Former dump site land being appraised

By RAYMOND BOWE Barrie Examiner June 23 2010
How much could a partially developed garbage dump fetch on the open market?
That’s a question Simcoe County councillors hope to have answered in the coming weeks after requesting an appraisal for the former Landfill Site 41 property north of Elmvale.
The controversial project failed last summer following a public outcry against the landfill swayed county politicians. Area residents were concerned that the dump could contaminate local groundwater.  At Tuesday’s Simcoe County council meeting, councillors ordered an appraisal for six parcels of land — ranging in size from 115 acres to less than a half-acre — on Conc. 2 East in Tiny Township.
The county owns the entire 321-acre chunk of land, of which 51 acres had been licensed by the Ministry of the Environment to take garbage.
Site 41 had been in the works since 1979. The site was chosen in 1986 and more than $12 million was spent on its development before it came to a screeching halt.
“It would be nice to recoup some of the costs, even 1%,” said Clearview Township Deputy Mayor Alicia Savage, adding she would not support spending anymore money on the landfill before it’s sold. “We need to cut ties and quit bringing this back (to council) and move on.”
Springwater Township Mayor Tony Guergis said there’s “a significant opportunity for repayment of taxpayer dollars” by selling the property.
The first construction crews arrived at Site 41 in August 2007 and cell construction began last spring.
The cost to remove all of the on-site works is about $500,000, said environmental services director Rob McCullough. However, he said that work isn’t necessary considering the buyer could use what’s already been done.
Once the appraisal is received, councillors will discuss whether to sell the property as a whole or split it up into smaller lots, based on which could possibly help optimize the property value.
The appraisal is expected to come back for the county council meeting in August.
Oro-Medonte Tow n s h i p Deputy Ralph Hough said he was against spending more taxpayer money on remedial work. He said it should be sold as is.
“But let’s wait and see what the appraiser says,” Hough said. “If we need to spend more money, so be it, but let’s not spend any more money until we get that (appraiser’s) report back.”
Simcoe County CAO Mark Aitken said no additional money will be spent in the meantime until a price is put on the property.
The county roads leading into the site will also be transferred back to Tiny Township.