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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv Agenda - 2021-11-18 Environmental Committee Agenda th Thursday, November 18, 2021 Department of Development 4:00p.m. -5:00p.m. Services Kitchener City Hall Virtual Meeting th 200 King St.W. – 9 Floor Kitchener ON N2G 4G7 Page 1Chair –Dr. J. GaudonVice-Chair –Ms.J. Duchesne Due to COVID-19 and recommendations by Waterloo Region Public Health to exercise physical distancing, City Hall is closed to the public. Members of public are invited to view this meeting electronically by contacting the Committee Administrator. While in-person delegation requests are not feasible at this time, written comments may be submitted, and electronic participation can be facilitated by contacting Shannon Lodenquai at Shannon.Lodenquai@Kitchener.ca. Delegates must register by 4:00p.m. on the business day prior to the meeting in order to participate electronically. Written comments will be circulated prior to the meeting and will form part of the public record. Delegations Pursuant to Council’s Procedural By-law, delegations are permitted to address the Committee for a maximum of 5 minutes. NIL Discussion Items 1. Kitchener’s Tree Canopy Target (30 min) Joshua Shea, Manager of Forestry and Natural Area Management Information Items Places and Spaces: Kitchener's park and open space strategy survey Environmental Committee Workplan 2021-2022 –Final Draft City of Kitchener Return to the Workplace Update o Through a gradual and phased approach, the first phase of staff will return to the physical workplace the week of Monday, November 15, 2021. As there is no confirmed date for the resumption of in-person Advisory Committee meetings, . Committee Administrator Shannon Lodenquai ** Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you require assistance to take part in a city meeting or event, please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1866-969-9994 ** Memo to Committee Infrastructure Services Department – Parks & Cemeteries www.kitchener.ca Date:November 10, 2021 To: Environment Committee, November 18, 2021Meeting From: Josh Shea, Manager, Forestry and Natural Area Management, Niall Lobley, Director, Parks & Cemeteries cc. Rosa Bustamante, Director, Planning, Natalie Goss, Manager, Policy and Research, Denise McGoldrick, GM Infrastructure Services, Justin Readman, GM Development Services. Subject: Setting a Tree Canopy Target for Kitchener Introduction Kitchener’s Corporate Strategic Plan, informed by the Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy (SUFS) establishes a direction for staff to develop an Urban Tree Canopy Target for the City of Kitchener. While delayed as a result of COVID-19, staff are preparing to bring a target to Council in December, 2021. This memo, and presentation, is being shared to provide an update to members of Environment Committee on work completed to date in defining a canopy target and to seek Environment Committee feedback and comment on the recommendations being considered for Council. In addition, committee is asked to consider collectively, and/or individually; th A Tree Canopy Target is likely (TBC) to be presented to Committee on December 6 and Council on th December 13. Delegation and support for a Canopy Target and associated activities. The support of Environment Committee members on the proposed canopy target, and for the implementation of a balanced approach towards meeting the target, would be welcomed. thth Capital Budget is being considered in Public Session on November 29/30 and any delegation from Environment Committee would be welcomed in support of forestry related requests This memo is subsequent to, and builds on previous discussion with Committee Members in September, 2020. Background Based on the analysis done in 2014 and again in 2019, Kitchener’s urban forest canopy, the area of Kitchener covered by tree canopy when viewed from the air, increased from 24.8% to 27.2%. Staff know that trees continue to be lost through the impacts of disease and natural events and growth of the City and that the growth in tree canopy is attributed largely to growth of existing canopy in mature trees. Many municipalities across both Canada, North America and the rest of the world, establish targets for tree canopy. Tree canopy provides a host of benefits for both biodiversity, climate change and human social wellbeing. Canopy targets frequently are seen as one of a range of metrics that are reflective of the livability and sustainability of cities. While there is no established ‘right’ target for a canopy, leading research in the field suggest that targets that reflect 1 1 - 1 local circumstances and are meaningfully impactful are better than unrealistic goals. In the 1990’s, 40% was considered an appropriate standard, though it has since become clear that this is unlikely achievable in many North American urban areas. Kitchener is well placed for canopy