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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-07-08ENVY1998-07-08 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES J U LY 8, 1998 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. under Councillor Jake Smola with the following members present: Councillors J. Haalboom and M. Yantzi, Ms. A. Coffey, D. Hartman and D. Luhowy and Messrs: K. Cenerelli, M. Scmitt, J. Kay and P. Kay. Councillor T. Galloway entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials present: Messrs: S. Gyorffy, J. Bayley, T. Boutillier, M. Mahaffey and L. W. Neil. 1. MR. D. EATON RE: ELORA GREEN COMMUNITIES Mr. Don Eaton appeared as a delegation on behalf of the Elora Centre for Environmental · · st Excellence as a follow up to h~s Apnl 1 appearance before the Committee to further discuss the Green Community Program and complimentary programs. These are firstly, the Home Energy Saver Program in co-operation with World Wide Opportunities for Women (WWOW) and secondly, a Home Efficiency Program for single family residences that would focus on the Energuide for Homes rating system. In this regard he distributed a short submission providing an update relative to these programs. Mr. Eaton stated that it was hoped to have a functioning Green Community in Kitchener during September. He noted that the Elora Green Communities have been asked to be the sole source for Energuide for home owners and was in the process of training Energuide evaluators and that work on an information base respecting this program continues. He referred to the WWOW and pointed out that the program also works with immigrant families. As well, he advised that this program has been delayed because of demands due to their success with the Energuide program. In response to questions of the Committee, Mr. Eaton advised that: - evaluators would be trained and ready by the end of September; it was hoped the Green Community Program would components that would be referenced in respect to the City's CO2 Reduction goals; be one of the a number of previous Green Triangle members and staff were absorbed by the Elora Group; Kitchener should establish a local Steering Committee to administer details of the Green Community Program; the Energuide inspection costs approximately $250 with homeowners having to pay a small portion with NRCan subsidizing the balance; discussions were ongoing with Canada Trust about developing a "Green Mortgage" (reduced mortgage rate based on analyzed criteria); he was not aware if Action 21 was still funding WWOW; - a citizens Committee should be established very soon, and - the status of the NRCan rating label will grow in importance over the years for both used and new homes. Finally, Mr. Eaton advised that he was not asking anything of the Committee at this time, rather it was his intent to provide program details at the Committee's September meeting. PRESENTATION RE: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REPORT - GLASGOW STREET ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN The Committee was provided with a copy of the Department of Public Works Report DOPWR-98- GLAS dated June 16, 1998 dealing with a Class Environmental Assessment Study for Glasgow Street between Knell Drive and Fischer Hallman Road. It was noted that the intent was for this matter to be an information only presentation as the recommendation contained in the staff report has already been dealt with by City Council through the Public Works and Transportation Committee. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES J U LY 8, 1998 - 28- CITY OF KITCHENER PRESENTATION RE: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REPORT - GLASGOW STREET ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN (CONT'D) Mr. S. Gyorffy commented that the proposed Glasgow Street improvements were one of the more challenging projects that he had been involved with. This was generally based on the need for both a sidewalk and a bicycle trail to be incorporated into road improvements to the current undulating pavement of existing Glasgow Street. He advised that the Environmental Assessment Report would be out for public review for a 60-day period. Messrs. T. Mereu and J. Kristoff appeared as a delegation on behalf of McCormick Rankin Corporation, Consultants to make a presentation with respect to the Study Report. Mr. Mereu illustrated the study area and a cross section of the Glasgow Street terrain and explained the components of the report as follows: Phase l - Problem identification in consultation with local residents Phase II - Solutions Phase III - Development of a preferred alternative Phase IV - Development of a Preliminary Design and Environmental Assessment Report Pictures were displayed illustrating the scenic nature of the existing roadway, pedestrian usage, adjacent trees and impacts on properties of the proposed road widening. Other issues noted were poor surface drainage, utilities not being up to current standards and some properties still being on septic systems. Residents defined the following issues as problems with respect to the project: - retention of the area's character; need for a sidewalk on the south side; need for safety improvements for driveway access; reduction of vehicle speed, and drainage improvements needed. Following a public consultation process taking place, a preference was expressed for alternative # 2 (with on road bicycle lanes). A computer rendering of the proposed roadway improvements was displayed. Councillor T. Galloway entered the meeting at this point. The following responses were provided to questions posed by the Committee: road snow ploughed on to the sidewalk will be removed by the City; - combination of factors favour locating the sidewalk on the south side including support by residents; - tree removal will be kept to an absolute minimum and additional planting undertaken; residents were generally supportive of the proposal; residents were comfortable with which trees were to be removed and a detailed planting design will be done and presented to residents at another open house; - the proposal is in general