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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-15ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 15, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Mr. S. Crossman - Chair Councillors D. Glenn-Graham and Y. Fernandes, Messrs. P. Dowling, M. El-Hakim, D. Hoshowsky, J. Henhoeffer, M. Peterson, R. Younis and G. Zador. Staff: G. Murphy, Director of Engineering Services B. Korah, Manager of Development Engineering B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) - SOUTH SECTION OF THE STRASBURG ROAD 1. EXTENSION - NORTH OF STAUFFER DRIVE TO NEW DUNDEE ROAD The Committee was in receipt of excerpts from the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the South Section of the Strasburg Road Extension from North of Stauffer Drive to New Dundee Road, dated June 1, 2011. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of a presentation outlining the project objectives, study chronology, technically preferred alignment and next steps for the Strasburg Road Extension, South Section – Class EA. Ms. Allison Featherstone, LGL Limited and Messrs. Ian Upjohn, Michael Rate, Darren Dickson SNC-Lavalin Inc., Chris Gosselin, Region of Waterloo, G. Murphy and B. Korah presented the EA. Mr. Korah advised that this is an opportunity for the Committee to provide comments and feedback, which will be considered as the EA process moves forward. Mr. I. Upjohn advised that the purpose of the proposed Strasburg Road Extension includes: providing for approved development and future growth in Doon South and other areas in southwest Kitchener, such as traffic and municipal services; and, relieving future demand on Homer Watson Boulevard, Huron Road and Fischer Hallman Road. He noted that the project must also achieve compatibility with City and Regional policies for future growth and development; and, seek to minimize the impacts to the natural heritage features and other important environmental resources. Mr. Upjohn indicated that they are currently in Phase 3 of the EA process, and consideration is being given to alternative design concepts for the preferred solution. He reviewed the different alignment alternatives, advising that Based on the evaluation of the short-listed alignment alternatives it has been determined that a modified version of Alignment E4 is the Technically Preferred Alignment. Mr. Upjohn stated that Alignment E4 Modified provides the following benefits: adequate for meeting traffic operations, transit, and servicing requirements; shortest crossing of Blair Creek corridor, minimizing impacts to natural heritage features, including wetlands, streams and fish habitat, groundwater resources, wildlife; relatively high overall conformance with Official Plan policies; acceptable level of intrusion on Protected Countryside and impacts to agricultural resources / operations; acceptable balance of impacts to cultural heritage resources; provides opportunity to enhance scenic heritage road and trail network; and, second lowest capital cost and private property requirements. Councillor Y. Fernandes requested clarification on the preferred alternative and its impacts on private property owners, specifically 500 Stauffer Drive.Mr. Upjohn advised that the construction of the road will involve property severances; however, the final location and overall impact on 500 Stauffer Drive is still yet to be determined. Councillor Fernandes questioned the evaluation criteria that was used to screen the various alignment alternatives. She noted that the preferred option with respect to potential impacts on the natural heritage features would appear to be W1. She further inquired as to the involvement of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and whether they have had an opportunity to comment on the alignment alternatives; specifically with regard to the potential impacts on species habitats in the study area. Ms. Featherstone advised that there has been significant research done to determine the extent of the impacts on the natural features. She noted that since 2010 the Project Team has been researching and identifying the different species in the study area and their habitat locations. She indicated that the Project Team has been working with MNR and noted that a draft protection plan for Jefferson Salamanders has been completed; however, it has not yet ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 15, 2011 - 32 - CITY OF KITCHENER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) - SOUTH SECTION OF THE STRASBURG ROAD 1. EXTENSION - NORTH OF STAUFFER DRIVE TO NEW DUNDEE ROAD (CONT’D) been released for public review. She further advised that although there has been some trapping of the Jefferson Salamander there has been no new information on the species at risk. Mr. M. Peterson requested clarification on whether the pond on the farm adjacent to Reidel Drive, which will be located next to the newly constructed road, was an active water source. He questioned whether there could be any potential contamination to the pond due to the new road extension. Mr. Dickson advised that the pond is an active agricultural pond with a shallow water table, adding that it is fed through ground water as well as precipitation and is potentially a recharge / discharge holding zone. In response to the concern regarding contamination, Mr. Dickson further indicated that it would be prevented through the road’s stormwater connections. He commented that any potential impacts from winter salt spray would be below the salt use requirements. Mr. Peterson requested further clarification on the age and condition of the butternut tree that would be removed due to the proposed alignment and noted that the species is extremely rare. Mr. Rate advised that the tree is fairly young, approximately 8 inches in diameter and in the early stages of regeneration. He noted that its actual condition of health still needs to be assessed by a license butternut inspector. Councillor D. Glenn-Graham requested clarification on the financial differences between alignments W1, and the preferred alternative E4 modified. Mr. Upjohn indicated that the construction