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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-19ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 19, 200$ CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:09 p.m. Present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic -Chair Ms. Y. Fernandes, Ms. N. Sonder, Ms. J. Young and Messrs. R. Dingman, B. McColl, M. Peterson, C. Schneider and G. Zador Staff: J. Willmer, Director of Planning A. Pinard, Manager of Long Range Policy Planning H. Wright, Student Planner C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. KITCHENER GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY TASKFORCE UPDATE Mr. B. McColl provided an update on the progress of the Kitchener Growth Management Strategy Taskforce. He stated that to date, the Taskforce has met 3 times and commented that a majority of the people sitting on the Taskforce appear to have some sort of development and / or planning backgrounds. He added that, in his opinion, it seems that the Taskforce's discussions have centred on not if growth should occur, but rather how can growth occur as quickly as possible. He noted that in his estimation there has been little discussion so far as to the environmental implications of this anticipated growth, which he attributed partly to his own reluctance to participate in the group's discussions. He then complimented Planning staff for their work in cataloguing and identifying the major growth areas and where future growth should occur across the City. Mr. McColl noted that Kitchener seems to be further along than any other municipality in meeting the mandate prescribed by the Province's Places fo Grow Acf. In response to questions, Mr. A. Pinard advised 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 coordinated and able to accommodate the growth thresholds and density targets set out by the Province. He added that the City is not legislatively permitted to enact policies that would prevent the projected growth from occurring, noting that the goal of the Growth Management Strategy is to ensure that future growth is implemented in the best interest of this community. He stated that the Places fo Grow Acf outlines higher population and employment growth projections for this area than those associated with the current planning framework. In addition, it mandates compact urban development by requiring municipalities to comply with intensification and density targets. He added that these intensification targets are beneficial to the environment as they serve to reduce urban sprawl and encourage the development of effective walkable communities. He noted that there are numerous factors that impact a region's growth rate; such as, quality of life and a thriving economy. He added that the Region of Waterloo has been identified as the fifth leading area where immigrants settle when they come to Canada. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that the Province speculates that the population of the Region of Waterloo could reach 750,000 by 2021 and noted that this growth is being driven by the success of this community. Mr. A. Pinard further advised that in pursuing a Growth Management Strategy it is recognized that the previous planning model was very homogeneous in nature, resulting in auto-dependant communities which use land inefficiently. Accordingly, a more effective planning model would provide the necessary tools to enhance the design of existing and future communities. He pointed out that overall land-use strategies, such as this one, need to be developed before zoning issues are considered. He then estimated that in most cases this `smart growth' can be accommodated through Kitchener's existing zoning regulations. 2. COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT The Committee was in receipt of correspondence from Mr. C. Schneider, dated June 6, 2008 regarding the findings of the Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Program Sub-committee. Mr. G. Zador stated that while the Sub-committee was reviewing the existing CEIG criteria, it was realized that consideration should to be given to the following questions: 1. Does the current CEIG program still meet its original intent? ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 19.200$ - 21 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT tCONT'D) 2. Is the amount available in the fund sufficient to carry out its mandate in a meaningful manner? 3. Since some groups that regularly apply for funding under this program do not meet all of the eligibility requirements should the program's criteria be changed? 4. Who are the actual target groups for this grant? 5. Would new programs, such as Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF), more effectively accomplish the purpose of the CEIG program given the disparity in funding? A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the tenets of the CEIG program, with several members indicating a desire to retain the CEIG, but in a revised form. Mr. C. Schneider pointed out that the Sub-committee identified several aspects of the CEIG criteria where it believes change should occur and it was agreed that Mr. Schneider would circulate the proposed changes to the Committee. Members were requested to provide feedback to the Sub-committee, who would then present the revised grant criteria at the September 11, 2008 Environmental Committee meeting; thereby allowing this year's promotional campaign to move forward in early Fall 2008. 3. RWDI AIR QUALITY STUDY - IMPACT OF DRIVE-THROUGHS ON AIR QUALITY The Committee was in receipt this date of a memorandum from Councillor B. Vrbanovic, dated June 18, 2008 regarding the Committee's review of RWDI's `Impact of Drive-Throughs on Air Quality' study. Councillor Vrbanovic advised that during the Committee's previous discussion on this matter several members expressed an interest in reviewing the RWDI study. He stated that it was originally hoped that the study's findings would have been presented at this month's meeting; but unfortunately RWDI's planning consultant, Labreche Patterson & Associates were unable to accommodate that timetable. He noted that the Committee has two options for moving forward: it could defer consideration of this matter to its September 11, 2008 meeting; or, establish a working group to review the RWDI study over the summer and bring forward a recommendation on possible next steps. He added that to facilitate this option, representatives from RWDI, Tim Hortons, the Ontario Restaurant Association and their planning consultant would meet with the working group during the summer and present the finding's of the study to interested members of Council and the Environmental Committee. Mr. J. Willmer advised that once an electronic version of the RWDI study is received it will be distributed to the Committee. He stated that the RWDI study was developed to provide a comparative analysis of motor vehicle emissions and their impact on air quality around two types of Tim Hortons locations: those with adrive-through window, and those accessed primarily by patrons who park their vehicles while they visit the coffee shop. He noted that the study estimated emissions from the patron's motor vehicles under both scenarios, compared the levels of these emissions with selected emissions from other sources, and finally estimated the impact of these emissions on the ambient concentrations in the vicinity of a sample location. He stated that the