Municipal Licensing and Standards report on monitoring of Hard Rock and Santos Excavating and Neon Disposal Ltd., 101 Union Street

Highlights from city the report.

City Council requests the Ministry of the Environment to investigate the

environmental and health concerns of the community, particularly the air borne contaminants and the effects of the noise and vibration on the nearby residential community.

Hard Rock and Santos Excavating and Neon Disposal Limited operate a commercial

business from the property at 101 Union Street.

As a result of neighbourhood concerns Municipal Licensing and Standards coordinated a

joint investigation of the operation of the business and the subject property to determine

compliance with municipal by-laws.

The joint investigation took place on February 3, 2010 and included staff from Toronto

Fire Services, Toronto Buildings, Transportation Services, Municipal Licensing and

Standards and the Ministry of the Environment and Parking Enforcement.

Toronto Fire Services identified issues and are dealing with blocked exits on the interior

of the building.

Toronto Buildings has advised that there are no matters of violation or concern under

their jurisdiction.

Transportation Services identified violations under their jurisdiction related to the illegal storage of disposal bins within the right of way (boulevard area) and roadway, in addition to illegal parking on the boulevard area. These matters were resolved with the cooperation of Parking Enforcement staff on March 4, 2010 where 10 vehicles were tagged and towed, (4 vehicles from the roadway and 6 vehicles from the City Boulevard).

The Ministry of Environment had no issues identified regarding noise or vibration. There was no evidence of air borne contaminants at the time of the inspection. The only concern was with the accumulation of household waste within the illegally stored bins.

This matter was resolved upon the removal of the bins from public access.

Municipal Licensing and Standards has communicated the requirement to expedite

repairs due to the condition of the existing fence (deteriorated corrugated metal).

At the last follow up investigation conducted on March 20, 2010 the fence has been

substantially repaired. At this time there was also a Zoning charge pending with the

courts to be heard July 27, 2010 regarding the use of the premises and a pending charge regarding non-compliance with a Notice issued under the provisions of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 548, Littering and Dumping.

101 Union Street environmental and health concerns by residents

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1.         City Council request the Ministry of Environment to investigate the environmental and health concerns of the community in the area of Hard Rock and Santos Excavating, 101 Union Street, particularly the air borne contaminants and the effects of the noise and vibration on the nearby residential community at Hard Rock and Santos Excavating, 101 Union Street.

Etobicoke York Community Council:

1          Requested the Manager, Municipal Licensing and Standards, Etobicoke York District:

a.         to monitor Hard Rock and Santos Excavating, 101 Union Street, on a frequent basis with a view to determining whether additional charges should be laid before the courts.

b.         to investigate the feasibility of laying bylaw charges for excessive noise and violent shaking of the nearby residents’ homes due to the huge concrete and stone smashing that goes on at this location.

c.         to meet with the local Councillor and nearby residents to obtain input from the community before the next Court day in July 2010.

d.         to report to its April 27, 2010 meeting on the status of their investigations of Hard Rock and Santos Excavating, 101 Union Street.