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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-10-016 - Doon South Community TrailsREPORT REPORT TO: Community Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: April 12, 2010 SUBMITTED BY: Jim Witmer, Director of Operations PREPARED BY: William Sleeth, Landscape Architect WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 5, South Ward DATE OF REPORT: April 8, 2010 REPORT NO.: CSD-10-016 SUBJECT: Doon South Community Trails RECOMMENDATION That in accordance with the February 11, 1997 Council resolution approving the Doon South Greenspace Management Plan Community Trail Network, staff be directed to proceed with the detailed design and construction of community trails as outlined on the Doon South Community Trails, Existing and Proposed Trails map attached to Community Services Department report CSD-10-016, ensuring that such construction meets all Provincial and Federal environmental regulations for trail construction in and adjacent to Provincially Significant Wetlands. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The proposed Community Trails within the Doon South Community provide an important link in the city wide Community Trail system. These trails will serve to connect the existing trails within the major public open space on the west side of the Grand River, including Homer Watson Park, with the proposed trails which will follow the current road alignments of Tilt Drive, Stauffer Road and Groh Drive. These trails will allow the trail system to then connect to the major open space along Blair Creek in the future as well as provide connection to the existing and proposed trails along Strasburg Creek. The Doon South Creek trails are a key link in the overall Community Trail system of southern Kitchener. Given the concerns expressed by some members of the public to the proposed trails, direction is being sought from Community Services Committee and Council, prior to proceeding with the preparation of site specific environmental mitigation plans, detailed design and construction. BACKGROUND: The proposed Community Trails in the Doon South Community were first identified in the Leisure Facilities Strategy Master Plan, completed in 1990, as an important link in the city wide trail system. é ó ï The Doon South Community Plan, approved in 1997, identified the primary Community Trails throughout this neighbourhood, including the trails along Doon South Creek. The Environmental Implementation Reports and the Greenspace Management Plans prepared as a part of this Community Plan identified the preferred routes for Community Trails through the neighbourhood and within the context of the proposed subdivision development and environmental features of the community. The Doon South, Greenspace Management Plan, Community Trail Network, as detailed in Planning and Development Reports PD 97/13 and PD 97/16, were approved by Council on February 11, 1997, (Attachment #1: Doon South Greenspace Management Plan, Community Trail Network, 1997) Community Trail alignments within the Doon South Community Plan were further considered and identified on the individual approved Draft Plans of Subdivision for this neighbourhood and shown in detail on the approved Grading Control Plans for each subdivision as these came forward for review and approval. Some of these trails were constructed by the subdivision developer during the development process, such as the Windrush Park trails, but many of them were not constructed at the time of development. The Doon South Creek trails are some of the trails in the neighbourhood which remain for implementation by the City of Kitchener. Subdivision Application 30T-95018 (Wyldwoods Neighbourhood), as detailed in Planning and Development Report PD 97/99 approved by Council on January 12, 1998 included the construction of Community Trails as proposed in the Doon South, Greenspace Management Plan, Community Trail Network. Community Services staff are currently working with an environmental consultant, Ecoplans, and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) in addressing the environmental issues associated with the proposed community trails in the Doon South Creek valley and it’s associated Provincially Significant Wetlands. GRCA is the authority responsible for granting approvals for trail construction adjacent to Doon South Creek and these wetlands. Detailed environmental mitigation plans and construction details are required to meet with the approval of GRCA prior to receiving a permit for trail construction. REPORT: At a recent public meeting on January 27, 2010 staff presented specific trail locations and alignments along Doon South Creek for public comment and review. Also presented was a plan illustrating all of the existing and proposed trails in the Doon South Community and the proposed connections to existing trails in surrounding neighbourhoods (Attachment #2: Doon South Community Trails, Existing and Proposed Trails). Concerns raised by property owners or residents with properties adjacent to the open space through which the trail is proposed include loss of privacy in their rear yards, potential for an increase in vandalism, graffiti, property damage or loss from criminal activity, concerns regarding disturbance to wildlife such as deer, coyotes and bird life as well as damage to the views of the natural area from their homes and gardens. Public support for the trails in the Doon South Community has also been expressed by many members of the public. Some have expressed concern that there has been a significant delay in the implementation of trails and wish to see them built as soon as possible. Community Services staff are working with environmental consultants and the GRCA to address all potential impacts to the wetlands and natural areas along the creek and have proposed trails and boardwalks which will be designed to mitigate these impacts to the satisfaction of the provincial policies applicable. é ó î Impacts to views and privacy will be addressed through appropriate screen planting between rear yards and the proposed trails. Greater public use of the natural areas along the proposed trails will have an affect on the use of the area by wildlife, to some extent. These affects are very limited in comparison to the overall effects which occurred in the subdivision development which brought the residents into close proximity to the natural areas. The trails are an integral part of the subdivision plan and the impacts on wildlife should be considered in this context. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: All proposed Community Trails in the Doon South Community are to be funded through the Community Services Department Capital Budgets as approved by Council. COMMUNICATIONS: Community Services staff met with neighbourhood residents at two public meetings in 2006 where park and trail concepts were introduced and another meeting in 2007 which was focused specifically on trail development plans. At a recent public meeting on January 27, 2010 staff presented specific trail locations and alignments along Doon South Creek for public comment and review. Also presented was a plan illustrating all of the existing and proposed trails in the Doon South Community and the proposed connections to existing trails in surrounding neighbourhoods (Attachment #2). The plans presented at the public meeting of January 27, 2010 have been posted on the City web site since early February and public comment to the plans has been requested. Attendees of the January 27, 2010 public meeting have been provided with a copy of this staff th report as well as the schedule for the April 12 Community Services Committee meeting, where it will be discussed. The details and exact trail alignments shall be presented to residents and property owners immediately adjacent to, or affected by, the proposed trails for information prior construction. The Community Services Department staff will work with residents and property owners adjacent to the proposed trails in the preparation and implementation of appropriate tree and shrub planting for the purpose of providing visual screening between residences and the proposed trail. This is standard practice in the design of recreational facilities and trails in residential areas. CONCLUSION: The Doon South Community Trails are a key link in the overall Community Trail system of southern Kitchener and the proposed trails are supported by the majority of area residents. The construction of these trails will add considerably to the options for recreational enjoyment and nature appreciation by the citizens of Kitchener. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, General Manager, Community Services Department é ó í é ó ì é ó ë é ó ê é ó é é ó è é ó ç é ó ïð é ó ïï é ó ïî é ó ïí é ó ïì é ó ïë é ó ïê