cover when compared to many urban municipalities in Ontario having one of the higher levels of canopy. However, Kitchener is one of very few municipalities without an established target. Report Staff are proposing the following recommendations be made to Council in December. These are still in draft and subject to review by staff and Corporate Leadership Team and, while building on engagement to date, staff note that engagement is not yet completed and these may need to be adjusted to reflect the results of engagement. Recommendations: That the City of Kitchener establishes a Tree Canopy Target: o Each of the wards in Kitchener will have 30% canopy cover by 2070 and; o The City-wide average cover be 33% by 2070 Staff be directed to develop ward (and where appropriate, neighbourhood), specific action plans to address canopy that focus on planting, maintaining, and protecting trees within the local areas where pressures on canopy are identified, and, That these action plans inform a capital budget request in 2022 for the 2023 financial year and, That staff be directed to initiate a review of existing protective processes in the City, including a review of the existing City protection bylaws and policies, and requirements for tree planting contained within the Development Manual, and report back to Council with preliminary findings by the end of 2022, and, That staff report back in 2025 with an update on Kitchener’s Urban Forest Canopy Staff believe that this target is prudent and achievable and recognizes that while canopy may grow beyond this over the 50-year timeframe of the target, the City faces significant growth and intensification targets that may see years of contraction within the overall canopy cover. This target may appear cautious given recent gains, but staff note that future targets cannot be reliably predicted based on just five years of data collected over just two data points as this is not truly reflective of sustained changes to urban forest canopy. This target also reflects the importance of not simply seeking to grow City-wide canopy, but to ensure equity in canopy coverage across the City, seeking to address existing imbalances. This target will be achieved by local, targeted actions that fall into three main action areas. These activity areas are informed directly by the Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy (the Five Branches) and have been reinforced through engagement in establishing a tree canopy target; 1. Plant correctly and deliberately – selecting the right trees for the right locations with a focus on native species that will add value to future canopy (long term activity) 2. Protect prudently – seek to building on existing policies and protection for trees where appropriate (short term activity) 3. Maintain proactively – ensure that trees are maintained from planting throughout their lives to offer maximum opportunity to support mature trees that provide highest benefit. (short, medium and long term). 2 1 - 2 This work is underpinned by and reflective of implementing the other two branches of the Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy: 4.Plan firstand, 5. Engage often. Establishing a target has also been informed by recognizing that our ability to influence canopy by Municipal actions alone will be limited with more than 50% of Kitchener’s tree canopy in private ownership. There will also be limited opportunities for widespread canopy establishment in many areas of City owned property due to other and conflicting uses. In short, staff have been diligent in ensuring that a target is set that can realistically be achievable through actions the municipality implements. Key in establishing this target was engagement with community to understand the willingness for City lead or facilitated work beyond City owned property. Engagement Engagement is ongoing and will be concluded in mid-November. Council are being engaged through a separate process, the results of which are not yet known, but will be collated by mid-November. Through public engagement, there has been a strong level of participation to date with more than 500 participants on EngageKitchener. A full engagement summary will be developed to support the Council report in December, but the following themes are emerging: Support for a mix in approach of long term (planting) and short term (stewardship, maintenance and protection) approaches to managing canopy with planting, maintaining and tree protection all considered important elements Support for investing in privately owned tree canopy through stewardship and subsidized planting. Alongside feedback to the survey, residents were asked to add comments to inform actions by the City. Over 100 comments had been received by the time this memo was developed. Broadly, comments fall into the follow areas: 33 comments specifically supporting private property stewardship and planting programs seeking financial support for tree