HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-20ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 20, 2006 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:10 p.m.
Present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic -Chair
Ms. Y. Fernandes, Ms. N. Souders, Ms. J. Young and Messrs. B. McColl, J. Wilson, C.
Schneider, D. Lippert and R. Dingman.
Staff: J. McBride, Director of Transportation Planning
R. Shames, Director of Engineering Services
B. Steiner, Environmental Planner
B. Sloan, Development Review Planner
C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator
1. REGION OF WATERLOO -REGIONAL FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN tRFMP)
The Committee was in receipt of a Region of Waterloo Public Notice, regarding the Regional
Forest Management Plan (RFMP) community consultation sessions.
Messrs. Chris Gosselin, Manager, and Albert Hovingh, Environmental and Stewardship Planner,
Region of Waterloo Environmental Planning, advised that between 1944 and 2003 the Region
acquired 16 woodland properties, ranging in size and type. Mr. Gosselin stated that for several
decades 9 of the tracts were managed on the Region's behalf by the Ministry of Natural
Resources. He outlined that in 2001 that arrangement came to an end, and the Region is now
responsible for managing all of its woodlands. Mr. Hovingh added that the RFMP will give
direction for: the conservation of significant environmental features and functions, recreational
and educational use, sustainable timber management, conversion of conifer plantations to native
hardwoods, rehabilitation of poor quality stands within the woodlands, wildlife habitat and
fisheries management, signage, gates, fencing, and visitor parking. Mr. Gosselin pointed out
that the RFMP will provide an overall management philosophy pertaining to Regionally-owned
forest tracts as well as management principles, goals and objectives to be achieved over the 20
year lifespan of the Plan. He commented that the next step in the RFMP development process
will be the preparation of a final draft based on public and agency input. Mr. Gosselin invited the
members to visit the Region's website www.region.waterloo.on.ca/greenlands where they can
complete comment forms and register for periodic updates regarding the RFMP.
In response to questions, Mr. C. Gosselin advised that the overall 20 year management plan will
contain 5-year sub-plans for each of the Region's 16 woodlands. He noted that forest
management techniques, such as controlled burns will only be undertaken once during the sub-
plan, with the management technique being reviewed prior to the implementation of the next
sub-plan. Mr. A. Hovingh stated that Regional staff intend to hold public information sessions on
site prior to implementing their management techniques as a means of providing the public with
a greater understanding of what they are trying to accomplish.
The Committee members agreed to individually forward their questions and comments directly to
the Region via its website.
2. SOUTH KITCHENER TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT
The Committee was in receipt this date of Development and Technical Services Department
report DTS-06-070, dated April 20, 2006 regarding the South Kitchener Transportation Corridor
Study (SKTCS) for lands located along the north edge of Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area
(ESPA) 27 and Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSW), in the vicinity of the Hidden Valley
community.
Mr. J. McBride advised that the original alignment of the westerly extension of River Road from
King Street East to Goodrich Drive was approved and adopted by Regional Council and the City
of Kitchener in 1981, and reaffirmed in 1994. He noted that land uses and zoning were also
determined at that time within the Hidden Valley Planning Community based on the original
alignment of the proposed extension. He stated that due to changing environmental values, the
Region elected to revisit the original alignment, which would have involved the removal of much
of the northern portion of the Hidden Valley Natural Area. In 2004, the Region commenced the
South Kitchener Transportation Corridor Study, which used extensive public consultation in
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APRIL 20.2006 -14 - CITY OF KITCHENER
2. SOUTH KITCHENER TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT tCONT'D)
determining possible alternative routes for the River Road extension. He outlined that on
January 19, 2006, 5 Alternatives were put before this Committee, who at that time
recommended the adoption of Alternative 1 (Do Nothing: Baseline) and proposed that the
boundaries of ESPA 27 be expanded. Mr. McBride noted that at the March 22, 2006 SKTCS
Steering Committee meeting, the following resolution was unanimously approved:
"The preferred alternative for the South Kitchener Transportation Corridor Study is
Alternative 4C with a design speed of 70 km/hr, if feasible and with mitigation and
treatment for any wetland and forest impacts. Full consideration should be given to
alternative design speeds, minimizing tree loss, narrower road widths, alternative
methods for winter maintenance (no road salt), and recovering and replanting of disturbed
vegetation. The new corridor is recommended to have pedestrian facilities and cycling
lanes on both sides."
Mr. McBride pointed out that the preferred alternative involves numerous design and policy
elements that will need to be refined and confirmed at the next stage of this study. He added
that among these are the concerns raised by residents in the Stonegate Drive community who
are of the opinion that potential congestion at King Street and River Road may encourage
motorists to attempt to bypass this intersection by using Stonegate Drive as an alternate route to
King Street.
Mr. B. Sloan advised that based on the originally approved alignment boundary, a significant
portion of land within the study area was designated, zoned and currently contains industrial
businesses. He stated that the northerly portion of Hidden Valley is designated and zoned for
Business Park purposes, adding that any future development will be dependant upon the
construction of a road with direct highway access. He commented that given that development
plans were previously approved based on the original 1981 alignment, there is a need to find a
balance between environmental and economic design concerns. He pointed out that it may be
prudent in the near future to revisit the land use designations and existing zoning within the
Hidden Valley area. He noted that at present holding provisions have been implemented for
those lands to prevent any development until these issues can be addressed. Mr. Sloan further
advised that at this time he cannot give his full support to the preferred alternative as further
analysis is required between the two proposed design speeds for that option (70 km/hr and 80
km/hr). Mr. Sloan outlined that a 70 km/hr design speed may have a slightly less negative
impact on the PSWs; however it would most likely leave little, if any, land on the north easterly
side of the new road to accommodate current development designations and zoning. He
suggested that, indiscriminate of the option it selects, the Committee should include as a part of
its recommendation, arequest for an increased allowance for the usage of transit, cycling, and
pedestrian walkways.
Mr. R. Shames advised that from a servicing standpoint, the previously approved alignment
remains preferable as it would only require the installation of one pumping station. He stated
that locating the roadway to the Alternative 4C alignment may require the construction of 2
separate sanitary sewage lift stations and additional lengths of force main. Further, some form
of crossing of both the ESPA and the PSW may be required, but would most likely be located at
the narrowest point of the PSW along the original alignment of the proposed extension. He
added that this would allow for the servicing of all lands previously identified as developable. He
noted that the additional cost of providing this new infrastructure may limit potential development
of these lands.
Ms. B. Steiner advised that as part of the SKTCS, an exhaustive inventory of natural and social
environmental conditions was conducted within the study area. She stated that given the
existing zoning, if the City were to purchase these lands, the price value would be set for use of
the lands as a Business Park even though the City's intention would be to preserve those lands
as a natural area. She added that preferred Alternative 4C (70 km/hr option) is a vast
improvement over the originally approved alignment in terms of the impacts to the Hidden Valley
Natural Area. Most significantly this alternative does not separate the central wetland and
southern forested esker from the woodland and PSWs in the northern portion of the natural
area. Ms. Steiner noted that depending on a positive resolution regarding the lands currently
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APRIL 20.2006 -15 - CITY OF KITCHENER
2. SOUTH KITCHENER TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT tCONT'D)
designated and zoned for development, the preferred route results in the highest probability of
conserving a large contiguous portion of the Hidden Valley Natural Area.
Mr. J. McBride commented that the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Grand River
Conservation Authority are both supportive of Alternative 4C and strongly encourage a design
speed of 70 km/hr, rather than the typical 80 km/hr, as a means of minimizing the impact to the
PSWs. He added that both agencies have agreed to continue to be a part of the process in
order to have input on mitigation techniques for minimizing disruption to the area's natural
environment. He noted that all comments from the Environmental and Economic Development
Advisory Committees will be incorporated into a staff report, which he will be presenting to the
Development and Technical Services (DTS) Committee in May 2006.
Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that when this matter comes before DTS in May 2006, staff
provide coloured aerial maps with an overlay of the preferred alternative with both design speed
options.
