The fate of a new rock quarry along Millstream Road in Highlands will be known Nov. 6, when the B.C. Supreme Court is expected to release its decision on a petition that seeks to force a review of the entire project.
The Highlands District Community Association went to court pushing for a judicial review of the province’s decision to approve a quarry permit for a 26-acre quarry. The hearing wrapped Wednesday.
The project is owned by O.K. Industries, which bought the property in 2015 for $4.2 million and applied to have it rezoned to accommodate commercial and light industrial activity from its green-belt designation.
When the District of Highlands rejected the proposal in 2016, O.K. applied to the province for a mines permit for a quarry. That permit was granted in March.
The rock from the quarry will be turned into aggregate — used for building roads, sidewalks and myriad other things — on site. At the end of the quarry’s life, there would be level ground for commercial use.
The community association has expressed concern the quarry will bring noise and dust to the area and damage an aquifer that residents rely on for drinking water.
The group has vowed to do “whatever it takes” to stop the creation of the rock quarry.
