HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv - 2012-10-18 - Memo - 2012 Air Quality in Kitchener Best Bets - Interim Updateth
Date:
October 18, 2012
To:
Environmental Committee
Subject:
2012 Five Best Bets – Interim Update
Best Bet #1 - The City should continue to preserve and acquire parklands and natural
lands in existing developments [
Recommended Action 1.1a from the Air Quality in
];
Kitchener report (2010)
Natural Lands –The Parks Strategic Plan (2010) identifies the importance of an acquisition
strategy for acquiring target natural areas throughout the City and natural areas/parklands
adjacent to the Grand River corridor as one of its 6 major themes.
The City has mapped environmental information as part of the Kitchener Natural Heritage
System (2012). The new Official Plan (currently draft) incorporates the information from the
Kitchener Natural Heritage System and continues to improve upon policies on natural area
conservation and protection.
When the opportunity exists through development or redevelopment opportunities, developers
are encouraged to convey undevelopable and protected natural lands to the city at no cost. The
City has a modest budget for the acquisition of natural lands which often requires multiple years
to accumulate before utilizing.
Parklands – The acquisition of parklands through development is an ongoing process through
subdivision and site plan review and approval. The Planning Act authorizes municipalities to
require the conveyance of land for park or public recreational purposes. For example, in the last
year the City has secured approximately 14.26ha (35.23 acres) of parkland and/or natural areas
Reported by: Dan Ritz, Supervisor, Design & Development
Carrie Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner
Best Bet #2 - The City and Region should provide creative measures to curb idling at
traffic lights by adjusting the timing of traffic lights during non-peak hours
[];
Recommended Action 3.3b from the Air Quality in Kitchener report (2010)
Traffic control signals in Kitchener are all controlled by the Region of Waterloo regardless of
whether they are located on Regional roads or City roads. In order to reduce idling traffic,
systems have off peak timing plans that reduce the cycle length, turn off unnecessary left-turn
phases and semi-actuated signals will operate un-coordinated to minimize delay to the side
street.
Additional measures that have been implemented to reduce delays at all times of the day are:
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Annual corridor review of approx. 80 signals to ensure signal timings are up-to-date and
signals are properly coordinated,
Installation of right-turn arrows,
Running different timings plans during the day based on turning movements counts and
intersection demands (e.g. Crossing guard plans).
Reported by: John McBride, Director, Transportation Services
Best Bet #3 - Encourage the City to establish a Tree Planting and Partnership Program by
offering incentives to residents, community organizations, schools, business
improvement areas and volunteers to expand resources for the planting, maintenance
and care of trees [
Recommended Action 1.2a from the Air Quality in Kitchener report
];
(2010)
Currently municipal tree planting budgets are limited and focused on city lands (street trees,
shade trees for parks & natural area plantings). Through community engagement programs
such as Kitchener’s Natural Areas Program (KNAP), the public is engaged in environmental
projects (including tree planting) which focus on the stewardship of natural areas in our
community. Other initiatives, like the pilot Gator Bag program with the Westmount
Neighbourhood Association encourage residents to replenish gator bags for the watering of
newly planted trees. In working with the community we are working towards thriving street trees,
even during drought conditions.
Reported by: Dan Ritz, Supervisor, Design & Development
Kim Nihls, Supervisor, Operations (Trees)
Best Bet #4 - Continue to support by way of education, signage, advertising support, and
website updates private and/or community vegetable gardens within the City
[];
Recommended Action 4.4c from the Air Quality in Kitchener report (2010)
Community gardens are currently being updated on the website with application deadlines for
applying for grants. Grant process will be clearly defined and applications will be on the website
as well. Each grant can be awarded up to $2000.00 in materials and in lieu services from city
staff. We also have Huron St. Farms garden plots available for people looking for opportunity to
have a vegetable garden which are generally available for use by mid-May.
Reported by: Tim Wolfe, Supervisor, Operations (Major Parks &Hort.)
Best Bet #5 - Ecological diversity (primarily native species) should be promoted in City
parks, private, commercial and industrial properties (e.g. butterfly habitat, wildflower
sections, plants that attract and/or sustain pollinators and removal of invasive species.)
[];
Recommended Action 1.1c from the Air Quality in Kitchener report (2010)
Ecological diversity is an ongoing objective for city park planting projects. Native plantings are
required in all new park projects and the removal of invasive species in our parks and natural
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areas is a continued effort. Through the KNAP program, the City of Kitchener has also
partnered with Evergreen, a not-for profit environmental organization that focuses on greening
and improving communities. As part of this partnership, a series of workshops were delivered to
teach residents about the value and importance of using native plants on private and public
properties. Participants of these workshops were provided with the information and tools to
adopt native gardening practices on their own properties.
Reported by: Dan Ritz, Supervisor, Design & Development
Tim Wolfe, Supervisor, Operations (Major Parks &Hort.)
Reviewed By: Brandon Sloan, Manager, Long Range & Policy Planning
Submitted By: Carrie Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner
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