Co-ordinator of Current Planning Bill Wierzbicki

The following is the full text of a letter sent to Joe Fratesi, the City's chief administrative officer, by Co-ordinator of Current Planning Bill Wierzbicki: ****************************************************************** 2003 03 10

Mr. Joseph M. Fratesi Chief Administrative Officer Civic Centre

Dear Mr. Fratesi:

SUBJECT: REVIEW OF COUNCILLOR MANZO'S CIRCULAR TO RESIDENTS IN THE AREA OF SITE 1B - SOUTHEAST CORNER OF BASELINE AND LEIGH'S BAY ROAD

As requested, I have reviewed the letter addressed to the area residents concerning the industrial development and servicing of lands on the south east corner of Base Line and Leigh's Bay Road referred to as Site 1B in the Industrial Development Strategy.

Councillor Manzo informed me on March 6th that he had authored the circular and delivered approximately 140 copies to area residents.

As you know, Algoma Steel applied for and was granted a rezoning of the subject property to "M.4" (Heavy Industry) in 1995.

The Industrial Land Development Strategy prepared by the City of Sault Ste. Marie in partnership with FedNor Canada addressed the lack of industrial land available for development.

In doing so it recommended that this property and others be purchased by the City, serviced and aggressively marketed through the marketing strategy which is also partially funded by Industry Canada through FedNor.

To these ends, the City has to-date completed a detailed investigation of the physical capabilities of the property, and the potential environmental impacts of the servicing work.

We have also completed an appraisal to determine the current market value of the property.

The letter contains information about the project that is misleading.

First it suggests that the property is a bog (if I am interpreting "muck loon dunk" correctly).

We certainly realize that the area has poor soils.

One of the first studies done was a geo-technical investigation prepared by TBT Engineering in July 2002.

Based on this review, it was determined that although there are limitations, the site can be developed and the types of building foundations will be dependent upon the specific uses.

Without this appraisal by the consultants, both TBT Engineering and Totten Sims Hubicki Associates we would not have proceeded further.

The letter also expresses concern with potential impact on any existing wells.

The project will be extending services to supply municipal water and sanitary sewer to any new use.

Therefore, we do not anticipate taking of water that would impact the neighbouring wells.

A hydro-geologic evaluation was also done to review possible ground water impacts created as a result of construction activity related to the installation of services.

The study noted that the installation of services along the Base Line right-of-way might require trenching into the bedrock.

This has the potential to channel groundwater quickly away from the area.

The report recommends the installation of "plugs".

These "plugs" are underground dams or barriers that would impede the flow of groundwater therefore retaining and preserving the groundwater table in the area.

Totten Sims Hubicki have recommended that rather than trenching into the bedrock, the services be installed further south in an area where trenching and "plugs" may not be required.

Therefore, there should be no potential impact on quantity of water in existing wells resulting from construction.

The consultant also recommends that the existing wells in the immediate area be sampled and monitored before and during the installation of services.

This will be done to identify any impacts to groundwater quality.

There is mention that the City taxpayer's money is being spent for the sole benefit of Algoma Steel Inc.

The City has undertaken this project in partnership with both senior levels of government.

To-date, Industry Canada through FedNor has contributed significant funds towards this municipality's goal of creating an inventory of industrial lands in order to attract new industry and jobs to the community.

The lands will be owned by the City of Sault Ste. Marie purchased at fair market value as unserviced land.

An appraisal has been done to determine this value and negotiations with Algoma Steel Inc., are underway.

The lands will be sold to new industry at serviced land values.

All monies made from the sale will be retained by the City to offset its costs and to repay any unforgivable loans that the municipality may receive from senior levels of government.

It is expected that in the end, the City will regain any money spent to acquire and service the property.

The municipality will also have the benefit of annual industrial taxes paid by the new industry.

There is a suggestion that the consultants did not listen to the issues raised at the Class Environment Assessment open house.

The attached letter summarizes the issues raised by the residents and response to each of those issues.

Yours truly,

W.J. Wierzbicki RPP

Co-ordinator of Current Planning

c. D. McConnell; M. Brechin; B. Strapp, President & CEO, E.D.C.; Totten Sims Hubicki Associates

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