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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-15ENVY1997-01-15 JAN UARY 15, 1997 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. under Councillor T. Galloway, Chair, with the following members present: Councillor J. Ziegler, Ms. A Coffey, Ms. D. Hartman, Mrs. J. Haalboom, Mr. J. Kay, and Mr. P. Kay. Officials Present: Ms. P. Bacon, Ms. J. Dean and Messrs. B. Stanley, L. Masseo, D. Mansell, T. Bacon, T. Boutilier, B. Page and L.W. Neil. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (ELS) AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) - HURON NATURAL AREA WESTERN BOUNDARY A video of the Huron Natural Area was shown which illustrated the environmental diversity within the 365 acre parcel and provided background on the establishment of this asset under the administration of a not for profit co-operative. Another video was then shown which fully documented the engineering aspects of micro tunnelling which may be utilized within a small portion of the Huron Natural Area. Mr. D. Mansell attended the meeting to comment on engineering issues relating to this alternative to standard trench excavation. Councillor T. Galloway commented that one public information Open House had been held on the ElS and EA for the Huron Natural Area Western Boundary. Mr. L. Masseo advised that staff were meeting with the consultants on January 16th to develop timing issues. He noted that the ElS was the issue of concern and the EA was of least concern. Mr. Stanley pointed out that the study team will be reviewing all concerns expressed to date and that a presentation had been made last month. Mr. Masseo clarified that the matter was at the stage of addressing concerns of landowners and stated that it was premature to set timing dates at this time since concerns regarding the ElS must be addressed. In response to Mrs. Haalboom, Mr. D. Mansell advised that while tunnelling has been done for many years, micro tunnelling was relatively new and has been used in the City of Cambridge. Mr. L. Masseo illustrated the area of concern, which is a significant upland bush area in Huron Natural Area, where a trunk line might be installed. Ms. Hartman questioned the depth of the installation and Mr. Mansell advised that it would be 15 to 20 feet below ground surface. Mr. Mansell commented that this would be below tree roots and have minimal impact on ground water. Councillor T. Galloway questioned what impacts and/or opportunities would result from sinking a shaft in the middle of the bush area. Mr. James Kay advised that the impact would not be from the shaft itself, but from the necessity to access the area of the shaft with heavy equipment. Mr. D. Mansell commented that it was hoped to work at open areas on either side of the bush area to install the micro tunnel and it was not known as yet if a shaft would be required in the middle of the bush area. He stated that engineering staff would work toward achieving a maximum run for the micro tunnel that would eliminate the need for a shaft in the centre of the bush area. Mr. L. Masseo commented that until a detailed design was completed, staff would not know if a shaft was required in the middle of the bush area. Mr. J. Kay pointed out that heavy equipment necessary for shaft in the centre of the bush area would cause significant disruption to the physical environment and Mr. D. Mansell acknowledged that staff would be stressing the advantages of eliminating the need for a shaft. Mr. J. Kay advised that he had attended meetings with respect to the Huron Natural Area and was specifically requested to communicate the groups' anxiety with respect to the criteria and process for input relative to designation of the boundary. In this regard he stated that there was concern that the ecological and physical criteria were being emphasized rather than biological criteria. Also he stated that there was concern in respect to areas located to the northwest, west and south of the site and that both school Boards and the Conestoga Rovers were drafting letters of input in this regard. He commented that there seemed to be a sense of frustration in the community relative to their involvement with the consulting firm. Mr. B. Stanley advised that staff would consider this issue, discuss the best method to communicate with such groups and will re-evaluate the time frame for input. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES JAN UARY 15, 1997 -2- CITY OF KITCHENER 2. BILL 163 - TREE DESTRUCTION / SITE ALTERATIONS BY-LAW At the Committee's December 4th 1996 meeting, Staff Report PD 96/96 dealing with provisions of Bill 163 as they relate to authority for municipalities to adopt a tree cutting by-law and/or a site alterations by-law was distributed and some discussion took place. Mr. B. Stanley advised that it was intended Mr. T. Boutilier, on behalf of members of the study team, make a presentation and afterwards the Committee would be asked to consider the form and extent of public input. Mr. T. Boutilier advised that the study team was made up of Patricia Bacon, Julie Dean, Dave Mansell, Brian Page, Brock Stanley, Peter Wetherup, Mike Mahaffey and Dave Schmitt. Mr. Boutilier pointed out that Bill 163 allows municipalities to control site alterations and tree cutting and that a copy of the legislation was in the Appendices that were distributed with the staff report. He then commented on issues dealing with site alterations as listed in Item No. 6 of the staff report which include: a) b) c) Grading prior to the approval of plans of subdivision Grading after the approval of a plan of subdivision Site Plan Development Agreements · Alteration of grades to create asphalt parking areas · Alteration of grades on closed gas station sites · Alteration of grades to create a berm or road On the issue of grading Mrs. J. Haalboom suggested that grading information should be contained in a registered document. Councillor T. Galloway commented that every property is supposed to receive a grading certificate and Mr. Boutilier noted that grading conditions were registered on title but all conditions are not listed. Mr. D. Mansell pointed out that with respect to the site plan there was no control but there was control under the subdivision plan. Councillor J. Ziegler questioned what could be done about individual site plan situations and Mr. D. Mansell advised that it is necessary to stress the problem to developers and encourage them to ensure that their builders exercise more care and caution in respect to grading activity. Mr. D. Mansell explained the procedure followed in respect to grading issues, inspection and release. Councillor T. Galloway referred to Item No. 6 (a) and (b) on pages 3 and 4 of the report and commented that it appears that a critical step was missing. He suggested that the problem that arises is where a grading certificate is not issued to the first owner and that homeowner undertakes site alterations over the years only to find out that it would cost a certain expenditure to comply with the Grading Plan which is being asked for on sale of the property. Mr. Mansell advised that this matter has been discussed in relation to the development agreement and suggested maybe the engineer should set the elevations and require builders to obtain grading certificates. He indicated that he would take this concern through the subdivision review process. He also commented that it should be stressed that new homeowners must be educated that they need a grading release in order to sell their property. Mr. J. Kay suggested that a means to provide general education in this matter might be to include information, suggesting homeowners inquire before altering their property, within the current notice that asks homeowners to call before they dig on their property to avoid hitting buried utilities. Mr. B. Stanley commented that before staff prepare by-law proposals, they wish to establish clear principles to be forwarded to Management Committee and the Planning and Economic Development Committee for their consideration. At this point it was agreed to defer consideration of the remainder of the PD report commencing at Item No. 7 - Trees and continue discussion at the Committee's February 5th's meeting. 3. GREEN TRIANGLE The Committee was in receipt of a letter dated December 5, 1996 from the Green Triangle referencing their appearance on December 4th before the Environmental Committee and requesting the City to endorse their program. ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES JAN UARY 15, 1997 COMMITFEE -~- CITY OF KITCHENER GREEN TRIANGLE (CONT'D) Councillor J. Ziegler stated that he was opposed to endorsement on the basis that the Committee did not have a full appreciation of the capabilities of the Green Triangle as well as evidence of the success of the original Guelph 2000 organization. Mr. James Kay commented that he had worked with the WREACH organization and confirmed that the individuals appointed to that group were totally committed. Mr. B. Stanley stated that the Guelph 2000 organization undertook a large number of cases in Guelph and suggested that staff might obtain information on their success and level of community support in Guelph. On motion by Mr. J. Kay - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener endorses the environmental programs of the Green Triangle which address all forms of energy conservation and cost reduction within residential dwellings." FCM 20% CLUB RE GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION The Committee was in receipt of the following documents: · The 20% Club - Partners for Climate Protection · The 20% Solution - A Municipal Approach to Addressing Climate Change · Various Municipal Greenhouse Gas Reduction Profiles Mr. B. Stanley advised that the Environmental Committee dealt with the greenhouse gas issue in 1994 and distributed an informational letter dated September 28, 1994 that he and Mr. Masseo had written to the Committee on the matter of the Canadian Declaration on Climate Change and the Urban Environment. He pointed out that at that time the 20% Club was just in the formation stage and that Mr. J. Kay had detailed what it takes to determine where the City was at in respect to analyzing its air quality. Mr. Stanley pointed out that while the City had not gone into details of commitment in this matter it had taken a large number of initiatives through the City's Strategic Plan for the Environment. Mr. P. Kay favoured Kitchener membership in the FCM 20% Club particularly since Kitchener was already doing many environmentally responsible activities and he suggested that membership would be a way for the City to gain recognition both nationally and internationally. Mr. P. Kay indicated that some of his university students could be involved in the audit function required under the 20% program. Mr. B. Stanley pointed out that a suggested resolution was provided to the municipality in respect to the matter participation in the 20% Club but he recommended that an additional paragraph be added that would make reference to the City's 1994 resolution supporting the "City's for Climate Protection" and the "Canadian Declaration on Climate Change and the Urban Environment". The Committee agreed with inclusion of this addition. On motion by Mr. P. Kay - it was resolved: "WHEREAS a global reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) is necessary to protect against climate change and possible adverse effects on human health, the physical environment, economy and quality of life; and WHEREAS industrialized countries, gathered at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992, ratified a Convention on Climate Change committing countries to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000; and WHEREAS current forecasts predict that Canada's GHGs could be in the order of 13% above 1990 emissions by the year 2000 if no action is taken, thus falling short of its commitment; and 4. FCM 20% CLUB RE GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION (CONT'D) ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES JAN UARY 15, 1997 COMMITFEE -4- CITY OF KITCHENER WHEREAS since 1991 the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has encouraged municipal governments to adopt a reduction target of 20% for CO2 emissions and has actively encouraged municipal governments to adopt policies and measures to reduce GHG emissions within their municipality; and WHEREAS FCM has just established a 20% Club to provide a forum for municipal governments to demonstrate their leadership on climate change issues and undertake to share their knowledge and experience with other municipal governments; and WHEREAS Club members commit to working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% of 1990 levels first within their operations and, then throughout their municipal area by the year 2005 as a final target or over a ten year period from the time a municipal government joins the FCM 20% Club; and WHEREAS the Council of the City of Kitchener by resolution dated October 11, 1994 supported the "Cities for Climate Protection" and the "Canadian Declaration on Climate Change and the Urban Environment" and through its "Strategic Plan for the Environment" has already implemented many measures to reduce emissions of greenhouses gases at the municipal government level. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the municipality of the City of Kitchener communicate to FCM its support for the 20% Club and its expression of interest in participating in the Club." DOON SOUTH COMMUNITY PLAN (INCLUDES SCENIC ROADS STUDY AND GREENSPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN) Staff distributed the Doon South Community Plan dated January 1997 with the intention being that it be the subject of discussion at the Committee's February 5th meeting. SOFT DRINK CONTAINERS-DEPOSIT/RETURN SYSTEM VS. RECYCLABLE APPROACH The Committee requested that this item and the attached material be referred to the Committee's February 5th meeting for consideration. TERMS OF REFERENCE For purposes of information only the Committee was in receipt of Terms of Reference titled Appendix 'A' - Environmental Committee and Appendix'B' - Staff Environmental Study Group. NEXT MEETING - February 5, 1997 ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. L. W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk