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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-11-15ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 15, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:15 p.m. Present: Claude Schneider - Co-Chair Ms. Y. Fernandes, Ms. N. Sonder and Messrs. R. Dingman, O. Ludin, B. McColl, M. Peterson and F. G. Zador. Staff: R. Browning, General Manager of Development & Technical Services J. Willmer, Director of Planning B. Steiner, Environmental Planner S. Bassanese, Environmental Planner C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. PRESENTATION - PROJECT PORCHLIGHT CAMPAIGN REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS - DISTRIBUTION OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHT BULBS TO KITCHENER HOUSEHOLDS The Committee was in receipt of a media release, dated October 19, 2007 regarding the Project Porchlight Campaign to distribute energy-efficient light bulbs to Kitchener households. Ms. Desiree Ducharme, Field Representative, Project Porchlight, advised that Project Porchlight is a campaign of One Change, anot-for-profit organization with the goal of bringing together businesses, community groups and volunteers to deliver one free compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) to every household in Canada. She added that CFL bulbs use 75% less electricity than old-fashioned incandescent bulbs and pointed out that if every household in Canada replaced one old light bulb with a CFL, it would be the same as taking 66,000 cars off the roads. She stated that from now until December 15, 2007 her group will be working in the Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge areas to deliver approximately 25,000 bulbs and added that they are currently looking for volunteers to help deliver bulbs door-to-door. Several members stated that while they are supportive of this program they have concerns regarding the potential risks that may be incurred when CFL bulbs come to the end of their life span. In response to questions, Ms. D. Ducharme advised that CFL bulbs have a minute amount of mercury and if they break, they do not pose a health risk. She added that a person could simply sweep up the broken glass and dispose of the bulb similar to batteries and other hazardous household waste. She stated that Project Porchlight is working with local governments, community organizations and commercial partners to develop recycling and disposal options for used CFL bulbs. She noted that used bulbs can be dropped off at all Home Depot stores for safe recycling, free of charge. 2. KITCHENER GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY TASKFORCE -COMMITTEE LIAISON UPDATE Mr. B. McColl provided an update regarding the Kitchener Growth Management Strategy Taskforce, noting that to date the Taskforce has only had its introductory meeting. Mr. McColl stated that he would review and discuss the activities of the Taskforce with Mr. F. G. Zador, the Committee's alternate liaison to the Taskforce. In response to questions, Mr. J. Willmer advised that the Province's "Places to Grow" growth plan outlines higher population and employment growth projections than those associated with the current planning framework. Places to Grow also mandates compact urban development by requiring municipalities to comply with intensification and density targets. He added that the current planning framework includes master plans and strategies of the City and the Region of Waterloo regarding infrastructure and public facilities that are either tied to lower growth forecasts, under review, or scheduled to be updated. He noted that the master plans and strategies need to be co-ordinated and able to accommodate the growth thresholds and density targets set out by the Province. 3. UPDATE I REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS -STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WORKSHOP I LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND tLEAF) PUBLIC MEETING Ms. B. Steiner advised that beginning Saturday, November 17, 2007 and continuing through ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 15.2007 - 37 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. UPDATE I REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS -STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT I LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND tLEAF) WORKSHOPS tCONT'D) Monday, December 17, 2007, residents are invited to take part in a grassroots community discussion about the City's local environment that will help to shape Kitchener's long-term environmental initiatives. She stated that the citizen feedback obtained during this public consultation process will be used over the next few months to help City staff develop an updated Strategic Plan for the Environment. She noted that the public consultation process was designed to be as accessible as possible to all residents, adding that residents can participate and provide their input through attending public workshops where experts, along with the public, will discuss a variety of local environmental issues. She advised that Dr. Max Blouw, President and Vice- chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University, will give the keynote address at the first Workshop on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at Kitchener City Hall. She stated that the second Workshop will be held on December 11, 2007 and will focus on the criteria for the City's new Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF). Ms. Steiner invited the members to participate at the Workshops, and noted that staff are still seeking volunteers to assist with registration and recording the comments given during the breakout sessions. She pointed out that additional information regarding the Workshops can be found at: www.kitchener.ca/environment_survey.htm 4. 