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Home My WebLink AboutDTS-07-068 - Air Quality 2006 Best Bet No 31 h~TC~NER . , . Development & Technical Services Report To: Environmental Committee Date of Meeting: April 19, 2007 Submitted By: Jeff Willmer, Director of Planning Prepared By: Barbara Steiner, Environmental Planner (741-2293) Ward(s) Involved: All Date of Report: April 16, 2007 Report No.: DTS-07-068 Subject: Air Quality 2006 Best Bet No. 3 -Increase Green Space RECOMMENDATION: For information. BACKGROUND: In May 2006, the Environmental Committee presented a report entitled Air Quality in Kitchener to Kitchener Council. The report was the culmination of a year of deliberations by members of the Committee responding to direction from Council in November of 2004 to develop a long- term, "comprehensive plan" on the air quality in the city of Kitchener. The report included a series of (50+) Recommended Actions which constituted the plan and, in 2006, five (5) of these actions (Five Best Bets) were put forward by the Committee for investigation by staff into their feasibility. Kitchener Council ratified this committee recommendation on July 4, 2006 and, in so doing, staff was directed to commence a consideration of the feasibility, and ways and means of implementing the Five Best Bets. Best Bet No.3 was Increase Green Space. The report went on to make specific recommendations that the City of Kitchener: a) Promotes a Natural Yard Care program to encourage homeowners to adopt more sustainable yard care practices such as reducing or eliminating the use of chemical fertilizers, gasoline-powered lawn mowers and other lawn care equipment; b) Requires that developers dedicate the maximum (2 per cent) parkland conveyance for industrial developments; c) Requires that developers dedicate the maximum (5 percent) parkland conveyance for institutional developments; d) Establishes the Natural Lands Acquisition Fund (staff report DTS-05-209) for purchasing imperilled lands; e) Embraces LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) principles in the creation of new developments (industrial, commercial, institutional and residential); f) Encourages the use of native plantings and low-maintenance plants (drought- and pest- resistant) in all future landscape designs to discourage the use of gas-powered machinery, chemical sprays; g) Makes rain barrels available to all high-intensity development to offset the use of municipal water; and h) Increases the size of garden plots per: residential unit to offer citizens the opportunity to grow their own vegetables to discourage car use and support local food production. REPORT: This Best Bet, and the specific recommendations attached to it, involves a number of divisions within the City's administration, primarily within the Community Services Department and the Planning Division of the Development and Technical Services Department. Relevant staff was consulted for this report. Natural Yard Care The City of Kitchener has partnered with the Region and other area municipalities in running a social marketing program (website, media, door-to-door, information packages, surveys) designed specifically to promote "natural yard care" to achieve a reduction in use of non- essential pesticides. The City has cooperatively funded and lent staff support to this initiative since 2003. In 2007, the Region's Pesticides Bylaw has come into effect adding a new regulatory incentive for Kitchener residents and businesses to convert to "natural yard care." Kitchener funding for 2007 was approved on April 16t", and it is likely that Kitchener's support for this worthwhile initiative will continue into the future. (See w.letscurbesticides.ca). Also of note, as part of development approvals for newer subdivisions, stewardship information specific to the site's unique environmental issues is developed, and is distributed to potential and actual purchasers (see attachment, Homeowner's Woodland Management Manual from Kitchener's Tree Management Policy, 2001). Parkland Dedication As the Environmental Committee has heard at recent meetings, the issue of requiring of applicants the maximum parkland dedications permitted by the Ontario Planning Act will be considered by the Community Services Department as part of the Parks Master Plan. It should be noted though that with respect to institutional uses, while the Council policy in respect of Park Dedication for Institutional uses is silent, many of these blocks (especially school blocks) are created as part of an application for Draft Plan of Subdivision and so are subject to the five percent allowable dedication requirement in any case. Natural Lands Acquisition Fund Following from the recommendation of staff report DTS-05-209, funds have been requested through the 2007 budget process. For 2007, $50,000 was been approved on April 16, 2007. Upon Council's approval of an inaugural budget, criteria for accessing the fund will be developed by staff and forwarded to Environmental and DTS Committees and Council for their consideration. It should be noted that while such a fund is desirable, it will not necessarily create more "green space." Rather, such a fund will more certainly ensure that imperilled natural lands be conserved in their natural state through public ownership, and averting any possibility of the loss of additional "green space." LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) LEED is a rating system to evaluate green buildings. However, this rating system applies to the design of the entire site, and through the points component entitled "site impact," additional value is assigned for the creation of more "green space" on the development site. Since the tabling of the Environmental Committee's report on Air Quality in Kitchener, it has been confirmed that the City's new Twin Pad arena will be built to a LEED Gold Rating, and the Terms of Reference for the redevelopment of the Centre Block in downtown Kitchener ** LEED principles of site design (or "site impact") are currently embodied in Kitchener's Urban Design Guidelines particularly under the Design Standards for Landscape and Natural Features (Tree Management, Stormwater Management Design, Landscape Design) all of which contribute to increased green space throughout the City. Also, the United States Green Building Council along with the Congress for New Urbanism and the National Resources Defense Council is currently piloting a draft of a LEED Rating System for Neighbourhood Developments which-more than the original LEED Rating System for individual buildings and their sites-is based on the combined principles of smart growth, new urbanism and green building, and relates the neighbourhood to its larger region and landscape. This draft, among many other research materials, has been consulted in the development of the Design Brief for Suburban Development and Neighbourhood Mixed Use Centres which was considered at the March 2007 Environmental Committee, and is anticipated to proceed to DTS Committee on April 23, 2007. (The Building Design Details of that same document encourages energy efficient technologies. See attachment.) Such principles of "sustainability" and "eco-friendly design" will also be further considered and formalized when the Community Design Section of Kitchener's Urban Design Guidelines is revised. Native and Low-Maintenance Plants Such principles of site design have always been, and are currently, embodied in Kitchener's Urban Design Guidelines particularly under the Design Standards for Landscape and Natural Features (Tree Management, Stormwater Management Design, Landscape Design) all of which contribute to increased green space throughout the City. A list of acceptable native woody plants is provided in the Urban Design Guidelines, along with encouragement to include principles of xeriscaping (drought tolerant plants) in designs. Topsoil depths across all planting areas (not just planting pits) are now required to be indicated on all Landscape Plans submitted, and the City is considering also requiring certification before the landscape is accepted by the City and the Letter of Credit released. The soon-to-be finalized Design Brief for Suburban Development and Neighbourhood Mixed Use Centres makes specific recommendations for the use of drought-tolerant and pest-resistant plants along with proper growing media for long-term health in enhanced public boulevards and medians, landscape buffer blocks and gateway features (see attachments). Rain Barrels Rain barrels decrease the use of potable water for landscape irrigation purposes. This decreases energy use for pumping and treatment, contributing to enhanced air quality. The Region of Waterloo has distributed 28,000 rain barrels over the last six years in a program to assist residents who want to save water and be more environmentally conscious. In 2007, the rain barrel distribution day will be held on Saturday, April 21st at Cambridge Centre Mall, Conestoga Mall in Waterloo and Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener, beginning at 7:30 a.m. The price remains $30 per barrel. There is a limit of one per household, and residents must bring valid I.D. with proof of residency. A total of 3,000 rain barrels were distributed from these same locations on April 22, 2006. Rain barrels were sold at a subsidized cost of $30. The Region also held a draw for 35 rain barrels in the summer edition of Environews. Five winners were chosen from each city and from each of the four townships. Food Gardens Kitchener's existing Urban Design Guidelines include a standard for the development of Community Gardens as part of high-rise developments; the City encourages incorporating such features into these sites. In addition, the City's Community Services Department supports community gardens through the Council-adopted Community Gardens Policy including a modest grant program for residents (see Council Policy I-400 attached). FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: No new financial implications. Measures described have already been budgeted. COMMUNICATIONS: None required. CONCLUSION: Increasing green space is recognized as an important means to a healthy community including improving air quality. Numerous programs already exist at the City of Kitchener, and new and emerging programs and policies described herein are striving to further increase the amount and quality of greenlands within the City of Kitchener and the Region as a whole. Barbara Steiner, B.Sc. Alain Pinard, M.A., MCIP, RPP Environmental Planner Manager of Long Range and Policy Planning Jeff Willmer, MCIP, RPP Director of Planning Attachments Homeowner's Woodland Management Manual from Kitchener's Tree Management Policy, 2001 Building Design Details from Design Brief for Suburban Development and Neighbourhood Mixed Use Centres Neighbourhood Gateway Features and Street Trees from Design Brief for Suburban Development and Neighbourhood Mixed Use Centres Council Policy I-400 (Community Gardens)