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Home My WebLink About2009-04-16ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 16, 2009 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:07 p.m. Present: Mr. B. McColl -Chair Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Ms. J. Young and Ms. S. Smith and Messrs. D. Erb, M. Peterson, D. Ryrie, C. Schneider and G. Zador. Staff: G. Murphy, Director of Engineering Services A. Pinard, Interim Director of Planning B. Korah, Manager of Development Engineering C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner G. Stevenson, Planning Technician C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. EARTH DAY 2009 LIAISONS UPDATE Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that screening of the documentary "Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home" was a big success, with over 1000 local students seeing the film. Mr. D. Erb advised that in 2008 Kitchener Utilities reported a 3% decrease in energy usage during Earth Hour, while this year they reported a 5% decrease. He stated that the 20 Minute Makeover is scheduled for April 17, 2009 and encouraged everyone to participate. He noted that some members have volunteered to help out at the Tim Hortons Community Litter Pick-up being held at Victoria Park on April 18, 2009 and invited everyone to attend. He added that the Kitchener Natural Areas Program (KNAP) Earth Day Celebration is scheduled for April 25, 2009, and is a family celebration that includes: build a KNAP Bird Box (available to the 1St 100 families); Kids KNAP bird silhouettes; nature walks; displays; plant a tree on Earth Day; and, KNAP's main event will be Canadian Raptor Conservancy with live birds of prey shows at 1, 2 & 3 p.m. 2. DTS-09-010 -UPPER BLAIR CREEK FUNCTIONAL DRAINAGE STUDY The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-09-010 dated February 3, 2009 regarding the Upper Blair Creek Kitchener Functional Drainage Study (FDS) prepared by Stantec Consulting Ltd., dated February 2009. In addition, the Committee was in receipt of a presentation entitled "Upper Blair Creek Functional Drainage Study", dated April 16, 2009. Mr. G. Murphy reviewed the circulated presentation and advised that the Upper Blair Creek FDS and associated update to the Doon South (Phase 2) Community Plan were commissioned to determine if residential development, of higher density forms than allowable under current planning designations, can be accommodated and potential impacts sufficiently mitigated to achieve the recommendations established within the Blair, Bechtel and Bauman Creeks Sub- watershed Plan (BBB Study). He stated that as the respective development applications for lands within the study area were before the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) the final decision concerning those applications rested with the OMB and not with Council. He added that during the OMB appeal process staff met with proponents in a series of mediated technical sessions that were established to scope the issues that were before the Board. Those sessions were utilized to review issues related to a variety of planning and engineering matters including the Upper Blair Creek FDS. He noted that the objectives of the FDS are to demonstrate that a comprehensive Stormwater Management (SWM) Implementation Strategy can be designed to achieve the objectives of the BBB Study and to provide an improved understanding of the potential environmental impacts of future development within the study area. Mr. Steve Brown, Stantec Consulting Ltd. reviewed the key conclusions of the Upper Blair Creek FDS, as outlined in the circulated presentation. He advised that the conclusions confirm that there are no specific impervious cover limits required for development applications within the study area. He added that the critical design requirement is that a development application meets the established targets, which will ensure that the watershed hydrologic goals will be achieved. He stated that it is being recommended that the comprehensive monitoring maintenance and mitigation program, be implemented as a means of confirming: existing background characteristics, design assumptions contained therein and within future model updates; and, minimizing the potential for negative impacts on the receiving system. In response to questions, Mr. G. Murphy advised that the OMB mandated mediation process included representation from the City, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), the ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 16. 2009 -12 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DTS-09-010 -UPPER BLAIR CREEK FUNCTIONAL DRAINAGE STUDY tCONT'D) Regional Municipality of Waterloo (RMOW) and landowner consultants. He stated that the outcomes from this technical committee, such as those related to maintaining the creek's water temperature, have been incorporated and serve to strengthen the study. He added that the FDS is expected to provide the City, the RMOW, and the GRCA with an improved understanding of the potential environmental impacts of future development within the Doon South (Phase 2) Community Plan and Upper Blair Creek areas; and the technical basis necessary to review future development applications and propose mitigative measures associated with fully serviced residential development across the subject lands. Further, the Implementation Strategy component of the study will provide agency staff and the development industry with design criteria that must be achieved within given development areas and a stormwater management "tool-box" with which to achieve those goals. Mr. S. Brown stated that the SWM "tool-box" is intended to provide developers with a variety of viable options that, when implemented as a multi- component approach, have the capacity to achieve the required level of control. In addition, the infiltration monitoring facilities will be located on City owned lands, as opposed to the previous practice of having them situated on private lands. Further, the FDS provides a comprehensive maintenance, monitoring and mitigation plan to minimize the potential for environmental impacts in the event that components of the SWM system do not function precisely as designed, and to allow for revisions to the stormwater management approach as development proceeds, should observations indicate that the receiving system is reacting to upstream changes in unpredicted and undesirable ways. Mr. Murphy advised that implicit in the proposed strategy is the development of a monitoring program that will serve to identify any changes and, ideally, pinpoint the cause of such impacts so that remedial steps can be undertaken. He noted that one of the key outcomes arising from the OMB process was the need to have adequate securities in place from the developer prior to the start of construction; thereby ensuring that funds would be available to rapidly respond to any changes in the receiving system. 3. STRASBURG CREEK FLOOD CONTROL STRUCTURE NO. 1 CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTtEA) The Committee was in receipt this date of a presentation entitled "Strasburg Creek Flood Control Class EA Project", dated April 16, 2009. Messrs. B. Korah, Steve Brown and Jayson Innes, Stantec Consulting Ltd. and Geoff Gartshore, Ecoplans Ltd. reviewed the circulated presentation. Mr. S. Brown advised that the Strasburg Creek Master Watershed Plan was completed in 1991 to ensure that urbanization of the watershed would not lead to increased flood risk, would not impair the natural watercourse features, and would allow for future enhancement of the watercourse, stream margins, and wetlands. He stated that houses adjacent to Strasburg Creek downstream of Doon Village Road and adjacent to Schneider Creek downstream of the Strasburg confluence were identified as being prone to flood damage. The objectives of the Class EA are to determine a preferred option for flood control, while taking into account; aquatic habitat, impact on provincially significant wetlands, aesthetics, safety, and public access. It was noted that the Study Team has completed additional field surveys to confirm existing conditions and compiled information for use in identifying a preferred flood control solution. The following five alternative solutions have been identified: 1. Do Nothing; 2. Off-Line Flood Controls; 3A. Multiple On-Line Flood Controls; 3B. Single On-line Flood Control at Former Battler's Pond; and, 3C. Single On-Line Flood Control at Huron Road. Mr. J. Innes advised that the evaluation criteria were divided into the following categories: Natural Environment; Technical Environment; Economic Environment; and, Social /Cultural Environment. Each category was evaluated based on specific items and the total score for each alternative has been compared. Mr. Brown stated that based their initial analysis Alternative Solution 3C (Single On-Line Flood Control at Huron Road) was identified as the preliminary preferred alternative. In response to questions, Mr. S. Brown advised that Alternative Solution 3C would be similar to 3B, except that the location of the low flow passage culvert would be located at Huron Road instead of Battler's Pond. Mr. B. Korah indicated that the flood control measures would be implemented in conjunction with the Huron Road upgrades, with the crossing being re-designed ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 16, 2009 -13 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. STRASBURG CREEK FLOOD CONTROL STRUCTURE NO. 1 CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT tEA) tCONT'D) and reconstructed to provide the necessary peak flow and timing controls. Mr. G. Gartshore stated that linking this to the Huron Road upgrades was seen as an opportunity to add a larger rectangular culvert, which would allow terrestrial wildlife to pass under Huron Road; thereby minimizing the impact that these measure would have on the local ecosystem. Mr. Brown stated that once their evaluation of the proposed alternatives is finalized, the preferred alternative solution will be presented at a Public Information Centre (PIC) in May 2009, as well as to the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and local landowners. 