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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-06ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 6~ 2003 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date, Chaired by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, commencing at 4:10 p.m., with the following members present: Ms. N. Sonder and Messrs. M. Aulich, A. Boterman, R. dal Bello, R. Dingman, J. Flanagan, B. Lemieux, D. Lippert, D. Marks and P. ©'Toole. Ms. Y. Fernandes was in attendance for part of the meeting. Officials Present: Ms. B. Steiner, Ms. J. Billett and Messrs. J. Willmer, G. Richardson and G. Meincke. 1. 2003 EARTH DAY FESTIVAL - UPDATE Mr. Glen Richardson, Manager of Design and Development, attended to provide an update on plans for the 2003 annual Earth Day Festival. He advised that the Project Team is focusing on 3 specific events and provided highlights as follows: · community clean-up - public, separate and private schools, as well as Neighbourhood Associations - area parks, trails and/or streams; an Earth Day event on April 22, 2003 - City Hall Rotunda - professional speaker, environmental displays and a special presentation by the "Man from Glad" to present the 2002 National Communities in Bloom Tidiness Award to the City of Kitchener; · community promotional event - theme "come enjoy the environment outdoors" - Walter Biehn Trail and tree planting. Mr. M. Aulich raised concerns with respect to littering on school property and suggested that more is needed to promote environmental awareness among students. In response to a question from Mr. D. Marks, Mr. Richardson advised that Sunoco has been a corporate sponsor over the past 3 years, providing trees for planting events; however, has indicated they will be seeking a new venue this year. Mr. Richardson indicated that staff would undertake to pursue other corporate sponsors. In response to questions from Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Mr. Richardson advised that additional dates during the weekend following Earth Day are planned for family / community events and the Region will also conduct tours during Earth Week of the Regional Landfill Site and the Manheim Water Treatment Plant. Mr. Richardson advised that further updates will be provided over the coming months preceding Earth Week. 2. APPOINTMENT - CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AIR QUALITY (CACAQ) At the Committee's January 9, 2003 meeting a request from Council to appoint a member of the Environmental Committee as a representative to the Citizens Advisory Committee on Air Quality (CACAQ) was deferred pending discussions respecting appropriate positioning of such an appointment within CACAQ's organizational structure. Ms. Barbara Steiner advised that in discussions with CACAQ it is still unclear if they wish to have representation from local municipalities; however, they do encourage participation based on personal interest. Ms. Steiner provided general information pertaining to CACAQ's membership, Mission Statement, sub-committees and initiatives undertaken by the organization. She commented that it would be beneficial to have an Environmental Committee representative act as a liaison to maintain municipal profile and suggested the representative could become a "Network" member. She pointed out that participation in this capacity would involve attending CACAQ's Annual General Meeting and quarterly Plenary Committee meetings. In addition, she advised that any Committee member who has a 2ersonal interest could become involved on their own. The Committee entered into a general discussion concerning initiatives undertaken by CACAQ and in particular, issues pertaining to idling policies. In response to a question from Ms. N. Sonder, Ms. Steiner advised that focus on idling issues has been concentrated on educational campaigns rather than development of an Anti-Idling By-law. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 6~ 2003 - 5 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. APPOINTMENT - CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AIR QUALITY (CACAQ) (CONT'D) Councillor B. Yrbanovic canvassed members of the Committee for willingness to become involved with CACAQ and several expressed an interest. By general consent, it was agreed that Mr. Alex Boterman and Mr. J. Flanagan would jointly represent the Environmental Committee as a "Network" member of CACAQ. REGION OF WATERLOO - NON-ESSENTIAL PESTICIDE REDUCTION STRATEGY The Committee was in receipt of Region of Waterloo Report PH-03-006 (Non-Essential Pesticide Reduction Strategy) dated January 21, 2003 and an excerpt from the January 21 st minutes of the Region's Community Services Committee, concerning development of a Region- wide approach to reducing the non-essential use of pesticides. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that the Region has passed a resolution to establish a new Working Group to develop strategies and framework for a by-law to reduce the non-essential use of pesticides and will include municipal representation. He stated that the City's focus remains on education and reduction of non-essential pesticides rather than a ban. Ms. Barbara Steiner provided a brief history of the issues and work undertaken by the original Working Group, including hosting of a Symposium and Public Forum. She pointed out that initially the Region did not have authority to pass a by-law and was reliant on municipalities to do so; however, recent changes to the Municipal Act have provided opportunity for the Region to pass a by-law. The Regional by-law would be subject to full agreement of all area municipalities. As a result and in an effort to take a co-ordinated approach, she advised that the Region has decided to reconstitute the Working Group based on expanded membership to include political representation, municipal staff, stakeholders and interest groups. Following general discussion relating to establishment of the new Working Group and the merits of imposing restrictions on non-essential use of pesticides, Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that the Regional Working Group will be conducting