Urban Wood Waste Recyclers is reviewing options to upgrade its construction and wood waste recycling facility in the Braid industrial area.
Company officials appeared before city council in May to get the city's support for a federal grant application related to a proposed expansion of its operations. That presentation brought to light a number of issues regarding the site, including air quality, zoning and bylaw contraventions.
"It's a work in progress," said Mayor Wayne Wright, adding that city staff will be keeping council up to date.
A staff report presented to council Monday stated that Urban Wood Waste Recyclers will be reviewing options to develop an upgraded, fully enclosed facility on the site. The review is expected to take about six months.
"There are a number of scenarios," said Keith Coueffin, the city's manager of licensing and integrated services. "We don't really know what they are going to be proposing until we get that proposal."
A team of city staff visited the Spruce Street site on June 6 to do a detailed inspection. They identified a number of concerns related to buildings and plumbing regulations/storm water management, fire regulations, zoning regulations and dust control.
"The site is still subject to an outstanding order from Metro Vancouver to prevent dust from leaving the site," said a staff report. "Urban Wood Waste Recyclers have installed additional water sprinklers to help control the dust and is monitoring/adjusting the sprinklers to enhance their effectiveness. However, additional measures are likely needed to fully control dust on the site."
According to the staff report, Urban Wood Waste has hired a consultant to monitor dust and to determine measures needed to control it. That report is expected to be complete in July.
Urban Wood Waste Recyclers had held open houses, attended meetings of the local residents' associations and met with nearby business owners.
"They have been going out to the community," said Coun. Betty McIntosh. "They had another special meeting last week."
McIntosh said the only way to eliminate the dust issue is to fully enclose the recycling operation.
"It's going to take more than six months for that to happen," she said. "The company has stated that at a public meeting."
The staff report to council highlighted a number of concerns found during inspection of the site. Among them:
? Several structures have been built without the required permits and fire protection system. These include a muster station, a maintenance building and a weigh scale.
? There is an outstanding building permit in relation to upgrading one of the buildings due to its proximity to a property line.
? Recycled materials are being stored and sorted outdoors, which is in violation of zoning regulations.
? Recent work on the site - including new buildings and alterations to the site drainage - has been done without a development permit.
The staff report points out that a roadway next to the Brunette River provides the main access to the site for the recycling operation, as well as adjacent properties. Urban Wood Waste Recyclers recently upgraded the roadway, which is located on property owned by the province and has been used as an access road for many years.
"The city does not have any records regarding the status of the roadway," said the report. "City staff are pursuing discussions with the province and Metro Vancouver to clarify the status of the roadway."
Mike Fournier, regional vice-president of Harvest Power, said the company met with community groups and businesses and has hired a consultant to provide information that would help resolve the dust issues.
Harvest Power purchased the Urban Wood Waste Recyclers plant in September 2010.
"We have engaged Worley-Parsons to review and provide a report by the end of July," he said. "The scope is to evaluate what we have and provide solutions that we can evaluate. That will relate to the timelines and rough estimates of costs."
While the proposed upgrades proposed to the facility as part of its expansion plans would bring the entire operation indoors, Fournier said the company is committed to resolving outstanding issues before expanding its operations.
Fournier said there may be opportunities to minimize dust issues through portable structures around the site and other means, before the facility is fully enclosed.
"We purchased in September," he said. "We can't be totally enclosed tomorrow."
