A hearing will be held Sept. 5 to determine if a delay will be granted to the applicant of a gravel pit north of Ponoka.
The Ponoka County Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) will hear submissions on that date, starting at 10 a.m. in the county council chambers, from the lawyers for VCD Aggregates Inc. to have its report submission deadline extended until Sept. 20.
Originally, the company was given a Sept. 6 deadline to submit a variety of technical reports.
The SDAB had issued a notice of adjournment on July 9 and required the applicant to provide certain additional documents, namely expert reports.
READ MORE: SDAB requires more information, hearing adjourned
In mid-August, the SDAB isused a further request for a draft Operations Plan.
In its written submission to the SDAB, Sander Duncanson of Osler LLP — the firm representing VCD — stated reports on air quality and noise being done by consultant Golder Associates “have encountered unforeseen delays in their modelling work and have determined that two additional weeks are required to complete the substantive requirements of the reports.”
The submission goes on to state that, in spite of the additional time, there would remain sufficient time for all interested parties to review the reports before the actual appeal hearing that is slated for Oct. 4 at 9 a.m.
Duncanson also added the applicant is willing to discuss the potential of share preliminary findings with any of those involved in the appeal “if any of the appellants intend to hire experts to review and respond to the Golder reports … to avoid any delay to the hearing date.”
Anyone interested in being heard on the request can appear in person at the Sept. 5 hearing, submit a written statement via email or fax prior to that date or arrange at least a day before the hearing to join in via tele-conference.
A release from Ponoka County noted that a decision on the request may result in delaying the date for other affected parties to file responses and documents, which is presently Sept. 20. The SDAB may also move back the formal hearing date depending on the information received at the extension hearing.