Posted By MATTHEW VAN DONGEN
A group hoping to build an animal sanctuary in Thorold has more time to convince regional councillors it's a good idea.
The Endangered Animal Rescue Society (TEARS) has already been turned down by the City of Thorold, but plans to submit a new application. The group also needs a regional policy plan amendment.
On Wednesday, TEARS spokeswoman Tracey McCarthy asked regional councillors to support the amendment.
"This is a sanctuary for exotic and endangered species, a place for them to heal from abuse, to rehabilitate," she said in a presentation to the public works committee.
In a report, regional staff recommended refusing the amendment, noting the proposal "appears more like a commercial zoo than an animal sanctuary."
The report also noted unapproved construction and changes to the Thorold property at Kottmeier and Holland roads have resulted in stop work orders.
McCarthy admitted the organization erred in forging ahead without proper approvals.
She said TEARS is willing to work with municipal and regional staff to make the proposal workable.
She also gave a package of new information to councillors, which she said addressed staff concerns.
St. Catharines Regional Coun. Bruce Timms called the proposal "a great project that got ahead of the process."
Councillors supported his motion to defer a decision on the amendment until councillors and staff reviewed the new information.
Urgent! Please write to the City of Thorold and the Regional Council today asking them to reject TEARS' application to open up a roadside zoo in Thorold once and for all. See Letters Needed: No Roadside Zoos in Thorold for more information. Please address your letters to:
Mayor Henry D’Angela
City of Thorold
3540 Schmon Parkway,
P.O. Box 1044
Thorold, ON
L2V 4V7
email: mayor@thorold.com
Bruce Timms
St. Catharines Regional Councillor
Regional Municipality of Niagara
2201 St. David’s Road,
P.O. Box 1042
Thorold, ON
L2V 4T7
email: timms@brucetimms.com
Peter Colosimo
Senior Planner
Planning and Development Department
Regional Municipality of Niagara
2201 St. David’s Road,
P.O. Box 1042
Thorold, ON
L2V 4T7
email: plan@regional.niagara.on.ca
Adele Arbour
Director of Planning & Building Services
Planning and Building Services Department
City of Thorold
3540 Schmon Parkway,
P.O. Box 1044
Thorold, ON
L2V 4V7
email: aarbour@thorold.com
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