‘It was pretty concealed’: Dresden residents react to property sale of controversial landfill site

The Dresden landfill property has been sold, but to who? CTV Windsor’s Michelle Maluske finds out.

A grassroots group called Dresden CARED (Citizens Against Reckless Environmental Disposal) is trying to stop a Toronto company from turning an old landfill into a recycling facility.

“We were preparing for an environmental assessment, not a shell corporation game,” Stefan Premdas, co-founder of Dresden CARED told CTV News Tuesday.

Just a few weeks ago, Premdas learned the property at 29831 Irish School Road was sold by York1 Environmental Waste Solutions.

It was reportedly sold for more than $2.5 million to company called Whitestone Fields Ltd., according to Windsor Business Magazine.

“We had a lot of trouble even finding out the sale happened,” Premdas said. “It was pretty concealed.”

CTV News has been unable to find a website, email address or phone number for Whitestone Fields Ltd.

According to Premdas however, the company is owned in part by an executive with York1, although CTV News has been unable to verify that information.

“We then had to go through Corporations Canada to find this corporation, which has not disclosed what it’s about, whether it’s a holding company or real estate development or even another excavation and landfill company. We have no idea,” Premdas said.

Development of the site

Since February 2024, Dresden residents have voiced their opposition to the project in many ways, including noisy rallies and a sign campaign through the small town.

At the time, York1 told CTV News they intended to turn the old landfill into a ‘regenerative recycling facility’ for construction materials.

In July, the Ontario government announced it was requiring York1’s plans be put through an environmental assessment process, to ensure the project wouldn’t have detrimental impact on the community.

As of today, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) says that process had not yet started by York1 and no other ‘proponent’ has launched an environmental assessment for the property.

The Ministry spokesperson, along with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent both say nothing can happen at the site until an environmental assessment is completed.

“This latest move has us even more on edge because we’re facing an even more uncertain future,” Premdas said.

Not knowing what the new owners plan for the site, and no way to reach out to them, makes the group more apprehensive, according to Premdas.

Yet no less ready to take action, he said.

“This is our home. We are not going anywhere. Our community stands united. From Sarnia to Walpole Island. We are united opposing this project because of the dangers it represents,” Premdas concluded.

If the new property owners decide to continue with what York1 started, the other co-founder of Dresden CARED Steven Peacock said they will call on Ontario Premier Doug Ford to make good on promises made in the summer of 2024.

“When he was in Windsor, (he said) that if people like the things to do it, if people don’t like the things, we don’t do it,” Peacock recalls. “I just got my house paid off last year, so I don’t want to run away. Unfortunately, if this is a fight, we have to fight. I’m here for the long run.”