An Ontario Realty Corporation consultant has concluded any development near the Eramosa Karst feeder streams will not harm the sensitive land mass.

Even though the conclusions are preliminary, Adi Irani of A.J. Clark and Associates Ltd., told a group of homeowners last week "development will not result in negative impacts on these features or their functions."

It was a conclusion that surprised Stoney Creek councillor Brad Clark.

"You are making a broad statement," said Mr. Clark.

He asked Mr. Irani if the lands were left natural, would there be any impact to the natural area?

"I would say no," said Mr. Irani.

"Then the only risk for a negative impact (on the property) is development," said Mr. Clark.

The ORC is proposing to protect sensitive areas surrounding the karst, while selling a portion of the land for development.

Other alternatives the ORC has examined include doing nothing, leasing or selling the lands to the Hamilton Conservation Authority, or leasing or selling the land for development.

Area residents and Mr. Clark have criticized the process, including the recently held public information meeting, arguing the ORC is slowly marching along to selling the land for development.

City council last September put the brakes on further development of the karst lands until after the ORC submits its technical reports on the property. Councillors also stopped the environmental assessment process for the collector road proposed through the karst lands.

The 13,000-year-old karst is a collection of caves, dry valleys and sinking streams caused by dissolving limestone.

Despite nearly a two-hour meeting where ORC representatives presented stormwater management report and geo-technical information to area residents who attended the meeting at Valley Park Arena, homeowners remained staunchly defiant to any development.

"If we develop, there will be questions and many unknowns," said Tom Zietsma, co-chair of the Friends of the Eramosa Karst. "If we don't develop we have virtually no unknowns. Do not mitigate (the area). Instead, enhance."

ORC officials acknowledged under questioning from Rita Giuletti, another member of FOTEK, of all the reports for the environmental study on the property, there will be no assessment on the biological diversity in the area.

Ms. Giuletti said residents have witnessed "interesting creatures" roaming the caves and karst lands.

"I think it needs to be done," she said.

Homeowners and Mr. Clark have argued the ORC's plans to construct a stormwater pond on top of the feeder streams to the karst will detrimentally affect the unique landmark.

The integrated stormwater management plan, said Mr. Irani, is to maintain drainage routes within the buffer and feeder creek areas and flow contributions to the core area. The pond, to be located on four hectares of land along Rymal Road, is to control surface runoff and maintain flow levels to the karst. Mr. Irani said the stormwater facility could be less than a metre deep and would contain natural vegetation.

Mr. Zietsma said the stormwater pond across Rymal Road, which was created two years ago, is already a mess, containing garbage and feces from geese. He fears the same could happen to the proposed stormwater pond for the karst.

Added Mr. Clark, "You don't know what homeowners will be dumping into the ponds."

Mr. Irani pointed out the development will also include environmental features such as bio-retention swales, vegetated "green" roofs, rainwater harvesting, porous pavements for private roads and end of pipe facilities.

Mr. Clark reiterated his earlier statements that the one way to stop any development on the ORC land where the karst is located is through government means.

"The only way to stop this development from happening is a political decision," he said.

He said the Liberal government needs revenue and one way is for the ORC to sell its property for development.

"It's tearing the community apart," said Mr. Clark. "I am stunned the plug hasn't been pulled on it yet."

ORC officials agreed to extend the comment period on the proposals for 30 days. They also said the ORC will hold another public meeting in the fall to review alternative planning options.