HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-17ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
MAY 17, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:09 p.m.
Present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic -Chair
Ms. Y. Fernandes, Ms. Y. Fernandes, N. Sonder, Ms. J. Young and Messrs. O. Ludin,
B. McColl, M. Peterson, C. Schneider, R. Dingman, and F. G. Zador.
Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer
A. Pinard, Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning
D. Schmitt, Environmental & Urban Forest Project Manager
D. Ritz, Supervisor of Design & Development
B. Steiner, Environmental Planner
S. Bassanese, Environmental Planner
C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator
PRESENTATION - HURON NATURAL AREA (HNA) MASTER PLAN AND PHASE 1
CONSTRUCTION
The Committee was in receipt of the Huron Natural Area (HNA) information material, dated
February 12, 2007 regarding the HNA Master Plan update and Phase 1 construction.
Ms. Margot Ursic, Project and Promotion Coordinator, Dougan & Associates, provided an update
regarding the implementation of the HNA Master Plan, as approved by the HNA Board of
Directors in January 2001. She advised that throughout 2006 and 2007 a number of initiatives
have been undertaken to implement the HNA Master Plan consistent with its goals to preserve
and improve the ecological integrity of the HNA while providing community opportunities for
passive recreation and environmental education. She outlined the following ongoing initiatives to
complete the initial phase of the HNA Master Plan:
• refine the governance structure of the HNA through the HNA Joint Ventures
Agreement between the City of Kitchener, the Waterloo Region District School Board
(WRDSB) and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB);
• execution of the SuperBuild agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the
Region of Waterloo;
• update the HNA Master Plan, database, environmental studies and ten year
management plan; and,
• continue Phase 1 site development and construction of the main access point off
Trillium Drive, including a washroom and shelter facility, site trail construction,
educational signage, boardwalk and creek crossings.
Ms. M. Ursic advised that in June 2006 Council approved the HNA Joint Ventures Agreement,
which provided the City with full responsibility for the operations and long-term management of
the HNA. She added that in early 2007, the WRDSB and the WCDSB transferred ownership of
their remaining lands within the HNA to the City, noting that the City is now responsible for the
day-to-day operations of the HNA.
In response to questions, Ms. M. Ursic advised that low impact recreational activities on the trail
system, such as cross-country skiing, will be permitted in the HNA. She stated that the
construction of the sanitary trunk sewer will not occur within the HNA and during its detailed
design phase certain measures, such as the use of micro tunnelling, will be put in place to
mitigate its impact on the surrounding area. Mr. D. Schmidt advised that the 10-year
Management Plan for the HNA identifies that additional funding may be required in the future.
He added that all future works proposed in the Plan beyond Phase 1 are conceptual in nature
and will be refined and adjusted based on the nature of future land acquisitions, agreements with
adjacent landowners, City and agency approval requirements, and additional site specific
requirements.
2. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT UPDATE
Ms. B. Steiner advised that to provide an overall context for the discussion at the Strategic Plan
for the Environment Chemed based workshops, Communications Staff are developing a brief film
regarding the Strategic Plan update. She stated that it has also been proposed that as a means
of increasing the public's participation in the update, a blog could be created regarding the
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MAY 17.2007 - 20 - CITY OF KITCHENER
2. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT UPDATE tCONT'D)
Strategic Plan. She noted that it is anticipated that within the next few weeks staff will finalize
the communication material for the workshops.
3. DTS-07-039 - GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
- STAGING OF DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-
07-039, dated February 28, 2007, regarding Growth Management, Staging of Development and
Public Engagement in Kitchener.
Mr. A. Pinard advised that the City is in the process of developing its first comprehensive Growth
Management Strategy (GMS), which is a succinct plan that outlines future growth expectations
for Kitchener and how to accommodate that growth. He stated that the GMS will be a
collaborative effort that will take into account the Region of Waterloo's Growth Management
Strategy and enable the City to comply with the density and intensification targets set out in the
Province's Places to Grow plan that came into effect in June 2006. He added that a public
awareness campaign aimed at educating citizens about the City's growth management practices
and potential future development scenarios is now underway. He noted that while the campaign
is primarily intended to build public awareness, a series of questions have been developed to
acquire input on the public's long-range vision for Kitchener's growth. Mr. Pinard stated that later
this year, a Growth Management Task Force will be established that will take citizen input into
consideration and develop, communicate and make recommendations on the City's GMS. He
added that a draft Terms of Reference for the Task Force will be presented to Council in the
coming weeks, as will a potential list of stakeholders who would comprise the membership of the
Task Force. He noted that it is proposed that a member of the Environmental Committee be
appointed to the Task Force. Mr. Pinard invited the members to complete the Growth
Management Strategy Workbook, circulated with the agenda package, and showed a video
entitled "Kitchener Growth Management". He noted that it is anticipated that the Task Force will
report back to Council by the end of 2007 with its recommendations for how the City will handle
future growth.
