September 16, 1998
To:Etobicoke Community Council
From:D. Gulli, Director, Transportation and Engineering Planning
Subject:Noise Barriers - Mystic Pointe Development
(Lakeshore-Queensway)
Purpose:
To respond to a request from Councillor Kinahan regarding the requirements for noise
barriers in the vicinity of the Mystic Pointe development.
Financial Implications:
There are no financial implications for the City related to this report.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that:
- this report be received.
Background:
The Mystic Pointe development is located on the south side and adjacent to the Gardiner
Expressway (formerly the Queen Elizabeth Way) and between Grand Avenue and the
Mimico Creek. The accompanying sketch (Attachment No. 1) shows both the location of the
development and the type and location of "noise walls" in the vicinity. The jurisdiction over
this portion of the highway was transferred from the Ministry of Transportation to
Metropolitan Toronto (now the City of Toronto) on March 31, 1997, as part of the
Provincial downloading exercise.
The existing wall construction along this portion of the expressway is as follows:
1988:Ministry of Transportation (MTO) as part of their retrofit program, constructed 4 m
high metal walls (noise reflective type) on the north and south sides of the expressway from
Royal York Road easterly. On the north side the wall terminated just east of Wesley Street
and on the south side the wall terminated east of Milton Street. Generally, these walls were
intended to protect existing low density development from noise impacts from the highway.
1992:At the request of and at the expense of the adjacent land owner (Zanini
Developments), the MTO fence was extended on the south side of the highway as far as
Grand Avenue. A newer type of fence construction (Durisol wall) consisting of horizontal
noise absorptive panels, was constructed. It is our understanding that the requirement for a
noise wall was not imposed by MOEE requirements, but by the developers decision to assist
in marketing their development.
1996:Similar to the 1992 extension, Zanini Developments requested the MTO to extend
the wall on the north side of the highway to screen their new development on Mendota
Road. A 4 m high Durisol wall was constructed at the developer's expense.
1997:On the east side of Grand Avenue on the south side of the Park Lawn exit ramp,
Camrost constructed (on their own property), and at their expense, a 2 m high wooden
screen fence along the north perimeter of their Mystic Pointe site as shown on the
attachment.
Discussion:
New residential development sites that are located adjacent to highways are subject to
Provincial policies with respect to freeway noise as set out in "Guidelines on Noise and
Residential Development Adjacent to Freeways". The provincial guidelines establish
permitted decibel levels for indoor and outdoor living areas and also discuss mitigative
measures which may be undertaken to reduce noise levels for residents as well as suitable
warning clauses for the benefit of purchasers.
Camrost has retained several noise consultants over the years to evaluate and report on the
noise impacts of the highway on their Mystic Pointe development. During the 1990 rezoning
process, J. E. Coulter Associates Engineering prepared a noise report. Their report was
reviewed by the Ministry of Environment who provided comments to the Ontario Municipal
Board indicating that "the latest noise report prepared for Phase 1 and 2 has adequately
addressed our concerns with respect to noise impacts". The Coulter report recommended:
a)air conditioning for all units
b)windows facing north be upgraded
c)a warning clause be placed in offers of sale
d)two outdoor amenity areas be reviewed for possible mitigative measures after landscaping
plans were available.
Prior to any building construction occurring, the developer changed their building proposal.
The Urban Development Department requested an updated noise impact study incorporating
the new building configuration. A report from Jade Acoustics dated October 12, 1995 was
submitted. That report indicated that to meet the MOEE guidelines for the outdoor living
areas behind the townhouses, that no noise wall would be required once the apartment
buildings were constructed. In the interim (until all of the apartment buildings were
completed) a 2 m noise wall would mitigate the noise impacts on the townhouses.
The appropriate warning clause with respect to highway noise is included in the
development agreement and is also contained within the offer to purchase. The upgrading of
the north facing windows and the requirement for air conditioning in each unit is being
addressed by the Building Division of the Urban Development Department.
Conclusion:
All of the recent developments in the vicinity of the Gardiner Expressway and Grand
Avenue meet or surpass the relevant guidelines with respect to noise.
Contact Name:
Cecil Lindsay, Manager - Development Engineering - Transportation and Engineering
Planning.
(416)394-8383; Fax: (416)394-8942.
D. Gulli
Director, Transportation and Engineering Planning
CL/mz
Attachments
ccC-31-92 "B"
