Project Description
Robinson Land Development (RLD) were retained to provide a servicing, grading and stormwater management (SWM) design for the redevelopment of the existing 2.3 Ha Ed Huck Marine site in Rockport, Ontario. The site is intended to be redeveloped with five new seasonal residential condo buildings, refurbishment of the existing marina site buildings, provision of new and revisions to parking areas, and adjustments to the main site access road.
In general, the on-site servicing design included new drilled wells for water supply, new sanitary and storm sewer servicing infrastructure, and a private sewage treatment plant to collect and treat sewage flows that discharges directly into the St. Lawrence River.
The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority (CRCA) required Enhanced Level quality control of stormwater runoff but no quantity or erosion control mitigating measures were required. To meet the Enhanced Level quality control, the stormwater runoff will be conveyed to multiple on-site oil/grit separators before discharging to the St. Lawrence River. The use of low impact development (LID) infiltrative measures were also requested in order keep the site more vegetated and to lessen the impact on the hydrologic cycle.
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) approval was obtained for the proposed stormwater management measures as well as the private wastewater treatment facility.
Due to the proposed mixed use and the sensitive location of the existing marina site, there are a number of unique challenges that were addressed by the proposed servicing, grading and stormwater management design. Specifically, the following are the main hurdles that have been identified and addressed by the proposed design:
Wave Uprush
The requirement of a Wave Uprush analysis to identify a more stringent development limit hampered the placement of buildings and servicing infrastructure for the site
Private On-Site Wastewater Treatment
Due to the density of the development the near surface bedrock and water table, septic beds were not feasible and consequently a private on-site wastewater treatment facility was proposed with an outlet directly to the St. Lawrence River. This necessitated further studies and MECP and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) approval.
Archaeology
Due to the site location (next to the St. Lawrence River) an archaeological study was required even though it was already actively used as a marina for the past 150 years. The study identified a number of archaeologically significant areas. These findings necessitated further studies and field excavation to expose and catalogue any artifacts. The areas excavated and the findings of the studies also impacted the placement of buildings and servicing infrastructure.
Dry Hydrant
As a condition of development, a dry hydrant was provided on-site for use by the local area fire department for the benefit of the community and not just the site itself. This necessitated a special design to allow water to be taken from the St. Lawrence at all times of the year, as well as being placed in an ideal location on the site for ease of access by the local fire department.
Provincially Significant Wetland
The proximity to a provincially significant wetland (directly adjacent to the redevelopment site) has also impacted building and servicing infrastructure placement.
Floodplain
A number of existing buildings and parking areas slated for revision are currently located in the existing floodplain. In addition, new buildings were required to be situated in not as an ideal location on site in order to respect the floodplain limits. The Conservation Authority would not allow a balanced cut/fill for the site and as such the impacts to buildings, servicing infrastructure types and locations were substantial.
