by Neil Carleton
It’s been more than a year since Marked Paintball & Laser Tag was shut down in West Carleton by a long legal battle with the City of Ottawa. As last month drew to a close, the controversial business had still not received approval from the Township of Drummond / North Elmsley (DNE) for a zoning amendment to operate at 13259 Highway 7.
This location is adjacent to a square mile of land designated for natural heritage protection by the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLTC), as recently reported by The Ottawa Citizen.
It has been repeatedly asked by DNE residents, MMLTC representatives, and others how such a business can be considered compatible with habitat conservation or nearby residential land use.
Two previous articles about the company’s rezoning application are available on the Millstone website as additional background information.
https://millstonenews.com/2014/01/controversy-follows-paintball-operation-to-drummond-north-elmsley.html.
https://millstonenews.com/2014/01/rural-community-opposes-paintball-business-in-drummond-north-elmsley.html.
Rural residents of Drummond / North Elmsley continue to show firm opposition to the paintball proposal. They’ve written strong letters of objection to their Council members. They’ve also packed public meetings at the Township Hall and made thoughtful presentations to address how the company has not sufficiently provided all the necessary information. At the last public meeting, residents treated Council to almost two hours of reasons that the paintball operation should not be allowed.
In the latest development, Council voted on May 27 to defer a decision on the zoning amendment pending additional clarification on the noise impacts and the habitat of threatened and endangered species. Marked Paintball was sent back to complete its environmental homework.
The noise issue was related to tests conducted in the spirit of citizen science at the Marked Paintball practice site in Mississippi Mills. The company’s response was to hire Gradient Wind Engineering, a firm that specializes in wind engineering, structural vibrations, and acoustics. In a May 20 presentation to the Committee of the Whole, the consultant cited mathematical modelling to question the on-site testing. Council’s May 27 vote included instructions for staff to undertake an independent peer review of the consultant’s noise study.
Marked Paintball, according to Drummond / North Elmsley residents and Council, is still off target.
