Dust Concerns Drag Down Quality of Life in Grand Forks Neighborhood

The ongoing remediation project at the former CP bulk fuel station has led to significant dust and noise pollution, affecting the quality of life and business of those living in the area. Christin Cousins-Starchuk, owner of the Grand Forks Station Pub, expressed her concerns to City Council during the June 9 Committee of the Whole meeting. She emphasized that she was not seeking personal gain, but rather a resolution to the issue at hand. Starchuk highlighted the adverse effects of dust on residents, including respiratory issues, allergies, and contamination of equipment. She proposed reviewing and amalgamating the noise control and unsightly premises bylaws to create a new nuisance bylaw that includes dust that interferes with property use or enjoyment.

Key Takeaways:

The former CP bulk fuel station remediation project has resulted in significant dust and noise pollution, affecting the quality of life and business of the surrounding community.
Christin Cousins-Starchuk, owner of the Grand Forks Station Pub, expressed her concerns to City Council on June 9, emphasizing the need for a friendly resolution to mitigate the issue.
The unsightly premises bylaw does not cover dust, and Starchuk proposed reviewing and combining the noise control and unsightly premises bylaws to create a new nuisance bylaw.
CAO Duncan Redfearn stated that amending the bylaw is on council's agenda, which would give Council the power to mitigate dust under certain circumstances on private property.
Councillor Deborah Lafleur moved to have the first three readings of the proposed bylaw amendment by the afternoon, which passed with unanimous support.
Starchuk suggested using hydroseeding as an effective solution for dust control and erosion, which the city has already used in their flood mitigation projects.
The project, initiated in 2020, involves the removal of contaminated soil and gravel and levelling the ground for housing construction.
Starchuk cited several news articles from 2023, where Councillor Rod Zielinski raised dust concerns, and questioned when the neighborhood could see action taken to address these concerns.
CAO Redfearn noted that the capping and mitigation of the project are under provincial jurisdiction, but the city can address dust concerns at the municipal level.
Mayor Baker expressed his support for facilitating a meeting with the property owners, the Koch brothers, to find a solution, and emphasized the importance of getting developments off the ground.

Statistics:

2020: The project of removing contaminated soil and gravel and levelling the ground for housing construction began.
2023: Councillor Rod Zielinski raised dust concerns in several news articles.
4 years: Christin Cousins-Starchuk has been the owner of the Grand Forks Station Pub.
7 years: The start of the project since its initiation.
2021: A previous council decided to look at a continuous trail path through the property during home construction rather than the 5% park space allocation.
2: The number of letters Christin Cousins-Starchuk sent to Mayor Everett Baker and Council on the issue.

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