Clarington's Supplemental Phase II ESA and Designated Substance Survey for 173 Baseline Road

The Municipality of Clarington will conduct a Supplemental Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and a Designated Substance Survey for its 2-hectare property located in a commercial/industrial area, at 173 Baseline Road. The municipality acquired the site following a failed property tax sale and intends to sell the property to a buyer who will bring the site back into productive use. The site was used as an auto-body wreckage and salvage business, where chemicals were released by burning tires and other combustibles in fire incidents that occurred from 1993 to 2000. The Supplemental Phase 2 ESA and Designated Substance Survey will determine in greater detail the level and types of contamination at the site. Study reports will include recommendations for site remediation, including the estimated cost of clean-up. The successful remediation and future redevelopment of the site will help Clarington achieve several social and economic targets in its Strategic Plan 2011 -2014, while fulfilling policies from both the Clarington and Region of Durham Official Plans. In particular, the site is located in an area identified as a first priority for community improvement under the municipality’s Official Plan. Clarington has limited experience with brownfield remediation, having traditionally relied on greenfield development. By taking the early steps leading to redevelopment of a failed tax sale property, the municipality hopes to demonstrate to similarly-sized communities that they can successfully take on higher-risk activities. (Project description from original funding application)