Dundas Cootes Drive Canadian Tire sale still on hold

While site remediation, building demolition and sale of the Canadian Tire property at 50 Cootes Dr. is reportedly still on hold, its impact on surrounding natural areas, including Spencer Creek, and on development pressures in Dundas's ecologically sensitive east end are ongoing issues.

An Oct. 2019 consultant's report recommended Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark contact Canadian Tire about using two small parcels of land across Dundas Street from the main property, next to the Spencer Creek trail, that are part of the property for sale since November. Apparently, no action has been taken on that recommendation by any EcoPark member agency.

Colliers Canada relisted the property for sale last month, but directed all questions to Canadian Tire spokesperson Joscelyn Donsanjh, who did not answer questions about when contamination cleanup, building demolition, and sale of the site will resume.

I can tell you that our plans to demolish the structure and sell the property remain - however everything is still on hold at this time," Dosanjh said.

Canadian Tire's goal was to close a sale of the property by June 30, 2020. The property was first listed by Colliers in late November 2019 and offers were accepted until the end of January 2020. The company said it had received multiple" offers.

Ministry of Labour inspectors were on-site Feb. 7 2020, but have not received any updates on the project. The remediation work, sale process and demolition planning were all put on hold at the end of March.

Ministry spokesperson Kalem McSween said the ministry received a Notice of Project for soil remediation on Feb. 3, 2020

There is no end date on the NOP," McSween said.

The extent of contamination has not yet been made public. A separate notice may be required for building demolition.

Hamilton Conservation Authority director of watershed planning and engineering Scott Peck said Canadian Tire has not been in contact with the HCA regarding site conditions and impacts on Spencer Creek, and the authority is not aware of any issues.

Environment ministry spokesperson Lindsay Davidson said Canadian Tire has not informed Ontario's environment ministry about the status of site remediation.

Davidson said Canadian Tire is not required to notify the ministry of voluntary efforts to reduce contaminants on its property.

Phil Caldwell, of the City of Hamilton planning and economic development, said Canadian Tire has not applied for, nor made any inquiries about, the city's ERASE site remediation incentive programs for 50 Cootes Dr.

The City of Hamilton issued a demolition permit for the property's vacant structure on March 26. It will have to be renewed if work does not begin by September 26.

John Lane, manager of building inspections at the City of Hamilton, said the Dundas building inspector has been monitoring 50 Cootes Dr., and reported no activity there.

The building division has not yet been provided with any potential timelines for demolition," Lane said.

There has been no application for formal planning consultation with the city - which would circulate any development proposal to various agencies, including the conservation authority, for comment on any required reports, studies and permits.

Wayne Terryberry, co-ordinator of outdoor recreation and natural lands at McMaster University's athletics and recreation department, is a member of the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark steering committee.

Terryberry said none of the EcoPark system partner agencies have had any contact with Canadian Tire, as far as he knows.

We certainly could use more engagement with the owners on the potential for ecological restoration and a visitor access trailhead location there," he said.

Terryberry called the west end of Cootes Paradise a particularly complex area identified as an important visitor node and transition area between the urban environment of Dundas and surrounding natural areas, with sensitivity to contamination from industrial pollutants.

Tomasz Wiercioch, co-ordinator of the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System, said the group is a voluntary collaboration of nine landowning agencies that protect open space and nature sanctuary between Cootes Paradise marsh and the Niagara Escarpment.

Member agencies include: the City of Hamilton, McMaster University, Hamilton Conservation Authority and Royal Botanical Gardens,

Ultimately, the recommendations made ... are for the individual landowning agencies themselves to consider," Wiercioch said. As of this time, I am not aware that any of the agencies have looked into connecting with Canadian Tire regarding this property."

Dundas resident and Conserver Society of Hamilton and District board member Peter Hutton said he is concerned about the property and what is happening there.

Hutton said he hopes anyone interested in purchasing the site is aware of the issues impacting the site, and its use, including flood plain development restrictions.

Colliers listed the property last year with development concepts that can not be verified as realistic proposals. Flood plain regulations would require several metres of floodproofing.

Hutton said there should be some public accountability whether there's contamination on site" and also discussion around how development of the site might impact an upcoming Dundas Secondary Plan for the area.

It's bringing development pressure to the Cootes-Escarpment area," Hutton said. We see development at that site as more than just a commercial transaction."