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Staff Report
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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: December 4, 2023 Report Number: CSD-004-23
Submitted By:
Reviewed By:
File Number:
George Acorn, Director of Community Services
Mary -Anne Dempster, CAO Resolution#:GG-209-23
Report Subject: West Beach Cottages
Recommendations:
By-law Number:
1. That Report CSD-004-23, and any related delegations or communication items, be
received;
2. That Council authorize staff to commence with the demolition of the two recently
vacated cottages (#16 and #32 West Beach Road, Bowmanville); and
3. That the necessary funds be drawn from Account #100-50-130-10543-7520 Land
Acquisition Maintenance — Non -Capital.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CSD-004-23
Report Overview
Page 2
The report will inform Council of the findings in recent inspections of these two seasonal
cottages, by our Building Department and Fire Prevention Division. Based on the results of
these inspections, staff are seeking authorization to commence with the demolition of the
two cottages.
1. Background
1.1 In September 2009, the Municipality expropriated the land, formerly owned by the Port
Darlington Harbour Company, on which the West Beach cottages were situated for the
purposes of establishing a district park. At the time of the acquisition, there were 3 all -
season cottages, 7 seasonal cottages and 13 dilapidated buildings on the expropriated
lands.
1.2 In May 2010, two of the all -season cottages and all 13 of the dilapidated buildings were
demolished. Subsequently in 2015, the remaining all -season cottage was also
demolished. At the end of the 2018 cottage season, another seasonal cottage was
vacated and demolished. Currently there remain 6 seasonal cottages on the previously
expropriated lands.
1.3 At the Council meeting of June 12, 2023, Council considered a motion to extend leases
for 4 existing tenancy agreements and grant new leases to the relatives of original
tenants for the remain two cottages.al cottages. Ultimately this matter was referred to
the June 26, 2023, Council meeting, where Council approved the expiration of the
existing leases for the 16 West Beach Road and 32 West Beach Road cottages.
1.4 Following this decision, staff communicates with the tenants of the two cottages to
arrange the vacating of the premises and the turning over of the keys for the property.
Facility Services then arranged inspections of the two cottages by our Building Division
and Fire Prevention staff. The purpose was to assess the current condition of the two
cottages and consider potential use as municipal assets.
2. Assessment of the Cottages
2.1 On November 21, 2023, we received a memo from the Deputy Chief Building Official
(Attachment #1), outlining the findings of their inspections and those of fire prevention.
The major findings of these inspection identified concerns with the building foundations;
floor support framing; load bearing walls and roof support; electrical wiring concerns;
uncertain supply of potable water; and uncertain sewage system.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CSD-004-23
Page 3
2.2 The report concluded the cottages are deemed unsafe for occupancy and substantial
repair work would be required to make them safe. Preliminary assessment of the work
required indicates almost a total rebuild of the cottages. No budget estimates of the
work were completed as staff do not support their re -use as municipal assets.
3. Financial Considerations
3.1 It is recommended that all costs associated with the disconnection of services,
demolition restoration of the land be funded from Account #100-50-130-10543-7520
Land Acquisition Maintenance — Non -Capital.
4. Concurrence
This report has been reviewed by the Deputy CAO/Solicitor, Deputy CAO/Treasurer,
and the Director of Planning and Infrastructure who concur with the recommendations.
5. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that Council approve the recommendations in this report
and staff commence the demolition of these two cottages. Staff will communicate
directly with the former tenants to ensure all personal belongings have been removed
prior to demolition.
Staff Contact: George Acorn, Director of Community Services, 905-623-3379 ext. 2502 or
gacorn@clarington.net.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 — Building Division Memo — West Beach Road Cottages
Interested Parties:
There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision.
Attachment 1 to Report CSD-004-23
ciffboon
To: Development Application Coordinator
From: Building Division
Date: November 21, 2023
Subject: West Beach Road — Cottages
MEMO
On November 8, 2023, the Building Division attended the properties on West Beach Road,
Cottage 16 and 32, as requested by Community Services Division. The purpose of the visit was
to perform an analysis of the existing buildings for the potential reuse as Municipal assets.
The findings of the Building Division are as follows.
Cottage #16
1. The foundation is a mix of 4x4 wood posts embedded into the ground and concrete
masonry blocks added in some areas, for additional support. The existing foundation
throughout the cottage is in very poor condition and at risk of imminent failure.
2. The floor framing members are compromised at the entrance and other areas through
the cottage. The entrance to the cottage has failed and will not support any significant
weight or normal floor loads. There is a serious risk of injury entering this cottage.
3. Interior load bearing walls have had the sheathing removed, as well as some of the roofs
structure collar ties. Loading from the roof is causing outward pressures on the load
bearing walls. Without the collar ties and wall sheathing to support the roof and load
bearing walls, the roof structure is at risk of failure and has the potential of causing
serious injury.
4. Electrical wires exposed through the cottage and at the electrical panel. Holes in the
exterior of the building allowing the ingress of precipitation pose a serious risk of
electrocution and/or fire.
5. Entrance door to the cottage does not meet the required door height per the Ontario
Building Code. With the failure of the floor at the entrance and the door not meeting
minimum height requirements, this poses a serious risk of injury in the event of an
emergency.
6. Unable to confirm if potable water is available. As required by the Ontario Building Code.
7. Unable to determine if there is a sewage system available. Durham Region Health
Department permit would be required.
8. There are several areas in the building envelope that have holes directly to the outside.
Repairs are required to prevent the ingress and damage of precipitation and wildlife.
Cottage #32
1. The foundation is stacked concrete masonry blocks placed directly on the ground. In
some areas, additional blocks and/or shims have been added to areas of the foundation
that has sunk over time. The existing foundation throughout the cottage is in very poor
condition and at risk of imminent failure.
2. The floor framing members throughout the cottage may be undersized and/or
compromised, as there is significant bounce when walking. The floor may not support
The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, ON L1 C 3A6
1-800-563-1195 1 Local:905-623-3379 1 info@clarington.net I www.clarington.net
Clarbgton
MEMO
any significant weight or normal floor loads. The floor system is at risk of failure and had
the potential to cause serious injury.
3. The back kitchen area and washroom have significant slope and the floor appears to be
compromised. The floor may not support any significant weight or normal floor loads.
This section of the cottage is at serious risk of failure.
4. The roof structure shows significant sagging, this is also shown in the areas of the
foundation and exterior walls that has sunk over time. The roof system is at risk of failure
with the potential to cause serious injury.
5. Electrical wires exposed through the cottage and at the electrical panel. Holes in the
exterior of the building allowing the ingress of precipitation pose a serious risk of
electrocution and/or fire.
6. Unable to confirm if potable water is available. As required by the Ontario Building Code.
7. Unable to determine if there is a sewage system available. Durham Region Health
Department permit would be required.
8. There are several areas in the building envelope that have holes directly to the outside.
Repairs are required to prevent the ingress and damage of precipitation and wildlife.
9. Several areas of the cottage show water damage and rot. There also appears to be mold
in the exposed roof framing members. These conditions could pose a serious health risk.
In the assessment of the cottages by the Building Division, these cottages are deemed unsafe
for occupancy without substantial repairs.
Name Brendan Grigg
Job Title Deputy Chief Building Official
The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, ON L1 C 3A6
1-800-563-1195 1 Local:905-623-3379 1 info@clarington.net I www.clarington.net