Some York Region environmental groups are asking the province to step in and investigate municipal approvals given to a proposed long-term care facility on the Oak Ridges Moraine in King.
Concerned Citizens of King Township (CCKT) and Save the Oak Ridges Moraine (STORM) Coalition have filed a request for an investigation under the Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights. They alleged in a news release that plans approved by King Township staff concerning the St. Rita at Marylake Long-Term Care home proposed on Oak Ridges Moraine land violate environmental regulations.
Mary Muter, a member of Kingscross Ratepayers Association, which has also objected to the proposal, said they are taking this step as concerned residents are feeling ignored by King Township.
“We’re hoping that the township will sit down with us and explain to us how this (approval) happened,” she said. “We’re optimistic because we don’t believe the township has seriously looked at what the impacts are of discharging contaminated water.”
The facility represents an expansion of an existing monastery, with a groundbreaking for construction last September. While the provincial government has supported the facility, some residents have raised issues with the expansion onto environmentally protected lands.
The newest effort of opposition seeks to contest the project due to its stormwater discharge into neighbouring water bodies. The proposed size of the facility is more than 17,000 square feet, with a need to pump 237,000 litres of groundwater daily during construction, and half as much after construction, according to a release from the groups.
“There is the risk the applicant could be discharging phenol-contaminated groundwater at 15 times the limit, threatening the designated (provincially significant wetlands) and the 10 species of fish that inhabit Marylake,” the groups said in a news release.
In response to the news release, King said the township processed the site plan application for the facility in accordance with the Planning Act and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority also assessed the site and approved it for redevelopment.
"The Township of King has a strong track record of protecting greenspace, and this redevelopment is no exception. This facility will be built entirely on already developed land and limited to three stories," manager of communications and public engagement Andrea Gyarmati said. "Comprehensive studies confirm this new facility presents a significant ecological improvement to the site — including a net benefit to the groundwater — considering the age of the existing structures and infrastructure. As construction proceeds, precautions are in place to protect the environment and surrounding communities."
King said the proposal is aligned with the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and will deliver needed long-term care beds locally.
Under the Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights, residents can request investigations if they believe an organization is breaking environmental legislation. The province will let applicants know within 60 days if no investigation has been undertaken but has 120 days to respond if it does decide to investigate.
“The plans, acts, and regulations that were put in place to prevent these exact contaminants from harming and destroying sensitive ecosystems on the Moraine must be upheld,” concerned citizens of King Township chair Bruce Craig said. “We’re appealing to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to uphold these important protections.”
The groups previously threatened to take the township to court, but have yet to make a legal filing. Muter said they would wait to see how this application plays out.
“There are far better places to build long-term care,” Muter said.
