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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-16-037- Huron Natural Area - Permeable Paver Demonstration Project REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: April 11, 2016 SUBMITTED BY: Hans Gross, P.Eng., Director, Engineering Services (519-741-2200 x 7410) PREPARED BY: Nick Gollan, C.E.T., Manager, Stormwater Utility (519-741-2200 x 7422) Matt Wilson,M.Eng., P.Eng., Design & Construction Project Manager (519-741-2200 x 7149) WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 5 DATE OF REPORT: March 17, 2016 REPORT NO.: INS 16-037 SUBJECT: Huron Natural Area Permeable Paver Demonstration Project ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: For Information. BACKGROUND: The Huron Natural Area (HNA) is the C containing Strasburg Creek (coldwater stream), provincially significant wetlands, forest, meadows and significant species. In 2007, site plan approval was granted for the HNA which showed parking lots on both sides of the entranceway. In 2015 it was determined the parking area to the north was required to accommodate a growing number of visitors to the natural area. REPORT: In December 2015 construction was completed on a 17 spot permeable paver parking lot. This site provides an excellent opportunity to educate visitors to the park about stormwater management and the role it plays in habitat protection. implement this project occurred through the following steps: In April 2015 the City received approximately $25,000 in funding from the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund (GLGCF) administered by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) to prepare the design and tender of the parking lot. In August (2015) Aquafor Beech Ltd. was retained by the City to complete design drawings and a tender package. These consulting services were paid using the GLGCF funding. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. IF1 - 1 In September (2015) the City received approval for approximately $175,000 in funding from the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). This funding is paid in two disbursements and the City must provide invoices in order to be reimbursed. The Tender was advertised on the City of Kitchener Website and closed on October th 8 (2015). The construction work was awarded to Seawaves Development in the th amount of $134,002.18 at the Council meeting on October 26, 2015. Construction of the 17 parking spot permeable parking lot started in November, 2015. This stormwater demonstration project was completed at the Huron Natural Area, a 107 hectare municipal park located at 801 Trillium Drive on the south side of Kitchener (Ward 5). The remaining portion of the grant funding is being used to fund a feasibility study for using permeable pavers in other locations in the City which is being completed as a component of the Integrated Stormwater Management Master Plan. Through this demonstration project the City of Kitchener aims to better understand the role that new innovative stormwater technologies can play in protecting our water resources. This will provide a basis for comparison of new innovative technologies to traditional approaches in stormwater management within a local context. PUBLIC CONSULTATION: N/A ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the C vision through the delivery of core service. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: N/A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: This project will demonstrate the benefits of working together with a number of local schools, and interested community members, to educate on the benefits of low impact development (LID) techniques and to raise public awareness of their role in stormwater management. This demonstration project provides a high profile example of a LID technology in a well frequented public space. The grand opening of the permeable paver parking lot will occur y activities on Saturday, April 30, 1-4 p.m. Part of the activities for that afternoon will include a demonstration of how water is absorbed into the permeable surface and soaked into the ground without creating stormwater runoff. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, Executive Director of Infrastructure Services Department IF1 - 2