Developer guarantees end to Vaughan rubble dispute

YorkRegion.com
July 20, 2015
By Adam Martin-Robbins

A mountain of dirt and rubble that loomed over a west Woodbridge neighbourhood for years will be completely gone by mid-September, the developer responsible for cleaning it up has vowed.

But some area residents and the head of the local ratepayers association remain skeptical.

Tony Gentile, who is developing a parcel of land at 5550 Langstaff Rd., committed to city council during a heated meeting on Thursday that he will completely remove the remaining mound of rubble by Sept. 15.

“I have all intentions to make sure we fulfill our promises and our duties to council and everyone we’ve made promises to,” Gentile said following a stern talking-to from Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, who called the issue one of “integrity and character”.

In return for his pledge, the city is allowing Gentile to truck the dirt and debris out through neighbouring Campania Court, located near Martin Grove Road and Hwy. 27, until mid-September.

That decision has upset some residents who feel it’s not safe to have trucks rolling down a narrow street without sidewalks.

Although it’s not ideal, allowing trucks to use that route will expedite removal of the debris, something residents have been demanding for years, the city said.

“I don’t believe it,” said Nick Biagi, who lives on Sicilia Street and has a clear view of the mound from his back yard. “I’ll believe it when I see the homes (being built) in there.”

Nick Pinto, president of the West Woodbridge Homeowners Association, feels the same way.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” he said in an interview. “It’s not the first time (he’s been given a deadline).”

And, Pinto noted, there’s no penalty from the city if the dirt isn’t removed by Sept. 15.

Gentile told council he wanted to get it done sooner, but the clean up was hampered, in part, by the Ministry of the Environment, which imposed an order preventing him from doing any work at the site for a year.

On top of that, he said, the inclement weather this spring meant there were many days when it was too rainy to haul out the dirt and debris.

But the mayor told Gentile he doesn’t want to hear any excuses; he just wants a clear commitment the site will be cleaned up as promised.

“Our word has to mean something and if you can give us the 100 per cent guarantee, and you can’t use the weather as an excuse, then we can sit down and talk,” Bevilacqua said. “This has gone on for far too long and people are getting frustrated...The question is: On Sept. 15, as you agreed to, is all the work going to be completed?”

“Yes,” Gentile responded.