Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-24ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 24, 200$ CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:14 p.m. Present: Mr. C. Schneider -Chair Ms. Y. Fernandes, Ms. N. Sonder, and J. Young and Messrs. R. Dingman, O. Ludin, B. McColl and M. Peterson. Staff: G. Murphy, Director of Engineering Services A. Pinard, Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning B. Korah, Manager of Development Engineering B. Steiner, Environmental Planner C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. ALDER CREEK WATERSHED STUDY AND UPPER STRASBURG CREEK SUBWATERSHED PLAN UPDATE The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum from Ms. B. Steiner, dated April 11, 2008 regarding the Alder Creek Watershed Study and Upper Strasburg Creek Subwatershed Plan update. In addition, the Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-08-032, dated February 7, 2008, recommending that the Alder Creek Watershed Study and Upper Strasburg Creek Subwatershed Plan update, prepared by CH2MHill and North-South Environmental Inc., dated January 2008, be adopted and approved. Ms. Beth Brown, Subwatershed Planning Coordinator, Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) advised that in 2003 the Alder Creek Watershed Study and Upper Strasburg Creek Subwatershed Plan update were initiated by a study team consisting of the Region of Waterloo, GRCA and the City of Kitchener in partnership with the Township of Wilmot, County of Oxford and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). She stated that the purpose of the Study was to develop management strategies that will support long-term preservation or restoration of especially water-dependent natural areas throughout the rural and much smaller urban areas in the watershed(s); and, would allow for appropriate development in urban areas while conserving natural areas. She outlined the following as the objectives of the Study: • provide recommendations to address groundwater and surface water from a water quality and quantity perspective; • provide recommendations to protect aquatic systems from a water quality and quantity perspective; • provide land use management recommendations that will protect vulnerable groundwater and wellhead protection areas; and, • provide guidance on management of natural heritage components. Ms. B. Brown stated that main recommendations for natural heritage components include core areas, which are natural features that would meet the criteria to be a Regional Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area (ESPA), containing significant attributes due to their size, configuration, habitat quality and diversity; thereby warranting the highest level of protection. In addition to core areas are satellite areas, which are smaller areas that provide important functions such as linkages, augmenting forest cover, and act as stepping stones between larger natural areas. Ms. Brown advised that the Study recommends a minimum 30 meter buffer around core areas to protect the natural heritage system, reduce the impacts of adjacent land uses, increase usable habitat, provide better edge protection, and provide areas for designing sedimentation controls. She added that the final buffer around satellite areas would be determined through site-specific environmental studies. In response to questions, Ms. B. Brown advised that the Alder Creek Watershed is located primarily in the Township of Wilmot, but extends into the City of Kitchener to the east and the Township of Blanford-Blenheim in the south. In addition, a large portion of the Upper Strasburg Subwatershed south of Bleams Road has been brought into the Region's `City Urban Area', but no land use designations have been approved to date. She stated that the recommended 30 metre buffer around core areas, represents a minimum setback where no development would occur. She added that any development or site alteration within 120 metre of Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSW) or adjacent to a core area would require the completion of a Scoped Environmental Impact Study (EIS). She noted that EISs are to be completed in accordance with Region of Waterloo, City of Kitchener and GRCA policies and guidelines and would address opportunities and constraints within the context of the natural heritage system. In addition, the ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 24.200$ -13 - CITY OF KITCHENER 1. ALDER CREEK WATERSHED STUDY AND UPPER STRASBURG CREEK SUBWATERSHED PLAN UPDATE tCONT'D) EIS would provide sufficient information to demonstrate that there would be no negative impact on the natural features or their ecological functions. She noted that it is also recommended that an education program be put in place to inform surrounding residents of the responsibilities that come with living adjacent to a defined buffer. Questions were raised regarding why the Alder Creek Sub-committee had not been convened since 2004 and it was requested that the Environmental Committee be notified of all future information sessions regarding these studies. Ms. B. Steiner advised that staff gave a presentation on this matter in the Spring of 2005 and at that time only one member of the Sub- committee was still on the Environmental Committee. She added that during that time the Air Quality in Kitchener Report was being developed and due to the Committee's considerable workload, it was decided that a new sub-committee would not be formed. She noted that several members had also volunteered to attend a public meeting on this matter scheduled for May 2005 and agreed to report the outcome of that meeting at the June 2005 Environmental Committee meeting. However, the Public Information Session scheduled for May 2005 was not held and due to issues related to wellhead management and re-charge area maintenance, the presentation of these studies has been delayed since that time. Several members commented that they would prefer to see the size of the buffers increased and it was suggested that a minimum 30 meter buffer be recommended around all satellite areas. Further, members expressed hesitation to approve the Study in its entirety, noting a desire for more time to review the documents in greater detail and then put forward a recommendation. Ms. B. Steiner advised that the Study had been presented this date for information purposes and noted that the Environmental Committee will be afforded a further opportunity to comment when urban land use designations are considered for this area through upcoming comprehensive water management plan(s), related community /master plan(s) and Official Plan Amendment(s) to be undertaken by the City of Kitchener. Members requested that they be advised of all future management strategies and development permitted based on the Alder Creek Watershed Study and Upper Strasburg Creek Subwatershed Plan update. 2. UPPER STRASBURG CREEK CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 08-034, dated February 12, 2008, regarding the Upper Strasburg Creek Class Environmental Assessment (EA), prepared by CH2MHill and North-South Environmental Inc., dated January 2008. Mr. B. Korah advised that the purpose of the EA was to resolve floodplain and major flow issues in the Upper Strasburg Creek Subwatershed. He added that currently there is a small culvert in a high embankment that cannot pass Regional flows under existing conditions, which could result in significant land acreage being flooded along with existing houses during a Regional storm; which is defined as a storm the magnitude of Hurricane Hazel (1954) centred over the Grand River watershed. He stated that the EA determines how water would be managed in the upper subwatershed, to ensure floodline is below 335 metres (the point at which houses would no longer be flooded) and the existing peak flows are maintained. Mr. Korah advised that under existing land use conditions and based on the scoring carried out in the evaluation of alternative solutions, the recommended solution is the modification of the existing Fischer-Hallman culvert through replacement of the existing 900-mm pipe with a new 900-mm pipe and the addition of overflow culverts that would convey a Regional storm. He stated that the culvert upgrade would be constructed by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo prior to development upstream of Fischer-Hallman Road. He added that it is recognized that construction of a sanitary sewer is anticipated for 2010 that crosses Fischer-Hallman Road at the culvert location; as such, it is being recommended that these two projects be carried out at the same time to minimize any potential environmental impact. In response to questions, Mr. B. Korah advised that due to its structural integrity, the existing culvert needs to be replaced. He stated that maintenance of flow during the culvert construction would be required to maintain downstream flows and prevent localized flooding; as such, temporary water diversions and site area isolation would be employed. He added that the main ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 24, 200$ -14 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. UPPER STRASBURG CREEK CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT tCONT'D) advantage of the recommended solution is that it maintains existing conditions and minimizes impacts to downstream habitat during a Regional storm event. He stated that inspections would be undertaken throughout the construction process by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to ensure that Strasburg Creek is not being negatively impacted. 3. DTS-0$-057 - AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER PLAN -FINAL UPDATE OF THE 5 BEST BETS FOR 2007 The Committee was in receipt this date of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-08-057, dated April 18, 2008 providing a consolidated final report from various City Departments regarding the 2007 Air Quality in Kitchener Plan Best Bets, being: • Best Bet 1 -Support compact urban development • Best Bet 2 -Seek continuous improvement from ICI (Industrial / Commercial / Institutional) point sources by developing a tiered approach that includes incentives and flexible regulatory approaches • Best Bet 3 -Facilitate Modal Shift to Bicycle Transportation • Best Bet 4 -Enhance Green Space Management • Best Bet 5 -Incentives for Energy Efficient Development Mr. A. Pinard advised that on June 4, 2007 Council approved the