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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRPS-07-152 - Environment Comm Rec - Doon South Community Plan - Phase 2Report To: Councillor C. Weylie, Chair and Members of the Development and Technical Services Committee Date of Meeting: January 7, 2008 Submitted By: Environmental Committee Prepared By: Colin Goodeve, Committee Administrator - ext 2278 Wards} Involved: All Date of Report: December 17, 2007 Report No.: CRPS-07-152 Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - DOON SOUTH COMMUNITY PLAN -PHASE 2 RECOMMENDATION: WHEREAS portions of Doon South -Phase ESPA 39 (Roseville Swamp} a Provincially significant, fragile, aquatic habitats; and, 2 contain ESPA 33 (Stauffer Woods), and Significant Wetland complex, may contain WHEREAS Jefferson Salamander, a species protected by the Canadian Species at Risk Act and the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, and designated as a threatened species by COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada} has been found in Doon South -Phase 2; and, WHEREAS specific aquatic species' response to development and maintaining diverse aquatic habitats in urban landscapes depend on complex interactions among landscape, local and biotic factors, preservation of a variety of wetland types surrounded by buffer habitat of varying fluctuating water levels, and linkages of dispersal corridors; and, WHEREAS the City of Kitchener needs to prepare a comprehensive, environmentally responsible community plan for Doon South -Phase 2; and, WHEREAS the existing environmental reports of Doon South -Phase 2 consist of numerous individual studies produced by numerous developers and their consultants; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that before completing any community plan for the lands known as Doon South -Phase 2, the City engage an independent peer review study by a recognized authority on aquatic ecosystems on all existing relevant environmental reports to ensure that they fall within established study parameters, with the findings of that study to be presented at a future Environmental Committee meeting; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the recognized authority be given sufficient time to evaluate the reports so that an appropriate community plan can be formulated that will protect the habitat of the Jefferson Salamander and any other significant aquatic species present, or likely to be present, on such lands; and, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that all individual consultants' reports for Doon South - Phase 2 plus any relevant Phase 1 reports are to be combined into one comprehensive environmental report in order to assist staff, and other reviewing agencies, in their development review process. BACKGROUND: At the June 21, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting, 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 the Phase 2 area of Doon South and in response to the servicing hierarchy in the Region of Waterloo's Official Plan, the Blair Creek Functional Drainage Study was initiated. Consequently, it was determined that higher density development on municipal services could be accommodated and accordingly, City staff initiated Phase 2 of the Community Plan. During the Committee's discussion, a motion was brought forward recommending that no development be permitted in Phase 2 of the Doon South Community. However, at the suggestion of Mr. Britton, the Environmental Committee agreed to form aSub-committee to work with City staff and the consultants over the summer to review Phase 2 of the Community Plan and report back to the September 20, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting. At the September 20, 2007 meeting, members of the Sub-committee presented their report, which contained several specific recommendations /items of concern and overall proposed that the completion of the Doon South Community Plan be held in abeyance until all necessary detailed studies have been completed and all concerned parties have been consulted; and based on that information and public input the Community Plan could then be revised accordingly. During their presentation it was noted that some of the requested information such as, the Doon South Green Space Management Plan and the Upper Blair Creek Functional Drainage Study, had yet to be reviewed by the Sub-committee. In response to questions, staff advised that many of the recommendations put forth by the Sub- committee have either been or are being addressed as part of the finalization of the Doon South Community Plan; and noted that all pertinent studies must be completed and reviewed prior to the Community Plan's presentation to Council. Mr. P. Britton advised that a number of the recommendations made by the Sub-committee are supported by his clients, noting that he would be more than happy to forward all requested studies and information to the Environmental Committee as they become available. Following further discussion, Mr. Jeff Gross, Ecoplans Limited, advised that through fieldwork undertaken to characterize natural features and functions, Jefferson Salamanders and their habitat have been discovered to be present in certain areas of the Doon South Community. At that time, several members expressed a desire for continued dialogue between the consultants, staff and the Environmental Committee. In addition, the Committee agreed to accept the Doon South Sub-committee report as received and to have it forwarded to Council and staff for consideration during the Community Plan's deliberation process. REPORT: At the October 18, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting, Mr. B. McColl gave notice that he would introduce the following motion at the November 15, 2007 meeting: "That under no circumstances any development occur within 150 metres of the Jefferson Salamander habitat /breeding ground in Phase 2 of the Doon South Community. " At the November 15, 2007 meeting, Mr. P. Britton advised that studies have been underway for several years to identify the existence of the Jefferson Salamander in the Doon South lands, adding 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 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 1 of the Doon South Community in which 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 revised recommendation at the January 2008 Environmental Committee meeting. Several members expressed concern that as the Doon South Community Plan is currently subject to an Ontario Municipal Board BOMB} appeal, there may not be sufficient time to review the EIRs and provide a recommendation to Council. Staff advised that the OMB appeal hearing is not scheduled to take place until March 2008 and a majority of members commented that they would prefer to put forward a recommendation after reviewing the consultants' information. Accordingly, the Committee agreed to defer consideration of Mr. McColl's motion to the December 13, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting to provide time for the Sub-committee to review of the Doon South Community Plan consultants' information. At the December 13, 2007 meeting, Mr. B. McColl withdrew his previous motion and the Committee agreed to recommend the motion outlined in this report. During the discussion of that motion, staff advised that everything proposed therein should be achievable, subject to the OMB appeal timeframe. Attached as reference are the minutes from the June 21St, September 20th, and November 15tH Environmental Committee meetings. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: No financial implications were identified during the Environmental Committee's discussion of the proposed recommendation. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator