Municipality of Chatham-Kent staff is recommending a phase two environmental assessment take place at the site of a future affordable housing development in Wallaceburg.
Administration is recommending the consulting services for the work at 55 Minnie Street be single sourced to Dillon Consulting Limited at a cost of $91,021.50.
“Based on the Council approved recommendations to encourage and develop affordable housing in Chatham-Kent December 20, 2021, Chatham-Kent is preparing the property at 55 Minnie Street, Wallaceburg for redevelopment to residential uses,” Ryan Jacques, director of planning, said in a report.
“The site is currently vacant, and it is the intention of the Municipality to prepare this site to be ready for any upcoming shovel ready affordable housing development funding opportunities.”
Jacques said Dillon Consulting completed a phase one environmental site assessment at the site at a cost of $8,700.
“The phase one report identified Areas of Potential Environmental Concern (APECs) and Potentially Contaminating Activities (PCAs) on-site and within the phase one study area,” Jacques said.
“Based on the findings, Dillion Consulting Limited then prepared scope of work needed for a phase two environmental site assessment, (which would) investigate soil and groundwater on the site through borehole drilling and monitoring well installation. The sampling locations and laboratory analysis parameters will be selected based on the APECs identified during phase one report.”
Jacques added: “The phase two report is required for the Municipality to proceed with redevelopment of the site for residential land uses. The phase two results will inform any remedial actions required to obtain a record of site condition under the Environmental Protection Act. A record of site condition is a requirement to change the use of the land from industrial to residential.”
Jacques said it is administration’s expectation that Dillon Consulting Limited will continue to advise Chatham-Kent on the environmental conditions of the site, up to and including the filing of a record of site condition.
“Future cost proposals will be considered for approval prior to work being undertaken,” he said.
“This process is one where each step informs the next, and the qualified professional filing for the record of site condition must conduct the due diligence through every stage of the project. Without continuing the project with the same consultant, Chatham-Kent is not able to provide clearly defined specifications for each stage of work,
which is a requirement of the procurement by-law.”
Dillon Consulting Limited has experience in environmental site assessments in Chatham-Kent and they understand the building requirements and needs of the Municipality, Jacques said.
“The scope of work they have provided for this environmental site assessment phase two closely matches the needs for the development of this land parcel,” Jacques added.
The report is on the agenda for Council’s upcoming meeting, scheduled for Monday, April 24, 2023 at 6 p.m.
