The Clemow noise problem – baby steps to resolution
The Clemow air conditioning unit, at date of publication, is still roaring, but owners, residents the City and the councillor are talking.
Photo: John Richardson
The Clemow noise problem – baby steps to resolution
By Alan Freeman
Residents of the Glebe urging action to force the developer of The Clemow to reduce high noise levels from the apartment building’s central air conditioning units have a new ally – Councillor Shawn Menard says the noise levels are unacceptable and mitigation measures are essential.
“Upon hearing it myself, it is too loud, and it doesn’t matter what the rule is, it needs to be fixed,” Menard told the Glebe Report in late August, two weeks after doing a walkabout of the area most affected, from Bronson west to Percy and from Powell south to Third Avenue, especially on hot days.
On the evening of August 13, Menard joined about a dozen members of an ad-hoc group of residents formed this spring to fight the droning sound of the AC units atop the 17-storey Clemow. Dozens of bylaw complaints have ensued with bylaw officers indicating that the units didn’t break city regulations, a contention disputed by the residents who have hired their own sound engineer and say the building isn’t in compliance with the rules.
Kim Merritt, a leader of the residents’ group, which has more than 100 followers, was on the walkabout with Menard and said it was “a big turning point (for Menard) and he became very engaged,” particularly on hearing for himself the unbearable noise on the playing field of Glebe Collegiate and in backyards along Clemow.
Merritt, a long-time resident of Second Avenue, said that despite Menard’s engagement, there is still concern that the situation is not being addressed properly by the City and despite promises of mitigation by the developer, KTS Properties, there is no sign of concrete action.
“People are very worried that the City won’t force a timeline” for mitigation, she told the Glebe Report. Efforts at having serious discussions with City officials have proven frustrating. “We’re just getting bounced around.”
The situation is complex, involving both municipal noise regulations and provincial norms for this kind of HVAC systems. But the most effective tool to force action is through the City’s planning process, which requires the developer to submit a noise study for a new building like The Clemow.
The problem is that the city allows occupancy of a new building before site plans are actually finalized, which happened in the case of the Clemow. Even more disturbing, the sound engineer hired by the residents has discovered that the initial noise study didn’t even address any impact from the AC units on the area east of Bronson, where the problem is most concentrated.
In correspondence with the residents’ group, a City planning official said on August 20 that the city is working closely with the KTS and Menard’s office to find solutions, noting that KTS said its consultant was looking at “further mitigation measures.” No details were provided. In a statement, KTS said it’s working with its acoustic consultant on a sound abatement plan that will be submitted to a structural engineer and then to the City for approval. “Upon receiving the required permissions, our team will move forward with sourcing materials and scheduling the installation.” No precise timing was given.
In the end, Menard believes that the problem can and will be solved. “It’s going to be a combination of walls and other baffling that’s needed,” Menard said, adding that “City staff are very aware of this issue. They want it solved as well.
“We can’t go into another spring and summer where this is still going on. I do think this is going to be resolved. The question for me is the timeline.”
Residents aren’t about to give up either. They’ve already got media coverage, and some are pushing for a public protest.
Alan Freeman is a noted journalist, columnist and academic who lives in the Glebe.