UPDATES

Key issues remain unresolved

Residents have held multiple meetings with the planners of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and Merrickville-Wolford to express concerns over the many health and safety issues identified in the peer reviews and from independent experts.

The petition in opposition of the subdivision now has over 700 signatures.

Concerns persist about:

• Road safety and emergency access on CR23
• Single access point on a narrow road with no shoulders
• Cumulative traffic impacts not studied
• Water, environmental, and archaeological concerns flagged by experts
• Impacts on neighboring farms, homes, and the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• No fiscal impact study showing that the subdivision will not impose long-term costs on taxpayers

Residents are asking for:

• A joint Traffic Impact Study for developments along CR23
• A fiscal impact study to test “tax base” claims
• A long-term strategy that supports responsible growth — not development that puts health & safety, the environment, neighboring farms and taxpayers at risk.

Cumulative impact of additional developments on County Road 23

• A second subdivision is being proposed on CR23 in Burritts Rapids.
• Despite this, no joint Traffic Impact Study has been required to assess combined impacts.

Working with Burritts Rapids

• Close collaboration is underway with the Burritts Rapids Community Association on shared concerns about traffic, safety, environmental protection, and cumulative impacts of both proposed subdivisions on CR23. 
• Review the related Burritts Rapids application (North Grenville).

What’s happening now

• The developer has paused the 819 CR23 application to address serious issues identified by independent peer reviews.
• Despite this pause, the Mayor of Merrickville announced a developer-led public meeting to be organized using municipal staff and public resources once the developer resubmits his application. No one knows when this will be.
• Council has indicated information from the public meeting may be considered in future decisions.

What’s next?

Once the public meeting is announced, you are encouraged to attend and voice your concerns.

Any revised application will be monitored and posted on keepitrural.ca, along with peer-review findings and concerns raised by experts.

Thank you to everyone who signed the petition, contacted Council, and raised concerns. Community opposition remains strong and informed.