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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-22ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 22, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:17 p.m. Present: C. Schneider - Co-chair Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Ms. Y. Fernandes, Ms. N. Sonder, Ms. J. Young and Messrs. Q. Ludin, B. McColl, M. Robinson, M. Peterson and R. Dingman. Staff: P. Houston, General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer A. Pinard, Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning B. Steiner, Environmental Planner S. Bassanese, Environmental Planner B. Sloan, Senior Planner P. Wetherup, Parks Planner J. Hutchinson, Volunteer Resource Facilitator C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT UPDATE The Committee considered the proposed `Work Program' for the Strategic Plan for the Environment 2007 update. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of a revised Action Plan for Priority Activities: Environmental Committee Strategic Work Plan Update 2007. Ms. B. Steiner reviewed the proposed `Work Program', stating that staff undertook a survey of residents and businesses to gauge their satisfaction with Kitchener's current environmental practices and identify emerging environmental priorities. After reviewing the survey results, she advised that the next steps include preparation of an information piece which would summarize the history of the Strategic Plan, the need for its update, the survey results and opportunities for public input. She stated that additionally, staff intend to host 4 to 5 theme-based "encounters / workshops" around the issues identified as priorities by the survey. Ms. Steiner then outlined the following as potential themes for the "encounters /workshops": • Water in the Ground and in Our Streams, Rivers, Ponds and Wetlands (Water Resources, Water Quality including Pesticide Use, Watershed-Based Initiatives, Habitat Restoration and Creation); • How We Use Energy (Transportation Demand Management, Public Transportation, Alternative Energy Use, Green Buildings); • Land Resource and Growth Management (coordinate with Growth Management community engagement opportunity); • Air Quality, Greenhouse Gases and Fossil Fuels (coordinate with proposed Clean Air Day, announcement of 2007 "5 Best Bets,"); and, • Creating Environmental Literacy (Environmental Education and Public Awareness). Ms. B. Steiner stated that a diverse group of stakeholders will be invited to attend the "encounters /workshops", which will include survey respondents and the general public. Ms. Steiner then canvassed the members to determine their level of interest in assisting with the facilitation of the Strategic Plan update. Mr. M. Robinson suggested that the first "encounter /workshop", could include a major environmental expert, such as an AI Gore or David Suzuki, which would draw more participants from a wider cross-section of the community. He stated that the people who attended the first "encounter /workshop" could then be invited to attend all subsequent "encounters /workshops". Several members suggested that information regarding the "encounters /workshops" could be posted at the local universities and area community centres, as a means of increasing the potential number of participants. All members indicated that, dependant upon various time constraints they would be interested in being involved with this initiative. 2. PROPOSED LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND tLEAF) UPDATE Ms. P. Houston advised that at the January 15, 2007 Budget meeting, Council directed staff to investigate the possibility of establishing an Environmental Fund, with a starting budget between $3 M to $5 M. She then reviewed the following draft recommendation which staff anticipate presenting to Council on April 16, 2007 Budget Day: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 22, 2007 -11 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. PROPOSED LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND tLEAF) UPDATE tCONT'D) "That a Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) be established as a City Reserve Fund to provide funds for environmental initiatives as approved by Council from time to time; and, That catalyst funding of $5,000,000 be provided to this fund, $2,000,000 from the Hydro Capital Investment Fund in 2007, as a partial allocation of the proceeds from the sale of Atria Inc. and $1,000,000 per year in each of the years 2008-2010 from the Economic Development Investment Fund (EDIF); and, That staff be directed to pursue partnership opportunities with other levels of government, the community (corporations and individuals), and City owned agencies to leverage our investment to its maximum potential; and, That guidance for the ultimate criteria for LEAF be obtained through the public input obtained as part of the update to the Council-adopted Strategic Plan for the Environment which will identify the current environmental priorities of the citizens of Kitchener, including input from the Environment Committee; and, That the updated