Urgent Environmental Assessment Request - Downsview Avenue

Currently these residents live in fear every time a storm is forecasted. The proximity to Black Creek, Highway 401, and the recently completed Humber River Hospital, have all reportedly contributed to the community's increasing flooding risks. The Ridge Park storm water management pond and related infrastructure were completed in 2013, while the hospital opened its door in 2015. These two new additions in the neighbourhood were quickly identified as key factors altering storm water flow in the area. As a result, the City has been working with the Ministry of Transportation to upgrade the ditch running parallel to Downsview Ave. between Ridge Road and Black Creek; and with Infrastructure Ontario to increase capacity at the Ridge Park storm water management pond. As of August 2019, the design for the pond was completed with expected construction to begin by the end of the year. Aside from land development and natural phenomena, aging sewer and storm water infrastructure have also been identified as flooding catalysts. Throughout the last decade, the City Of Toronto conducted a series of Environmental Assessment (EA) Studies to catalog existing infrastructure preventing or propelling flooding scenarios. These EAs ultimately proposed a series of sewer and storm management upgrades across several neighbourhoods in Toronto. The Downsview Avenue neighbourhood, was included in Study Area 16 (Black Creek/Highway 401/Dufferin Street). The study began in 2007 and concluded in 2012. At the time, the contracted consulting firm, Stantec, discounted the need for flooding prevention measures. Since the latest Environmental Assessment Study, the area has seen significant development and flooding incidents have worsened. On April 29, 2019, one hundred and fifteen residents (115) provided a petition to our office requesting that the below-grade infrastructure around and west of the Humber River Hospital, be assessed and upgraded. Based on the information stated above, our office requests that the residents' concerns be addressed with urgency.