Natural Law In Practice

Wind Energy Wins Against Wind Energy Opponents
Click on the link above to read a short article by Donnelly Law on appeals of wind farm renewable energy approvals alleging serious harm to human health.  This article is published in the May 2013 Bluffs Advocate (http://www.bluffsadvocate.ca/).
 
 

By: Rachel Mendleson News reporter, Published on Wed May 01 2013
Environmentalists are anxiously awaiting a potentially precedent-setting verdict in a fierce conflict over a proposed quarry on protected Niagara Escarpment lands south of Collingwood, not far from the picturesque Blue Mountains.

The case, which began with Walker Industries’ initial application nearly a decade ago, is now before a judicial review, with a decision expected in the coming months. If approved, some warn it will tip the balance toward those who wish to exploit the riches of the escarpment — and undermine the protections put …

TORONTO — A one-day hearing held Thursday could determine the fate of the proposed quarry expansion west of Duntroon.
The Niagara Escarpment Commission voted last August to challenge the decision of the Consolidated Hearings Board decision that allowed Walker Aggregates to expand its quarry operation.
The initial hearing lasted 139 days over a 13-month period and ended last June in a 2-1 decision in favour of the expansion.
Thursday’s judicial review hearing was held in Osgoode Hall courtroom three in front of a three-judge panel: Justices Tom Lederer, Katherine Swinton, Renee Pomerance. The …

David Donnelly comments on the precedent-setting case to be argued tomorrow to ensure the Niagara Escarpment is protected.  Read it here: http://environmentaldefence.ca/blog/escarpment-blues-legal-battle-stop-massive-quarry-continues
 
 

Georgina residents fight historic development rights on wetlands
In the placid lakeside town of Georgina, about an hour’s drive north of Toronto, a fierce battle is underway to excise the ghosts of a developer past.

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“I’d love it to be a forest forever, but I’m a realist,” said Georgina Mayor Rob Grossi. “I don’t have the ability as a mayor or a local council to reverse rights that have been granted by some other level of government.”

This deference, however, does not sit well with Toronto environmental lawyer David Donnelly, who describes the …

On April 13, 2013 Donnelly Law’s client, Protecting Escarpment Rural Lands (“PERL”), was recognized at the Victories Celebration of the Green Living Show by Alternatives Journal and Green Living for it’s work to protect Mount Nemo in Burlington, Ontario.  Sarah Harmer, a PERL founder, received this award on PERL’s behalf.
In October 2012, an administrative tribunal unanimously dismissed Nelson Aggregate’s application to build a new quarry.  This means Burlington’s Mount Nemo, with its unique ecologic and environmentally sensitive areas such as the Jefferson Salamander breeding ponds on the Harmer Family farm, …

Traffic, heritage and financing among chief concerns
PICKERING — Residents of Whitevale say they are battling on behalf of all Pickering residents in their continued fight against the impacts of the proposed Seaton development.
A group of residents from the north Pickering village are among the last objecting parties to the long-planned Seaton development, which will add nearly 37,000 new residents to the city’s existing population of 95,000 in its first phase.
“A lot of people think we’re just trying to protect Whitevale, but we’re trying to protect Pickering,” said resident Marion Thomas, …

Mount Nemo Victory Featured in Niagara Escarpment Views Magazine

Donnelly Law represented the citizen’s group, Clearview Community Coalition Incorporated (“CCC”), at the 15-month Walker Quarry hearing before the Joint Board.  Donnelly Law will report on the arguments of the parties in this precedent-setting judicial review application of the Niagara Escarpment Commission, challenging the decision of the Joint Board to allow the quarry in Niagara Escarpment Commission v. The Joint Board et al.  For Donnelly Law’s take on the Walker decision, visit: http://donnellylaw.ca/?p=1313
Overview
On June 17, 2012, a majority (2-1) of the three-member Joint Board granted conditional approval to the development …

Provincial Promise to Respect Whitevale Heritage District Buried under Urban Sprawl
 Whitevale, Ontario — Monday, January 28, 2013 marks the start of Phase 2 of the Ontario Municipal Board hearing into the colossal, taxpayer funded development
known as Seaton, a.k.a. the Central Pickering Development Plan. Residents of Whitevale have intervened to try and save one of Ontario’s best remaining
heritage districts and agricultural land in the Hamlet of Whitevale.
“It’s all well and good to compensate developers for preserving the environment of Richmond Hill with a land swap for valuable agricultural land in Pickering, …