HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-10-125 - Review of Green Development Policies - Official Plan Review Study
REPORT
REPORT TO:
Development & Technical Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
June 21, 2010
SUBMITTED BY:
Alain Pinard, Interim Director of Planning
PREPARED BY:
Elizabeth Brown, Planner (519-741-2643)
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
All
DATE OF REPORT: June 11, 2010
REPORT NO.: DTS-10-125
SUBJECT:
REVIEW OF “GREEN” DEVELOPMENT POLICIES (RGDP)
PROJECT SUMMARY REPORT
OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW STUDY
RECOMMENDATION:
That DTS Report 10-125, regarding the Review of “Green” Development Policies in
support of the Official Plan Review, be received for information and discussion; and
further,
That the Review of “Green” Development Policies Report attached to DTS Report 10-125,
and any discussion minutes thereof, provide direction for staff to develop new and
revised policy direction for the new Official Plan.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Kitchener has included the objective to control pollution of the environment and
energy conservation policies since at least the 1979 Official Plan (as amended). The current
Official Plan includes several policies aimed at improving our water and energy conservation.
Recent changes in legislation, plans and policies along with advancement in new approaches to
“green” buildings and reducing the impact of the built environment necessitate a comprehensive
review of our Official Plan policies.
The purpose of this project is to review existing Official Plan Policies regarding “green”
development. This includes energy production and conservation, air quality, water conservation
and waste management at the local level. The review addresses Goal 1: Action 2 of the
Kitchener Growth Management Strategy, examines a number of policies in the new Regional
Official Plan, and implements Policy 1.8 of the Provincial Policy Statement 2005 and Policy
4.2.4 of the Places to Grow Growth Plan. This project also explores the planning requirements
under the Green Energy Act, 2009.
é ó ï
REPORT:
Project Overview
The Review of Green Development Policies (RGDP) initiative was a Planning Division-led,
internal project that was comprised of two phases. The first phase included a background
review of topics such as water resources and conservation, energy conservation and
.
generation, air quality, sustainable development, light emissions and waste reduction In
addition, any legislative obligations that had to be covered by the project were identified, as
were linkages to several other City-led environmental initiatives that are underway. The work
program consisted of objectives, expected results, and overall project requirements. The project
was led by Elizabeth Brown, Planner and included an internal team with staff from the Planning
Division, Building Division and Facilities Management.
The second phase of the project involved additional research, discussion and review in order to
draft new direction for consideration in the new Official Plan. Any new policies not only had to
satisfy any legislative requirements, but also had to help meet the overall provincial, regional
and local objectives. For example, this project directly related to several of the community
priorities within the City’s Strategic Plan. The additional research included reviewing policies
and initiatives from other Ontario municipalities, as well as online studies, journals, special
interest group websites, and other general media. The project team identified other City of
Kitchener studies and initiatives for efficiency, and reviewed and discussed preliminary drafts of
the recommended new policy directions.
Draft Policies for Discussion
Given the significant changes as a result of new legislation and new approaches to
environmentally-friendly development, there are several new policy directions to consider for the
new Official Plan. The draft objectives and policies for each of the topics are contained within
the project report attached as Appendix “A”. Some of the key highlights for potential new
direction include:
Expanding the scope of water resource objectives and policies to reflect requirements under
the Clean Water Act (2006) and the new Regional Official Plan;
Including objectives and policies for alternative energy systems and renewable energy
systems, and expanding upon energy conservation, to reflect upon changes brought forward
by the Green Energy Act (2009)
and the new Regional Official Plan;
Creating objectives and policies for air quality, sustainable development and waste
reduction; and,
Expanding light emissions objectives and policies to address light pollution as well as
nuisance glare.
Next Steps and Implementation
The draft suggestions for changes to the “green” development policies within the Official Plan
will now be made available for public review and comment (see Communications section of this
report). The draft policies and any comments received will be considered by staff in the
preparation of the new Official Plan.
Separate projects and tools will be required in order to implement any new Official Plan policies.
This may include new or amended definitions and regulations in the Zoning By-law, updates to
é ó î
the Urban Design Manual and the potential consideration of Community Improvement
Programs.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no direct financial implications as part of this report. The overall Official Plan Review
project is on budget.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Planning Staff introduced the Review of Green Development Policies study to the
Environmental Advisory Committee on February 18, 2010 and presented a draft of the
preliminary policies to the Environmental Advisory Committee on May 20, 2010.
The draft “green” development policies that are contained in the attached report will be available
for public review on the City’s Official Plan Review webpage. Information panels will be
prepared for display in the City Hall Rotunda and Kitchener Market, and comment forms will be
available at these displays. Feedback received will be considered in the preparation of the new
Official Plan. There will also be additional opportunities to comment on the draft policies during
the formal Official Plan consultation process.
REVIEWED BY:
Brandon Sloan, Interim Manager of Long Range and Policy Planning
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Jeff Willmer, Interim General Manager
Development and Technical Services Department
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix “A” - Review of “Green” Development Policies Report (www.kitchener.ca/officialplan )
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
é ó ïé
é ó ïè
é ó ïç
é ó îð
é ó îï
é ó îî
é ó îí