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Home My WebLink About1993-03-10ENV~1993-03-10-SPE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 10, 1993 The Environmental Committee held a special meeting this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. under the Chairmanship of Alderman C. Weylie with the following members present: Alderman T. Galloway, Alderman C. Zehr, Dr. J. Kay, Mr. M. Barker and Mr. D. Hilker. Officials Present: Mr. S. Klapman, Ms. B. Newell, Mr. L. Masseo, Mr. B. Liddle, Mr. G. Nixon, Mr. P. Wetherup, Mr. M. Mahaffey and Mr. L.W. Neil. OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW - DRAFT MUNICIPAL PLAN, FEBRUARY 1993. Ms. B. Newell stressed that the draft Municipal Plan was a co-operative effort involving several members of the Planning and Development Department, along with a number of staff members from other City departments. She noted that Mr. L. Masseo had written the Environmental Section of the Plan. The Committee then dealt with the areas of concern that were briefly raised at the March 3rd meeting: A. Concern The Official Plan does not contain any discussion or recognition of the role of the two universities with respect to the economy or community services. Comment Dr. J. Kay advised that he had raised this concern and had been surprised that there was no general reference in the Plan to the two universities which are the biggest employers in the Region. Ms. Newell acknowledged this omission and indicated that staff would deal with it under the Economic Development Section as well as related benefits arising from economic spin-offs from the university operations. Mr. Masseo pointed out that policies throughout the Plan have been written so as to foster economic issues. Alderman C. Zehr commented that he had met with university officials to explore liaison with the universities with respect to areas of high technology. Alderman T. Galloway commented that with regard to the Education Excellence Group, staff will be including a section on educational opportunities. It was also agreed to give specific reference to the Education Excellence Group in the draft Plan. B. Concern While the Plan contains policies with respect to forest management, consideration could be given to viewing the City itself as a forest ecosystem. Comment Dr. Kay stated he had raised this concern but noted that he wished to make clear his overall enthusiasm for the draft Plan which in his view represented planning for a desirable place to live. He pointed out that Kitchener presently has a very extensive forest cover but that it was also important to be aware of the amount of biological activity taking place in the City. Accordingly he suggested that consideration be given to preservation and enhancement of the City as a biological entity. Ms. Newell stated that there were policies to encourage what Dr. Kay suggests but that they were scattered throughout the document. In response to Dr. Kay, she suggested his point could be acknowledged under Section 7.5 Forest Resources. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES -21 - MARCH 10, 1993 1. OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW - DRAFT MUNICIPAL PLAN, FEBRUARY 1993. (CONT'D) Mr. D. Hilker referred to Natchez Woods and questioned if the Plan deals with retention of trees and forests on private property and how there destruction could be prevented in future. Mr. M. Mahaffey stated that a loophole exists at this time. In reference to Natchez Woods, he noted that the Region had given approval and referred to the interpretation of "good forestry practice". He pointed out that the Ministry of Natural Resources is attempting to update the Trees Act. Also, he stated that unless a property is in excess of 2 acres, an owner can do what he wants to do; but if construction activity was going to take place there are some controls with regard to trees. He indicated that their hope was for legislation this year that would provide some control over trees on private property and explained that it was the Regional Tree Cutting By-law that governs lands in excess of 2 acres. Mr. Mahaffey indicated that he would circulate the draft "Trees Act" and any other relevant documents to the Committee for its information. C. Concern The question was raised why there wasn't a whole section dealing with just "the environment". Comment Dr. Kay stated that he had raised this concern. Ms. B. Newell responded that the entire Plan was written on the basis of environmental protection. However, she indicated that the issue could be discussed under Principles and given broad headings through a re-organization of principles. Mr. S. Klapman commented that the intent of the Plan had been to deal with the man made environment and the natural environment. He suggested that the physical environment not be emphasized any more so than other aspects. Ms. Newell pointed out that the Plan structure had been developed according to topics that people relate to. Mr. D. Hilker referred to Cycling and Pedestrian Movement under the Transportation Section and suggested a map be developed to outline existing and proposed trails and walkways. Mr. P. Wetherup advised that the map scale would not allow trails and walkways to be shown. He noted that the cycling/pedestrian topic was being considered by the Twin Cities Cycling Committee which is discussing a number of issues arising from input received from various groups. Mr. Hilker stated under Section 7.1.2 - Subwatershed Master Plans, there was no mention of Schneider Creek. Mr. B. Liddle advised that it was not intended to do a Watershed Study on Schneider Creek. However, he suggested that Laurel Creek in the City of Waterloo should be mentioned since it impacts on Kitchener. Dr. Kay asked that downtown maps be corrected to refer to St. George Street rather than to George Street and that spelling of residential on Map 8 also be corrected. D. Concern With respect to growth concepts and future vision, the vision portrayed is one that is anchored in a model of how we see things evolving rather than a model which actually sets out a future vision state in 2016. Associated with this is the question of how much do we control our own growth or is that given from the Regional Municipality. Comment Dr. J. Kay commented that the issue of growth was the core of the Plan. He questioned what benefit growth would provide and why we should continue to accept growth originating from outside of the Region. Alderman C. Weylie stated that the argument advanced at the Regional level was that if growth is stopped, everything will cost much more. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 22 - MARCH 10, 1993 1. OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW - DRAFT MUNICIPAL PLAN, FEBRUARY 1993. (CONT'D) Dr. Kay expressed concern about growth in relation to the proposition that climate change in the mid-west will result in pressure for population relocation adjacent to the Great Lakes within 25 years and how growth from this migration could be controlled. Ms. Newell commented that there were 2 differing schools of thought with respect to climate change and global environment. E. Concern Consideration should be given to grouping the principles of the Plan into headings similar to those provided in the initial discussion on overhead. Comment The Committee was in complete agreement with regrouping the principles. F. Concern In the areas dealing with the natural resources management consideration should be given to the whole area of ecological restoration similar to what has now happened on Idlewood and Strasburg Creeks. Comment It was noted that the above concern had been expressed by Mr. S. Cooke who was absent from this meeting. Ms. B. Newell stated that staff agree with it and will include a statement to deal with it. 2. ENVIRONMENTAL LOGO Alderman C. Weylie advised that she would introduce the Committee's March 3rd recommendation regarding an Environmental Logo at the March 29th Council meeting which was being televised so as to obtain maximum media coverage. Mr. S. Klapman advised that the logo was discussed by the City's Management Committee at its last meeting. He noted that the logo background was accepted but that there had been some question in regard to defining the logo as the City of Kitchener's. He commented that the staff designers were considering a wording that would allow for widespread use. Also, the design group is attempting to strengthen the edges of the logo. It was the Committee's view that reference to the City of Kitchener should still be included in logo text and Mr. Klapman advised that he would convey this direction to the designers. 3. I.U.L.A. CONFERENCE, JUNE 1993 Alderman C. Zehr referred to the Africa 2000 Program and advised that F.C.M. has requested 1 representative from each City to make a presentation at the I.U.L.A. Conference. He questioned if some environmental matters could be addressed and in this regard, it was indicated that Messrs C. Ford and L. Masseo could provide some assistance. Alderman C. Zehr suggested that this could be a good opportunity to advance the City's Environmental efforts. 4. NEXT MEETING - APRIL 7, 1993 It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday, April 7, 1993 and that subject to re-confirmation, it was still intended to hold it at the Queen's Heights Condominium, 2 Lancaster Street East, Kitchener. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 23 - MARCH 10, 1993 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk