Latest news with #soilcontamination
CTV News
7 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Rezoning debate reignites fears over contamination at former CBC Calgary site
A redevelopment in Hillhurst is causing some concern among residents. Mason DePatie has details. Concerns over soil contamination are taking centre stage at Calgary city hall as council considers a controversial inner-city redevelopment in Hillhurst. During Tuesday's meeting, city council will decide on changing the land use designation for 1706 Westmount Blvd. N.W. It's the former site of the former CBC building, which has sat vacant for several years. Rezoning debate reignites fears over contamination at former CBC Calgary site Residents in Hillhurst are concerned about creosote contamination from a redevelopment, but the area councillor says there is no danger. Anthem Properties is looking to build a 269-unit apartment complex on the site, requiring the lot to be changed to a District Control District allowing multi-residential development. While residents do have some concerns about the complex, the main issue is what would be buried beneath it. Decades ago, a wood treatment plant operated across the Bow River, leaving behind creosote contamination that seeped under the river. The province filed a report in 2022 that found contamination at the Westmount site is mostly confined to the south portion of the lot and does not pose a risk through inhalation. But with construction on the horizon, the report does little to quell the nerves of those who live nearby. Jim Stirling, a Hillhurst resident and engineer by trade, is concerned that the excavation will stir up the creosote. 'What we're asking for is that they suspend the land use approval and appoint an independent panel to study the evidence that we've gathered to demonstrate our concerns,' he said. Rezoning debate reignites fears over contamination at former CBC Calgary site Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong said he has heard from dozens of concerned community members about the issue. 'We've been advised by Alberta Environment that there is not a great risk,' he said. 'Most of that creosote is buried very, very deep in the bedrock, and a significant amount of clay above it and the water table. So again, disturbance of the creosote shouldn't be a problem.' Anthem Properties previously told CTV News that it would need to dig about three metres deep to build its single-storey parkade, leaving 1.2 metres above ground. It also notes that it has a risk management plan that includes testing, reporting, monitoring, and an exposure control protocol. If council approves the rezoning, construction could begin as early as next summer, with completion expected in 2028.
CTV News
18-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Hamilton dog park shuttered due to concerns over contaminated soil
A City of Hamilton sign is pictured above in this file photo. A Hamilton dog park has been closed as a 'precaution' following concerns about potentially hazardous soil at the site, according to a report from city staff. The Birch Avenue dog park was shuttered after city staff said results from soil samples at the leash-free site found 'exceedances on some criteria of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks current standards for parkland.' In a report sent to city council last week, staff say the soil poses 'no imminent danger to people,' but the impacts on dog health 'remain uncertain.' 'Effective immediately and out of an abundance of caution related to protecting health of dogs, the dog park will be closed to the public until further notice,' the staff report read. 'The fully fenced dog park will be locked and a closure notice sign will be placed at the entrance. These precautionary measures are based on the initial soil screening information.' The soil screening was undertaken following a complaint in May 2024 from an area resident who was concerned that the soil condition was negatively impacting the health of dogs using the park, possibly leading to illness and even death. The dog park, city staff said, opened in 2010 and was previously used as a disposal location for non-hazardous fill, including brick, rubble, and concrete. 'When the park was established, site background studies were reviewed and determined to meet the standards at the time for park use,' the report read. A consultant has been engaged to conduct further review of the tests with a 'dog as the target species in mind,' the report continued. 'Once comprehensive testing and information is available, next steps can be better understood and planned,' staff concluded. 'It is recognized this closure will be an inconvenience and ask for patience while further testing is completed.'