Strategic Plan for the Environment acknowledge and incorporate LEAF as a key tool for the enhancement/optimization of the environment for Kitchener; and further, That at the Council Strategy Session in April 2007, focus be given to providing high level direction with respect to tangible outcomes/success measures we wish to achieve through investments made through LEAF. In addition, identification and prioritization of first initiatives projects for 2007 be considered and approved, in advance of the completion of the Strategic Plan for the Environment." Ms. P. Houston stated that the draft recommendation provides an overview of the proposed process for the establishment of LEAF. She noted that as identified in Clause 5, at the April 16, 2007 Budget Day, staff will be seeking Council's approval and prioritization of some initial projects, prior to the finalization of the LEAF criteria. In response to questions, Ms. P. Houston advised that the proposed $5 M base budget for LEAF is subject to receiving approval on Budget Day. She stated that thus far LEAF is intended to be one-time only catalyst funding and pointed out that partnerships will be pursued to ensure that the projects created through LEAF have the capacity for long-term sustainability. She added that in addition to input from this Committee, staff will be using the updated Strategic Plan for the Environment as a guiding tool in the establishment of LEAF. She added that the process for establishing LEAF's criteria has yet to be finalized, noting that this initiative is still in the conceptual stage at this time. Several members expressed support for the establishment of LEAF and it was suggested that the Fund could be used to purchase lands adjacent to the Huron Natural Area and in the Hidden Valley. Mr. M. Peterson noted that $5 M is not a substantial sum when undertaking land acquisitions. 3. EARTH DAY 2007 -UPDATE Ms. J. Hutchison provided an overview of the Earth Day 2007 celebrations, highlighting afour- day action plan with themes including: climate change; air quality; litter pickups; water quality; and natural areas /wildlife habitats. In response to questions, Ms. Hutchison advised that for the litter pickup, people are given clear bags to enable the sorting of recyclable materials. At the request of Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Ms. J. Hutchison agreed to circulate a list of all of the Earth Day 2007 activities. 4. PRESENTATION -PARKLAND DEDICATION The Committee was in receipt this date of a copy of Chapter 273 (Park Dedication) of the City's Municipal Code and an attached map of the Downtown `exemption area'. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 22, 2007 -12 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. PRESENTATION -PARKLAND DEDICATION tCONT'D) Mr. P. Wetherup provided an overview of the City's Parkland Dedication process and reviewed Chapter 273 (Park Dedication). He advised that in 1986 as a means of enticing new development Council approved a change to the Park Dedication policy to no longer require a conveyance of lands for industrial developments. He pointed out that the Planning Act allows for the collection of cash-in-lieu payments as an alternative to developers allocating a specific parcel of land as park space, adding that Council has directed that those funds are only to be used toward the purchase of parklands. He noted that he was unable to access the Parkland Trust Fund prior to today's meeting, but would forward the Fund's balance to the Committee Administrator for inclusion in the minutes. Mr. B. McColl reiterated his request from the February 22, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting to receive a copy of the City Auditor's Parkland Trust Fund report, developed annually pursuant to section 42 of the Planning Act. He stated that he was under the impression that past cash-in-lieu payments, which would have been deposited in the Parkland Trust Fund, have at times been waived as a means of encouraging development. As such, he is interested in knowing what monies have been collected in that account over the past two years and how those monies have been used. Several members expressed concern that the City does not require a parkland conveyance for industrial developments. Mr. P. Wetherup advised that staff will be proposing to Council the development of a Parks Master Plan, which is anticipated to include a provision requiring the maximum allotment of parkland conveyance for future industrial developments. Addendum: following fhe meeting fhe Committee was in receipt of correspondence from Mr. P. Wetherup, which indicated that as of March 23, 2007, the Parkland Trust Fund had a balance of $117,245. 