River Project. I was also one of the speakers at Council on the night of its adoption, and remember that evening as one of the high points of Guelph’s move towards sustainability. You will understand my dismay at learning that the Plan and its subsequent incorporation into the OP has not provided the protection intended.
Given that the protected status of the land was incorporated in the OP, why is it being considered for development now? There will undoubtedly be those that argue that the area is not part of the core protected area and is therefor expendable. Without it however, the adjacent Core area is no longer ‘core’ – it will be unbuffered and exposed. The wildlife linkage/corridor will be weakened and species will be lost to the area. Worse, it will set a very dangerous precedent. It will only serve to increase development pressure on the remaining lands. If this parcel of non-core protected area is developable, why not the rest of the non-core areas? As an ecologist and a City of Guelph alumnus, I implore you to respect the wise decision made by Council in 1994 to protect the integrity of the Hanlon Creek Watershed. It is worth far more to the City’s future than another 2.5 ha of development. MP