A contaminated Milton property once occupied by a car parts manufacturer has been overhauled to allow for a proposed housing development.
The Milton Community, Mountainview West’s objective is to integrate 16-Mile Creek into a new, mixed-use project.
The Steeles Avenue East site was purchased by Milton-based Neatt Communities for a proposed development of over 1,000 housing units, four new roads and a stormwater management pond for phase one.
The property was formerly occupied by Meritor Suspension Systems Company from 1954 to 2009.
According to Town of Milton officials, areas of the site became contaminated as a result of previous industrial use. Contaminants were located primarily around the factory building, which was demolished in October 2021.
Among work done in the first phase:
- Erosion and sediment control works, including a temporary sediment control pond to control runoff.
- Remediation works, including removal of the contaminated soil to an approved. dump site and grading works to facilitate drainage.
- Ongoing soil testing to ensure all contaminated soil has been removed.
“The multi-year environmental clean up was a partnership between Neatt Communities, the Town of Milton, Conservation Halton and the Region of Halton,” says Mike Vernooy, principal of Neatt Communities. “Each group came together to provide valuable feedback on how the site could be transformed to become an asset to the entire downtown Milton community.”
The second phase expanded the work area to include lands regulated by Conservation Halton and Halton Region.
“At the statutory public meeting, the agent for the applicant noted that approximately 20,000 truckloads of soil had been removed from the property. Restoration work has also been completed, including adding 13 acres of a new natural heritage system, three acres of woodland and wetland restoration and planting 6,500 native species,” said Jessica Tijanic, Town of Milton senior planner, development review.
She added most of the contamination on the site was around the former industrial building and an unregulated landfill just behind it. The contaminated soil was removed and transported to a specialized landfill. Groundwater contamination was treated onsite.
Approximately 22,460 tonnes of concrete, surrounding the former industrial building, was crushed and recycled onsite. It is reported the developer has invested $35 million in the remedial efforts.
The site is now clear for the proposed Neatt Communities project at 150 Steeles Ave. E., 248, 250, and 314 Martin St. It would be a mixed-use community that includes a range of residential densities, at-grade commercial uses, a natural heritage system, open space/parkland areas, trails, new roads and a stormwater management pond.
“Infrastructure upgrades (water and sewer) are required to service the proposed development. The developer is currently working with Halton Region to determine the extent of the upgrades needed to serve the proposed development. The proposed development also includes several new roads and a stormwater management plan, all intended to become public infrastructure,” said Tijanic of the 20.8 acres of subject lands.
Upon Milton Town Council’s approval, the development – designed by Toronto-based Core Architects – will include the development of 1,083 residential units (1,001 apartment units and 82 townhouse units) in phase one.
Also included are four apartment buildings, ranging in height from six to10 storeys; one mixed-use building at eight storeys with at-grade commercial space (209 square metres); and three-storey townhouse buildings. Phase one also includes 1,442 parking spaces, mostly provided in underground structures, and 1,160 bicycle parking spaces.
According to the Town of Milton, phase two will require a future zoning bylaw amendment application to establish permitted uses and zoning provisions.
“The opportunity to put forth a dynamic walkable community in an established neighbourhood like Downtown Milton is very unique,” says Vernooy. “We look forward to moving the project through the planning process and creating a new community that complements downtown Milton.”
