HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRPS-07-003 - Exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) - Ontario Realty Corp - 200 Frederick StreetJ
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CorF~orute Services
Report To: Finance and Corporate Services Committee
Date of Meeting: January 29, 2007
Submitted By: Troy Speck, General Manager of Corporate Services
Prepared By: Shayne Turner, Director of By-law Enforcement
Ward(s) Involved: Bridgeport -Centre
Date of Report: January 24, 2007
Report No.: CRPS-07-003
Subject: EXEMPTION TO CHAPTER 450 (NOISE) - KITCHENER
COURTHOUSE - 200 FREDERICK STREET
RECOMMENDATION:
Council direction is requested.
BACKGROUND:
In the summer of 2006, the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC) submitted a noise exemption
application to the City to allow for construction noise to be made from 7 PM to 7 AM for a period
of approximately 4 months, in order to facilitate the construction of an additional courtroom at
the Provincial Courthouse at 200 Frederick Street. On August 21, 2006, Report No. CRPS-06-
116, was presented to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee, copy attached.
At the meeting, significant concerns were raised by a group of residents from the adjacent
neighbourhood and the matter was deferred to allow staff and the ORC to meet with the area
residents.
On October 12, 2006, a public meeting was held with all residents within the vicinity of the
courthouse.
REPORT:
Several concerns were raised at the public meeting. These concerns related to such matters as
the actual need to undertake construction work in the evening and overnight hours, the length of
time needed to undertake the project, the type of construction work being planned and the
actual need to construct an additional courtroom in the first place. The consensus of the
neighbourhood group was that they opposed the ORC's application.
After the meeting, ORC staff went away to consider their options. Subsequently, the ORC
submitted an amended noise exemption request to permit construction noise between the hours
of 7 PM and 11 PM, from Monday to Friday for a period of approximately 4 months. As a result,
the By-law Enforcement Division and the ORC distributed a public notice to the area residents,
outlining the amended request and soliciting any feedback that anyone may have.
At the time of writing this report, By-law Enforcement Division staff have spoken with a couple of
residents, however staff have been informed that a group of area residents will likely be making
a delegation to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee at the January 29t" meeting.
Also of concern to the area residents is the planned reconstruction project involving Mansion,
Ellen and Ahrens Streets. They are concerned with the potential for added inconvenience when
coupled with this project.
Currently, the ORC is looking for their exemption request to be considered by Council prior to
going out to tender the project.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None identified at this time.
COMMUNICATIONS:
No Corporate Communications required.
CONCLUSION:
Given the history of noise complaints related to construction activities at this location, staff are
looking for Council's direction with respect to the ORC's request for an exemption to Chapter
450 (Noise) to permit construction noise between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M. for a
period of approximately 4 months, as to be determined by the ORC.
Shayne Turner
Director of By-law Enforcement
Encl