Alberta Environment letter raises questions for residents
Buyer who moved in last summer concerned about housing resale values
Residents of a fledgling housing development in the city’s northeast returned home Friday evening to find something unusual: an envelope from Alberta Environment stuck to their front doors with green painter’s tape.
Inside was a letter from the government department outlining the results of recent soil testing in the area, and listing precautions for residents to minimize potential exposure to contaminants such as dioxins, furans and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
For many of the approximately 140 property owners who received a letter, the news was an unwelcome surprise, though the level of concern was mixed.
“My question is, what is going to happen to house values?” asked Abraham Ishmael, who moved into his two-storey home last summer in the Homesteader neighbourhood.
Ishmael said he decided to buy the property in part because of the large lot, and in part because of the community’s easy access to downtown and Yellowhead Trail.
He said he knew about the Domtar wood-preserving plant, but wasn’t told there might be ongoing issues lurking in the ground.
He said he saw environmental testers in the area last fall, but they refused to say why they were there.
Ishmael said he isn’t particularly concerned about any health effects, but is worried that news of contamination may delay development of the subdivision and make it difficult to sell his property.
“Is there going to be any compensation? Do I need to get lawyers involved? This wasn’t part of the deal.”
Homeowner Shayne Bundus said he had little concern about
Is there going to be any compensation? Do I need to get lawyers involved? This wasn’t part of the deal.
what he read in the letter.
“I mean, what am I going to do? Pick up the house and move it?” he said with a laugh. “It’s no big deal. They tested the lots.”
Bundus said his house doesn’t appear to be close to any of the contamination.
Nor does he expect the news will derail the community from being developed further.
The homes in question are part of the first phase of the Renaissance Estates subdivision.
The development includes a number of houses that are occupied, some that are yet to be completed, and several empty slots with either “Sold” or “For Sale” signs in front.
Several different homebuilding companies are working at the site.
Most residents have been there for one year or less. They said properties range in value between $440,000 and $500,000.
Ward 4 Coun. Aaron Paquette, who represents the Homesteader community, issued a statement saying he is in favour of having the Domtar area fully tested, which is expected to occur.