The developers behind a proposed mixed-use development in West Grand Forks say they may build a fence to minimize dust that continues to bother neighbours.
Last year, the owner of the Station Pub said piles of gravel and dirt from the clean up of a former railway bulk fuel station was causing problems.
Brothers Wayne and Gene Koch of the Railway Park development said they spent close to $15,000 on a dust-reducing spray that is supposed to be good for three years.
However, the matter was raised again at council this week by councillor Rod Zielinski, who said there have been further complaints, although fewer than last year.
On April 22, the Station Pub posted a video on Facebook of blowing dust and wrote: “We took a loss as a business for lack of patio use for majority of the summer, are we actually expected to take another knock on the chin this year?”
City staff said they sent a letter to the Koch brothers last week, giving them two weeks to address the problem.
While the city has the power to issue fines or deal with the problem itself and then charge the property owner, Zielinski said he preferred to find a non-punitive solution.
Wayne Cooke said in addition to the measures taken last year, they have acquired a water truck to wet the stockpiles and have just received a quote about building a nine-foot fence of “solid material” to prevent dust from blowing off their site. He said the fence would have the added benefit of muffling noise once construction on the development begins.
Koch added they are not certain if all the dust is coming from their site. Councillor David Mark asked if the brothers are keeping an eye on it, because “I don’t want you to spend a bunch of money if the dust is coming from another area.”
Wayne Koch said they are monitoring the site “almost daily,” and a severe wind will bring dust from everywhere.
“We’re not abandoning anyone, we’re making an effort,” he said, adding that they are discussing with a contractor where best to place the fence. Under the city’s bylaws, maximum fence height is eight feet, so the Kochs would need a variance to go to nine feet, city manager Duncan Redfearn said.
Another option would be to cover the piles with fabric, Koch said, and they are seeking prices for doing that as well.
“I think there is a solution here, we just need to find out what that is,” mayor Everett Baker said.
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