As a nearby resident, I am…

As a nearby resident, I am concerned about the additional noise generated by the proposed expansion of this facility. Residents on Manse Road, Woodgarden Crescent, Woodgrove Drive, Bennett Road and users of the adjacent parks are already subjected to noise from this facility. Noise complaints against Digital Speciality Chemicals have been lodged in the past.

Sources of noise are outlined in the ECA, specifically within the Acoustic Assessment Report (AAR) beginning on Page 158. Details outlined under Noise Source Summary 3.1 show that sources include an emergency generator, liquid gas filling, two compressors, two HVAC units, four vacuum pumps, five condensers, seven make-up air units, 28 general exhausts and louvres and two truck movement paths. That’s a lot of equipment and sources! It adds up to a strong potential for ongoing annoyance and impact to the health and well being of residents.

The liquid nitrogen gas filling of the tanker trucks are listed as a significant source of noise (see page 172 or page 8 of 10 of the AAR). The AAR shows three trucks/hours daytime and evening 24/7 year round coming into the facility. (See 5.3 Predictable Worse Case Impacts Operating Scenario on Page 169 of ECA and page 5 of 10 of the AAR.) I urge the Ministry to take very close stock of the details around trunks and tankers as quantity and frequency differ significantly from what management has offered up in response to residents’ inquiries.

The conclusion of the AAR is that noise will exceed MECP for a period of up to six years until the proponent’s noise abatement Phase 2 can be completed. Six years is a long time for home owners and residents to wait to reasonably expect to be able to enjoy their homes, backyards and parks.

Pinchin is also very careful to absolve itself from any liability for the modelling provided for the AAR (See 8.0 on page 173 or page 9 of 10 of the AAR.) This is cause to make this reader suspect that gaps/errors could also be inherent in Pinchin’s AAR modelling. Such gaps were discovered in the peer review by RWDI of Entegris Air Quality documents (attached and also submitted under separate cover to this ERO).

Concerned residents urge the MECP to take a very close look at the proponent’s noise abatement plan. Six years is far too long for residents to wait for relief from noise generated by a significant expansion of current operations. The MECP should insist that a phase 1 and 2 of the noise abatement plan be completed within a greatly-reduced time period if approval of this application is even considered.