In response to questions, Mr. J. McBride advised that the originally selected preferred
Alternatives 4B and 5A proposed the use of roundabouts as a means of minimizing the ramp
terminal's impact on the area's natural environment. However, the Province has several safety
concerns with regard to roundabouts and will not permit their use at highway interchanges until
they have had the chance to test them in a controlled environment. He noted that at this time,
and subject to final approval by Regional Council, this project is scheduled to commence
construction in 2008, with completion anticipated by the end of 2009. He added that given this
timeframe, even if City Council were able to convince the Province to permit the use of
roundabouts, that approval could not be granted in time to have an impact on this project.
Ms. Daphne Nicolls, Friends of the Hidden Valley, addressed the Committee and questioned the
potential impacts the construction of servicing infrastructure may have on the area's natural
environment and was advised that prior to the construction of any new pumping stations, an
Environmental Assessment would need to be undertaken as a means of determining any
possible impacts. She also suggested that steps be taken to prevent industrial development in
the Hidden Valley area, noting that her preferred option is Alternative 1 (Do Nothing: Baseline).
Ms. Nicolls then invited Councillor B. Vrbanovic to participate in a site visit of the Hidden Valley
area and she requested that he extend the invitation to the rest of Council.
In response to further questions, Mr. B. Sloan reaffirmed his position that the existing study area
zoning will need to be reconsidered to determine the most appropriate land uses given the
potential impact of the proposed alignments. He stated that given the existing development
approvals, one can infer that the owners of those lands will want to commence development as
soon as possible. He added that what remains to be determined is the type of development that
will be permitted and whether that development will be located to the north or south of the
proposed River Road extension. He noted that while the 70 km/hr design alternative does not
appear to encroach on the natural areas as much as the 80 km/hr design alternative, the 70
km/hr alternative presents the potential for greater development to occur within the southern
portion of the natural area. He commented that the Region will not be providing the dimensions
of the study area lands until the detailed design phase, which has made it difficult to determine
the potential development for the subject lands. He noted that at present he is investigating the
various means through which the City would be capable of acquiring as much of those lands as
possible.
The Committee expressed that while they recognize the prevalence of transportation challenges
in South Kitchener, it continues to be their preference that this area remains undeveloped. The
Committee agreed to reaffirm their motion of January 19, 2006, that `Alternative 1 (Do Nothing:
Baseline)' is their preferred option. Several members noted that they would like the opportunity
to outline to the DTS the reasoning behind the selection of their preferred alternative and Mr. J.
McBride agreed to register them as a delegation.
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2. SOUTH KITCHENER TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT tCONT'D)
On motion by Ms. N. Souders -
it was resolved:
"That the Environmental Committee requests City Council to consider endorsement of the
following with regard to the Regional South Kitchener Transportation Corridor Study:
• expansion of the Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area (ESPA) 27 located within
the study area as recommended by the Region of Waterloo Ecological and
Environmental Advisory Committee;
• Alternative 1: The Baseline, as the preferred alternative; and,
• encourage the Region of Waterloo to develop a more creative alternative for the
proposed road expansion that does not negatively impact the Hidden Valley area."
3. AIR QUALITY WORKING GROUP -AIR QUALITY PLAN FINAL VERSION REVIEW
Councillor B. Vrbanovic outlined the following as the anticipated schedule for the presentation of
the Committee's Air Quality Plan:
• April 24th -May 9th Document to Communications for Formatting/Presentation Working
Group begins to work on presentation to Council;
• May 11th -Working group gives final approval to Air Quality Plan Final Draft;
• May 18th -Environmental Committee consideration of Final Draft document;
• May 29th -Table document at Televised Council along with a news release;
• week of June 12th Possible public consultation on document;
• week of Sept 11th Possible 2"d public consultation of document - send to interested
parties for comment and hold a public meeting to seek input;
• September/OctoberSeptember 18th Environmental Committee;
• October 2"d -Development and Technical Services Committee; and,
• October 16th -Televised Council -Final Approval & Implementation Plan.
The Committee expressed support for the proposed schedule for the finalization and
presentation of the Air Quality plan.
4. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT -UPDATE
At the request of staff this item was not considered this date.
5. HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PLAN -UPDATE
Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that the Healthy Communities Plan is scheduled to be tabled at
the May 29, 2006 Council meeting. He stated that `Who Are You Kitchener' will be tabled at the
June 19, 2006 Council meeting, with the intention being that both documents will be
consolidated over the summer and presented to Council for final approval in September 2006.
6. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator