Stelco site development
Community Liaison minutes July 23/02

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Windermere-by-the-Lake Community Liaison Committee (WLCLC)

Sixth Meeting
Tuesday, July 23, 2002 at 7 PM - Swansea Town Hall

A Joint Undertaking of the City of Toronto and REON Development Corporation

MINUTES

Chair: Robert Willes

Attendance:
Community Members: Norm McLeod, John Leeson, Robin Sorys, Bill Roberts, Lawrence Horsley, David Miller

REON: Don Richardson, Robert Willes

Absent: John Davies, Jamie Bell, Michael LeGresley, Paul Didur, Tony McGrath, John Hockin, Adrian and Dahlia Holzscherer, Mary Ellis, Lina Volpe, Paula Gallo

The meeting began at 7:00 PM

1. Review of Agenda
Bob Willes welcomed participants. Bill Roberts moved that the Agenda be adopted. Seconded by John Leeson. All in favour.

2. Approval of Minutes of June 10, 2002
Moved Bill Roberts, seconded by John Leeson. All in Favour

3. Business Arising from the Minutes

a) Materials being brought on site
Bob Leech noted that some residents had mentioned they had seen materials being imported to the site by the demolition contractor. Initially Bob did not think this could be the case, but upon investigation he determined it was happening. The demolition contractor was bringing in materials from other sites. This issue was addressed at a project progress meeting, and Bob had the demolition contractor stop the process right away. As far as REON is aware nothing new is being brought on the site by the demolition contractor. Clean fill is being brought on the site as part of the remediation processes.

b) Committee preview of Sales Office with Cresford.
Don Richardson reported that REON will work with Cresford to set a date for a Committee preview of the Sales Office - likely in September.

c) Section 37 - Robert Willes discussed the possibility of REON contributing to the Catholic School Board in a manner similar to the contributions already made to local public schools for playground equipment. Bill Roberts noted that he understands that the Catholic School Board has an existing development levy. Norm McLeod indicated that the Town Hall renovations require an $20,000. There are still some outstanding issues surrounding the "Boat House" and Joy Station initiatives which are delaying REON making contributions - outside of REON's control. Robert Willes noted that REON feels these are important issues, but would like to go ahead and deliver cheques to the City with provision that the funds are dedicated by David Miller in consultation with the community. The cheque for the Town Hall can be delivered immediately, followed by a ground-breaking cheque presentation ceremony. Robert Willes also noted that he would like a duplicate of the "Brownie" award presented to the Town Hall at the ground breaking for the renovations on the Town Hall. Norm McLeod would like to see the award included in a display case in the Town Hall. The next meeting we will have further detail on Section 37 issues.

Demolition & Remediation Update - Bob Leech and Robert Willes
The remainder of the West Site building is scheduled to come down in next few of weeks and will conclude above ground demolition. Once the structure is down they will start removing the remainder of the concrete slab. Remediation continues on the West Site. Gartner-Lee have been sampling soils and ground water on a grid patter across the site to allow REON to re-plan remediation activities. This is near completion and work has begun to remove contaminated soils from the site. There will be increased truck traffic, but there will be no truck loads of waste going out on weekends. However, sometimes on weekends and later in the evenings there will be service trucks coming in to re-fuel and service equipment. The main issues facing REON now is are dust control, odour control, and mud on the roadways. REON has dust control plans in place.

To date there have been two odour complaints received. It was determined that the reason for odour complaints was the resurfacing of Windermere Avenue - the odours were not coming from the site. One complaint may have been result of the sewage treatment plant on the Humber river. REON has now installed wind direction and speed measurement equipment on the site and are monitoring these devices closely. Complaints received thus far have been dealt with proactively, and REON will continue to respond quickly. There are likely more odours coming from truck and equipment exhaust than from the soils. Dust is an issue because a lot of equipment and trucks moving along site. Water is being sprayed on the internal roadways depending on weather conditions, and street cleaners are being used to clean up mud on the street. Calcium chloride dust suppresent is being used as necessary. Robin Sorys said that some dust could be coming from TTC work in the area. REON is having regular weekly meetings with all contractors, and will review and assess any community issues that arise.

In next couple of months they will be installing shoring along the property boundary adjacent to the Queensway - to hold up the ground to extract contaminated soils along the property boundary. Shoring will be sheet piling - behind the sheet piling they will be putting in a series of dewatering wells to allow removal of soils. REON will be monitoring the water levels very closely. There are a number of monitoring wells on the north side of Queensway and REON will be monitoring them frequently during the de-watering. With regard to the remediation of materials from the site, some soils are going to landfill and some are going to off-site bio-remediation facilities. REON has been unsuccessful in getting approvals from the Ministry of Environment for on-site bio-remediation - the issue being that the Ministry has been too slow to review the application.

John Leeson noted that Frances Labelle, who formerly lived in the Junction, but is now at 1 Ripley, does not think dust control measures are up to the standards set by the City. REON will arrange to contact her to review the measures.

Norm McLeod requested a few days notice about the building coming down so that he could take photographs. Bob Leech said that they will be starting to remove the siding and roof of the structure next week and have scheduled to have it down by August 16th. Bob Leech said that someone who participated in the remediation walkabout, who lives in a Penthouse across the street has a camcorder and is recording the development of the site. This person has promised REON a copy of the tape when the site is complete.

Update on Site Design
Robert Willes distributed copies of the hearing notice for the Committee of Adjustments and noted that the City will be distributing these to local community members within the vicinity of the site. The request is in regard to REON's addition of CN railway property at the edge of the site, and Cresford's desire to change the shape of some of the buildings (within the agreed building envelopes), and reduce the parking ratio. This request will be presented on July the 30th at 2pm at the Committee of Adjustments. REON has held discussions with the Planning Department and Public Works covering these are minor variations in the evolution of site plan. This also calls for removal of 1,000 square meters of commercial space, modifying gross floor area and keeping the site density at 2X coverage in relation to addition of the railway lands. It is likely that for the East Site, there will be more smaller units than originally thought - single bedroom, den style condos because there is a strong market for these.

Robin Sorys noted that she lives at Queensway and Ellis and had not yet received the notice. Bill Roberts suggested that it will likely be distributed by the City on Thursday this week. Bill Roberts asked about the provision of daycare facilities. Robert Willes said that this is still a commitment but that he is not sure whether the daycare facility will be in East or West Site. He said he will look into this.

Norm McLeod asked how residents of the East Site will access recreation facilities on the West Site. Robert Willes explained that they will have to cross the street to the West Site. He noted that there will be much more parkland per-unit-area on the East Site than on the West Site. Initially, the concept for recreation facilities was that there would be a club-style recreation facility rather than a condominium owned facility which would increase condo fees.

Robin Sorys asked if there would be an opportunity to have an area dedicated to dogs off-leash - a trend that is becoming popular in some condos. Robert Willes will bring this up with the team to see if this is a possibility. Bill Roberts said that the builder would have to determine if this is a good marketing addition or not, or it would have to eventually be up to the future condo board. There was agreement that a fenced in dog walk is likely a positive benefit to condominium residents.

Next Meeting
Tentatively scheduled for Monday, September 9th at 7:30 pm at the TownHall. [resecheduled for Sep. 17]