The City of St. Catharines has launched a comprehensive action plan in response to several concerns from residents regarding the former industrial automotive parts manufacturing property at 282-285 Ontario St. Since January 2020, we have been working on mitigating concerns related to environmental protection, trespassing and safety at the site in order to keep the city and neighbourhood clean and healthy.
Challenges
Like any private property, the City cannot unilaterally act to clean up the site on our own. We must go through the proper legal channels to ensure the current owner adheres to City by-laws and work with other levels of government, such as the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MOECP), to ensure regulations are followed.
Reporting suspicious activity
Please report any suspicious, dangerous or criminal activity at the site to the Niagara Regional Police Service by calling 9-1-1. This could include breaking and entering, trespassing and graffiti.
Progress so far
Since the action plan was implemented, we have taken several steps, within the scope of our authority, to address concerns with the site:
- Taken steps to prosecute the current landowner over alleged infractions to the Building Code, Fire Code and Waste By-law
- Retained external legal support to advise Council and staff on provincial legislation, legal precedents and case law that would allow for City-led cleanup and demolition of a privately-owned industrial site, and how costs could be recouped
- Retained a security company to perform perimeter patrols to prevent trespassing
- Successfully directed the owner to inspect and repair perimeter fencing and window boarding
- Engaged the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) and MOECP for printed circuit board (PCB) testing and analysis on the 12 Mile Creek upstream and downstream of the site, alongside upwind and downwind air monitoring and asbestos risk assessment. Based on the most recent testing, Ontario Public Health "believes there is no increased risk of adverse health to persons living in the vicinity"
- View the NPCA's:
- View the MOECP's:
- Surface Water Results 282-285 Ontario Street - Ministry Response and Next Steps presentation slides from the June 28, 2021 City Council meeting
- Addendum Water Monitoring Results 282-285 Ontario Street - April 2021
- Water and Air Monitoring Results 282 - 285 Ontario St. presentation slides from the Dec. 22, 2020 City Council meeting
- Surface Water Study
- Air Monitoring Survey
- Addendum Cover Letter
- Surface Water Study Addendum
- Surface Water Testing Results - July 2020
- Correspondence in February 2020
- Contacted the MOEP about asbestos risks associated with the site, with the Ministry of Labour stating they see no concerns until work begins on the site
- Passed the Waste By-law, which prohibits the use of certain lands for disposal of waste, including inoperative machinery, construction materials and industrial and commercial waste. This provides new avenues of prosecution
- Passed an amendment to the Official Plan, re-designating the site for residential and mixed-use purposes
- Nine visits made by City staff for grass cutting and weed clearing and four visits made by City staff for graffiti complaints
- Two instances of graffiti removal by a hired contractor, with invoices directed to the property owner
- Legal action taken against the property owner with respect to the noncompliance with Fire Code, Building Code and City Waste By-law orders arising from the condition of the site.
Status updates and supplemental information
View the City's status update memoranda and supplemental information reports in relation to the site: