Dartmouth Community Committee Meeting

Friday, April 21, 2006, Hugh Bell Building cafeteria, 286 Pleasant Street

Harbour Solutions Project - Wastewater Treatment Plant facade

A presentation was made to the public by the D/B team’s architect on the design of the Dartmouth wastewater treatment plant.

Building is 2 storeys, and about the height of an average 3 storey building. Size of building is relatively large (similar to a “big box” store) and the design recognises the need to breakup the roof line by adding parapets. The building contains a totally enclosed/sealed treatment system.

Various views of the building were shown with parapets in the front, back and both front and back and also an alternative with no parapet. By function and design the front of the building (receiving doors, employee entrance, lab, etc) is facing the Harbour side.

The proposed exterior finish of the building is coloured concrete masonry veneer. The bottom coursing or foundation is proposed to be charcoal in colour with the body of the building in red or brown. The building is broken up with the use of colour to bring its size down to a human scale.

The masonry detail at the corner of the building was also shown. The columns protrude from the side of building sufficiently to create some relief and create a shadow.

Roofing is green colour.

Open for Questions/Answers

1. Resident’s comment-concerned about view of the building without the parapet. The consensus appeared to be that most in attendance preferred to have parapets.
2. Question about view of trucks on water side - Trucks for loading such as biosolids will not be parked outside for long periods of time because the trailers will be loaded inside the building.
3. Question - Any consideration of planting Ivy on the retaining wall? The landscaping issue will be addressed some other time.
4. Question on the height of the parapet - does it have to be that high (4 feet)? No.
5. Comment - resident expressed the opinion that the view of the back of the parapet is a key consideration from streets above like Stephen Street.
6. Comment - should have some “stick-out” or relief - One way to show relief is to use colour. The proposed columns have some relief to create a shadow line.
7. Comment - resident suggests using colour to create a variation in height and to give the illusion/impression of a parapet.
8. Comment - it was suggested that the colour selection for the building should take into account the colour of the large retaining walls.
9. Question - any satellite dish or air conditioning (A/C) units on the roof ? There will not be a satellite dish on roof and the cooling coil of the A/C unit will not be mounted on roof, it is mounted on the ground level.
10. Question - How will the exhaust of the standby generator be installed? How high? - the exhaust stack is fairly short and on outboard of parapet.
11. Question - Is the flashing made of metal? Yes.
12. Comment - The lower the height of the parapet the better.
13. Comment - There has been a transformation of the waterfront with the addition of the new retaining wall and this should be a consideration in the design of the building.
14. Comment - One resident felt that the building should be lighter in colour rather than dark tones.
15. Comment - Best to keep the building as low as possible.
16. Comment - Conider the use of patterns on the exterior of the plant.
17. Councillor Kent encouraged residents to provide input on the look, specifically the parapet, colour and relief.

Councillor Becky Kent and Councillor Gloria McCluskey encouraged residents to give input on the exterior of the plant especially the parapet, colour and relief. A colour rendering of the plant was circulated to those present so that they can mark their comments. Please see copy of the attached drawing with comments.
 

Wastewater Treatment Plant, gated access driveway area landscaping

Paul Euloth provided a brief overview of the trail and landscape treatment. Paul indicated that there are no visual plans yet. It is to early for the landscape plan. There will be substantial planting of trees and vegetation. Need an integration landscape plan for both the trail and the area adjacent to the driveway. There is a lot of coordination to be done. Will continue to work with the trails group on the landscaping and landscape treatment around Cuisack Street.

Open for Questions/Answers

1. Comment - there used to be variety of trees on the hospital site, old stately trees, need research to determine the type of natural vegetation and original trees in the area and reinstate. 
2. Question - what is being reinstated? Some gaps from Stephens to Authur Street.
3. Comment - Old Arthur Street extension is a prime park area.
4. Comment - the use of integration fund for trails and re-greening. The general area needs re-greening. Any vegetated surfaces disturbed by Dexter will be hydro-seeded.
5. Issue - parkland abutting private land, what is HRM’s policy of providing a fence? - Parkland would be maintained by HRM but not necessarily fenced.
6. Comment - Disturbed areas will be hydro-seeded, there will be approximately 1000 bushes and 100 trees for the re-greening relating to the trails.
7. Comment - Need to look at the bigger picture, “now is the time to look at the bigger vision”
8. Timing for the greening - all the disturbed slopes will be done when the soil dries-up a bit and by the fall, the greening should be completed.
9. Residents want input on the landscaping - this is the intent of HRM to involve the residents in the landscaping. The next Trails meeting is on May 15, 2006. Resident’s input is encouraged.
10. Other volunteers are out there that could assist such as students from Jr. and Sr. High Schools.
11. The land around the plant and trail can be re-zoned from Institution to Park.
12. The trail project is challenging especially in the area of easements and land swaps etc. It is important to complete the trail.
13. Green space on the plant site - area not required in short term for operation of the plants so it may be used by residents. (Plants may be expanded in future however)

Wastewater Treatment Plant, power supply delivery options

1. Use of underground wiring expected - looking at options, need more time to complete the analyses regarding options and costs etc. Councillor is confident in making progress, the challenge is how to fund the cost. Objective is to have the power poles removed. There will be another consultation with community when options are assembled.
2. Comment - Poles extensions not an option and should be taken off the table.

Harbourfront Trail

Future structure for community consultation/representation

There is clearly a need at the community level for a parks and open space plan for the STP area in general. Potentially, a public group could be the vehicle for achieving this. Issues important to the community are traditional access to the Harbourfront, public access around the STP, particularly the shoreline frontage area, short term restoration and landscaping and of course unsightly power poles.

Community Group

Councillor Kent - still a lot of consideration and input required from the community, option to consider forming a public group to better link to community on a co-ordinated basis. Need input from the residents on this issue.