Kitchener wants public feedback on new snow disposal site
The city says it is running out of options of where to store excess snow in winter
While forecasters are calling for snow as early as this weekend, city officials are looking to discuss where to put it as early as next week.
Officials said they're looking for public feedback on whether to dump snow removed from city streets at the city's existing operations yard at 1585 Battler Rd., on Kitchener's southern rim.
The estimated cost to landscape, install noise walls and environmental controls to treat and manage melt water, is pegged at $2.4 million, according to city staff.
The Battler Rd site is the top pick of city officials who say they scouted out six alternatives, but did not include their locations in a news release published Thursday.
Now city officials are planning a public open house in order to hear from nearby homeowners, businesses and people concerned about potential traffic, environmental and noise issues.
The meeting is planned at Kitchener's Lions Arena at 20 Rittenhouse Rd., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Melting real estate
Kitchener is facing a real estate crunch when it comes to snow storage.
Right now, city crews dump snow removed from streets at three sites: former city yards at Bramm Street, Gerber Place and a third site at Ardelt Street, a piece of privately owned property where officials said the lease is set to expire next year.
Without the space at Ardelt Street, city officials said there isn't enough room the yards at Bramm Street and Gerber Place to store the snow troweled away from city streets during a "normal" winter.
Kitchener and much of the province has experienced record breaking cold for two winters in a row and as a result, the snow has been melting at a far more glacial pace.