No timeline for review of Dundas Pleasant View Columbia school application

All 28 public comments submitted during the second round of consultation for Columbia International College's school conversion application in Pleasant View opposed the private school's updated application.

A Niagara Escarpment Commission review of public and agency comments, and Columbia's updated application for a Niagara Escarpment Plan amendment, continues with no schedule or timeline.

There is no date set for an NEC staff recommendation to the commission.

Spokesperson Danielle D'Silva said additional comments must still be received from some agencies. She confirmed 28 public comments were received - all opposed to the 1,000-student secondary school proposal.

A public meeting may be held, and the Public Interest Advisory Committee must meet prior to bringing forward (a recommendation) to the commission," D'Silva said. These events have not been scheduled yet."

The NEC would not provide names of Public Interest Advisory Committee members, meeting dates, agendas or minutes.

D'Silva said the committee includes representatives nominated by the minister of northern development, mines, natural resources and forestry who broadly represent the people of the Niagara Escarpment Planning Area" to make recommendations to the minister, through the commission, on proposals to amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan.

Meetings of the committee are not open to the public. Committee members receive a presentation from NEC staff then indicate if they support or do not support the proposed amendment.

D'Silva said the committee is made up of representatives from five organizations: Ontario Nature, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Real Estate Association, Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association and Ontario Snow Resorts Association.

Anne Bell, Ontario Nature director of conservation and education, said the organization has been a member of the PIAC for many years, and its current representative on the committee is Susan Robertson, a volunteer member of Ontario Nature's board of directors.

Bell provided a copy of the committee's 2015 guidelines for meetings, which states: Committee meetings are held in camera ... Neither the proponent nor his/her representatives nor any other person or organization may speak or make submissions to the Committee. Discussion is restricted to the members of the Committee."

Bell said the committee typically meets two or three times a year, when NEC is seeking advice on proposed amendments.