costs for W1 would be approximately $20M compared to $16M for E4 modified. Councillor Glenn-Graham further inquired about the project objectives and whether W1 could still be considered the preferred alternative. Mr. Gosselin advised that W1 would potentially redefine the Countryside Line that has been established through the Region’s Official Plan. Mr. Dickson further advised that although W1 seems to have the least amount of impact on the natural environment, the potential redefinition of the Countryside Line would have added environmental impacts. He indicated that the trends in the Strasburg Road area is for urban development, adding that the construction of W1 and the addition of municipal services could have greater impacts on the natural environment. Councillor Fernandes indicated that, in her opinion, alignment W1 was a better option when compared to the preferred alternative. Mr. R. Younis questioned the weighting system that was used to define the evaluation criteria and ultimately determine that alignment E4 modified was the preferred alternative. Mr. Upjohn advised that there were a number of evaluations that needed to be considered and in this situation; a numerical evaluation system was determined to not be an effective means of identifying the preferred alternative. He stated that the proposed alignment was vetted through several round table discussions with the Project Team, and confirmed through the selection process. Mr. Peterson requested additional clarification as to why a weighted scoring system could not be completed. Mr. Murphy stated that there are numerous evaluation techniques that can be used to identify preferred alternatives; in this situation, weighting the alignments did not take into consideration all of the factors contributing to the project objectives; such as, the potential to redefine the Countryside Line. Following the presentation and consideration of the remainder of the agenda items, several members requested further clarification on the Environmental Assessment process and expressed concerns as to how the Committee’s comments would be provided to Council. Mr. Peterson expressed concerns with the Strasburg Road EA and the evaluation process, as well as the procedure that was used to determine the preferred alignment. He stated that without a clear presentation on the evaluation criteria he was not in support of the proposed alternative. Several members expressed similar concerns with the proposed alternative, noting the significant impact it could have on the natural environment. Councillor Fernandes commented that the Environmental Committee should have an additional opportunity to receive further clarification and provide feedback to the Project Team. She added that pending the Project Team’s attendance at a future meeting, members may wish to put forward a resolution regarding their preferred alternative. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 15, 2011 - 33 - CITY OF KITCHENER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) - SOUTH SECTION OF THE STRASBURG ROAD 1. EXTENSION - NORTH OF STAUFFER DRIVE TO NEW DUNDEE ROAD (CONT’D) Ms. C. Musselman suggested that the Committee could form a Sub-Committee to further review the EA and provide additional comments to the Project Team; pending confirmation with staff on their potential attendance at either the January or February 2012 Environmental Committee meetings. Mr. S. Crossman opened the floor to volunteers, and it was agreed that the following members would comprise the Strasburg Road Extension EA Sub-Committee: Councillor Y. Fernandes and Messrs. R. Younis, M. Peterson. Environmental Planning staff agreed to facilitate the coordination of the Sub-Committee members’ comments and suggestions, prior to the Committee’s January 2012 meetings. Ms. Musselman advised that any further comments or questions that members may have, can be forwarded to her via email at carrie.musselman@kitchener.ca. She agreed to forward any questions to the Project Team between now and the follow-up presentation. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT - ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS 2. The Committee was in receipt this date of a presentation entitled “Environmental Indicators”, regarding the potential indicators which could be used to help measure the progress and monitor the implementation of the City’s Strategic Plan for the Environment. Ms. B. Steiner provided a summary of the draft Environmental Indicators outlined in the presentation, noting that this was a review from the presentation that the Committee received in October 2009. She stated that there would be an update to the City’s website in the beginning of 2012 to promote and evaluate the effectiveness of the Environmental Indicators and how each one aligns with the seven functional areas of the Strategic Plan for the Environment. She requested any additional feedback from the members and whether they had any additional input or suggestions on the proposed indicators. Members offered the following suggestions for potential indicators in addition to the indicators referenced in the presentation, relating to the following sections of Kitchener’s Strategic Plan for the Environment: Land Resource & Growth Management: Intensification verses Green space; and, Green space verses the accessibilities and connections to green space. Environmental Education & Public Awareness: Tracking the number of people who view the City’s environmental related webpages on the website; and; Including a mini survey on the website, assessing people’s environmental awareness. 2012 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) PROGRAM 3. REVIEW Ms. C. Musselman advised that a review of the Community Environmental Improvement Grant Program (CEIG) was identified as a Work Plan item priority. She noted that the CEIG Sub- committee’s would be reappointed in January 2012, commenting that a second sub-committee could be formed to the review the CEIG’s Terms of Reference, prior to applications being received for the 2012 grants. ADJOURNMENT 4. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m. D. Saunderson Committee Administrator