Proposal for 11-storey building on Woodbine Avenue deferred due to questions about soil contamination, environmental assessment

By MATTHEW STEPHENS

Soil contamination concerns have halted Toronto Council’s decision on a development proposal near the southeastern corner of Woodbine Avenue and Kingston Road.

At the April 22 meeting, Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford urged council to defer an 11-storey development proposal at 419-425 Woodbine Ave. due to concerns related to possible soil contamination at the site.

“I am asking city council to defer consideration until the June council meeting to allow community planning to consider some of the environmental concerns that have been raised with respect to soil contamination,” said Bradford at the April 22 city council meeting.

Bradford’s motion to defer the item until the upcoming June 24 meeting of Toronto Council was passed unanimously.

In an email to Beach Metro Community News, Bradford said he’s been working with local residents to address the environmental concerns on site.

“Over recent weeks, I have been working closely with residents and community leaders who raised concerns about the environmental issues on this development site,” said Bradford. “That is why I have directed staff to re-examine these issues more carefully, and determine whether the known contamination and pollution on the site can be adequately managed or whether this proposed development would put the health of community members at risk.”

Bradford added that he and the community were “not satisfied” with the current application and its potential health risks – a sentiment also shared by his fellow councillors.

In a document sent to Beach Metro Community News, residents identified a large portion of contaminated soil after reviewing the developer’s environmental assessment, which they say was “based on a much smaller project.”

“Based on the developer’s own environmental assessment, the soil under the proposed 10-storey (sic) condo building is contaminated and could potentially cause you and your family serious long-term health problems,” reads a document sent to Beach Metro Community News by a local resident.

In the current environmental assessment dated from 2022, developer DS Consultants Ltd., had called for a two-to-three-storey building with one level of underground parking.

However, due to the increased scope of the project, residents say the developer will be digging out more land than the environmental assessment called for.

“The new taller project requires digging a much deeper hole. That’s why it makes sense to conduct a new assessment to make sure everyone is protected,” reads the document.

The document also states the environmental assessment reveals “heavy” soil contamination from “historical gas stations, dry cleaners, and contaminated fill.”

Residents say soil and groundwater contaminants include n-Hesane, fluoranthene, benzo (s) pyrene, and gasoline hydrocarbons, all of which are toxic, particularly in higher concentrations.

Beach Metro Community News reached out to the applicant for comment about the environmental assessment but has not yet received a response.

Residents are now requesting a new environmental assessment be conducted “for the enlarged and revised scope of the project.”

According to Sean Guenther, community planner for the Toronto and East York District, the city has acknowledged the discrepancy between the environmental assessment in relation to the current application for the site.

“The review of the ESA is in the jurisdiction of the province to review and ensure compliance.  We understand the Ministry has been advised of the differing information in the ESA report vs the application and they are looking into this matter,” said Guenther in an email to Beach Metro Community News.

Bradford said he will continue to work with the community and the developer to “strive for the best outcome possible.”