consultation sessions with all interested parties and accordingly, their will be opportunity to comment at a future date. REGIONAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY PHASE DEVELOPMENT REGIONAL CENTRAL TRANSIT CORRIDOR - FEASIBILITY STUDY 2 STRATEGY The Committee was in receipt of the following documentation: · December 3, 2002 minutes of a joint meeting of Regional Planning and Works and Community Services Committees re: Regional Growth Management Strategy · Regional Report P-02-128 dated December 3, 2002 - Waterloo Region in the 21st Century: Planning Our Future - Strategy Development · Executive Summary - Phase 1 - Waterloo Region in the 21st Century: Planning Our Future In addition, the following documents were circulated this date: · Executive Summary - Phase 2 - Strategy Development · Brochure - Phase 2 - Strategy Development · Volume 2 (Assessment and Options) - Tables 4.3 to 4.10 - Phase 2 - Strategy Development. Mr. Jeff Willmer, Director of Planning, provided an overview of the Regional Growth Management Strategy (RGMS) for the purpose of obtaining comment from the Committee. Mr. Willmer advised that the purpose of the RGMS is to identify where, when and how future growth should occur, given municipal boundaries are now being reached and future growth is considered inevitable. He advised that in Phase 1 of the study 3 preliminary preferred concepts to manage growth were identified as Disbursed, Concentrated and Balanced. As part of Phase 2, he advised that consultants were retained to undertake technical studies based on the preferred concepts and public consultation is underway. He stated that focus has been on a ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 6~ 2003 - 6 - CITY OF KITCHENER "Balanced" approach and 2 options, Moderate or Intensive Re-urbanization, have been ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 6~ 2003 -7- CITY OF KITCHENER REGIONAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY PHASE 2 STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT REGIONAL CENTRAL TRANSIT CORRIDOR - FEASIBILITY STUDY (CONT'D) developed to illustrate how a "Balanced" approach could be achieved. These options were reviewed as illustrated in the brochure circulated this date. Mr. Willmer also touched on guiding principles used in developing the Strategy, including: anticipated population growth to a capacity of 700,000 within the next 40 year timeframe; unchanging municipal boundaries and government structure; concept of a countryside line (hard edge); demand for economic \ population growth; choice to anticipate and plan for growth versus a reactionary approach; acknowledgement and promotion of the strength of existing communities; service and infrastructure efficiencies (higher order transit systems); and links to environmental protection (greenfield development \ intensification). Mr. Willmer then reviewed each of Tables 4.3 to 4.10 from Volume 2 of the RGMS, which are based on 8 priority themes developed during the consultation process in Phase 1. The tables contain criteria related to features of the preferred concepts and compare Moderate versus Intensive Re-urbanization options. During review, members of the Committee provided comment and raised issues concerning water supply; importance of maintaining a countryside line (hard- edge); protection of farmland; financial support for brownfield redevelopment; and protection of the natural environment. Following review, members of the Committee expressed favourable comments toward the Region's initiative to plan for growth and also voiced strong support for the concept of a countryside line (hard edge) approach to growth management. The Committee had no concern with a "Balanced" approach; however, were unable to reach a consensus between the Moderate and Intensive Re-urbanization options. On motion by Ms. Y. Fernandes - it was resolved: "That Kitchener Environmental Committee commends the Region of Waterloo on its Growth Management Strategy initiative, as detailed in the Region's study entitled 'Waterloo Region in the 21st Century - Planning Our Future - Phase 2 Strategy Development'; and, That the Region of Waterloo be advised the Environmental Committee strongly endorses the concept of a countryside line (hard edge) urban growth management strategy; and further, That notwithstanding consensus was not reached regarding preference between a moderate or intensive re-urbanization strategy, the Committee requests City staff to take into consideration all comments made during review of the Region's report, when preparing their report outlining the City's perspective of how it will fit within the Region of Waterloo's Growth Management Strategy process for future consideration of City Council." The Committee's motion will be forwarded to the February 17, 2003 Development and Technical Services Committee meeting for consideration. The Committee then briefly discussed the Regional Central Transit Corridor Feasibility Study. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that support for this project has gained momentum at the Provincial level and a decision from the Province is anticipated in the near future. Ms. Barbara Steiner suggested, and it was agreed, that further discussion of this matter be deferred pending the Province's decision. 5. 2002-2003 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE STRATEGIC WORK PLAN Due to time constraints, this item was deferred to the next meeting of the Environmental Committee to be held on March 6, 2003. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 6~ 2003 - 8 - CITY OF KITCHENER 6. FEDERATION OF ONTARIO NATURALISTS - SMART COMMUNITIES WORKSHOP The Committee was circulated this date with an e-mail transmission from the Federation of Ontario Naturalists advising of a Smart Communities Workshop, co-hosted by the Kitchener- Waterloo Field Naturalists, to be held on February 11,2003 at the Victoria Park Pavilion. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that admission is free and encouraged members who have an interest to attend. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Janet Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator