OCD: Council By-law, Racing, Noise, Environmental Decision

A major Ward 1 issue was decided by Seguin council on June 7th. The issues surrounding the operation of the Ontario Camp of the Deaf (OCD) in terms of zoning, noise, and environmental damage were addressed by voting.

Will Seguin sue OCD for by-law infractions? No.

Will Seguin pass a by-law to enshrine a Memorandum of Understanding agreement with OCD to limit racing activities and related noise and environmental impacts? Yes.

Further details of the council meeting may be found in two Cottage Country Now articles...

'Seguin Votes to Leave Deaf Camp Alone'.

'Deaf Camp Agreement a Compromise, Mayor Says'.

The second article reports Mayor Conn's summary of the council's 4-3 decision to support the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with OCD...

... it passed a memorandum of understanding and new bylaws; including racing time restrictions, limits to the number of races, enforced muffler use, stipulations the camp adhere to Ministry of the Environment noise limits, and an order it undergo an environmental audit and meet any environmental recommendations the audit produces.

As I've expressed in previous posts, my main concern was about the noise pollution issue - that OCD must conform to MOE limits on noise.

Here's the related excerpt of the MOU agreement...

COMMITMENTS OF THE MISSION [OCD]

2. c. adopt follow and implement the findings/recommendations contained in the noise report of the August 8, 2009 racing report, subject to the modifications, etc. outlined in the peer review completed by the Townships noise consultant, which findings/recommendations shall include among other things, implementation of applicable MOE Guidelines, construction of berms or planting of vegetation on the property, implementation of sound muffling devices on vehicles and other operational protocols, etc.

I'm satisfied in that quantifiable measures will set the limit of legal noise for by-law enforcement. Now, the key is the strict enforcement of the by-laws. I've also called for high, escalating fines for infraction. Without high fines imposed, noise limits may be exceeded and paid simply as a cost of doing OCD business.

The noise issue could be improved upon even more by OCD adhering to the highest standards of Ontario racetrack noise reduction levels. This option - especially considering that fact that OCD is in a residential and wildlife zone - actually makes more sense.

Another element of OCD operations not addressed by the MOU is the existence of an extensive forest trail system on OCD property (60 km of trail by some estimates) used by motorized vehicles which is not officially classified as racetrack. This is a failing on the part of Seguin's MOU in that it does not address the entirety of OCD (potentially commercial) operations. I suspect an expansion of the scope of OCD commercial operations over the years and far beyond the scope in any past agreement or understanding with the former Foley Township.

How would I have voted?...

Sue OCD for zoning infraction? Nay (not for racing activities in place as of the date of amalgamation).

Pass the MOU as written? Nay. The MOU which passed 4-3 , in my opinion, fails to consider the total scope of OCD motorsport operations. The current MOU, while requiring MOE noise pollution limits, doesn't punish commercial offenders sufficiently for infractions and fails to consider all motorsport activity conducted on OCD property.