200$ COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM -SELECTION OF GRANT RECIPIENTS The Committee was in receipt of the 2008 Community Environmental Improvement Grant Program (CEIGP) applications from the following groups: Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW) -Power Saving Network; CREW -Conservation /Renewable Energy Website Development; St. Teresa Catholic School; St. Daniel Catholic School -Greening Committee; St. Anne's School -Get Down to Earth Greening; and, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School - Playground Greening. In addition, the Committee was in receipt of the CEIGP application evaluation form. Mr. S. Bassanese advised that the CEIGP application posted on the City's website only contained the original 9 CEIGP criteria and suggested that consideration of the 2008 CEIGP applications be deferred until the December 13, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting to allow time for applicants to submit responses to the remaining 3 criteria. He noted that staff will update the information on the City's website to include the most recent CEIGP criteria. The Committee requested that prior to the December 13, 2007 meeting, staff contact those applicants who have indicated that their projects would exceed the maximum possible CEIGP award and request that they provide information identifying their additional sources of funding. Regarding the various eligibility requirements outlined in the CEIGP criteria, Mr. S. Bassanese advised that it is up to the discretion of the Committee to determine whether a particular applicant meets the requirements and should be awarded funding. In response to questions, Mr. Glen Woolner, CREW, informed the Committee that his group was not aware of the additional criteria and would like the opportunity to provide the additional information. Ms. Beth Hobson, CREW, advised that initial setup of the website requires $8,000., which represents the total start-up budget, adding that volunteers are utilized in every way possible except where professional skills and licensing of web-based software is required. Mr. Woolner stated that the CREW website is designed to assist residents to significantly reduce consumption of non-renewable energy resources, leading to cleaner air, healthier lifestyles and a generally healthier environment. He added that CREW has approached the region's other municipalities and utility companies for support and are currently awaiting a response. Following a brief discussion, the Committee agreed to defer consideration of the 2008 CEIGP applications to the December 13, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting to allow time for the applicants to submit responses to the remaining 3 CEIGP criteria. 5. NOTICE OF MOTION - DOON SOUTH COMMUNITY PLAN The Committee was in receipt of correspondence from Mr. Neil E. Taylor, dated November 7, 2007 regarding measures that could be undertaken to provide for the preservation of Jefferson Salamander habitats. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 15.2007 - 3$ - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. NOTICE OF MOTION - DOON SOUTH COMMUNITY PLAN tCONT'D) At the October 18, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting, Mr. B. McColl gave notice that he would introduce the following motion for consideration this date regarding the Doon South Community Plan: "That under no circumstances any development occur within 150 metres of the Jefferson Salamander habitat /breeding ground in Phase II of the Doon South Community." Ms. Ginny Quinn, Citizens for the Protection of the Waterloo Moraine, expressed concerns with the development planned for the Doon South Community, particularly the use of a third pipe system, which she stated would direct water away from the wetlands and / or collect rooftop runoff directed into the recharge area. She suggested that given heavy dependency on groundwater in the region, current growth rates cannot be sustained without costs to wetlands and recharge areas. She noted concerns regarding the potential shortage of tree coverage in respect to its environmental impact on air quality; and restrictive covenants on use of clotheslines impacting energy use. Ms. Louisette Lanteigne addressed the Committee regarding the potential setback requirements for Jefferson Salamander habitats. She distributed copies of her written submission to the Committee this date and read it aloud at this meeting. Ms. Lanteigne outlined the importance of ensuring that the temperatures of the breeding ponds remain at a consistent level. She expressed concern regarding the potential removal of the trees surrounding these ponds, as that could allow for increased sunlight penetration and thereby increase the ponds' temperatures. Mr. B. McColl stated that when he proposed the setback distance of 150 metres he did so without having the benefit of technical or scientific information and inquired if the proposed setback would provide an adequate buffer for the protection for the Jefferson Salamander habitat /breeding ground. Ms. L. Lanteigne advised that in her opinion the proposed setback should be sufficient and noted the importance of also protecting the source water that feeds the breeding ponds. Mr. Paul Britton, MHBC Planning, advised that studies have been underway for several years to identify the existence of the Jefferson Salamander in the Doon South lands, and noted that he is supportive of the scientific field study methodology referred to in Mr. Taylor's correspondence. He