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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-15ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 15~ 2004 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Mr. P. O'Toole, Co-Chair C. Schneider, R. Dingman, R. Atabakhsh, D. Lippert, N. Sonder, R. Nandakumar and Y. Fernandes Councillor B. Vrbanovic and S. Bassanese - in attendace for part of the meeting. Staff: T. Boutilier, Senior Planner B. Sloan, Planner R. Schirm, Supervisor of Crossing Guards D. Schmitt, Urban Forest Technologist PRESENTATION - SHADE FOR KIDS PROGRAM TOYOTA - EVERGREEN LEARNING GROUNDS FOUNDATION The Committee was in receipt of Development & Technical Services Department report DTS-04- 053 (T. Boutilier), dated April 2, 2004 concerning the Shade for Kids Program sponsored by the Toyota - Evergreen Learning Grounds Foundation. Messrs T. Boutilier and D. Wendeland, Evergreen Associate, presented details of the program which is designed to form partnerships between schools and communities to develop and implement change in design of school grounds into healthy, natural and creative outdoor classrooms. Mr. Wendeland stated that the program will assist in changing school grounds from a traditional industrial design consisting of a building, tarmac and fencing to an ecological design including trees and other plant materials. The design provides a passive playground area for children that are not inclined to participate in outdoor sports and addresses environmental issues related to smog days and UV levels of sun exposure by providing greater tree canopy to moderate winds and temperatures. He commented that the Foundation is asking the City to consider participating in the program with in-kind services and / or a financial contribution. Mr. Wendeland invited members of the Committee to attend the Shade for Kids Symposium scheduled for June 11, 2004, from 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Waterloo Region District School Board Office. Councillor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time. The delegations responded to a number of questions, advising that school children, their parents and neighbouring residents are involved in as many aspects of the program as possible and schools are chosen by application. With respect to the City's contribution, Mr. T. Boutilier advised that staff recommend only an expression of support at this time that would involve some staff time to participate on the working group. He pointed out that once the nature and scope of the project has been defined a further report will come forward for consideration. On motion by Mr. R. Nandakumar - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener express its support for the Shade for Kids Program, sponsored by the Toyota / Evergreen Learning Grounds Foundation, and participate in the Shade for Kids Program Working Group." This recommendation will be forwarded for consideration to the May 10, 2004 Development & Technical Services Committee meeting. PRESENTATION - KITCHENER SOUTH TRANSPORTATION REVIEW (RIVER ROAD EXTENSION) DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE & REGIONAL REPORT P-EEAC-04-004 The Committee was in receipt of draft Terms of Reference (Doc #72714) dealing with a Regional Transportation Study for the South Kitchener Transportation Corridor (extension of River Road and Bleams Road - King Street to Manitou Drive); and attached Regional Report P-EEAC-04- 004 (South Kitchener Transportation Corridor Study - Hidden Valley [ESPA 27]). ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 15, 2004 -11 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. PRESENTATION - KITCHENER SOUTH TRANSPORTATION REVIEW (RIVER ROAD EXTENSION) DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE & REGIONAL REPORT P-EEAC-04-004 (CONT'D) Ms. Paula Sawicki, Regional Project Co-ordinator, presented details of the draft Terms of Reference and pointed out that in 1981 a detailed study was completed relative to the alignment for the River Road extension. Since that time, Provincial and Regional environmental policies have been strengthened, as well as general environmental awareness and accordingly, the Region determined that it would be appropriate to review the transportation system. The new study will follow the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process and will focus on the need for the proposed corridor to establish justification for the transportation link. Ms. Sawicki advised that the Regional Ecological and Environmental Advisory Committee (EEAC) has struck a sub-committee to review and provide input concerning all aspects of environmental impact of proposed planning alternatives. Alternatives will address issues of traffic, transit, cycling and pedestrian access and may include the following: do-nothing; examine options to expand capacity of Fairway Road (currently no east / west corridor to Highway 401); new road links; or a combination thereof. She concluded that the first public consultation will take place at the end of May for the purpose of determining community interest and / or potential involvement in the project. Councillor B. Vrbanovic raised concerns regarding plans to examine options for Fairway Road and questioned if it was intended to investigate use of Intelligent Traffic Systems. Ms. Sawicki responded that such systems are geared to real time, reacting to conditions on the road and will be investigated along with other traffic options such as revised timing of signal lights to increase capacity for traffic movement. Ms. Y Fernandes suggested that service roads should be considered to connect commercial developments to allow traffic movement between establishments without entering back onto Fairway Road. Ms. Sawicki advised that both property owners must agree to common access rights-of-way and there is no legal recourse to impose same as a condition of development. Several members of the Committee spoke in favour of the "do-nothing" approach as the impacts to the naturally sensitive area are unknown and it is important to encourage alternative modes of transportation to protect natural areas for enjoyment of future generations. Mr. C. Schneider spoke in favour of exploring all options, noting that by 2016 a transportation deficiency in east-west road capacity between Fairway Road and Highway 401 is expected and will have to be dealt with in any event. Ms. P. Sawicki thanked the Committee for their comments and advised that further presentations will be made as the study progresses and alternative options are developed. 