report concluded that the combined emissions generated from all vehicles using adrive- through facility during apeak-hour of operation are relatively small in relation to other common emission sources. For example the smog pollutant emissions are comparable to a single chain saw operating for one hour and the CO2 emissions are comparable to a single bus operating for one hour. Mr. Willmer added that the predicted peak-hour emissions resulting from all vehicles in the queue in a Tim Hortons drive-through are less than one fifth of the idling emissions at an urban intersection. He advised that he is not aware of any municipalities that have undertaken their own independent studies on the impact of drive-throughs on air quality and noted that Carlton University conducted a peer review of the RWDI study, which will also be circulated to the members once an electronic version of it is received. Several members commented that they lack the scientific expertise needed to comprehensively evaluate the data used to develop the RWDI study and therefore did not see the value in establishing a working group. However, members did express an interest in seeing the proposed presentation; and accordingly, staff agreed to arrange for representatives from RWDI, Tim Hortons, the Ontario Restaurant Association and Labreche Patterson & Associates to present the findings of the RWDI study and peer review to interested members of Council and the Environmental Committee during either the week of August 11 or 18, 2008. Councillor B. Vrbanovic left the meeting at this time and Mr. C. Schneider assumed the Chair. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 19.200$ - 22 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. DTS-0$-103 - 2007 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT RECIPIENTS PROGRESS REPORT The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 08-103, dated June 4, 2008 regarding the progress of the projects that received funding through the 2007 Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) program. Mr. Glen Woolner, Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW), advised that their grant was used to develop a website (www.crewzone.ca) which provides information on energy conservation and renewable energy technologies. He stated that the purpose of the website is to inform, direct, and encourage energy conscious action in the community as a means of enacting positive environmental changes. He added that volunteers were utilized in every way possible during the development of the website, except where professional skills and licensing of web- based software was required. He noted that the CREW conservation /renewable energy 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. Ms. Beth Hobson, CREW, advised that their other grant was applied toward the Power Saving Network, which is an initiative developed by CREW as a low cost, volunteer-spread educational program to reduce electricity consumption. She stated that the grant was used to educate residents on electricity conservation and to purchase electricity measuring toolkits, which contain step-by-step instructions, electricity meters, demonstration items and informative fact sheets. She added that the Power Saving Network hosted `Energy-Aware' meetings at which participants learned to identify where, when, and how electricity was being used in their home or small business. She noted that the toolkits can be used without modification for residents who wish to conduct an audit of their electricity load as part of planning a renewable energy project. She commented that the overall intent of this initiative is to bring awareness and change to the community's energy consumption habits. In response to questions, Ms. B Hobson advised that while the Power Saving Network started from the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP) it is not affiliated with REEP in terms of financing. She stated that participant hosts undertake inventories of their homes' electricity load and document their electricity reduction initiatives; which hopefully leads them to recommend the toolkit to others and also consider becoming a `messenger' at future `Energy-Aware' events. She commented that their original target was to conduct 10 of these audits in homes across Kitchener and noted that so far they have done 8 and have 6 more booked. She added that most incentive programs for home energy reduction projects are geared toward rebates for purchasing energy efficient equipment and appliances that reduce a person's overall household energy usage. Ms. Hobson stated that CREW is currently examining potential sources for future funding; such as, a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Mr. G. Woolner advised that CREW previously approached the local utility companies and Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro who expressed no interest in supporting this initiative. Ms. N. Sonder gave notice that she would introduce the following Motion regarding the CREW Power Saving Network at the September 11, 2008 Environmental Committee meeting: "That Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro be encouraged to support Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW) Power Saving Network as a means of promoting energy conservation." Ms. H. Wright then presented the update on the other 2007 CEIG recipient, St. Teresa Catholic School, as outlined in report DTS-08-103. She advised that funding was originally proposed to be used to create an `outdoor classroom' in the school yard; however, the School Board refused to grant permission for that initiative. She stated that alternatively, they used their CEIG funding to plant 14 energy conservation trees close to the school's buildings, providing the classrooms with shade. She noted that consequently this eliminated their need to use window air conditioning units. Members expressed concern that St. Teresa Catholic School changed the nature of their project without first consulting with the Environmental Committee. Mr. A. Pinard advised that representatives from St. Teresa notified staff of the proposed change. He stated that the staff person responsible for the CEIG program at that time determined that the new project was in keeping with the intent of the original grant, as it sought to improve air quality and demonstrated sustainable energy conservation techniques. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 19, 200$ - 23 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. DTS-0$-103 - 2007 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT RECIPIENTS PROGRESS REPORT tCONT'D) Mr. C. Schneider proposed, and it was agreed, that the following provision would be put forward when the Committee considers the revised CEIG criteria: "any change in the nature and content of the approved project must receive prior approval from the Environmental Committee and / or City staff." 5. VICTORIA PARK LAKE PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Committee was in receipt of correspondence from Mr. W. Sleeth, dated June 9, 2008 requesting the Environmental Committee to appoint a representative to serve on the Victoria Park Lake Public Advisory Committee. Mr. M. Peterson volunteered for appointment and as no further nominations were forth coming, it was agreed that Mr. Peterson would act as the Environmental Committee representative to the Victoria Park Lake Public Advisory Committee. 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator