HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-15-031 - Property Acquisition 90 Balzer Road
REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole
DATE OF MEETING: March 30, 2015
SUBMITTED BY: Steve Allen, Manager, Engineering Design & Approvals, 519-
741-2200 ext 7584
PREPARED BY: Steve Allen, Manager, Engineering Design & Approvals,
519-741-2200 ext 7584
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 3
DATE OF REPORT: March 25, 2015
REPORT NO.: INS-15-031
SUBJECT: Property Acquisition 90 Balzer Road
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an Agreement of Purchase and
Sale with 1353935 Ontario Inc. for the acquisition of the Lands described as Part
Lot 7, Plan 757, as in Instrument No. 1459339, City of Kitchener, being all of Pin
22595-0061, municipally known as 90 Balzer Road, Kitchener; said Agreement to
be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and further
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute any documentation,
satisfactory to the City Solicitor, necessary to effect said transaction.
BACKGROUND:
The Schneider Creek Remediation – Class Environmental Assessment Addendum
Report prepared by AECOM, dated March 2012 and approved by City of Kitchener
Council on March 19, 2012 recommended remedial flood control measures to mitigate
flooding concerns in the Schneider Creek as well as to mitigate erosion concerns in
three reaches of the creek.
The purchase of 90 Balzer Road is recommended to facilitate the removal of the Balzer
Road Bridge, which has been identified as a hydraulic constraint in the study.
REPORT:
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
The Schneider Creek Remediation – Class Environmental Assessment Addendum Report
prepared by AECOM, dated March 2012 identifies flood and erosion impacts associated with
several hydraulic constraints along Schneider Creek including the Balzer Road Bridge. The
remediation alternatives from the EA aim to alleviate the flood risk to the adjacent railway
spurline and adjacent properties.
The Balzer Road bridge serves as the sole access to the industrial property 90 Balzer Road.
This is the only private property serviced by the bridge. The bridge is currently approaching the
end of its life cycle and will require significant repairs or replacement if maintained.
The Environmental Assessment’s recommendations for the Balzer Road Bridge included its
permanent removal in order to improve the hydraulic conveyance of Schneider Creek and
contribute to the provision of flood protection and the reduction of erosion issues. Since the
bridge serves as the sole road access to the industrial property located at 90 Balzer Road, if the
bridge is removed the issue related to access of the private property will be resolved through the
City acquiring the property. Additionally the EA recommends using the land for additional flood
storage.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
will permit the reduction of flooding and erosion along
The proposed property acquisition
Schneider Creek. Reduced flooding and erosion will reduce maintenance costs and
impacts to adjacent properties which
aligns with key themes and community priorities stated
within the City’s Strategic Plan, particularly Effective and Efficient Government, Quality of Life
and Development themes. Rehabilitation of the natural elements of Schneider Creek aligns with
the community priority of the Environment.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The purchase of 90 Balzer Road will be accommodated in approved budgets for the
Schneider Creek Channel project.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
A Public Information Centre (PIC) was held on February 8, 2012. The public, agencies,
stakeholders, interested and affected parties were provided with an opportunity to
review and comment on the study findings including preferred alternative, along with the
other alternatives considered. The direct mail-outs, along with the newspaper
advertisement advising the public and property owners of the project and the Public
Information Centre, provided a project overview, as well as contact names and
information for those interested. Furthermore there were many project meetings with
Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) to co-operatively select the preferred
alternatives.
The addendum was presented to the City of Kitchener Environmental Committee
(February 16, 2012) and the Grand River Conservation Authority Committee of the
Whole (March 8, 2012). The Committee of the Whole (GRCA) approved the filing of the
Addendum report and directed it be placed on the public record for 30 calendar days, in
accordance with the requirements of the Class Environmental Assessment for Remedial
Flood and Erosion Control Projects.
The addendum was also presented to the City of Kitchener Community and
Infrastructure Services Committee (March 19, 2012) where the EA was received and
staff were directed to place the Addendum report on the public record for 30 calendar
days, in accordance with the requirements of the Class Environmental Assessment for
Remedial Flood and Erosion Control Projects.
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in
advance of the council / committee meeting.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Dev Tyagi, Deputy CAO
Infrastructure Services Department