planting and resources and support for maintaining and managing trees 28 comments specific to tree increased tree planting on public properties, improving replacement service levels and adding trees to areas without trees in parks and along streets 20 comments called for better City maintenance programs on City owned trees, particularly boulevard and street trees 19 comments related to adding protective bylaws or a permitting or compensation for removal program 13 comments referred to tree planting within development and the need for strong guidelines and better early years maintenance In addition, a number of comments were made on other areas such as the needs for invasive species management, the need to plant native and site appropriate species, and concerns around conflicts between utilities and trees. Of particular note were four comments strongly in favour of targeted work by the municipality on areas of low canopy cover connecting the social equity element of this work and two strong comments advocating that the City should not seek to protect canopy by use of bylaw on privately owned trees. 3 1 - 3 Tree Bylaws Staff are aware that there is high public interest in tree protection driven by a handful of current infill and site plan developments in the City where trees have been or are proposed to be removed. This has led to a heightened call for ‘a tree bylaw’. Despite a high public awareness of this issue, feedback from engagement does not see bylaws as the highest priority, with a focus on tree planting (public and private) and tree care and maintenance being higher priorities. This reflects feedback received during engagement on the Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy as well. Kitchener has bylaws that protect trees; the existing private tree bylaw which covers private properties of an acre or more in size and restricts the removal of trees greater than 10cm DBH (Diameter at Breast Height), and a variety of mechanisms that protect City trees (those planted on City property). It is worth noting that the City’s existing private tree bylaw and protection policies are often looked at as being a best practice. Staff, if so directed, are able to initiate a review of the existing bylaw protection and other protective measures through 2022. While the scope of this work has yet to be determined, it is important to understand at the outset that should the scope of the bylaw be increased this may have a permitting, review, approval and enforcement impact to it which may be unreflective of the overall impact to tree canopy (i.e. a disproportionate effort/staff time may be required to protect a relatively small percentage of the overall canopy). Staff will seek to understand better the amount of currently ‘unprotected’ canopy as part of this review. Council Meeting Staff are preparing to bring recommendations to Council, alongside a tree canopy target to the December meeting. Delegation and support by the Environment Committee and others for the balanced approach that staff is recommending be adopted which includes planting, protection and maintenance, with a focus on both public owned canopy and support for private owned canopy, would be welcomed. In addition, support for programs proposed in the 2022 Budge would also be valued. Embedded into the 2022 Capital Budget program, building on the strength of the program to date, and in anticipation of the tree canopy work, staff are seeking funding to: Enhance and sustain the private tree planting, stewardship and education program delivered by REEP Green Solutions in the City to increase support for increasing canopy on private property; Funding to undertake an initial phase of tree replacement planting in parks, recognizing that efforts to date have replaced trees on streets, but not in parks and open spaces; Funding to review canopy cover and to report on progress every five years. Attached (by link): Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy Kitchener’s Tree Canopy Technical Report Private Tree Bylaw 2022 - 2031 Proposed Budget 4 1 - 4 From:Shawn Falcao Subject:News: Places and Spaces: Kitchener wants your feedback on our parks and open spaces Date:Tuesday, October 26, 2021 10:01:39 AM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 Places and Spaces: Kitchener wants your feedback on our parks and open spaces Kitchener –In Kitchener, we know parks aren’t just important – they’re essential to our community. Whether you use our parks to gather, unwind, exercise, socialize, play, or celebrate, we want to hear from you. Let us know what a great park means to you! Today marks the start of the first phase of community engagement for Places and Spaces, Kitchener’s park and open space strategy. Resident feedback will help the City build the types of parks and open spaces that residents value most. “Throughout the past 18+ months of COVID-19, it’s become clear that our parks and open spaces are highly valued by our