added that it is premature at this time in the overall process to set out specific details, such as the proposed 150 metre setback. He stated that when he first addressed this Committee in June 2007 regarding Phase II of the Doon South Community Plan a motion was put forward that no development occur in the community plan (Phase II) area. He noted that at that time he suggested that asub-committee be formed to review all relevant studies relating to those lands and then provide a recommendation based on that review. Mr. Britton advised that on October 29, 2007 he met with Mr. Tony Christie, Co-Chair of the Dodge Drive Resident's Association, Ms. L. Lanteigne and Ms. Y. Fernandes and reviewed Environmental Implementation Reports (EIRs) developed by Ecoplans Limited for projects in Phase I of the Doon South Community in which reports Jefferson Salamander habitats have been identified. He suggested that the Doon South Sub-committee review those EIRs and use the scientific analysis contained therein to put forward a recommendation to the January 2008 Environmental Committee meeting. Mr. Jeff Gross, Ecoplans Limited, noted that the EIRs could potentially be made available online. Several members expressed concern that as the Doon South Community Plan is currently subject to an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) appeal, there may not be sufficient time to review the EIRs and provide a recommendation. Mr. J. Willmer advised that the OMB appeal hearing is scheduled for March 2008 and accordingly the Committee could defer consideration of this matter until after the Sub-committee has had a chance to review the EIRs. Mr. Dean Fitzgerald circulated to the Committee this date two academic journal articles entitled "Amphibian Breeding Distribution in an Urbanized Landscape", dated April 2005 and "Biological Criteria for Buffer Zones around Wetlands and Riparian Habitats for Amphibians and Reptiles", dated October 2003. He advised that he has a PhD in fish-ecology and worked for several years at Cornell University's Biological Field Station, where among other things, salamander habitat studies were conducted. Mr. Fitzgerald reviewed the circulated articles and stated that they provide an estimate of the biologically relevant size of core habitats surrounding wetlands for amphibians. He added that data from these studies indicate the importance of terrestrial habitats for feeding, and overwintering and thus, the biological interdependence between aquatic and ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 15, 2007 - 39 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. NOTICE OF MOTION - DOON SOUTH COMMUNITY PLAN tCONT'D) terrestrial habitats that is essential for the persistence of populations. He noted that the minimum and maximum values for core habitats, depending on the level of protection needed, can be used to set biologically meaningful buffers for wetland and riparian habitats. He suggested that the Sub-committee should couple the information he has provided with the studies developed by Ecoplans and make an objective determination of the buffers based on the identified habitat. In response to questions, Mr. D. Fitzgerald advised that a road running adjacent to an identified habitat would have a negative impact, particularly if it separates the salamander's habitat from its breeding pond. He stated that if this separation were to occur it would prevent, or at the very least pose a major obstacle for, continued salamander reproduction. He added that as Jefferson Salamanders can live for approximately 35 years it could potentially take up to 15 years before this impact is realized and that would give a false sense of successful management. He noted that there are a number of professors at various universities across Ontario that could undertake a peer review of the Ecoplans studies. Mr. J. Willmer advised that when the City receives a study, such as those developed by Ecoplans, that study is typically reviewed by staff from the City, the Region of Waterloo and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA). Ms. B. Steiner noted that the GRCA would not typically comment on wildlife habitat, as it is not within their jurisdiction under the Ontario Conservation Authorities Act; however, their ecologist would have reviewed such environmental reports and, while outside the strict legal jurisdiction of the GRCA, could provide comments, similar to a peer review. Mr. R. Dingman stated that it might not be the Committee's place to make a detailed recommendation concerning matters of science and suggested that the Committee could make a recommendation that the Jefferson Salamanders be protected and if required outside expertise be retained to examine its habitat. Mr. P. Britton proposed that the Committee could put forward the following recommendation which would still speak to the need for a setback without establishing a firm buffer: that planning staff consider buffer requirements as part of their review of the various Doon South Community Plan applications. Several members noted the importance of examining all relevant information prior to putting forth a recommendation. On motion by Mr. F. G. Zador - it was resolved: "That consideration of the following motion be deferred to the December 13, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting to allow additional time to review information to be provided by the Doon South Community Plan consultants: `That under no circumstances any development occur within 150 metres of the Jefferson Salamander habitat /breeding ground in Phase II of the Doon South Community."' 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m. ('nl~n (~nnNO~io Committee Administrator