3. PRESENTATION - REGIONAL MASTER CYCLING PLAN - UPDATE Mr. Ron Schirm, Supervisor of Crossing Guards, presented an overview of the Regional Cycling Master Plan review. Mr. Schirm advised that the purpose of the review is to update the plan to enhance direction for the promotion, design, funding and strategic implementation of adequate cycling facilities in the Region. The objectives seek to confirm rationale for a cycling network; identify methods of creating a unified network; identify means to achieve doubling the number of cycling trips to 2% of all trips by 2016; and identify required policies and strategies for implementation. Guiding principles assist in defining the character of the cycling system and are categorized as: route selection; network design; and cycling awareness. Short and long term strategies will be used to promote and encourage cycling, including: education campaigns; parking programs; links between cycling and transit; and development of a Cycling Ambassador Program. Mr. Schirm commented that cycling lanes will continue to be included in capital projects each year where appropriate and advised that the updated Regional Cycling Master Plan will be presented to Regional Council for consideration in June 2004. Mr. Schirm received several suggestions from Committee members that will be relayed back to Regional staff, including: use of uniforms to raise the profile of the Cycling Ambassador Program and provision of free bicycles for transit riders transferring between stations. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 15, 2004 - 12 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTTEE - BUDGET Councillor B. Vrbanovic provided an overview of the Environmental Committee's operating budget, as approved by City Council on March 29, 2004. He advised that the Committee's budget totals $20,500. of which $20,000., originally allocated for Earth Day celebrations, was re- allocated to the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP) in accordance with the Committee's recommendation adopted by City Council on November 24, 2003. He noted that Earth Day celebrations will be funded from monies allocated within the Community Services Department budget. Councillor Vrbanovic pointed out that the remaining $500. is discretionary funding and in the event the Committee wishes to support an initiative beyond that amount, it would require Council approval. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP GRANT PROGRAM - ADMINISTRATION It was agreed that this item would be referred to the Committee's May 13, 2004 meeting as Mr. Jeff Willmer, Director of Planning, was not present this date. PRESENTATION- PROPOSAL FOR URBAN WOODLAND STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM - FRIENDS OF KITCHENER'S WOODLANDS Mr. Dave Schmitt presented details of a proposed Urban Woodland Stewardship Program, advising that the goal of the program is to involve the public and other partners in managing municipal woodlands and to provide a forum for the community to learn and experience nature within the City. He pointed out that this initiative is in preliminary development stages and additional reports will come forward for consideration of the Committee and City Council as work progresses. He noted that a partnership was originally formed with a group known as the Friends of Kitchener's Woodlands and has since expanded to include a number of government / environmental agencies, including the K-W Field Naturalists, who will act as the lead agency in applying to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for a grant. He advised that the proposed program fits within the City's priorities established by Compass Kitchener and the City's Woodland Management Program (WMP) and is consistent with objectives of the Environmental Committee. Mr. Schmitt stated that staff envision the final product as a model that could be utilized by other urban areas. Mr. Schmitt advised that a Technical Working Committee will participate in drafting a grant application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation to request $50,000. to $75,000. per year, over a 3 year period, to allow hiring of a Stewardship Co-ordinator who will be responsible to set-up an urban woodland volunteer program and an education / nature interpretation program. He added that the University of Waterloo has expressed an interest in funding scientific research and local School Boards and community / neighourhood groups will be canvassed to participate once projects are defined. The City will participate by providing in-kind services (ie. staff time and project management) and if the program proves successful, future requests for capital funding may be brought forward to extend the Co-ordinator position beyond the 3 year period. Mr. Schmitt requested that the Committee consider expressing its support for the initiative and appointment of a member to sit on the Technical Working Committee. Ms. Y. Fernandes raised concerns respecting enforcement pertaining to use of off-road motorized vehicles (ie. all-terrain) in naturally sensitive areas. Mr. Schmitt advised that such activity on City-owned lands is prohibited by by-law; however, it is difficult to enforce and asked that such activity be reported to allow monitoring of the subject area. He also noted that in addition to enforcement it is necessary to change social attitudes and in this regard, advised that education will play an important role in the Stewardship Program. Several Committee members raised concerns with respect to protection of trees as it relates to new development and Mr. Schmitt advised that such issues are dealt with through the planning approval process. Mr. S. Bassanese suggested that the City's Urban Design Guidelines should include provision for protection, such as requiring supplemental planting along the edge of woodlots. Ms. Fernandes suggested that under the Stewardship Program, educational pamphlets could be developed and included in utility / tax bills. Councillor B. Vrbanovic raised concerns with respect to balancing protection of woodlots with issues concerning the West Nile Virus as it relates to maintenance of natural areas. Mr. Schmitt responded that health issues remain a priority and pointed out that municipalities within the Region have been more successful than other urban centres in controlling spread of the virus. APRIL 15, 2004 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES -13- CITY OF KITCHENER PRESENTATION- PROPOSAL FOR URBAN WOODLAND STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM - FRIENDS OF KITCHENER'S WOODLANDS (CONT'D) On motion by Mr. S. Bassanese - it was resolved: "That development of an Urban Woodland Stewardship Program (UWSP) be supported, in principle, to actively involve the public and other partners in assisting to manage the City's woodlands and to create a forum where people can learn and experience nature within the City; and further, That Derek Lippert, and Claude Schneider (alternate), be appointed as the Environmental Committee's representatives to the UWSP Technical Working Committee, for a term to expire on November 30, 2004." ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Janet Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator