HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-19ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 19, 2009 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m.
Present: Mr. B. McColl -Chair
Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Ms. J. Young and Ms. S. Smith and Messrs. D. Erb, M. Peterson,
G. Lehman, D. Ryrie, C. Schneider and G. Zador
Staff: A. Pinard, Interim Director of Planning
B. Sloan, Senior Planner
C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner
J. Ouellette, Facilitator of Volunteer Resources
C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator
1. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMITTEE MEMBER
On behalf of the Committee, Mr. B. McColl welcomed Ms. S. Smith who was recently appointed
to the Environmental Committee.
2. EARTH DAY 2009 UPDATE
The Committee was in receipt of the Kitchener Earth Day Events Poster and a handout, which
gives a brief synopsis of the various City of Kitchener Earth Day initiatives. Ms. J. Ouellette
reviewed the circulated material and provided an overview of Kitchener's 2009 Earth Day events,
being:
• Earth Hour;
• 20 Minute Makeover;
• Tim Hortons Community Litter Pick-up;
• Consulting Firm Challenge;
• Community Organized Litter Pick-ups;
• Operation Spring Clean;
• The Living Earth Festival;
• Kitchener Natural Areas Program (KNAP) Celebration; and,
• Screening of the documentary "Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home."
In response to questions, Ms. J. Ouellette advised that anyone interested in taking part in
Kitchener's Earth Day events can register to be a participant on the City's website. She stated
that all participating schools have been encouraged to ask their students to bring gloves from
home to reduce the number of plastic gloves that would need to be distributed, as part of
Operation Spring Clean. She added that all other groups would be receiving cloth gloves as a
means of reducing the amount of garbage created from these events.
Mr. M. Peterson inquired into what happens to the recyclable materials, such as metal piping, that
are collected during the litter clean-ups and was advised that the "Junk Genie" would be on hand
at the Tim Hortons Community Litter Pick-up to dispose of all recyclable material. Mr. Peterson
agreed to forward Ms. Ouellette a list of recyclable items that groups could look for during the
various litter clean-up activities.
3. PRESENTATION -KITCHENER GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION
PROGRAM
- DRAFT GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN
Councillor B. Vrbanovic assumed the Chair at this time to allow Mr. B. McColl to participate in discussion
of the next item.
The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-
09-023 dated February 4, 2009, regarding the draft 2009-2010 and post 2010 Growth
Management Plan (GMP). In addition, the Committee was in receipt of excerpts from the
February 9, 2009 Development and Technical Services Committee minutes concerning the GMP.
Mr. B. Sloan advised that on January 26, 2009 Council approved the Kitchener Growth
Management Strategy (KGMS) and as part of the Strategy staff have developed the 2009-2010
and post 2010 GMP. Mr. Sloan explained that the City utilized a staging of development report to
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 19.2009 - $ - CITY OF KITCHENER
3. PRESENTATION -KITCHENER GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION
PROGRAM
- DRAFT GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN tCONT'D)
manage subdivision growth and the financing of engineering infrastructure. The data
components of that report are now replaced and enhanced with an Annual Monitoring report, and
the analysis and the recommended timing of development/sub-division plans are now replaced
and enhanced with a bi-annual Growth Management Plan. Mr. Sloan then provided an overview
of the GMP, explaining that essentially the plan: sets out the goals; the criteria for staging of
development; the 2009-2010 and post 2010 forecast for development; and, the appendices
containing the growth rated capital budget infrastructure; description of tables, overall City plan
and the sub-area plans and tables. He advised that the development areas have been analyzed
and based on the criteria have been given a priority ranking. This ranking is then mapped and
colour co-ordinated with highest priority areas being green, the next priority being orange, the
third being red stripped and the last one being red. The intent is to focus on those areas with the
highest priority (green and orange); however, those areas of the lower priority (red stripped and
red areas) will be reviewed and a game plan established in order to prepare these areas for
future development. Mr. Sloan concluded his presentation advising that, through the GMP, there
will be enhancements to the development process through co-ordination of major initiatives
including: the Capital Budget and development charges processes; comprehensive analysis;
information to enhance understanding of priorities and required items for development plans;
addressing the approvals and work load that follows the draft approvals of plans of subdivision;
major steps toward completing communities; provision of City-wide strategy when dealing with
individual area growth pressures; and, linkage of priority development and monitoring report
performance.
In response to questions, Mr. B. Sloan advised that each planning/growth area, along with each
type of intensification area (Mixed Use Nodes, Mixed Use Corridors etc.) has a Growth Area Sub-
plan. The Sub-plan is comprised of two components. The first component is the area specific
analysis, area comments and major initiatives list; the second is a parcel specific map and
information. He stated that the area specific analysis is generic to all planning/growth areas and
intensification areas. This analysis is grouped into the six KGMS goals and, together with the
overall criteria for staging of development, provides the basis for the relative priority ranking.
Mr. B. Sloan further advised that the draft strategy ensures new development will contribute to a
healthy, complete community and be aligned with future infrastructure investments. In addition, it
addresses how the City will align with the province's Places to Grow Growth Plan and the
Regional Growth Management Strategy. Mr. Sloan added that the KGMS outlines where
greenfield or new development will take place and which intensification or infill areas will be
targeted. He clarified that the Official Plan developed by the Region of Waterloo in 2003
established the countryside line in southwest Kitchener, noting that the Region is in the process
of revising their Official Plan which will further refine where the City's urban area is located. He
stated that through the Places to Grow Growth Plan, in 2006 the province established the built
boundary area and prescribed aregion-wide 40% intensification target by 2015. He stated that
areas already identified for intensification in Kitchener's Official Plan have the potential to
accommodate the projected intensification growth to the year 2031 under current policies and
regulations. In addition, using the provincial built boundary line method, Kitchener has exceeded
the minimum intensification level in five of the past six years. Mr. A. Pinard further explained the
key improvements under the GMP are to meet intensification and greenfield objectives, co-
ordinate major initiatives to prepare land, and provide a road map for upcoming and future
development.