5 PRESENTATION -DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR SUBURBAN DEVELOPMENT The Committee was in receipt of a brochure of the draft Design Brief for Suburban Development entitled "Neighbourhood Design - A Committed Approach to Healthy Communities". Additionally, the Committee was in receipt this date of a copy of staff's presentation regarding the Design Brief for Suburban Development. Mr. B. Sloan reviewed the proposed design guidelines for suburban development, outlining the following as the primary design objectives: 1. Walkability: to promote walkable neighbourhoods that are well connected to major destinations; 2. Diversity: to build neighbourhoods that provide a variety of housing types, parks and open spaces and neighbourhood focal points; 3. Character: to improve streetscape quality, neighbourhood character and sense of place; 4. Conservation: to strengthen the conservation and stewardship of existing natural and cultural heritage resources; 5. Connectivity: to provide multiple route options for all modes of transportation; 6. Transit Supportive: to design and build neighbourhoods that provide greater opportunity for transit usage; and, 7. Liveability: to promote design solutions that contributes to sustainable practices and healthy, complete communities. Mr. B. Sloan advised that the purpose of implementing design guidelines was to: promote diverse, walkable neighbourhoods; implement an Official Plan policy; address specific City initiatives such as the `Pedestrian Charter'; ensure comprehensive consideration and coordination prior to development; address public feedback; and, provide tools to address recurring issues. He stated that finalization of the Design Brief will be a formalization of an existing process, outlining that staff use the current Urban Design Manual when reviewing subdivision applications submitted by developers as a means of overcoming design challenges (i.e. over-sized garages). He added that the Design Brief will serve to update the Urban Design Manual, providing fora new section on `Community Design' and a revised section on `Neighbourhood Design'. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 22, 2007 -13 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5 PRESENTATION -DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR SUBURBAN DEVELOPMENT tCONT'D) An overview was provided of the work completed to date and it was noted that presentations are being given to all of the City's advisory committees to obtain feedback for possible inclusion in the final draft of the design guidelines. Mr. B. Sloan then outlined the following guidelines as relating to the mandate of the Environmental Committee: • create walkable neighbourhoods based on a maximum 5 minute walking distance (400- 500 mradius) to key destinations such as parks, schools and shopping areas; • provide a variety of park spaces within 5 minutes of most homes with high visibility along public streets and provide linear park spaces that link major trails or larger park space; • encourage street tree planting, requiring one street tree in front of each house, at least three trees on side yards and additional planting along park frontages; • encourage larger street trees at gateway entrances and along priority streets; • encourage dedicated bicycle lanes along primary collector roads; • integrate trails along bicycle routes and promote trails to commercial and employment areas; and, • encourage pro-active park designs that are highly visible from the public street (minimum 50% street frontage as a guiding principle), completed early in the construction process and to include amenities that contribute to a neighbourhood theme. Mr. B. Sloan stated that following input from the various advisory committees and a final review of the Design Brief with the local Homebuilders' Association, a staff report is anticipated for presentation to the Development and Technical Services Committee on April 23, 2007. Questions and comments arose from the Committee regarding: the differences between the community planning level and the neighbourhood planning level; the addition of an eighth point under the primary design objectives entitled `sustainability' which would encourage the use of alternative energies, such as solar power; requiring developers to plant trees and shrubs in the rear yards of all residential properties; the creation of a buffer between park space and development; the long-term maintenance costs associated with developing key features; the use of diverse building types, such as private access rear lanes; striking a balance between providing bicycle lanes and on-street parking; the potential for implementing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for neighbourhoods; and, the City's ability to enforce the design guidelines. Mr. B. Sloan advised that staff will be seeking further input from this Committee in drafting the new `Community Design' section and suggested that at a future meeting of the Environmental Committee 2 members could be appointed to assist staff in developing that section. He added that any further comments regarding the draft Design Brief could be forwarded to him directly at brandon.sloan@kitchener.ca On motion by Mr. M. Peterson - it was resolved: "That the draft Design Brief for Suburban Development `Neighbourhood Design - A Committed Approach to Healthy Communities' be endorsed in principle, subject to the inclusion of environmental initiatives that support and promote sustainability." 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator