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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-08-17ENVY1994-08-17 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 17, 1994 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. under the Chairmanship of Councillor J. Ziegler with the following members present: Mayor D.V. Cardillo, Councillor T. Galloway, Mr. D. Hilker, Mr. M. Barker, Dr. J. Kay, and Mr. N. Robertson. Officials Present: Mr. S. Gyorffy, Mr. E. Kovacs, Ms. D. Arnold, Mr. G. Nixon, Mr. B. Page, Mr. K. Bowman, Mr. C. Ford, Mr. T. Boutilier, Mr. P. Wetherup, Mr. T. Clancy, and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1. NATIONAL ROUND TABLE REVIEW, SPRING - 1994 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES Dr. J. Kay advised the Committee that he had several copies of the above document and invited interested members to pick up a copy. He noted that the articles in this issue represented a compilation of what other cities are doing respecting the question of sustainable communities. 2. GREEN COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE - MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Mr. E. Kovacs, Director of Utilities Division, noted that at a previous meeting the work of the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) had been brought to the Committee's attention. He noted that after further consideration of the issue, he had concluded it would be more useful for the Committee to be provided with information directly from the Ministry of Environment and Energy rather than through the WPIRG. Mr. David Winlow, Senior Program Co-ordinator, Ministry of Environment and Energy appeared as a delegation to explain details of the Ministry's "Green Communities Initiative" which was started 2 1/2 years ago as a community based program with the following characteristics: - action oriented - self sustaining - Ontario sourced - multi sectoral community based activities including: - residential -industrial/commercial/institutional - community outreach - greenspace/other - transportation - education Mr. Winlow listed objectives of the program as: - to improve the environment - to renew the economy - to empower communities He pointed out that the program allows local communities to decide what was important for their community. He also noted that as part of the funding criteria, broad community support was necessary with broad community resource contribution. Typically, community partners involve representatives from: Provincial Government, Public Utilities, Financial Institutions, Municipal Governments, Ontario Hydro, service clubs, local business, community groups, and community colleges. Mr. Winlow then briefly commented on each of the six community based activities mentioned earlier. Primary benefits arising out of the program include job creation, infrastructure savings, and supporting green industry. Under the program advisory home inspection takes place which may result in enviro-loans and subsequent resource savings. Under the home green up category, Mr. Winlow advised that $26.4 million in funding has been made available to 23 communities as part of a three year Jobs Ontario project. The Ministry provides 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $750,000 and the 50% Ministry share must be matched by 50% partner share either in dollars or equivalent in-kind contribution. Under this part ENVIRONMENTAL COMMI1-FEE MINUTES AUGUST 17, 1994 - 26 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. GREEN COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE - MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY (Cont'd) of the program, an in-house assessment is done in which key recommendations are highlighted for action through an unbiased, credible assessment procedure. Priority areas for improvement include heating systems, insulation, and six litre flush toilets, etc. Councillor T. Galloway questioned how the municipality would get involved. Mr. Winlow advised that it was best to get environmentalists involved and that a core group of representatives then form a management committee after which the Ministry would prepare a contract and provide for a co-ordinator to be hired. Mr. D. Hilker questioned if there were government representatives available to approach groups such as Hydro. Mr. Winlow advised that local environment/energy offices could assist but that the province was waiting for local communities to take the initiative. Councillor T. Galloway questioned what WPIRG's intent was and Mr. E. Kovacs advised that WPIRG has served as the catalyst to get this initiative going. He noted that WPIRG has membership from the Chamber of Commerce, Union Gas, Waterloo North Hydro, the University, K-W Home Builders Association, and the Region of Waterloo and that membership was growing. Mr. Winlow commented that the Ministry would prefer a joint approach by local partners within the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. Councillor J. Ziegler questioned how the program relates to Regional activities and Mr. E. Kovacs commented that the program was community driven with a scope that covers energy and wastes and was also broader than the particular area of interest of any one partner. Mr. Winlow advised that it was the hope of the Ministry that sustainability would be achieved in 3-4 years which would allow the program to then continue without government funding. A resolution of endorsement was discussed involving WPIRG and appointment of a city representative. Dr. J. Kay commented that he thought this was an excellent out reach vehicle and that he would like to see this committee take an active role within the community group formed so far. It was suggested Dr. Kay represent the City in this regard. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener support the "Green Community Initiative" program of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and request the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) to act as a catalyst for local community based groups to take advantage of the program; and further, That Dr. James Kay be appointed as the City's representative to the community group and WPIRG be so advised." Mr. Winlow suggested that interested committee members could visit the following properties for further appreciation of the program: - 90 Yarmouth, Guelph - 209 Simcoe Street, Peterborough - 14 King Street West, Oshawa 3. DRAFT BY-LAW RE COMPOSTERS AND DIGESTERS Further to Council's resolution of July 11, 1994 the committee was in receipt of a draft by-law to amend Chapter 650 (Lot Maintenance) to deal with composters and digesters. Ms. D. Arnold provided a memorandum to the committee with the draft by-law. Councillor J. Ziegler advised that he had asked for the issue to be raised respecting distance separation of composters/digesters from existing patios or decks attached to a residence. Councillor Ziegler stated that Councillor C. Zehr had indicated a preference for siting the units 3. DRAFT BY-LAW RE COMPOSTERS AND DIGESTERS (Cont'd) 4 meters away from an existing deck or patio. Ms. D. Arnold advised that establishing the date of ENVIRONMENTAL COMMI1-FEE MINUTES AUGUST 17, 1994 - 27 - CITY OF KITCHENER such structure would be a problem. Councillor Ziegler noted that there could be interpretation problems as to whether the containers were 4 metres away from a residence or 4 metres away from any deck or patio attached to a residence or pool patio, etc. Mr. T. Clancy suggested that wording "outdoor living area" apply in respect to the distance separation factor and asked that it be kept in mind that enforcement would be complaint based. Councillor Ziegler suggested Ms. D. Arnold develop some additional wording. Ms. Arnold informed the Committee that the City of Waterloo had received only 3 complaints under their by-law. Also, Ms. Arnold pointed out that she had added some further requirements for composting. Dr. J. Kay and Mr. D. Hilker questioned the wording in 3 (b) and 3 (j) and suggested alternative wording particularly in reference to the word pile as it relates to yard waste and to composters and digesters. It was requested that Ms. Arnold prepare further revisions to the draft for consideration by the Committee at its September 7th meeting. REGIONAL CYCLING POLICY MASTER PLAN The Regional Cycling Policy Master Plan dated February 1994 was distributed and tabled at the Committee's June 1/94 meeting to allow members to review the report. Mr. D. Hilker commented that it was an excellent report but expressed concern that the objectives were too far in to the future. Accordingly, he questioned if the document could recommend phased staging as to implementation. Mr. P. Wetherup noted that the Region was going to incorporate the roads portion in its capital budget as road improvements are undertaken. He stated that it was hoped local municipalities would undertake to do connection work between Regional roads. He also commented that the city's new Municipal Plan indicates we should have our own Cycle Plan to complement the Regional Cycle Plan. Dr. J. Kay stated that he has reviewed the document and was very supportive of the objectives. He referred to pages 43, 44 & 45 dealing with recommendations to encourage and promote cycling. In particular, he considered a "standardized parking device" for widespread installation to be extremely important to cyclists and represented an area of action by the City that could have an impact. Also, Dr. Kay stated that he favoured the recommendation to close a lane on Sundays to create temporary bicycles only recreationways. On motion by Dr. J. Kay, it was resolved: "That the "Regional Cycling Policy Master Plan" dated February 1994, prepared by Victor Ford and Associates Inc. and IMC Consulting Group Inc., be endorsed; and further, That the City of Kitchener undertake development of its own "Master Plan" complementary to and based on similar criteria to that of the Regional Plan." Mr. P. Wetherup advised that Traffic staff would have to deal with the lane closing recommendation. In reference to the standardized lock-up system, he advised that the Twin Cities Bicycle Committee was looking into the issue