Preserve Butternut Creek

The proposed 196-unit development requires an urban boundary expansion and the extension of municipal services to a key environmental property. The result could be significant infrastructure and long-term servicing costs for all Kingston taxpayers (not just pittsburg district). We support City staff in opposing this proposal and encourage concerned residents to get involved and help protect our community, environment, and tax dollars.   Lets send a message to Taggart Construction limited that this piece of property is too valuable to waste as a standard subdivision

The evidence demonstrates that 630 Gore Road is not a logical or sustainable urban boundary expansion. The site is physically separated from the urban area by Butternut Creek, constrained by floodplain and karst hazards, contains extensive natural heritage features, lacks demonstrated servicing and transportation capacity, cannot provide reliable emergency access during flood events, would require costly infrastructure extensions, and would create an isolated, auto-dependent development inconsistent with PPS requirements and the City's growth-management objectives. Both City staff and Cataraqui Conservation concluded that inclusion of the lands within the urban boundary is not supported and does not represent good planning.

🚨 Urgent Update: Further Push for Development at 630 Gore Road

Despite their ongoing case before the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), the developer behind the 360 Gore project is pressing forward with a new application (Case D35-004-2026).

The proposal aims to slash vital environmental protections:

• Current Provincial Minimum: A 30-meter buffer from ecologically significant areas and waterbodies.

• Proposed Reductions: Shrinking the buffer down to 15 meters in some areas and a dangerously narrow 6 meters in others.

Essentially, this request strips away core safeguards meant to protect our sensitive local ecosystems.

Make Your Voice Heard:

Public participation is critical. Join the upcoming community meeting to stand up for our environment:

• Date: November 5

• Time: 6:00 PM

• Location: This is a hybrid meeting. In person at council chambers, city hall, 216 ontario street or online.  To register for online, email Christine O'Connor, Council Clerk,  at: cloconnor@cityofkingston.ca

Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) Hearing Update

On October 7, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) opened its first meeting regarding the applicant's petition. Key developments from the hearing include:

• Citizen Participation: 33 local citizens have been officially recognized as participants, giving them standing to submit written statements (select submissions are available on the library page). Julie W has until end Nov to formalize her paperwork. 

• Friends of Butternut Creek (FBC) Granted Party Status: The newly incorporated Friends of Butternut Creek group was granted full party status, allowing them to cross-examine witnesses and present evidence. The appellant's legal team spent roughly an hour attempting to exclude FBC, arguing their presence would be prejudicial to their client, but the Tribunal Chair ruled in favor of FBC's full participation.

• Settlement & Hearing Timeline: The formal hearing is tentatively scheduled for 15 days beginning April 12, 2027. However, the Chair repeatedly urged all parties to seek an amicable resolution outside of tribunal. Because FBC has party status, they will be directly included in any arbitrated settlement discussions.

Read more about the OLT  at https://thekingstoncrow.substack.com/p/citizens-group-granted-right-to-be?r=821tof&utm_medium=ios 

the developer of 630 Gore is:  

Mr. Barry Smith

Greenwood Park LP #1

685 Justus Drive

Kingston, ON, K7M 4H5

Canada

bsmith@taggartconstruction.com

Call to Action: How You Can Help

1. Sign the Petition: Add your name to the petition above before it is formally presented to City Hall.

2. Donate to FBC: Financial contributions directly support FBC's legal and expert presentation efforts (tax receipts provided).

3. Use Your Electoral Voice: With municipal elections approaching on October 26, take time to choose your Mayor and Councillor candidates carefully. View the full list at 3Pops Candidates Directory.

Webmaster Contact: allure_04jugular@icloud.com

Preserve Butternut Creek and Friends of Butternut Creek are two separate groups of people. Friends of Butternut Creek (FBC) is an incorporated entity and has developed a mechanism for charity fundraising. Preserve Butternut Creek is aware of and supports some of their efforts; we are aligned in looking for bona fide stewardship of ecological spaces in our community. Both groups were created when the developer of 630 Gore started to clear-cut 2 hectares of land, before we could get the City to issue a stop-work order on the property.

The destruction of the trees and land during the migratory season was clearly a violation, however, it appears the developer escaped provincial charges. The stop-work order remains in effect almost two years later, but it could be removed by the City at any time. We need to remain vigilant.

https://www.friendsofbutternutcreek.ca/        web site for friends of butternut creeek