County waves white flag, will build sound barrier

New Tecumseth Free Press August 9, 2012

Simcoe County’s Corporate Services committee will be asked next week to approve spending $360,000 to erect a noise attenuation barrier as part of the new $2.4 million Beeton roads garage after failing to convince New Tecumseth to relieve it of that site plan obligation.

The County’s new works yard located at 6609 County Road 1, is approximately two kilometers west of Beeton, and will replace the depot now located at Main and Patterson Street. While it is located in a rural area, there are a residential neighbours. The barrier is required to allay their concerns because fully operational, tests concluded it will exceed Ministry of Environment guidelines by six decibels during the day, and seven decibels from back-up beepers, and dump trucks in and out with salt and sand to look after the network of County roads in south Simcoe.

For its part, Simcoe County did agree to the wall in the site plan agreement signed in November 2010, but has sought relief from building it, suggesting instead that they be allowed to operate for a year, and then determine the noise mitigation options. The project was substantively completed in January, but outstanding condition of the site plan agreement being the noise mitigation, is preventing the County from obtaining an occupancy permit.

“With the assistance of the Purchasing, Fleet and Property staff, as well as staff from the Transportation and Engineering department, and discussions with Town of New Tecumseth, we have been unsuccessful in reaching any agreement,” according to the report from Christian Meile, Director, Transportation Maintenance. “It is therefore recommended to erect the sound mitigation measures as requested by the Town in the site plan agreement. 

The construction will consist of 450 linear metres of noise attenuation barrier varying in height from 3.0 to 4.0 metres along both the east and west property lines. This will be advertised by a competitive bid process and if approved, will begin construction as soon as possible.”