Municipal Environmental Engineering
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Municipal Environmental Engineering – ENVR -10046 Brownfield Redevelopment
– Fall 2022 School of Engineering/Building and Construction Science
What is a brownfield?
Abandoned, vacant, derelict or underutilized commercial or industrial property where past
actions have resulted in actual or perceived contamination and where there is an active
potential for redevelopment is what brownfields are. Service stations, steel mills, dry cleaners,
railroad properties, harbors, and other locations where contaminants were used as part of an
industrial process are examples of brownfield lands. Even though the businesses might have
shut down, the contaminants are still present. (CBN, 2022)
What are some challenges/barriers to redeveloping a brownfield?
Historically, one of the obstacles to brownfield redevelopment has been the practical
uncertainty around construction and brownfield treatment. The fact that the environmental
state of a site is unknown as well as the very real prospect of unforeseen expenses and delays
may have an impact on the choice to reconstruct the property. Numerous of these dangers can
be covered through insurance.
Liability has also been a factor. Developers have been worried that even if they played no part in
the pollution of the land, they would still be held liable for any expenditures associated with it.
However, the Ontario brownfield cleanup procedure currently offers a sizable regulatory liability
protection, and municipalities have some civil liability protection options.
These uncertainties can make it difficult to get the money required for brownfield site
redevelopment. Banks, trust organizations, and pension funds are examples of lenders and
investors who want a certain degree of certainty that a brownfield project will be financially
successful. Despite these obstacles, some brownfield projects have been successfully completed
recently, converting once industrial landscapes into thriving urban centers.
References
brownfieldsresearchlab. (2020). Bentway.
https://www.brownfieldsresearchlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FINAL-Bentway
.pdf
.
CBN. (2022). What is a Brownfield? .
https://www.canadianbrownfieldsnetwork.ca/resources/what-is-a-brownfield
.
cielap. (2022). Burdens of redevoloping brownfeild projects.
http://cielap.org/brownfields/barriers.html
.
Engineering, B. (2022). RECORD OF SITE CONDITION (RSC).
http://www.ben-engineering.com/Records-of-Site-Condition.html#:~:text=Filing%20a%2
0Record%20of%20Site,or%20industrial%20use%20into%20residential).
Hamilton, I. (2022). Municipal Programs.
https://investinhamilton.ca/tools-data/financial-incentives/municipal-programs/
.
IRCSDE. (2022). RSCE.
https://www.lrcsde.lrc.gov.on.ca/BFISWebPublic
.
Are there financial incentives available for developers (from municipalities)?
In order to help with the costs of development in Downtown Hamilton, Community
Downtowns, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), the Mount Hope/Airport Gateway, and the
commercial corridors as identified in the Revitalizing Municipalities Commercial Districts
Community Improvement Project, many municipalities offer financial incentive programs in the
form of loans and grants.
Additionally, properties classified under the Ontario Heritage Act are eligible for financial
incentives. The foundation for these projects is the Revitalizing Hamilton's Commercial Districts
Community Improvement Project. Additionally, inside the specified Municipality Community
Improvement Project Area, municipal Development Charges (DC) are decreased. (Hamilton,
2022)
What is a Record of Site Condition (RSC)?
A record of site condition (RSC) describes the environmental state of a property at a specific
time based on environmental site assessments carried out by a qualified individual. Before the
use of a property is altered in a specific manner, an RSC must be submitted to this registry.
(IRCSDE, 2022)
When is a Record of Site Condition required?
In certain circumstances, such as when a property's zoning changes from a less sensitive use to
a more sensitive use, it is necessary to file a Record of Site Condition (e.g., from commercial or
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