conformity with the City's Bikeway Plan; ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES J U LY 8, 1998 - 29- CITY OF KITCHENER - installation of a sanitary sewer main as a local improvement project was under consideration; PRESENTATION RE: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REPORT - GLASGOW STREET ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN (CONT'D) - the project is considered a high priority with a time frame of design in 1999 and construction in 2000/2001; - the current Environmental Assessment process addresses the accommodation of a sanitary sewer installation, and speed limit is to be reduced with expectation the lowered limit would become permanent after project completion. Mr. J. Bayley advised that staff welcome feedback from the Committee with respect to sharing of information for such projects that involve an Environmental Assessment. Councillor J. Haalboom questioned if there was a need to pass a motion with respect to the proposed Tree Replacement Program or if there was a guarantee being given in that regard. Councillor Jake Smola commented that both the community and the Ward Councillor could be expected to be deeply involved in the Tree Replacement Program. On a motion by Councillor J. Haalboom - it was resolved: "That with reference to the Environmental Study Report for the Glasgow Street Class Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Design (Fischer-Hallman Road to Knell Drive) dated June 1998 prepared by McCormick Rankin Corporation, the Environmental Committee requests that the final design for the Landscape Plan (specifically tree replacement) be brought to a future meeting of the Committee for its information." Councillor J. Haalboom questioned the process of consideration of this entire issue and why it would not have been brought to the Environmental Committee before going on to the Public Works and Transportation Committee and ultimately City Council. Mr. J. Bayley commented that in this instance there was a timing problem but that he would take these comments under advisement and was anxious to determine a process for projects in the future. Councillor Jake Smola asked that staff give the Environmental Committee notice of public information meetings on such matters. Councillor T. Galloway pointed out that a number of environmental assessments have been brought to the Committee in the past and he suggested that the staff Environmental Study Group consider which projects were appropriate to come before the Environmental Committee for consideration and input. He noted the recent action of the Public Works and Transportation Committee was just to approve the Study for circulation and comment with the Environmental Committee being one of those circulated groups. Mr. J. Kay agreed that opportunity for input was highly desirable particularly when alternatives were being sifted through and Councillor Jake Smola requested that notice of public information meetings could be listed on the Committee's agenda as an information item. UPDATE ON BILL 163 - SITE ALTERATIONS BY-LAW & TREE DESTRUCTION BY-LAW Messrs. T. Boutilier and M. Mahaffey appeared before the Committee to provide an update in respect to Bill 163- Site Alterations By-law and Tree Destruction By-law. Mr. Boutilier noted that Staff Report PD 96~96 had previously dealt with this matter. In reference to site grading, he pointed out that staff have identified a number of issues including: alteration of approved grading plans by property owners which he suggested was a public education issue and the need for more control over closed gasoline service station sites which municipalities have no authority over as the responsibility rests with the Ministry of Environment and Energy. He advised that it was staff's intent to bring a report to the Committee this fall. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES J U LY 8, 1998 - 30- CITY OF KITCHENER On the matter of tree cutting, staff considered the most pressing concern to be those rural areas on the suburban frontier that are nearing the development process. He stated that the 3. UPDATE ON BILL 163 - SITE ALTERATIONS BY-LAW & TREE DESTRUCTION BY- LAW (CONT'D) Environment Committee had agreed to consider regulations on tree cutting that would apply to identified significant trees. Mr. Boutilier advised that a report dealing with trees threatened by development on the suburban frontier would be brought to the Committee in the fall. He pointed out than an approach was being developed to identify and rank woodlots. In this regard he advised that staff had considered different approaches to a by-law including: the Region of Waterloo, the City of Toronto's and linking tree preservation to the Municipal Plan or the Zoning By-law. At this time staff prefer a scheduled approach to a by-law and he noted that the question of concern was how the City should do the by-law. The draft Regional By-law has been circulated for public discussion and the Environmental Committee will have an opportunity to review the Regional By-law and provide comment to the Region. It was his view that the Regional By-law was applicable to a rural situation and that it addressed the City's rural areas outside of the settlement area. Councillor T. Galloway questioned if the City could act to protect certain areas that were known to be coming in to the settlement area rather than leave them under the jurisdiction of the Regional By-law. Mr. Boutilier replied that staff were attempting to find a simple fit between the City and Regional By-laws in such cases. He displayed a staging of development map that illustrated lands that were about to develop and pointed out that there was a need to accurately identify potential treed areas in order that they could be listed in a schedule for a by-law. The next stage would be preparation of a tree inventory and related protective measures with all references being precise in detail. In response to Mr. K. Cenerelli, Mr. Boutilier explained the three level development process that would address tree preservation starting with an official plan designation, approval of a community plan and finally approval of a subdivision plan. Mr. J. Kay stated that he was concerned about tree removal by private owners and questioned if significant trees could be itemized in the by-law so as to preserve the character and treescape of residential neighbourhoods. Mr. Boutilier replied that at this point in time staff see such regulation as outside of the by-law. Ms. Mary Baldasaro appeared as a delegation to inform the Committee of an occurrence where a neighbour removed three very large trees along their property line in order to develop a parking lot. She spoke of the impacts this tree removal had on her residential property as well as the overall negative impact on the neighbourhood. Ms. Baldsaro left a copy of her presentation with the Committee Secretary. Ms. A. Coffey commented that her recollection was that the Committee had agreed that staff undertake to catalogue existing significant trees. Mr. M. Mahaffey advised that in 1981 the City prepared an inventory of 100 significant trees located on public property. He advised that at this time staff did not have the time (resources) to address this issue. Ms. Coffey suggested that City Council be pressured to provide funding in order to undertake the cataloging of significant trees. Mr. K. Cenerelli questioned if a process could be developed for neighbourhoods to request such tree cataloging. Councillor T. Galloway noted that it would have to be prescribed in a by-law what an owner could not do and that the entire issue would be very difficult and costly to administer. Further, he pointed out that even if there was a by-law it was likely a charge under the by-law would result only in a minimal fine. Mr. Cenerelli suggested that the City give consideration to development of a recycling system that would provide for a registration system that would allow someone to remove a tree and provide for its re-planting Mr. Mahaffey advised that currently if requested by an owner the City will remove trees for re-planting elsewhere. Councillor Jake Smola requested that this issue be inserted in the City's Environmental Handbook to inform the public that the City will excavate trees that a homeowner wishes to remove with the intent of re- planting them on public lands. Mr. Mahaffey noted that currently staff examine every such request. Councillor J. Haalboom advised that she would like staff to explore mechanisms to ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 8, 1998 - 31- CITY OF KITCHENER preserve large old trees. In this regard, Councillor Galloway asked that staff address what variety of criteria might be used to have an encompassing by-law that would achieve preservation of large old trees. Mr. T. Boutilier advised that staff could circulate the City of Toronto By-law as it illustrates the detailed criteria of their approach. 3. UPDATE ON BILL 163 - SITE ALTERATIONS BY-LAW & TREE DESTRUCTION BY- LAW (CONT'D) Mr. M. Mahaffey stressed that forestry staff were fully engaged in safety work relating to trees on existing streets and did not have any time to address the workload that would be required as a result of preservation regulations in any proposed by-law. On motion by Mr. J. Kay- It was resolved: "That with reference to the content of Bill 163 -Tree Destruction By-law, the Environmental Committee requests that staff of the Departments of Business and Planning Services, Parks and Recreation and Legal explore mechanisms to protect large old trees on private property which are considered to be in integral aspect of older neighbourhoods within the By-law Review Process." Councillor Jake Smola requested that staff circulate the Toronto By-law for the Committees next meeting and through Mr. T. Boutilier, staff would prepare a further report addressing the request outlined in the above resolution. 4. LETTER FROM DOMINIC AGOSTINO, M.P.P. RE: AIR QUALITY The Committee was circulated with a copy of a letter dated June 25, 1998 from Dominic Agostino, M.P.P. for Hamilton East identified as a open letter to municipalities in South Western Ontario commenting on the Air Quality Advisories that Southern Ontario has been faced with during the summer. The letter refers to inaction by the Provincial Government on the smog issue and suggests local municipalities develop their own smog plan to address the problem. In reference to this issue, Ms. Alida Burrett, Cambridge Ontario, attended the meeting and advised that Mr. Agostino was sending her a kit of what could be done to address air quality issues. She noted that a process of getting people together had just commenced and the intent was that a wide variety of people establish a local group. In this regard she advised that a meeting was being held on Thursday July 16th at 1:00 p.m. on the second floor of the Working Centre and requested that a representative of the City of Kitchener attend the meeting. Councillor Jake Smola agreed to attend the meeting and advised that the issue of a smog plan would be placed the Committee's agenda for its September meeting with the intent of ultimate co- operation between the Cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge on this matter. FCM 20% CLUB RE: FUTURE COLLABORATIVE ACTIVITIES Attached to the Committee's agenda were 2 e-mails, each dated June 18, 1998 from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and it was suggested the Committee may wish to consider whether the City of Kitchener should be involved in FCM's "Kyoto action program". The Committee resolved to request Mr. C. Ford to obtain further detailed information of these activities for consideration at the Committee's September meeting. UPDATE RE: 1999 EARTH DAY SUB-COMMITTEE Councillor Jake Smola advised the Committee that Mr. K. Cenerelli will Chair the 1999 Earth Day Sub-committee and it was intended to hold a meeting prior to each regular Environmental Committee meeting. NEXT MEETING - SEPTEMBER 16, 1998 The next regular Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday September 16, 1998. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES J U LY 8, 1998 - 32- CITY OF KITCHENER ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Assistant City Clerk L. W. Neil, AMCT