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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-21ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 21, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:07 p.m. Present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic -Chair Ms. Y. Fernandes, Ms. N. Sonder, Ms. J. Young and Messrs. R. Dingman, Q. Ludin, B. McColl, M. Peterson, R. Rehan, and F. G. Zador. Staff: A. Pinard, Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning D. Ross, Senior Planner B. Steiner, Environmental Planner S. Bassanese, Environmental Planner J. Hutchinson, Facilitator of Volunteer Resources C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT UPDATE Ms. B. Steiner advised that at the June 26, 2007 Senior Leadership Team meeting she will be requesting the re-launch of the Staff Environmental Co-ordinating Group to assist with the planning of the Strategic Plan for the Environment Update public workshops. She noted that the 5 workshops are tentatively scheduled to run from the end of September to early December 2007. 2. LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND tLEAF) UPDATE Staff advised that there is no new information to be provided to the Committee at this time regarding the Local Environmental Action Fund. 3. DTS-07-103 - KITCHENER GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY (KGMS) TERMS OF REFERENCE The Committee was in receipt this date of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-07-103, dated June 12, 2007 regarding the Kitchener Growth Management Strategy (KGMS) Taskforce Terms of Reference. Mr. A. Pinard reviewed the KGMS Terms of Reference appended to report DTS-07-103 and requested that the Committee appoint a representative to serve on the KGMS Community Advisory Group. He advised that the KGMS Community Advisory Group, a component of the KGMS Taskforce, is anticipated to meet between 4 to 6 times starting in September 2007 and running to April 2008. In response to questions, Mr. A. Pinard advised that the KGMS Taskforce will assist in determining how Kitchener will address the requirements of the Province's `Places to Grow' growth plan. In addition, it is expected that the KGMS Task Force will assist with prioritizing development areas and provide a mechanism for co-ordinating and prioritizing projects and studies in growth areas. He added that the KGMS Task Force may yield directions that trigger other matters, such as revised municipal plan policies, a review of certain zoning by-laws, or strategies for insuring suburban areas are transit-supportive and become complete communities as soon as possible. Mr. Pinard stated that the Province's `Places to Grow' growth plan outlines higher population and employment growth projections than those associated with the current planning framework and also mandates compact urban development by requiring municipalities to comply with intensification and density targets. He noted that additionally, the KGMS Task Force will build upon the Region of Waterloo Growth Management Strategy, which is why representation on the KGMS Task Force will be from a broad range of stakeholders. Several members expressed concern that the views and opinions expressed by the Environmental Committee representative to the KGMS Community Advisory Group might be overshadowed by the anticipated pro-development positions of the Groups' other members. Councillor B. Vrbanovic opened the floor to nominations and Mr. B. McColl volunteered as the Committee's primary representative with Ms. Y. Fernandes and Mr. F. G. Zador volunteering to be appointed as the Committee's alternative member to the KGMS Community Advisory Group. Following further discussion, Ms. Y. Fernandes agreed to withdraw her name from consideration. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 21, 2007 - 25 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DTS-07-103 - KITCHENER GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY (KGMS) TERMS OF REFERENCE tCONT'D) On motion by Ms. Y. Fernandes - it was resolved: "That Mr. B. McColl be appointed as the Environmental Committee's representative to the Kitchener Growth Strategy (KGMS) Community Advisory Group; and further, That Mr. F. G. Zador be appointed as the Environmental Committee's alternative representative to the KGMS Community Advisory Group." PRESENTATION - UPPER BLAIR CREEK FUNCTIONAL DRAINAGE STUDY & DOON SOUTH COMMUNITY PLAN The Committee was in receipt of correspondence from Ms. D. Ross, dated May 31, 2007 regarding the Upper Blair Creek Functional Drainage Study and draft Doon South Community Plan. Messrs. Steve Brown, Stantec Consulting, Glen Scheels, GSP Group, and Paul Britton, MHBC Planning, gave a presentation on the Upper Blair Creek Functional Drainage Study and draft Doon South Community Plan. The Committee was advised that the original Blair Bechtal Bauman Watershed Study recommendations provided for development of estate lots on private services in this area of Doon South. In response to the servicing hierarchy in the Region of Waterloo's official plan, the Blair Creek Functional Drainage Study was initiated and determined that higher density development on municipal services could be accommodated in this area. Based on these recommendations, City staff have initiated Phase II of the Doon South Community Plan, which is currently in the initial stages of circulation. Mr. Britton advised that one of the first stages of implementing Phase II is to identify the main environmental features of the area. He stressed that it is not a matter of if these features will be protected but rather how best to protect these features and strengthen the policy frameworks to ensure they are an integrated part of the management plan that applies to both Phase I and II of the Doon South Community. He noted that this area has already been designated for urban development and added that the current process is being undertaken to determine the appropriate population density for this area. In response to questions, Mr. P. Britton estimated that between 15 to 20 percent of Phase II will be designated as environmentally sensitive lands. Ms. D. Ross added that the percentage of land designated as environmentally sensitive is dependant upon the identification of environmental features. She noted that for the most part, many of these features have already been designated through Regional and City official plans and what needs to be determined now is to what extent do the currently undesignated lands fit into the area's greenspace network. Mr. Britton further advised that as Strasburg Road is a designated scenic road, the portion of Reidel Drive in the area of Strasburg Road will also be designated as a scenic road. He noted that the property setbacks for Phase II have yet to be determined, and speculated that a minimum 30 metre setbacks would be established. He stated that in addition to the ecological linkages that would be put in place, the wetlands stormwater management features will be expanded. Mr. Britton then outlined the various alternatives that will be examined to best determine how to manage the stormwater management features. Several members expressed concern with the proposed development of the Phase II lands. A motion by Ms. Y. Fernandes was brought forward recommending that the development proposed for Phase II of the Doon South Community Plan not be undertaken. Following further discussion, Mr. P. Britton suggested that the Environmental Committee form a sub-committee to work with City staff and the consultants over the summer to review Phase II of the Doon South Community Plan and report back to the September 20, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting. Ms. Y. Fernandes withdrew her previous motion and volunteered to sit on the proposed sub- committee along with Messrs. M. Peterson and B. McColl. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 21, 2007 - 26 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. PRESENTATION - UPPER BLAIR CREEK FUNCTIONAL DRAINAGE STUDY & DOON SOUTH COMMUNITY PLAN tCONT'D) On motion by Ms. Y. Fernandes - it was resolved: "That asub-committee comprised of Ms. Y. Fernandes and Messrs. M. Peterson and B. McColl be formed to work with City staff and the consultants to review Phase II of the Doon South Community Plan and report back to the September 20, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting." 5. 2007 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORT At the request of staff this item was deferred to the September 20, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting. 6. SCHOOL BOARDS -PUBLIC TRANSIT At the request of Ms. Y. Fernandes, staff agreed to investigate the possibility of the City encouraging the local School Boards to utilize public transit for field trips and report back as to their findings at the September 20, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting. 7. EARTH DAY 2007 AND KITCHENER-IN-BLOOM PROGRAM -UPDATES The Committee was in receipt of a media release entitled "Greening our Community: Celebrating Earth Day", dated April 17, 2007. Ms. J. Hutchinson outlined several events undertaken in the City in celebration of Earth Day 2007 including: • presentation and discussion of the film `An Inconvenient Truth'; • 20 Minute Makeover litter clean-up; • Tim Norton's litter pick-up; and, • Kitchener Natural Areas: Earth Day Event at Breithaupt Centre. In response to questions, Ms. J. Hutchinson advised that over 150 people participated in the Tim Norton's community litter pick-up and approximately 750 people attended the Earth Day event at Breithaupt Park. At the request of the Committee, Ms. J. Hutchinson agreed to follow-up with Community Services Department staff regarding the long-term watering and maintenance measures in place for the trees planted during the Earth Day event at Breithaupt Park. Ms. J. Hutchinson then circulated nomination forms for the Kitchener-in-Bloom Program and outlined the 3 components of that program as follows: • Residential Front Yard Award; • Environmental Award; and • Business Award. Ms. Hutchinson noted that beginning in 2007, all nominated properties will receive a certificate recognizing their contributions to the beautification of Kitchener. She added that nomination forms will be accepted until June 11, 2007. 8. FLUORESCENT LAMP RECYCLERS tFLR) TECHNOLOGIES INC. In reference to the information item listed on the May 17, 2007 Environmental Committee agenda regarding the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium's (The Aud) receipt of an award for it's fluorescent light bulb recycling program, Mr. B. McColl requested additional information regarding whether similar programs exist at other City facilities. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 21, 2007 - 27 - CITY OF KITCHENER 9. PRESENTATION -MAY 2$, 2007 DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE - LEN CARTER, GREENING OF THE CITY Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that this item be added as a discussion item on the September 20, 2007 Environmental Committee agenda and that staff be directed to contact Mr. Len Carter to see if he would be interested in addressing the Committee at that meeting. 10. KITCHENER-WILMOT HYDRO RE-FORESTATION PROGRAM Mr. M. Peterson requested that information be provided at the September 20, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting regarding the $490,000. that was given by Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro to the City of Kitchener for re-forestation. 11. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator