Ontario Construction News staff writer
Cornwall council has approved a petition process to secure drainage works necessary for a new affordable housing development on municipally owned land.
During its Aug. 11 meeting, council agreed to submit a formal petition under the Drainage Act to establish a municipal drain outlet that will channel stormwater from the development site onto the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) right-of-way and ultimately into the Raisin River.
“Despite multiple attempts to engage with the MTO, the (MTO) has declined to collaborate with the City on this matter,” staff wrote in a report to council.
The proposed works will be overseen by Robinson Consultants, who will prepare an engineer’s report detailing the design and scope of the drainage system. Following the report, the process will include a consideration meeting for affected landowners and a court of revision to address any appeals.
The cost of the project is currently unknown, but could include preliminary investigations, engineering assessments, and potential construction or maintenance of the drainage infrastructure. More detailed estimates and potential funding sources will be presented in a future report.
Councillors say drainage works are critical to the affordable housing project, which has received grant funding and aligns with council’s strategic priorities. Proper stormwater management is required to meet pre- to post-development flow standards.
The city initially tried to work with the MTO to secure a drainage outlet, but negotiations were unsuccessful. “Given the lack of cooperation from the Ministry and no viable alternative options, initiating the petition under the Drainage Act is the only available path,” city staff noted in their report.
If approved, the petition will allow the city to move forward with the drainage solution necessary to support the new housing development while ensuring environmental compliance.
The plan is to direct stormwater to the river through Highway 401’s existing drainage system, avoiding more expensive options to the south that could require additional property acquisitions or easements.
“This process will allow the city to formally pursue the necessary outlet through legislated means,” reads the report. “The petition will trigger the appointment of an engineer to prepare a report, followed by a consideration meeting and a Court of Revision, as prescribed under the act.”
Council designated the land for the new housing development in September of 2021.