five Best Bets for 2007 that were recommended by this Committee. Interim reports from City staff were provided at various times during late 2007 and early 2008, and an update of budget implications was provided at the February 21, 2008 meeting. He stated that in accordance with Council's approved process, relevant staff were asked to provide final reports on the five Best Bets for 2007; he then reviewed the responses received, as outlined in Report DTS-08-057. He noted that the first sentence of the second paragraph under Best Bet #2(a) should read "proposed revisions to the City's Urban Design manual." In response to questions, Mr. A. Pinard advised that staff anticipate bringing forward a report later this year regarding Best Bet #4(a) and noted that with regard to Best Bet #4(c), it was previously a common practice to include a condition in subdivision agreements that at least one street tree be provided per residential dwelling unit; however, now that condition is a requirement of the Design Brief for Suburban Development. With regard to Best Bet #1(a) "fast tracking" development applications that support compact development, he advised that all development applications that are deemed complete under the Planning Act must be processed within a prescribed amount of time or the applicant is entitled to appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. He added that most, if not all, future development will support compact development to some extent and there is no excess capacity to "fast track" development applications. He stated that staff routinely suggest changes to applications to promote compact design and referred to the nine objectives of the Design Brief for Suburban Neighbourhoods which clearly defines the City's design expectations for all new suburban developments. Mr. Pinard further advised that consideration would be given to the best logistical approach to keep this Committee informed of the progress of previous years' Best Bets. Ms. B. Steiner stated that the updated Strategic Plan for the Environment Air Quality functional area could be used to keep track of the accomplishments achieved through the implementation of the Air Quality in Kitchener Report (2006) recommended actions. Several members expressed concern that the annual Best Bets were being rolled into other projects already being pursued and were not being implemented as separate /distinct programs. Mr. A. Pinard advised that in many instances it would not be feasible to institute new programs for every Best Bet, as that could lead to duplication. He stated that staff in various City Departments were asked to explore the potential to implement the Best Bets and some reported on activities and programs already in place or recently initiated, of which some were modified to better align them with the Best Bets. He added that in a number of instances other matters needed to be undertaken before a particular Best Bet could be pursued. He noted that hopefully with the re- institution of the Environmental Study Group, this Committee will be provided with information to enhance its Best Bet selection process. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 24.200$ -15 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DTS-0$-057 - AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER PLAN -FINAL UPDATE OF THE 5 BEST BETS FOR 2007 tCONT'D) Following further discussion, the Committee agreed that it would not put forward five Best Bets in 2009; rather it would evaluate the status of the existing 15 Best Bets and analyze the gaps that may now exist in the Air Quality in Kitchener Report (2006). 4. AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER PLAN -PRIORITIZING 200$ CANDIDATE BEST BETS The Committee was in receipt of the Members' Aggregated Ranking Chart for the 2008 Candidate Best Bets, dated April 21, 2008. Ms. B. Steiner advised that at the March 20, 2008 Committee meeting, staff were requested to reformat the Air Quality Working Group's Candidate Best Bets to facilitate the development of the ranking chart. She added that based on concerns expressed at the March meeting and past practices, each of the Air Quality in Kitchener Report (2006) recommended actions listed by the Working Group were individually numbered and circulated to the members for ranking. She stated that the result of which is the Aggregated Ranking Chart, which provides the cumulative point totals for each of the 14 Candidate Best Bets. She suggested that the Ranking Chart could be used as a tool for selecting the five Best Bets for 2008, as it summarizes the Committee's preferences as a whole. Several members noted that the original list provided by the Working Group contained 11 Candidate Best Bets, which grouped together similar themed recommended actions. Following a brief discussion, the Committee agreed that the Working Group would examine the results of the 2008 Candidate Best Bet cumulative rankings to determine if any of the components of the bottom nine Candidate Best Bets could be incorporated into the top five choices. The Working Group was requested to present the results of their examination at the May 15, 2008 Environmental Committee meeting. 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator