The City of Windsor will not close Matchette Rd. despite environmentalists' pleas to protect wildlife in the area.
"There's absolutely no consideration for road kill. Twenty two endangered species, they're supposed to be protected by law and they're not being protected," says Gregg Goggin, who lives across the street from the Ojibway Nature Reserve.
Council made the decision after a boisterous discussion in council chambers, which included a ten minute recess to allow members of the audience to "settle down" after disruptions during a delegation.
Mayor Drew Dilkens says, ultimately, they decided not to move forward with an environmental assessment because there could have been major legal ramifications if they had.
"We know that the risk is very significant, and to move forward with the closure of Matchette Rd. at this time, would have put the corporation in great legal jeopardy," says Dilkens.
This ends another chapter in the ten-year battle over a big-box development across the street from the nature reserve that is proposed by the Coco Paving group. Representatives from Coco told council they would view moving forward with an EA to close the road a "sign of bad faith" that could result in legal action.
An EA for the closure could have cost anywhere from $150,000-$200,00.
Council also asked for a report to review the possibility of "eco-passages" in the area to give wildlife a way across the street without being in harm's way. Council will consider funding an EA to review eco-passages during 2018 budget deliberations.
Nancy Pancheshan has been fighting the development and its impacts throughout the process. She does not believe eco-passages will be the answer.
"Eco-passages won't protect the ecosystem. Seventeen out of the 22 endangered, like the plants, birds and insects, won't use them," says Pancheshan.
Coco Paving is expected to begin work on the road leading to its proposed development in the near future.
