AYR and CAMBRIDGE, Ont. – August 13, 2025 — The Township of North Dumfries and the City of Cambridge have reached a settlement with CBM Aggregates (CBM) on a zoning by-law amendment that will permit expansion of the Dance Pit, a long-standing gravel operation located in North Dumfries near the Cambridge boundary.
The agreement, presented today to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) for approval at a settlement hearing, concludes an 18-month multidisciplinary peer review process led by both municipalities. That process involved independent expert assessments, technical discussions with CBM, and multiple review sessions to address environmental and community concerns.
From Application to Settlement
CBM first applied for an Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) licence in 2021. The following year, the company submitted an application to amend the Township’s zoning by-law to allow extraction on an additional 29 hectares to the east of the existing operation.
The zoning application was appealed to the OLT, triggering a formal review process. The City and Township engaged technical experts to study the potential cumulative impacts of the expansion — including noise, dust, and air quality.
Following consultations and negotiations with CBM, the parties agreed on a series of additional safeguards designed to exceed provincial minimum standards.
Key Protections Secured
The municipalities’ experts reviewed and approved supplemental noise and air quality studies confirming that the expanded pit will meet all Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) standards.
Under the settlement:
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A dust management plan will apply to both the existing and expanded pit, introducing additional controls, monitoring, and reporting requirements.
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Noise mitigation measures for both sites will include acoustical audits and technology to reduce the sound of back-up beepers on trucks.
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All agreed mitigation and monitoring requirements — including construction of a berm at the existing pit — will be written into enforceable licence conditions.
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The City and Township will have the legal authority to enforce CBM’s commitments.
Setback and Processing Restrictions
The agreed zoning by-law amendment prohibits any processing, crushing, or screening activities within the expansion area. It also establishes a 60-metre setback from the extraction limit to the Cambridge residential boundary — double the provincial minimum setback of 30 metres.
CBM holds prior approval for a crushing facility in the existing pit, although no processing is currently taking place. Under the settlement, the company must consult with the MECP and obtain any necessary approvals before resuming such operations.
Avoiding a Lengthy Tribunal Battle
Municipal officials say the cooperative approach avoided the time, cost, and uncertainty of a fully contested OLT hearing while securing tangible benefits for nearby residents.
“Through coordinated effort, we’ve not only strengthened environmental and noise protections but also ensured enforceable commitments that go beyond provincial requirements,” officials said in a joint statement.
Long-Term Oversight
The agreement requires ongoing monitoring and compliance reporting, with the City and Township empowered to act if commitments are not met. Officials say the settlement ensures better protection for the community than could likely have been achieved through the tribunal process alone.
The OLT is expected to finalize its decision following the settlement hearing, allowing the expansion to move forward under the newly agreed conditions.