4. PRESENTATION -AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER SUB-COMMITTEE LIAISONS - INITIAL EVALUATION AND FEEDBACK ON THE PROPOSED BEST BETS FOR 2009 The Committee was in receipt this date of the "Air Quality in Kitchener -List of Proposed Best Bets for 2009", which was compiled from the responses received from Environmental Committee members as to their preferred Best Bets. Ms. C. Musselman reviewed the circulated list and noted that responses from the members were weighted so that higher scores relate to those Best Bets given a higher priority ranking. In response to questions, Ms. C. Musselman advised that as part of the process for selecting the 5 Best Bets for 2009, various City staff were requested to provide feedback on the list of proposed Best Bets. She added that those comments will be forwarded to the Air Quality in Kitchener Best Bets Sub-committee to aid in their examination of the feasibility of implementing each suggested Best Bet. She noted that the Sub-committee will take that feedback and meet with Environmental Planning staff to revise the list of proposed Best Bets, with the top 5 being presented for the Committee's consideration and approval at the May 21, 2009 Environmental Committee meeting. The Committee undertook a discussion of the process that would be employed by the Sub- committee in short-listing the proposed Best Bets. It was suggested that if a proposed Best Bet calls for action to be taken by another organization, such as the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, then they should also be requested to provide comments. Several members remarked that as the Committee has already identified and ranked its preferred Best Bets, there would be no need for lengthy debate at the May 21, 2009 meeting. It was put forward that the Sub- committee should present the 5 Best Bets for 2009 and outline the reasons if any of the proposed Best Bets with a higher priority ranking could not be feasibly pursued at this time. 5. LIAISON SELECTION -STRATEGIC DISPOSITION OF CITY-OWNED LANDS The Committee was in receipt of a notice regarding the Strategic Disposition of City-Owned Lands Public Information Sessions (PICs), dated April 2, 2009. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of the guidelines for the `Environmental Committee -Disposition of City-Owned Lands Sub-Committee', which would provide feedback on the properties identified as potentially being declared surplus to the City's needs. Mr. G. Stevenson advised that the City is seeking the public's feedback on five properties that have been identified for potential declaration as surplus to the City's needs. He noted that the properties identified for consideration are only options at this point and no decisions have been made. He stated that if any of the properties were declared surplus in the future, they could then be sold and redeveloped; however, the parcels would only be sold under strict conditions aimed at contributing to the achievement of the City's overall environmental objectives. He added that revenue from the land sale could be directly reinvested in community benefits. He noted that it is anticipated that Council will consider the property options, and all of the public feedback obtained through the consultation process, in June, 2009. Ms. C. Musselman advised that the Sub-Committee would outline any issues for each of the five priority parcels and recommend on a case-by-case basis whether the disposition should proceed. She stated that this should include evidence of the process of evaluation, such as the advantages and disadvantages and the implications of the Sub-committee's conclusion. In addition, the Sub- ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 16. 2009 -14 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. LIAISON SELECTION -STRATEGIC DISPOSITION OF CITY-OWNED LANDS tCONT'D) committee would recommend whether sale proceeds should 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; or, LEAF as catalyst funding for projects having a community environmental benefit. In response to questions, Ms. C. Musselman advised that the Sub-committee is being requested to provide their recommendations by no later then 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2009; thereby enabling those recommendations to be circulated with the May 21, 2009 Environmental Committee agenda. She noted that all members are free to attend any of the PICs on this matter or to submit their individual comments via the City's website. The Committee agreed that the following members would be appointed to the Disposition of City- Owned Lands Sub-Committee: Ms. S. Smith and Messrs. B. McColl, C. Schneider and M. Peterson. 6. COMPASS KITCHENER ALL ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIRS EVENT UPDATE Mr. B. McColl advised that in accordance with the recommendations of the 2008 Advisory Committee review, he recently attended the annual Compass Kitchener Chair and Vice-Chair meeting to share information and insight, report progress and identify areas where advisory committees can work together. He noted that to some extent the majority of advisory committees seem to deal with environmental issues. He suggested that the Environmental Committee could potentially host a joint meeting with one of the other committees to examine an issue of common interest. 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator