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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-13ENVY1999-01-13 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 13, 1999 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:10 p.m. under Councillor Jake Smola, Chair, with the following members present: Councillor T. Galloway and Ms. D. Hartman and B. Luckhardt and Messrs. K. Cenereli J. Kay, H. Linseman and F. Wende. Councillor J. Haalboom entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials present: Messrs. B. Stanley, D. Snow, C. Ford, L. Masseo, J. Moore and L. W. Neil. PROPOSED NEW HIGHWAY # 7 ALIGNMENT - KITCHENER PORTION ONLY - FROM CONESTOGA EXPRESSWAY TO THE GRAND RIVER The Committee was advised of the following resolution that was passed by City Council at its meeting held December 14, 1998 "That the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Transportation be advised that the City of Kitchener endorses the resolution passed by the City of Waterloo pertaining to the proposed New Highway No. 7 between Kitchener and Guelph which requests that the proposed location be reconsidered and that an alternative, less damaging to the natural environment and heritage systems be considered by the Ministry; and further, That specific concerns relating only to the section of the new Highway within Kitchener be referred to the City's Environmental Committee for review and an invitation be extended to staff of the MTO and the Region of Waterloo to attend and address issues that arise during the Committee discussion; and further, That a copy of this resolution be sent to: Elizabeth Witmer MPP, Waterloo Gary Leadston MPP, Kitchener-Wilmot Wayne Wettlaufer MPP, Kitchener Brenda Elliott MPP, Guelph" Councillor Jake Smola noted that delegations appearing before City Council on December 14th had raised concerns respecting the location of the Highway and he had suggested that the matter be referred to the Environmental Committee. Council directed that the Committee review any specific concerns relating only to the section of the new Highway within the Kitchener boundary. Messrs. Brian Goudeseune (Ministry of Transporation), Martin Scott (McCormick Rankin) and Graham Vincent (Acting Director of Transportation, Region of Waterloo) attended the meeting to make presentations. Mr. Goudeseune provided an update on the status of the Highway Project. He noted that the Ministry had initiated the Highway #7 Transportation Study in 1989 to address deficiencies and it was carried out in accordance with regulations of the Environmental Assessment Act. He pointed out that the Environmental Assessment must consider a wide range of environmental issues with the objective of achieving the best balance of environmental and engineering issues. In this regard, extensive consultation began in 1989 through 1994. The draft of the Environmental Assessment Report was completed in 1997 and submitted to the Ministry of the Environment. The Ministry of the Environment undertook review in 1998 and following approval of the Environmental Assessment; there will be additional opportunities for further consultation and minor revision. Mr. Scott pointed out that the first step in the study was a justification of need. In this regard traffic information was gathered, official plans in the affected municipalities were studied and a survey of the vehicular travel patterns was undertaken. He referred to vehicular volumes as gathered and as projected to the year 2011. The next step was to consider alternatives being: do nothing, transit alternatives and roadway alternatives. He noted that the provision of improved transit service was raised throughout the study. Mr. Scott pointed out that a rail link would require line and station improvements costing in excess of $100 million. This would off-load only 10% of volume from Highway #7 and not solve the issue of traffic problems on Highway #7. Mr. Scott then commented on the roadway improvement alternatives for Kitchener which would mean either increasing the existing Highway #7 in Kitchener to 6 lanes PROPOSED NEW HIGHWAY # 7 ALIGNMENT - KITCHENER PORTION ONLY - FROM CONESTOGA EXPRESSWAY TO THE GRAND RIVER (CONT'D) ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 13, 1999 -2- CITY OF KITCHENER plus a left turn lane or building the proposed new Highway #7 extending from Wellington Street eastward. Councillor J. Haalboom entered the meeting at this point. Mr. Scott commented on other alternatives that were looked at to expand existing Highway #7 and requirements in that regard. Also, various new route alternatives were addressed and consideration given to social, economic and environmental factors. Extensive consultation took place with the Federation of Agriculture on routing that would not fragment the agricultural community but still have regard to wetlands and forested areas. He did note that the Grand River Conservation Authority had expressed concern with the highway's effect on three major wetlands. Mr. Scott illustrated a detailed drawing of the highway plan, its route within Kitchener and its crossing of the Grand River. He noted that there may be an opportunity to shift the interchange that serves Regional Road 17 to alleviate its impact. Other concern relating to certain wetlands in the township were mentioned by Mr. Scott. He then reviewed the extensive public participation process that took place, noting that the Ministry had met with external agencies, specific groups and all municipal Councils prior to making presentations at public information sessions. He also pointed out that a municipal team had been established with membership from all municipalities. Mr. Don Snow provided a summary of the project from the City's point of view. He pointed out that the Environmental Assessment Report has been on file at the City, the Kitchener Library and the Regional Offices since December 1997and that significant discussions were held with Shirley Avenue businesses particularly respecting interchange routes to accommodate Shirley Avenue businesses which then provides an opportunity for much more effective routing and improvement to local traffic flows. As to the Bridgeport area, he advised that the new highway would off-load some of the problems relating to Bridge Street. Mr. Snow stated that most of the environmental concerns are within the township lands and that the proposed alignment was the best alternative from the City of Kitchener perspective. Members of the Committee then raised a number of issues concerning the project including: capital cost, annual maintenance cost, speed, median provision, purpose of the project, expansion capacity being reached very quickly, process, environmental impacts within Kitchener and a tree replacement program. Mr. Michael Parkinson appeared as a delegation on behalf of the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group and advised that they had made a 12-page submission on the Environmental Assessment. Mr. Goudeseune indicated that the submission would have been directed to the Ministry of the Environment. He noted many of the comments raised have been incorporated as a condition of the project. Councillor Jake Smola asked that the Ministry staff advise where cost details were listed in the report. Mr. Parkinson offered the opinion that the detailed design stage was too late in the process to assess impacts of the bridge structure on the Grand River and that the issue of promoting urban sprawl by building the highway should be dealt with in the environmental assessment. Councillor Jake Smola commented that our planning policies guide development and the City had the ability to manage the issue of urban sprawl. Mr. J. Kay commented that the project was not consistent with his philosophy. Councillor J. Haalboom stated that she had serious concern regarding the highway capacity issue and urban sprawl. She suggested that there was a need to consider the project from a bigger environmental picture. Mr. Graham Vincent advised that the Regional Master Transportation Plan would be presented to Kitchener Planning and Economic Development Committee at 3:30 p.m. on February 8th and that many of the concerns raised by Councillor Jean Haalboom would be addressed. Councillor Jake Smola asked Environmental Committee members to consider attending on February 8th as well as March 10 th at the Region. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 13, 1999 -3- CITY OF KITCHENER PROPOSED NEW HIGHWAY # 7 ALIGNMENT - KITCHENER PORTION ONLY - FROM CONESTOGA EXPRESSWAY TO THE GRAND RIVER (CONT'D) Mr. J. Kay proposed a motion and on request it was agreed to split the motion and deal with each part separately. Each part was supported by the Committee. On motion by Mr. J. Kay - It was resolved: "That the Environmental Committee does not support the proposed alignment, within the City of Kitchener, of the new Highway #7 project from Kitchener to Guelph; and further, That the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario be requested to consider alternative transportation modes as a means to reduce congestion and improve movement between Kitchener and Guelph, rather than proceeding with the new Highway #7 project. Councillor Jake Smola advised that he was opposed to the motion since the environmental issues pertinent to Kitchener had been addressed. THE H2 PLAN: DESIGN SYMPOSIUM Mr. J. Moore attended to make a presentation with regard to the H2 Plan attached to the agenda. Due to the meeting running late, Mr. Moore was asked to make his verbal presentation at the next meeting, which he agreed to do. However, he did state that there was an urgency to deal with the recommendation to establish an organizing committee. On motion by Mr. K. Cenerelli - It was resolved: " That the Environmental Committee endorse the format of the 'The H2 Plan: Design Symposium' as presented to the Committee on January 13, 1999 and appoint the following people as the symposium organization committee: Brock Stanley Laurier Proulx Professor James Kay James Moore One additional Environmental Committee member." REPORT RE: FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY FORUM Mr. C. Ford provided a brief summary of the benefits of attending the above Forum held in Indianapolis November 12, 1998. He advised that the Forum had been positive and the gain was in the potential for networking respecting current fuel cell technology. Current levels of technology were displayed at the Forum. He advised that all manufacturers are using gasoline through a fuel processing mechanism and that all first generation H2 technology would be utilizing gasoline. 4. NEXT MEETING - FEBRUARY 3, 1999 5 ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 13, 1999 -4- CITY OF KITCHENER Assistant City Clerk L. W. Neil, AMCT