Caledonia GO Station Environmental Assessment Study
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Caledonia GO Station Environmental Assessment Study Public Meeting #1 Summary Report Metrolinx R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited 6990 Creditview Road, Unit 2 Mississauga ON L5N 8R9 CANADA August 2015 300034767.0000 Metrolinx i Caledonia GO Station Environmental Assessment Study Public Meeting #1 Summary Report August 2015 Distribution List No. of Hard PDF Email Organization Name Copies 0 Yes Yes Metrolinx Record of Revisions Revision Date Description 0 July 2015 Draft Submission to Metrolinx 1 August 2015 Final Submission to Metrolinx R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited Report Prepared By: Ashley Gallaugher Environmental Scientist AG:mp Report Reviewed By: Jennifer Vandermeer, P.Eng. Environmental Assessment Lead Jim Georgas, C.E.T. Transit Manager R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited 300034767.0000 034767_Caledonia GO Station TPAP EA Public Meeting 1 Summary Report.docx Metrolinx ii Caledonia GO Station Environmental Assessment Study Public Meeting #1 Summary Report August 2015 Executive Summary PROJECT Caledonia GO Station, Transit Project Assessment Process Environmental Assessment (EA) Study PROPONENT Metrolinx ACTIVITY Public Meeting #1, Open House Format DATE, TIME & May 26, 2015 LOCATION 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. York Memorial Collegiate 2690 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6M 1T9 PROJECT TEAM Elise Croll, Metrolinx MEMBERS Trevor Anderson, Metrolinx PRESENT Carolina Daza Ortiz, Metrolinx Tania Gautam, Metrolinx Georgina Collymore, Metrolinx Vanessa Anders, Metrolinx Doug Keenie R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited (Burnside) Jim Georgas, Burnside Jennifer Vandermeer, Burnside Debanjan Mookerjea, Burnside • To describe the existing study corridor and opportunities. PURPOSE • To introduce Metrolinx’ transportation goals. • To describe the proposed study and purpose. • To present the proposed infrastructure for the new Caledonia GO Station. • To present the Environmental Assessment (EA) and Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP). • To present topics to be examined during EA. • To encourage, gather and respond to public input and feedback on the study. • To identify next steps in the process. PROCEEDINGS This report provides a summary account of the first Public Meeting held for the Caledonia GO Station TPAP EA Study. A copy of this report will be included in the final Environmental Project Report (EPR). R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited 300034767.0000 034767_Caledonia GO Station TPAP EA Public Meeting 1 Summary Report.docx Metrolinx iii Caledonia GO Station Environmental Assessment Study Public Meeting #1 Summary Report August 2015 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Purpose of Public Meeting # 1 ..................................................................... 1 2.0 Method of Notification......................................................................................... 2 3.0 Public Meeting Format ........................................................................................ 3 4.0 Participation Levels and Summary of Comments Received ........................... 4 5.0 Next Steps ............................................................................................................ 7 Tables Table 4.1: Comment Sheet Submissions and Study Team Response ............................ 4 Table 4.2: Email Submissions and Study Team Response ............................................. 4 Appendices Appendix A Newspaper Advertisement Appendix B Display Boards Appendix C Comment Sheets and Email Comments R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited 300034767.0000 034767_Caledonia GO Station TPAP EA Public Meeting 1 Summary Report.docx Metrolinx 1 Caledonia GO Station Environmental Assessment Study Public Meeting #1 Summary Report August 2015 1.0 Introduction Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario, has retained R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited (Burnside) to undertake an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Preliminary Design Update to support the development of the future Caledonia GO Station on the GO Transit Barrie rail corridor. This new station will be located at the northwest quadrant of Eglinton Avenue West and Croham Road. The EA and Preliminary Design Update are currently underway and will be assessed in accordance with the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) as outlined in Ontario Regulation 231/08, Transit Projects and Metrolinx undertakings (Government of Ontario). 1.1 Purpose of Public Meeting # 1 The Eglinton Crosstown Light Rapid Transit (ECLRT) Environmental Project Report (EPR), completed in March 2010, identified the potential for a future connection with the GO Transit Barrie rail corridor at the Caledonia LRT Station; however the environmental impacts of developing a new GO station were not assessed. In May 2012, a Public Open House was held at York Memorial Collegiate, and showed the draft preliminary design for both the Caledonia LRT and GO Station. On May 26, 2015, Metrolinx hosted Public Meeting #1 at York Memorial Collegiate, which was intended to introduce the Caledonia GO Station EA and Preliminary Design Update project and provide an update from the 2012 Public Open House specifically for the GO station. This event was held as part of the pre-TPAP consultation period to present information regarding the TPAP, project background, existing conditions, and updated design concepts, while providing the public with an opportunity to comment on the project prior to issuing the Notice of Commencement. Community engagement is an integral piece to ensuring the public remain informed of the EA process and are provided an opportunity to submit comments for consideration. R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited 300034767.0000 034767_Caledonia GO Station TPAP EA Public Meeting 1 Summary Report.docx Metrolinx 2 Caledonia GO Station Environmental Assessment Study Public Meeting #1 Summary Report August 2015 2.0 Method of Notification To raise awareness for Public Meeting #1, details of the date, time, location and project purpose, were published in the following newspapers: • York Guardian - Thursday May 7, 2015 and Thursday May 14, 2015; and • Bloor West Villager - Thursday May 7 and Thursday May 14. A Notice of Public Meeting #1 (provided in Appendix A) was also distributed via email or mail to review agencies, all property owners within 30 m of the Study Area, and Aboriginal Groups with potential interest in the project. A copy of the Notice was also posted on the Metrolinx website http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/rer/rer_work.aspx and messaging was displayed on the Metrolinx Twitter feed and Facebook page. R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited 300034767.0000 034767_Caledonia GO Station TPAP EA Public Meeting 1 Summary Report.docx Metrolinx 3 Caledonia GO Station Environmental Assessment Study Public Meeting #1 Summary Report August 2015 3.0 Public Meeting Format Public Meeting #1 was hosted in an ‘open-house’ format whereby attendees were able to view project information on display boards (provided in Appendix B) and ask questions of Metrolinx and Burnside staff who were in attendance. Attendees were greeted, asked to sign the registration sheet, and provided with a comment sheet. No formal presentation was made. Participants were given the opportunity to provide any feedback on the project or EA process by completing a comment sheet (these were collected as part of the pre-TPAP consultation). If individuals wished to take comment sheets home to complete later, they were asked to return them to the address, email or fax number provided on the comment sheet, before June 16, 2015. R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited 300034767.0000 034767_Caledonia GO Station TPAP EA Public Meeting 1 Summary Report.docx Metrolinx 4 Caledonia GO Station Environmental Assessment Study Public Meeting #1 Summary Report August 2015 4.0 Participation Levels and Summary of Comments Received A total of 16 people attended Public Meeting #1 and one individual submitted a comment sheet to the study team during the open house. Four additional individuals submitted comments to the study team via email following Public Meeting #1. All comments received are provided in Appendix C. A summary of the common comments raised during the open house and received through comment sheets or emails are presented below by topic/issue in Table 4.1: Comment Sheet Submissions and Study Team Response. Notes on how the study team will incorporate these comments during the course of the project are also noted. A summary of general comments and study team responses from Public Meeting #1 will be presented at Public Meeting #2. Table 4.1: Comment Sheet Submissions and Study Team Response General Comment Study Team Response Scheduling/Service/Costs/Transit Coordination Future consideration for bike path parallel Comment noted. with tracks to Union Station. Connection of Beltline Trail to rail station. Comment noted. Metrolinx will work with City of Toronto Planning as a part of the EA to discuss opportunities to coordinate station development with cycling plans. Storage for cyclist Bike storage area is being incorporated into the Caledonia GO station design. Table 4.2: Email Submissions and Study Team Response General Comment Study Team Response Presentation Comments Was impressed with the new GO station Comment noted. Link to online location of and would like access to display boards. boards provided. Noise Impacts Noise and vibration impacts (from train As part of the EA, a noise and vibration slowing down and coming to a stop