and that staff were currently looking at facilities for such system. REGIONAL CYCLING POLICY MASTER PLAN (Cont'd) On motion, it was resolved: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITFEE MINUTES AUGUST 17, 1994 - 28 - CITY OF KITCHENER "That the Twin Cities Bicycle Committee be requested to examine, within the context of their Municipal Plans and the Regional Cycling Policy Master Plan, the following issues: (a) adopting standardized bicycle parking/lock-up devices and promoting acquisition of these devices by local municipalities within the Region for widespread installation; (b) promoting temporary road lane closures for example on Sunday mornings, to create a temporary bicycles only recreationway." TREE MANAGEMENT POLICY (STAFF REPORT PD 45/93) Mr. T. Boutilier attended the meeting in respect to staff report PD 45~93 - Tree Management Policy. He advised that Messrs. B. Page and P. Wetherup were key staff involved in the report and that staff have had 2 full development industry open houses at which various submissions were received. Mr. Boutilier advised that staff required a recommendation from the Committee at its September 7th meeting. In the interim staff would be presenting the report to the liaison committee of the K-W Homebuilders Association and that it was planned to take the report to the Planning and Economic Development Committee in either September or October. Mr. B. Page advised that the purpose of the report was "to formalize and revise existing procedures resulting in the adoption and implementation of a City Tree Management Policy". He noted that implementation would be beneficial to both the City and the development industry, eliminate many problems experienced in the past and minimize unnecessary delays, changes and expenses incurred in the subdivision and site development approval process. Mr. Page stated that a consistent tree management process will ensure that: - inventory and analysis of existing characteristics is undertaken up front to identify opportunities and constraints - adverse development impacts on trees will be minimized while potential benefits are maximized - removal and protectional responsibilities are implemented prior to grading - initial and continual compliance with protection measures including replacements Mr. Page pointed out that on page 3 of the staff report it was stated that the Strategic Plan for the Environment proposed "a review of existing tree saving policies in order to monitor whether acceptable results are being achieved". He then itemized the results of the review as follows: - no existing tree policy was in place and thus the quality of information in submissions by different consultants varies greatly - consultants are hired to late in the process and results in minimal tree saving - air photo interpretation has a larger variance and can result in loss of trees that show on a tree savings/grading control plan as being saved - the practice of using snow fencing at the drip line as a protection method has been ineffective - builders are irritated by having to prepare a tree saving plan - no method exists to calculate the value of destroyed trees - there was no maintenance requirement to ensure survival of trees To overcome these deficiencies the following has been developed as proposed policy: - to hire a consultant up front for preparation of General Vegetation Overview to verify location and elevation of trees against the tree saving/grading control plan - to develop new protective measures covering fencing, signage and erosion control - to provide for the release of the majority of building permits without the need of a tree TREE MANAGEMENT POLICY (STAFF REPORT PD 45/93) (Cont'd) preservation plan using a "building clearance area" approach - to provide for the replacement of trees in a fair manner - to ensure that developers/builders/homeowners are made aware of tree maintenance requirements - require a $1,000 per lot or block security deposit Mr. Page pointed out that the $1,000 security deposit for each lot or block with trees located on ENVIRONMENTAL COMMI1-FEE MINUTES AUGUST 17, 1994 - 29 - CITY OF KITCHENER them was a contentious item between staff and the industry. Mr. T. Boutilier pointed out that with the current subdivision process trees are usually lost after grading. However, he recommended that a detailed Vegetation Overview be submitted before any rough grading starts in order that early identification of trees worthy or not of retaining takes place. The Committee then briefly discussed several aspects of the document and Mr. T. Clancy pointed out that the committee take note of an approach to analyze the value of saving trees as compared to replacing them and the circumstances of significance in each approach. Councillor J. Ziegler requested that staff proceed to obtain information from the development industry as to their response to the concerns with the $1,000 security deposit per lot or block and that the report be brought forward at the committee's next meeting for final consideration. 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk