April 18, 2001

Mayor Mel Lastman
City of Toronto
City Hall
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 2N2

Dear Mayor Lastman

Lawrence Avenue East/Port Union Road/CNR, Yellow Moon - Scarborough

When you visited this community several years ago, you may recall being taken to see the site of the Johns-Manville/Manson asbestos factory. At that time, in view of the asbestos pollution of the land, there was a request to acquire the 24-acre site for a park. In the interval, the factory has been removed and the land allegedly rehabilitated. A group of citizens and public officials recently visited the site and found evidence of fibres, which have been confirmed as "friable asbestos". This has reinforced the view of many people in the community that the site has potential danger and should not be used as the land base for a proposed 220–unit development of semi-detached and multi-family housing.

After making representation for 52 years, pedestrian access from Port Union Road under the Canadian National Railway track to the Lake Ontario Waterfront was constructed in the year 2000. When this access is opened to the public, there will be a stupendous demand for automobile parking as people go to the lakeshore. The factory site adjoins Port Union Road and is separated from the Waterfront by the CNR. Hence the factory site is in an ideal location to accommodate the Waterfront parking.

Another important element of this issue is the welcome announcement of the Toronto Waterfront Conservation Protection Plan by the Toronto City Council, The Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada. Presumably this joint action plan and implementation Commission would include the Waterfront Trails from the Highland Creek to the Rouge River and could address the opportunity of acquiring the factory site for vehicular parking, park and related uses. Similarly, the asbestos issue, which has caused great suffering and even death, could be prevented from causing further human pain and destruction.

As the Yellow Moon application for semi-detached and multi-family housing on the factory site is before the Ontario Municipal Board, it is urgently recommended:

And

We earnestly request your consideration of these recommendations.

Yours sincerely

William A. Dempsey
Honorary Secretary

Cc: Novina Wong, City Clerk

All Members of Toronto City Council

Dick O’Brien, Chair, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Bob Baron, President CCRA

Liz Bowers, Chair Planning Committee, CCRA

Gay Cowbourne, Past President, CCRA