Argument against Ojibway developement limited to traffic concerns

The Save Ojibway Group will not be allowed to present all the arguments it would like at an upcoming Ontario Municipal Board hearing about Coco Paving's commercial project on Windsor's west end.

The Save Ojibway Group is fighting to protect species at risk on the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve from what it claims will be negative effects of a big box development.

Coco Paving has received a permit to build on the land across Matchette Road from the nature reserve.

A ruling this week means Nancy Panchesan and the Save Ojibway Group will only be allowed to contest the project on the basis of traffic, not lighting, groundwater or wildlife concerns.

Panchesan claims 65 per cent of the increased traffic - which is estimated to be 16,000 vehicles a day - is directed toward the reserve.

"We have rare vegetation communities, tall grass prairie, that are very sensitive. We have the Blanding's turtle that's not covered under the permit that crosses the road," Panchesan said.