residents as an important part of what makes Kitchener a great place to live, work and play,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Whether you use parks to walk the dog, enjoy an outdoor activity, or gather with friends to celebrate culture together, we know that Kitchener parks enrich the lives of our residents and contribute to their sense of belonging.” Starting today, residents can share their views and ideas by completing an online survey and sharing their personal parks stories on Engage Kitchener. In addition, staff are working with stakeholder groups to ensure COVID-safe opportunities are available to equity deserving communities that may not be able to take part online. “By hearing directly from the community, we can ensure future investment in our parks and open spaces truly reflect the needs and priorities of residents”, added Ward 7 Councillor Bil Ioannidis, chair of the community services committee. “Inputs received will be used to develop a series of guidelines for what makes a great park and open space and will guide the City’s decision- making and future investment in park amenities, facilities, and infrastructure for the next 10-years or more. It will also be used to shape the City’s approach to supporting, maintaining, and developing new and reinvesting in older parks and open spaces.” Input will be used to develop a series of guidelines for what makes a great park and open space and will guide the City’s decision-making and future investment in park amenities, facilities, and infrastructure for the next 10-years or more. It will also be used to shape the City’s approach to supporting, maintaining, and developing new and reinvesting in older parks and open spaces. “Parks really do provide the backdrop for building community,” said Niall Lobley, Director of Parks and Cemeteries at the City of Kitchener. “I look forward to hearing what the community would like to see the city focus on as we work through the phases of our community engagement and look toward the next decade of parks and open spaces at the City of Kitchener.” IF 1 - 1 This is the first of many conversations the City will have with the community as Places and Spaces takes shape. Subscribe to Engage Kitchener to stay up to date and informed of upcoming engagement opportunities as this project progresses. For more information or to complete the survey, visit www.engagewr.ca/placesandspaces. The online survey closes on Jan. 7, 2022. -30- For more information contact: Shawn Falcao Manager, Corporate Communications shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca IF 1 - 2 -1 2 ; Nick Gollan iiii IF Staff Representative Anna Marie CiprianCarrie MusselmanIvan BalabanAnna Marie CiprianJoshua SheaJoshua SheaAnna Marie CiprianNick GollanAnna Marie CiprianJoshua SheaJoshua Shea Anticipated Project Start Q4Q2Q2Q3All YearAll YearAll YearQ2Q1All YearAll Year SF SBJGGJGJ TB JG JSJSMJRF JSJDRFSFMJJS Committee Members (Maximum of 4 per working group)TBRFSBMJJGJGGJJSDBJSDB XXXXXXXX 2022 XXX 2021 Research - ) below Education Campaigns and Community Events – Carrie Musselman) R3 - C Incentive Program with alignment practices toolkit) sustainable design standards, best practices in program engagement of core Kitchener Plan Projects - Work Plan Initiative Flood Resiliency Market (e.g. economic development, overall scope, operating and maintenance of program, case study research)Community Environmental Improvement Grant Review(Lean Process Review led by Bike Share Program(Environmental Impact on Micromobility Program and/or behavior change/adoption)Community Climate Action Plan(e.g. stakeholders)Bee CitySustainable Urban Forest Strategy(potential Community Climate Action Plan(e.g. sustainable development incentive methods and design, developer outreach, bestChildren's Groundwater FestivalWaste Diversion in Public Spaces at Events(Proper disposal and community options with increasing diversion streams available)Bee CitySustainable Urban Forest Strategy (substantial engagement and education potential) R1R2R3R4R5R6R7CE1CE2CE3CE4 ----------- IDExisting City of Kitchener Strategic Plan Projects SP SP SP SP SP SP SP Existing City of SP SP SP SP -2 2 IF Contact: Carrie (Incentive Program) i Primary Contact: Joshua Shea (Parks)Secondary Contact: Niall Lobley (Parks)Primary Contact: Carrie Musselman & Barbara Steiner (Planning)Secondary Contact: Joshua Shea (Parks)Carrie Musselman to support delegation from DTK groupCommunity Centre Contact: Mark HarrisPrimary Staff MusselmanSecondary Contact: Anna Marie Ciprian Q3/Q4 SF DS JTBJGJ JGDBMJSB SFJGJDRF XXXX - Private) above) R6 - Fest & Compost Waste in Apartment Buildings and multi ResearchOther -- Trashtober / ed Projects ed Projects ll -- Places and Spaces Strategy (Biodiversity in Parks)Tree Canopy Protection / Planting / Maintenance (Public and (potential alignment with SP Trashtemberlevel condominiumsRain Barrel Program Committee R2R3CE1O2 ---- EW N C C NEW Committee C C