Framework Unlocks Value to Remediate and Redevelop Former Gas Stations
02/25/2009
by -- OCETA / aboutREMEDIATION
www.aboutremediation.com/servicestations/
TORONTO, ON, February 25, 2009 - The Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA), the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute (CPPI), and the Province of Ontario announced today the release of the online REDEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK FOR FORMER SERVICE STATIONSTM in the Province of Ontario.
Former service stations that are under-utilized or abandoned are the most common type of brownfield site found in Ontario. These sites can be challenging to redevelop as they are often small in size and may be contaminated, with the cost of remediation outweighing the current property value. Industry and government from across Canada have identified the need for more effective common language guidance on how to address the barriers to remediation, rehabilitation, and reuse, in order create value and navigate the approval processes to bring former service station sites back into the urban fabric. Stakeholders are interested in guidance that will help them redevelop service stations and return these sites to a safe use in a timelier manner and at a reduced cost.
"To address this need, the Redevelopment Framework for Former Service Stations was developed as an online decision-support tool designed to guide municipalities, property owners, developers, and other stakeholders through the redevelopment of under-utilized and abandoned service stations", stated Tammy Lomas-Jylha, Vice President of OCETA.
"The standardized approach, created with the assistance of a multi-stakeholder interdisciplinary committee, provides a transparent and streamlined mechanism to make apparent the regulatory context", said Hon Lu, Brownfields Coordinator for the Province of Ontario. "By mapping out the decision making process, the Framework assists in reducing approval delays and common misunderstandings between developers and municipalities."
The Framework outlines the process that stakeholders should follow when redeveloping typical sites. "By applying the key elements, guiding principles and best practices identified in the Framework, users will improve their ability to successfully navigate and accelerate the redevelopment of former service stations", said Tammy Lomas-Jylha.
The foundation of the Redevelopment Framework involves Four Stages: Setting the Stage, Evaluation and Planning, Implementation, and Management. These stages have been grouped into Four Streams of a Redevelopment Project: Finance, Technical, Land Use Planning, and External Communication.
Within the Framework, a number of specific tools have been developed to assist users with Screening for Property Use & Redevelopment Potential; understanding the approval process and timelines with Implementing Remediation and Risk Management, and with the Selection of Remediation Technologies and Risk Management Approaches.
Users will also be able to access case studies, example templates, and other resources including information on the application of interim uses for former service station sites.
"Brownfield redevelopment has been an undervalued opportunity for economic development and we welcome Ontario’s advancement of this important framework”, stated Peter Boag, President of CPPI.
"The toolkit provides outstanding clarification on the process for redevelopment of former service station sites and includes a number of very useful reference tools", said George Vincent, Chair of CPPI's National Contaminated Sites Committee. "Its greatest value, however, will be to bring all of the parties together with a common context and language for idle site renewal projects."
The Framework is a free online tool that is user-friendly and easy to use available on the aboutREMEDIATION Web site. (www.aboutRemediation.com/ServiceStations/).
Organizations that supported the development of the Framework include: The Province of Ontario, Canadian Petroleum Products Institute, OCETA, The Federation of Canadian Municipalities, City of Hamilton, City of Kitchener, Town of Marathon, Kilmer Brownfield Equity Fund, Imperial Oil, Jacques Whitford, Golder Associates, and the Technical Standards and Safety Authority.
   
Tammy Lomas-Jylha
Vice President, Remediation and Brownfield Services
OCETA
Tel. (905) 822-4133 ext.234
www.oceta.on.ca | Hon Lu
Provincial Brownfields Coordinator, Municipal Services Division
Government of Ontario
Tel: (416) 585-6635
www.ontario.ca/brownfields | George Vincent
Chair National Contaminated Sites Committee
Canadian Petroleum Products Institute (CPPI)
Tel: (905) 815-8393
www.cppi.ca |
OCETA
The Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA) is a private, not-for-profit Corporation that supports the commercialization and market adoption of innovative technologies and environmentally sustainable solutions. OCETA promotes and enhances innovation by acting as a value-added intermediary to provide timely connections to partners and capital, and to deliver programming, business advisory and technical services. Since its formation in 1993, OCETA has advised and assisted some 1,500 environmental and clean technology companies in Ontario with commercializing their innovations.
The aboutREMEDIATION.com Web site
The aboutREMEDIATION (AR) Web site is Canada's leading information resource on remediation and brownfield redevelopment. The AR Web site provides access to relevant information, tools, training and solutions to increase knowledge; build capacity; and promote projects, technologies, case studies and business services.
Government of Ontario
Ontario's coordinated approach to brownfield redevelopment recognizes that brownfields are a key economic stimulus to the successful revitalization of communities across Ontario. The Office of the Brownfield Coordinator provides two core functions - (1) facilitating strategic program and policy reform across ministries with an interest in the clean up and/or redevelopment of former industrial and commercial lands, and (2) a one-window service to external stakeholders and municipal partners on brownfields.
Canadian Petroleum Products Institute (CPPI)
The Canadian Petroleum Products Institute (CPPI) is an industry association representing major Canadian companies involved in the refining, distribution, and/or marketing of petroleum products, as well as, production and sales of asphalt, and environmental remediation. Since its creation in 1989, the Institute has represented the views of its membership on business, environmental, and health and safety issues.
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