In response to additional questions, Mr. B. Sloan stated that as Kitchener grows it is important to
ensure that it is growing in the right locations that provide a range of travel options, including
transit. He noted that the KGMS recommends that following the completion of the Regional
Transportation Master Plan, the City should identify the specific implications for Kitchener in the
City's Transportation Demand Management study. He suggested that regardless of whether the
projected growth is reached in 2031 or 2051, it's preferable to have a plan in place setting out the
best means of accommodating any future growth.
Mr. B. McColl advised that he was a member of the KGMS Taskforce and thanked staff for all of
their hard work in developing the strategy. He then gave a presentation in which he expressed
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 19, 2009 - 9 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3. PRESENTATION -KITCHENER GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION
PROGRAM
- DRAFT GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN tCONT'D)
concerns regarding the sustainability of the global growth rate and showed a chart outlining the
history of the world's population growth from 10,000 B.C. to present. He noted that the amount of
available resources is not sufficient to support the world's current rate of growth.
Several members spoke to the necessity of balancing growth and the needs of the environment.
Concerns were expressed regarding jurisdictional issues involving the Region of Waterloo,
particularly in relation to the countryside line and water resources. Members commented that the
KGMS sets out good planning principles to encourage conservation through the establishment of
abetter means of managing growth.
On motion by Mr. C. Schneider -
it was resolved:
"That the Kitchener Growth Management Strategy (KGMS) Implementation Program -
Phase I draft 2009 - 2010 and Post 2010 Growth Management Plan (GMP), be endorsed."
4. DISTRIBUTION OF DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE 2009 1 201 0 WORK PLAN
The Committee considered the draft Environmental Committee Work Plan (2009-2010), dated
March 3, 2009. Ms. C. Musselman reviewed the circulated Work Plan and advised that it is
based on the Committee's existing goals, objectives and priorities as well as the goals, objectives
and priorities identified by the City's Planning Division. She stated that the draft Work Plan
includes the various Committee Liaison positions and a provision for updating the Air Quality in
Kitchener report in 2010.
At the request of Mr. G. Zador, it was agreed to amend the Work Plan to include a provision to
undertake an annual review of the Community Environmental Improvement Grant Program's
criteria to ensure that it continues to sufficiently meet the needs of the Committee.
On motion by Mr. M. Peterson -
it was resolved:
"That the Environmental Committee's 2009-2010 Work Plan, as amended this date, be
approved."
5. REMINDER -MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO PROVIDE THE AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER
SUB-COMMITTEE LIAISONS WITH THEIR PROPOSED 5 INDIVIDUAL BEST
BETS FOR 2009
The Committee was in receipt this date of a chart entitled "Air Quality Plan Long Term Action
Items - 50 Best Bets", which gives an overview of the 50 recommended action items outlined in
the Air Quality in Kitchener Report 2006 and identifies those items that were previously chosen as
Best Bets.
Ms. C. Musselman reviewed the circulated chart and advised that those action items identified as
being indirectly chosen, were sub-items of previously selected Best Bets. She requested that
members review the circulated document and use it as the bases for selecting their 5 proposed
Best Bets for 2009. She advised that the Air Quality in Kitchener Best Bet Liaisons will compile a
list of all of the Committee members' proposed Best Bets and meet with staff to examine the
feasibility of implementing each suggested Best Bet. With the assistance of staff, the Liaisons
will narrow down the list and at the April 16, 2009 Environmental Committee meeting, the
Liaisons will present the proposed Best Bets for the Committee's initial evaluation and feedback.
Following a discussion as to the selection process, the Committee agreed that members would
forward their proposed 2009 Best Bets ranked from 1-5 to Ms. C. Musselman by no later then
Thursday, March 26, 2009.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 19, 2009 -10 - CITY OF KITCHENER
6. STRATEGIC DISPOSITION OF CITY-OWNED LANDS
Mr. B. McColl stated that he has received a number of inquiries regarding a report that was
presented at the March 2, 2009 Development and Technical Services Committee meeting,
recommending that certain City owned lands be identified for consideration as surplus to the
City's needs. He requested that Councillor Vrbanovic provide an overview of this matter.
Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that staff prepared a prioritized list of 14 City-owned properties
which are not developed or improved and may be considered as surplus to the City's needs. Of
those 14, staff identified 4 parcels which are recommended to be declared as surplus. He stated
that the report sets out criteria for evaluating each property and identifies: the one-time revenue
that would be gained through the sale of each property; the subsequent ongoing tax revenue;
and, the continued operating/maintenance costs the City would incur from retaining these parcels
of land. He noted that the proceeds from each sale would be allocated to the Asset Management
Reserve Fund for reinvestment in the community, or an alternative such as the Park Trust Fund
for reinvestment in park and open space improvement. Councillor Vrbanovic spoke to the history
of the table lands at Kiwanis Park, outlining the transfer of ownership of this property back and
forth between the City and the Grand River Conservation Authority. He stated that at this time
Council has expressed reservations with the sale of parkland, but has agreed to go forward to
solicit public input. He noted that he is very opposed to selling parkland, particularly at Kiwanis
Park.
Several members spoke in opposition to the proposed sale of parkland and staff were requested
to circulate a copy of the report that was considered at the March 2, 2009 Development and
Technical Services Committee meeting. Staff were further asked to investigate opportunities for
the Committee to provide comments/feedback on this matter.
7. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator