Engineer, consultant balk at brownfield site redevelopment

Report highlights issues with former Miramichi Lumber Products sawmill site

The city built a trail through part of the old Miramichi Lumber Products site for the active transportation north-side spine in 2022. Engineering director Mark Buckingham recently presented a report to city council about the challenges of potentially redeveloping the site. (FREE PRESS PHOTO)

MIRAMICHI The city is considering freeing up part of a brownfield site for potential housing development. However, the city’s engineer and a consultant say that could be easier said than done.

During the Nov. 5 council-in-committee meeting, engineering director Mark Buckingham said the old Miramichi Lumber Products site in the former town of Newcastle has been considered for housing projects.

Buckingham said any decisions must factor in the site’s contamination, proximity to a city wellfield, wetland and watercourse rules, poor-quality fill below the surface, and staff eyeing the property for a potential replacement of the wastewater treatment plant at Strawberry Marsh. He said those issues were identified in a report submitted to project engineer Jeff Manderville on Oct. 4.

“The site is located in Zones A, B, and C of the wellfield protected area designations, each with various limitations on chemical storage and development,” said Buckingham.

“New developments can include multiple or single-family housing in Zone A, provided they’re serviced by existing sanitary sewer lines. New commercial, institutional, and industrial developments aren’t permitted in that zone.”

Buckingham said Zone B permits recreational facilities, multiple or single-family homes, and commercial, institutional, and industrial developments. He said Zone C includes controls on handling and storing chlorinated solvents and petroleum products.