Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal says it is satisfied with an agreement reached between the parties involved in cleaning up a contaminated property in the south part of Belleville.
The lengthy environmental tribunal process stemmed from a coal gasification plant in the harbour area which had leached coal oil into the soil and bedrock throughout the St. Paul, South Church, South Front and South Pinnacle street area in the 1800s.
Following a final ERT hearing last week, a decision on the matter was issued on Monday, revoking a 2015 order and issuing a new one that outlines the responsibilities of each party in moving forward with the cleanup.
The City of Belleville had previously reached an agreement with property owners Hawkins Cheezies and the Spiegel family, which would see the city take over the cleanup of the eastern portion of the land, Hawkins Cheezies responsible for the western parcel and the Spiegels making a “significant donation to a local charity” for their part.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk told Quinte News earlier this month that the deal will also lead to more development in the harbour area, as well as in the city’s industrial park.
You can read the full decision by clicking here.