In response to questions, Mr. A. Pinard advised that for the balance of 2007, staff propose to
proceed with the typical Staging of Development report. He added that it is expected that the
Staging Report, which has been a tool used to manage growth with future engineering
infrastructure, will evolve though the GMS process and for 2008 there may end up being a
different product of how growth is managed in Kitchener. He stated that there is a need to
understand what the Provincial and Regional growth initiatives mean specifically to Kitchener.
Accordingly, the GMS will identify where Kitchener's built areas are, what the supply of
greenfield development land is relative to intensification opportunities and how different the
Province's 40/60% intensification/greenfield targets are from the past trends in Kitchener. Mr.
Pinard added that the Strategy will lead to the initiation of an Official Plan update. He outlined
that there are numerous initiatives happening in all geographic areas of the City that impact
where and how fast the City grows and the quality of life in new communities. Such initiatives
include intensification projects, Environmental Assessments for roads and Rapid Transit,
engineering infrastructure projects such as trunk sewers and pumping stations, parkland
development, the construction of community facilities, the preparation of sub-watershed plans,
and community and neighbourhood master plans. He noted that as Kitchener grows, it will need
greenfield and infill development and accordingly, the City will need to ensure that growth is
managed wisely.
Ms. C. Ladd advised that the City's GMS will focus on promoting a compact urban form
throughout the downtown and re-align growth and intensification along central transit corridors.
She added that the GMS is intended to provide strategies to ensure that suburban areas are
transit-supportive and that they become complete communities with a full range of amenities as
soon as possible. In regards to questions related to the employment lands designated for the
east of Kitchener, Ms. Ladd advised that growth management is a comprehensive undertaking
requiring the co-ordination of activities of several City Departments along with projects being
undertaken by the Province, the Region of Waterloo, Grand River Conservation Authority and
the school boards. She stated that those employment lands are an example of this co-
ordination, as they will replace 3 separate Business Parks that the Cities of Cambridge,
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MAY 17, 2007 - 21 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3. DTS-07-039 - GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
- STAGING OF DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT tCONT'D)
Waterloo and Kitchener would have had to develop on their own. She added that a growth
management strategy would ensure proper co-ordination, appropriate timing, wise investment
and that Kitchener continues to manage its growth effectively.
4. LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND tLEAF) UPDATE
At the request of staff this item was not considered this date.
5. AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER PLAN -SELECTION OF 2007 BEST BETS
The Committee was in receipt this date of the draft Five Best Bets for 2007 and associated sub-
action items, developed by the Air Quality Working Group and based on their review of the
remaining 50+ Recommended Actions outlined in the Air Quality in Kitchener (2006) report.
Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that to permit the public announcement of the Five Best Bets for
2007 by Clean Air Day (June 6, 2007), any recommendation from this Committee will be
considered at the May 28, 2007 Development and Technical Services Committee meeting, with
any subsequent recommendations arising from that Committee to be considered at the Special
Council meeting scheduled for later that date.
Councillor B. Vrbanovic left the meeting at this time and Mr. C. Schneider assumed the Chair.
The Committee members evaluated the merits of each of the draft Five Best Bets for 2007 and
associated sub-action items and came to the following decision:
"That the in accordance with the Air Quality in Kitchener (2006) report the following be
approved as the Five Best Bets for 2007:
Best Bet #1 -Support compact urban development
In accordance with the proposed 2007 Best Bet #1 [Recommended Action 2.3 from the
Air Quality in Kitchener report (2006)], the Environmental Committee recommends that
Planning and Economic Development staff:
1(a) Consider adopting approval processes which are supportive of compact urban
development, including consideration of "fast - tracking" the necessary
development approvals; and,
1(b) Pursue policies and implement actions that target the re-development of
brownfield properties including establishing incentives (financial and non-financial)
and creating partnerships with other parties.
Best Bet #2 -Seek continuous improvement from ICI point sources by developing a
tiered approach that includes incentives and flexible regulatory approaches
In accordance with the proposed 2007 Best Bet #2 [Recommended Action 1.16 from the
Air Quality in Kitchener report (2006)], the Environmental Committee recommends that
Planning, Facilities Management and Economic Development staff:
2(a) Create an incentive program to promote naturalized landscape designs for
institutional, industrial and commercial sites (e.g. provide an award for best
naturalized design through the City of Kitchener Urban Design Awards program);
2(b) Implement LEED principles of site design, where feasible, on all new private and
city- owned developments;
2(c) Implement pollution prevention and eco-efficiency measures (e.g. LEED, LEED-EB
principles) to retrofits of existing city facilities and proposed new facilities;
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5. AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER PLAN -SELECTION OF 2007 BEST BETS tCONT'D)
2(d) Seek to have industrial development designed to accommodate the use of
bicycles, walking, showers etc. (e.g. currently industrial lands/business parks do
not have sidewalks or destinations to walk to);
2(e) Include plans and opportunities for continuous support of new and retrofitted green
practices and technologies;
2(f) Advocate for management of emissions from ICI point sources in conjunction with
local air quality initiatives; and,
2(g) Develop business assistance and recognition programs to encourage businesses
to adopt pollution prevention and eco-efficiency measures (e.g. LEED incentives).
Best Bet #3 -Facilitate Modal Shift to Bicycle Transportation
The City of Kitchener developed the Kitchener "Bikeway Study" (Staff Report PD 98/72,
dated May 6, 1998). The study's objectives were as follows:
i) develop and implement a detailed City network of on and off-street bike lanes,
routes and paths linking the Regional system, community trails, major recreational
and employment destinations and communities;
ii) develop local street and intersection designs to accommodate bikeways;
iii) design bikeway facilities at transit terminals; and,
iv) develop and implement a program which facilitates and encourages greater and
safer use of the bicycle as a meaningful mode of transportation.
Since that time there has been considerable, and often technical, input to the City from
Waterloo Region Concerned Cyclists (WRCC). In October 2006, City staff noted that a
number of initiatives put forward by the WRCC would require a significant amount of time
and staff resources to pursue and that, as these initiatives were not included in the 2006
Budget, staff have been limited as to what they have been able to undertake.
At that time, staff also noted there has been a recent increase in interest among staff in
pursuing the development of a City-wide Master Transportation Plan and that an aspect
of that Plan's development would include updating the "Bikeway Study" and would
accordingly address a number of the cyclist parking issues raised by WRCC. The cycling
community should be fully consulted in any such update to ensure that the full value of
any investments in bicycling be realized through increased bicycle ridership.
In accordance with the proposed 2007 Best Bet #3 [Recommended Action 2.8 from the
Air Quality in Kitchener report (2006)], the Environmental Committee recommends that
Transportation Planning staff:
3(a) Revisit the "Bikeway Study" and have the cycling community (including WRCC),
participate in the update, set a timeline, and determine budget and staff
requirements necessary to implement the updated recommendations. In so doing,
staff should tie in this update with the transportation demand management
initiative being undertaken by the City; and,
3(b) Review the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) study and the revised
"Bikeway Study" to look for gaps and integrate them (e.g. the City should ensure
that pedestrian crossings and cycling issues at roundabouts are addressed in any
TDM study and or updated "Bikeway Study").
Best Bet #4 -Enhance Green Space Management
In accordance with the proposed 2007 Best Bet #4 [Recommended Action 2.5 from the
Air Quality in Kitchener report (2006)], the Environmental Committee recommends that
Planning, Community Services, Communications and Enforcement staff:
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MAY 17, 2007 - 23 - CITY OF KITCHENER
5. AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER PLAN -SELECTION OF 2007 BEST BETS tCONT'D)
4(a) Adopt a regulatory process to ensure natural features (e.g. unevaluated wetlands,
hedgerows woodlots etc.) of greenfields are protected and preserved in such areas
prior to the approval process for development of projects thereon;
4(b) Investigate partnerships to educate residents of the environmental benefits of trees
in general, but particularly native species, and provide incentives for planting trees
such as re-introducing the Trees for our Fufure program with an aggressive
promotional campaign;
4(c) Consider implementing a regulatory process whereby lots in new residential
developments are mandated to have, at a minimum, one tree at the front of each
dwelling with native species being used where appropriate; and,
4(d) Provide incentives to encourage homeowners to naturalize their front yards (e.g.
turf alternative landscape designs).
Best Bet #5 -Incentives for Energy Efficient Development
In accordance with the proposed 2007 Best Bet #5 [Recommended Action 1.21 from the
Air Quality in Kitchener report (2006)], the Environmental Committee recommends that
Planning, Building and Engineering staff:
5(a) Investigate the possibility of providing incentives to encourage a developer to
undertake alarge-scale, energy efficient marketable demonstration project utilizing
clean, energy efficient space heating (e.g. low-energy-use building and operations,
community energy systems and alternatives to fuel combustion such as geo-
exchange, solar applications etc. all intended to reduce emissions of particulate
matter, criteria air contaminants and greenhouse gases); and further,
That staff be directed to investigate the feasibility and, if appropriate, pursue the
implementation of the Air Quality in Kitchener Five Best Bets for 2007 and associated
sub-action items."
6. 2007 ONTARIO ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE SYMPOSIUM
The Committee was in receipt this date of the April 24 and May 14, 2007 Symposium Organizing
Committee minutes, concerning the 5 Environmental Advisory Committees (EACs) operating in
Waterloo Region hosting the 2007 Ontario Environmental Advisory Committee Symposium on
September 28 - 30 2007, at the Doon Heritage Crossroads, Kitchener.
Mr. C. Schneider on behalf of the Symposium Organizing Committee requested that the City of
Kitchener make a financial contribution to the Symposium in the amount of $1,000. The
Committee supported this request based on the valuable opportunity to network, share
accomplishments and knowledge with other EACs at the Symposium.
On motion by Ms. Y. Fernandes -
it was resolved:
"That $1,000. be allocated to the 2007 Ontario Environmental Advisory Committee
Symposium Organizing Committee, representing the City of Kitchener's contribution to
the Symposium."
7. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
noun Uooaeve
Committee Administrator