Former GM site in Ontario given 120-day cleanup deadline after appeal fails

The City of St. Catharines has denied an appeal from the owners of a former General Motors auto parts plant, but has granted them a 120-day extension to address the property's condition. The owners must now repair, replace, or demolish the buildings on the site located at 282 and 285 Ontario St.

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This is not an uncomplicated matter. This is not a situation where it’s a fridge or an appliance within a basement. This is a really complicated matter.

The decision came after a lengthy appeal hearing where various witnesses, including former GM employees and nearby residents, presented concerns about the property. City officials detailed multiple deficiencies, such as collapsed roof sections, exposed interiors, extensive steel structure deterioration, and unsecured openings at 282 Ontario St. At 285 Ontario St., issues included crumbling brickwork, a partially collapsed parapet, and loose electrical and mechanical components.

Lawyers for the property's mortgage holder requested a 60-day adjournment, citing the complexity of the matter and the need for engineering reports. However, the property standards committee denied this request, though they did extend the compliance deadline. Residents who spoke at the hearing urged the committee to reject the appeal, viewing it as a tactic to delay necessary cleanup and repairs.

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If there was a demolition permit that needed to be issued, there needs to be reports, there needs to be structural assessments, there needs to be application.

The city had initially issued compliance orders in May, directing the owners to prevent unauthorized entry and address damaged ceiling materials. The extended deadline aims to allow for necessary assessments and actions, while residents express frustration over the prolonged state of disrepair.

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it cannot be done on a whim.