Item - 2014.EY33.13

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1.         City Council request the Medical Officer of Health to retain an outside Air Quality Expert this spring, to immediately commence air quality monitoring at sensitive receptors (residential properties) within 50 metres of the ML Ready Mix operation at 29 Judson Street, in consultation with the local Councillor.  The findings to be reported to the Ministry of the Environment and to City Council as soon as the study is completed.

2.         City Council request the Division Heads of Municipal Licensing and Standards, Economic Development, City Planning, Toronto Building and Public Health, to convene a Working Group, including a representative from the Ministry of the Environment.  The Working Group will meet on a monthly basis to address community concerns relating to ML Ready Mix at 29 Judson Street, and will submit regular progress updates to the Ward Councillor, Deputy City Manager John Livey, the City Solicitor, Toronto Police Services, and the local Member of Provincial Parliament. 

3.         City Council request the Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District, to conduct a review of Employment Lands in the West District that may be suitable for a cement batch mixing plant and initiate any required Zoning By-law Amendment to allow the use, provided ML Ready Mix Concrete Inc. provides proof of a binding Agreement of Purchase and Sale of the property and agrees to pay for all required planning, environmental and traffic studies.

4.         City Council request Deputy City Manager John Livey to look into moving the Works Yard on Commissioner Street, or any other City-owned Yard, to another location to allow ML Ready Mix to relocate.

5.         City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to retain a real estate broker to look for suitable relocation sites for the concrete batching operation at 29 Judson Street.

6.         City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, to install a video surveillance and recording system on Judson Street to monitor continuously traffic activity on Judson Street west of Royal York Road, so as to prepare a date and time stamped record of traffic movements which could be shared with various enforcement agencies.

7.         City Council request Metrolinx to submit to Etobicoke York Community Council a status update on the easement proposed for this site.

This report provides a summary of the activities undertaken by Toronto Public Health (TPH) with other City Divisions, and the Ministry of the Environment (Ministry) to address community concerns related to the ML Ready Mix located at 29 Judson Street.  Since 2012, in collaboration with other City Divisions and the Ministry, TPH has responded to potential environmental and health impacts associated with the concrete batching activities at the site.  The most commonly reported concerns related to noise, air quality impacts, dust, and vehicular traffic.  Additional concerns raised by the community related to hours of operations, planning and construction, and esthetic issues.  Due to the complexity of regulatory oversight and jurisdiction issues, responses have entailed a multi-divisional and multi-agency approach.  This collaborative approach has addressed many of the concerns related to impacts of dust, noise, and vehicular traffic.  Toronto Public Health is committed to continue this collaborative work with its City and provincial partners to respond to ongoing and future community concerns.