CORNWALL, Ontario – A city councillor wants administrators to find out what the plan is for the iconic Domtar stacks that continue to stand post on the former mill property, nearly 10 years after the facility closed.
Coun. Denis Carr wondered aloud Monday night what is to become of the stacks that were rumoured at one point to be demoed in short order, but still stand to this day. He wants administrators to find out.
Paris Holdings, the owners of the mill property, have been tight-lipped about their plans for the stacks and city hall has not been informed of what will take place in the future.
“The short answer is no, we have had no specific conversations in that regard,” said city infrastructure manager John St. Marseille.
Just what could happen with the entire property is likewise up for debate. Paris Holdings officials have been studying the level of land contamination at the property for years.
“With the required environmental investigations on hand, we are now developing a detailed remedial work plan to be submitted to the ministry of environment,” Paris representative Martin Rose said in a letter to city hall.
Until the environmental homework is complete the land won’t be developed.
“There’s more studying and more cleaning up that needs to occur…before there is a comprehensive plan completed,” said economic development manager Mark Boileau.
Coun. Bernadette Clement said in many respects the city’s hands are tied.
“Obviously the Domtar lands are held by the private sector so there’s not much we can do,” she said. “But we have to make sure as a city we communicate with the owners of that land that it is important to the community and appropriate development must occur there.
“It’s important for us as a city that we keep on top of this.
“Ask us for help too. At some point the developers might want to do some visioning.”
