HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv - 2013-06-20 - Assignment of 2013-2014 Work Plan Subcommittees
Date:June 6, 2013
To:Environmental Committee
From:Carrie Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner
Subject:Air Quality in Kitchener 2010 Update - Subcommittee
The Air Quality in Kitchener report, prepared by the City's Environment Committee and
presented to City Council in 2006, was the culmination of a year of deliberations in response to
City Council's earlier direction for the committee to develop a long-term, comprehensive plan for
local air quality.
In 2010, City staff, in partnership with the Environment Committee, revised the original Air
Quality in Kitchener and presented Air Quality in Kitchener 2010 to city council.
The Air Quality in Kitchener 2010 plan contains at least fifty actions to improve Kitchener's air
quality. The Air Quality in Kitchener 2010 proposes both short-term and long-term
recommended actions. Some actions can be undertaken now, such as encouraging energy and
water conservation, improving public awareness and knowledge of air quality issues and
providing businesses with the tools and incentives to make more energy-efficient decisions.
Other initiatives require effort over a number of years, such as investing in more energy-efficient
technologies.
Each year 5 actions, also referred to as 'Best Bets', are chosen from the Air Quality in Kitchener
Plan 2010 by the Environmental Committee and ultimately Council for investigation by staff to
be implemented through various departments within the city as well as citizens.
As per the environmental committee work plan, the Air Quality in Kitchener
2010 Update Subcommittee will:
Review the Air Quality in Kitchener 2010 to…
Remove any actions that have been completed, have become redundant or
o
condense two similar Actions (Best Bets) into one to avoid duplication.
Update background air quality information, including up to date statistics.
o
(June – September 2013)
Solicit the environmental committee for input on…
New actions (Best Bets)
o
Themes - Should all the themes of the Strategic Plan for the Environment
o
remain?
The Community Climate Plan - Should the update include the greenhouse gas
o
reductions outlined in the Community Climate Plan by ClimateActionWR?
(September 2013)
Reviewed By: Brandon Sloan, Manager, Long Range & Policy Planning
2 2 - - 11
Work with staff to create a new fourth column titled 'Recommend Action(s)' that gives
specific direction as to how each Action (Best Bet) is to be investigated in a given year.
Consideration should also be given to how the recommended actions relate to the
corporate business planning and budget process.
(October – December 2013)
Present a 'Draft Air Quality in Kitchener 2014' to the environmental committee for review
and comment.
(January 2014)
Make any necessary edits or revisions and work with staff in Planning and
Communications to create the final 'Air Quality in Kitchener 2014'.
(February 2014)
Present the final Air Quality in Kitchener 2014 report to the Environmental Committee,
Standing Committee and Council.
(March – April 2014)
Reviewed By: Brandon Sloan, Manager, Long Range & Policy Planning
2 2 - - 22
Date:June 6, 2013
To:Environmental Committee Members
From:Carrie Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner
Subject:Best Bet No. 1 - 5 Subcommittee’s
The Air Quality in Kitchener report, prepared by the City's Environment Committee and
presented to City Council in 2006, was the culmination of a year of deliberations in response to
City Council's earlier direction for the committee to develop a long-term, comprehensive plan for
local air quality.
In 2010, City staff, in partnership with the Environment Committee, revised the original Air
Quality in Kitchener and presented Air Quality in Kitchener 2010 to city council.
The Air Quality in Kitchener 2010 plan contains at least fifty actions to improve Kitchener's air
quality. The Air Quality in Kitchener 2010 proposes both short-term and long-term
recommended actions. Some actions can be undertaken now, such as encouraging energy and
water conservation, improving public awareness and knowledge of air quality issues and
providing businesses with the tools and incentives to make more energy-efficient decisions.
Other initiatives require effort over a number of years, such as investing in more energy-efficient
technologies.
Each year 5 actions, also referred to as 'Best Bets', are chosen from the Air Quality in Kitchener
Plan 2010 by the Environmental Committee and ultimately Council for investigation by staff to
be implemented through various departments within the city as well as citizens.
As per the Environmental Committee, work plan…
The Best Bet No. 1 Subcommittee will:
the subcommittee (or a representative) contacts Nick Gollan, Manager, Stormwater
Utility inquiring what stormwater management information for onsite controls are
currently available to business and residents.
works with staff to either enhances existing information or researches/develops
information about onsite stormwater management controls for business and residents.
Information will include best practices and who to contact.
(Best Bet No. 1 & 3 to be completed concurrently)
The Best Bet No. 2 Subcommittee will:
the subcommittee reviews Kitchener's Urban Design Manual for best practices and
standards for "green" development (buildings and sites).
works with staff in the Planning Division to research new best practices and standards
for "green" development (buildings and sites) so it can contribute to the preparation of
updates to the Urban Design Manual and development process.
Reviewed By: Brandon Sloan, Manager, Long Range & Policy Planning
2 - 3
The Best Bet No. 3 Subcommittee will:
works with staff to develop information (pamphlets) about onsite stormwater
management controls to be distributed to businesses.
works with staff to draft a framework of a possible recognition program.
(Best Bet No. 1 & 3 to be completed concurrently)
The Best Bet No. 4 Subcommittee will:
reviews the City's Planning Guidelines (Official Plan, Community Plans, Community
Improvement Plans, Zoning By-Law etc.) for planning tools that would assist with the
development of Community Energy Plans.
works with staff in the Planning Division to identify specific Planning Guidelines that may
support Community Energy Plan policies so specific policies could be developed that
could contribute to future updates.
works with staff in the Planning Division support the creation of Community Energy Plan
policy in the City's new Official Plan.
the air quality subcommittee and environmental committee in cooperation with staff
provide input to the Community Climate Action Plan (joint initiative with
ClimateActionWR)
The Best Bet No. 5 Subcommittee will:
the subcommittee (or representative) contacts staff in the Park Planning, Development &
Operations Division inquiring as to
what best practices and standards for sustainable park and yard care (waste
o
management, equipment refueling, frequency of cutting and natural lawn care)
currently exist.
what park and yard care equipment are currently used.
o
work with staff to research new best practices and standards for sustainable park and
yard care so existing best practices or standards can be updated or new best practices
or standards be developed with the aim of incorporating them into day to day activities.
in cooperation with Staff research environmental friendly (fuel efficiency, low emission
and low noise levels) park and yard care equipment so that the information can be used
to guide future equipment purchases.
Reviewed By: Brandon Sloan, Manager, Long Range & Policy Planning
2 - 4