Perth Public Works garage proposal is under further review after concerns raised during the May 19 open house
The Town of Perth says it is taking a closer look at all options for its proposed Environmental Services Shop project following strong community feedback at a recent public open house.
In a media release issued May 21, council thanked residents for attending the May 19 open house and sharing concerns about the proposed Sunset Boulevard location.
“Overall, the Town understands the public interest in this project and is taking the feedback seriously. Staff are gathering additional information so council can make an informed decision on next steps,” said Cathy McNally, director of Community Services.
Mayor Judy Brown said council is committed to balancing operational needs with public concerns as the project moves forward.
“We appreciate the residents who took the time to attend the Open House and share their perspectives,” Brown said. “Council is listening carefully to the feedback received and is committed to ensuring we make informed decisions that balance operational needs, financial responsibility, and community concerns.”
The town says the next phase will include reviewing alternate locations, examining possible properties for purchase, analyzing long term infrastructure and financial needs, and studying borrowing impacts and potential tax implications. A special council meeting is also expected in the coming weeks.
The site was initially chosen as the best option for several reasons.
“The site was advanced because it is already the Town’s Environmental Services/Public Works operations location. Keeping the shop there supports operational continuity, avoids duplicating services elsewhere, uses an already established municipal operations site, and was understood to be more cost effective than relocating to a new property,” explained McNally.
However, adjacent residents are not happy about using that particular site, which is located beside the town’s water treatment and intake system and would require the loss of some vegetation, particularly along the river side, reducing hopes for a future walking trail in the area.
Council has received two letters expressing concern from Friends of the Tay Watershed and resident Richard Schooley.
Schooley’s letter provides a detailed commentary outlining the history of the Sunset Boulevard property and questioning whether the site is suitable for expanded municipal operations. Schooley argued the property was originally intended solely for water treatment purposes and pointed to past public concerns about intensification and wetland impacts near the site.
The biggest concern raised by both Schooley and Friends of the Tay Watershed is the location of the proposed garage within a Zone 10 intake protection area, including storage for more than 7,000 litres of fuel.
“The Source Protection Zone 10 Guidelines require that a risk management plan be in place for fuel storage over 2,500 litres. However safe daily handling of fuel can be difficult to ensure, and as noted in the guidelines, contaminants ‘can reach the intake quickly with little or no dilution,’” wrote David Taylor, interim president of Friends of the Tay Watershed.
McNally said the town is continuing to work through technical reviews and regulatory requirements before any final decision is made.
“Generally, source protection policies identify and manage potential drinking water threats, including fuel storage, through required controls, risk management measures, and/or approvals where applicable. We are confirming the specific implications for this site and proposed use as part of the current review,” McNally told Hometown News.
McNally also explained the fuel storage is outside the protected area.
“The site currently has fuel storage that is outside of Zone 10 of the intake protection area. Those fuel tanks are double walled and have a vacuum system to verify integrity. Protection of the river continues to be the primary concern, however the inclusive Zone 10 status can be superseded by mother nature. A fuel spill would have to travel approximately 300 metres upstream against the river current to enter the main channel and impact the Perth water intake,” she explained.
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is also being consulted regarding the proposal and any required permits or mitigation measures, McNally confirmed.
Another concern raised involved the possibility the town would need to fill wetlands to accommodate the expansion of the current Public Works garage.
“The current design does not contemplate filling a wetland,” McNally said, adding that any work near regulated areas would still require RVCA review and approvals.
McNally maintained the project is intended to address operational and safety challenges with the municipality’s aging works facility while ensuring long term delivery of municipal services. Relocating the facility to a different area could create additional operational impacts.
“Relocation could affect travel time, staff deployment, access to equipment/materials, winter operations, response times, and coordination with existing operations. Those impacts are part of the broader review,” said McNally.
Any new site would also need to be assessed for servicing, budget and site constraints, she explained.
“The proposed building was designed to address current operational, health and safety, storage, staff space, and equipment needs. If a different site is pursued, the Town would need to reassess scope, design, cost, and timing.”
For now, the conversation is far from over. With more information gathering underway and council promising a deeper review, Perth residents can expect debate over the future garage site to continue before any shovels hit the ground.
RELATED:
- Residents raise questions about proposed Perth Public Works garage site
- Town of Perth to host open house on Environmental Services Shop Reconstruction Project
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