Thornhill residents hold Metrolinx accountable for their health, safety and welfare as Yonge subway plan progresses

Appropriate compensation for affected homeowners among significant concerns raised during 2nd walking tour of route

Thestar.com
July 11, 2022

More than 50 residents took the opportunity to express their concerns to Metrolinx officials and politicians about the Yonge North Subway Extension (YNSE) during a second community walk tracing the subway route through Thornhill on Saturday, July 9.

While they still have hopes the subway will not travel under their homes, parkland and local schools in the Royal Orchard neighbourhood under the transit agency’s revised route, which veers off Yonge Street as originally planned, they feel there should be clear and unequivocal commitments about noise, vibration, economic loss upon sale of their properties and potential damage to their homes.

“There was a lot of discussion and concerns regarding the numerous properties that have been designated as Transit Corridor Lands,” said Keep the Subway on Yonge steering committee co-chair Lisa Sherin, who organized the walk with co-chair and Thornhill councillor Keith Irish and resident Renata Richardson.

"For example, if people want to build, change or place a building, other structure or road on or under their property, a permit from Metrolinx may be required in addition to any other permits."

Metrolinx noted, however, that it has had this process in place for other transit projects and has rarely, if ever, disallowed applications.

“Nonetheless, many residents felt that having the designation on title would lead to devaluation of their properties when and if they decide to sell it,” said Sherin.

In fact, appropriate compensation for affected homeowners and the Gazebo condominium continues to be a significant concern.

While Metrolinx indicates that it will pay fair market value for the purchase of land under homes, residents with designated corridor lands feel they should also be compensated for loss of property value and potential vibration and noise, Sherin explained.

Residents also had dozens of questions concerning the specific route, impact and mitigation plans for noise and vibration during construction and when the subway is up and running. The cumulative impact of the subway, coupled with high-density development proposals associated with Transit Oriented Communities (TOC), was also raised. 

Residents did walk away, however, with some key assurances, said Sherin.

“Metrolinx said it will be using floating slab technology on the full route of the subway under our community to help curb noise and vibration. We assume that this will be from under the gazebo to the CN tracks, but they would need to confirm that.”

After construction is completed but before service starts, tests will also be conducted to measure noise and vibration and if these measurements exceed the promised limits, adjustments will be made.

“They also invited residents to contact them if they want a baseline test of noise and vibration done in their homes and committed to providing them the outcome of the tests,” Sherin said.

In addition, YNSE program sponsor Stephen Collins said Metrolinx will “own the asset” from Finch north and that maintenance is their responsibility and not part of the TTC budget.

“This was reassuring to residents because we were concerned with potential budget issues with proper maintenance,” Sherin said, adding Metrolinx assured residents that they are “in it for the long run.”

That accountability is important to residents, said Sherin.

“It means that years down the road, if there are issues with negative impacts from the subway on our homes, they would be accountable and work with residents on mitigation,” Sherin said, adding any increase in noise levels and vibrations and damage to properties might be gradual, cumulative and not apparent for a number of years.

“We homeowners should not have to chase contractors or their subs, or have to resort to lawsuits, for proving our case and receiving any restitution,” she added.

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti and councillors Irish, Joe Li and Jim Jones participated in the four-hour tour.

Thornhill MP Melissa Lantsman could not attend, but sent a letter of support for keeping the subway on Yonge Street, as well as the community's efforts to protect their neighbourhood.

"I would like to thank the members of the committee for their hard work and for their dedication," she wrote. "Nothing ever gets changed unless people get involved -- and they have stepped up and put countless hours into this project ...
Let me re-iterate that you have my full support."