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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-18ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 18, 2010 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p. m. Present: Mr. B. McColl -Chair Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Ms. S. Smith, Ms. J. Young, Ms. M. Thomson Howell and Messrs. C. Schneider, G. Zador, D. Ryrie and M. Peterson. Staff: J. McBride, Director of Transportation Planning B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner E. Brown, Planner D. Saunderson, Administrative Clerk 1. NEW STREET LIGHTING PILOT PROGRAM UPDATE The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum from Mr. J. McBride, dated February 1, 2010, providing an overview of the Lighting Pilot Program conducted in partnership with Kitchener Wilmot Hydro (KW Hydro) to evaluate the effectiveness and potential savings of retro-fitting the current High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lighting to LED or Induction street lighting. Mr. McBride advised that there are 18,000 street lights within the City and currently the majority of them are HPS. Annually, the City expends approximately $1 M in energy costs and $400,000. maintaining these lights. He stated that the HPS lights, while being reasonably energy efficient, only have afive-year life expectancy and produce a yellow light that can potentially affect a persons colour recognition and visual comfort. He advised that LED and Induction lights are now being manufactured, which give off a white light allowing for better colour recognition. In addition, these lights use less energy and cost less to maintain. Mr. McBride advised that the City installed six different types of Induction lights and five LED lights on Brookfield Crescent, using the following factors to asses their effectiveness: illumination level and uniformity performance; electrical power consumption performance; equipment cost evaluation; system maintenance; opinions of area residents; and, life cycle cost analysis. Based on this pilot program, it was concluded that the Induction lights did not meet the minimum requirements for Ontario street lighting standards. In comparison, the LED lights met the required Ontario standards, however, the capital costs is three times higher then the HPS light; thereby eliminating any savings forecasted from reducing energy costs and maintenance fees. He noted that the recommendation at this time is to wait until the capital costs and light standardization improves before moving forward with aCity-wide retro-fit. He commented that LED lights would still be considered for decorative street lighting projects. Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested clarification regarding the capital cost comparison and enquired whether staff had contacted other municipalities that have undertaken a street lighting retro-fit program. Mr. McBride stated that staff had spoken with other municipalities and agreed to contact the City of Welland regarding the forecasted payback of their program. He added that the lack of standardization in the manufacturing of street lights also contributed to the delay in proceeding with the proposed retro-fits. He estimated that within the next two to three years LED street lighting should be more readily available and cost effective. He noted that the overall cost and life cycle analysis was calculated with a 3% energy increase factored in to the total amount for each lighting option. In response to further questions, Mr. McBride advised that KW Hydro is responsible for the maintenance and recycling of street lights. It was suggested that KW Hydro could make a presentation at a future meeting on their street light recycling program. 2. EARTH HOUR UPDATE The Committee was in receipt this date of a memorandum from Mr. Darren Price, Facilitator, Earth Hour Organizing Committee, which outlined the various activities planned for Earth Hour 2010. Mr. Price reviewed the memorandum, indicating that approximately 300 people attended Earth Hour 2009, promoting awareness of the effects that wasteful consumption has on climate change. He invited all members to attend this year's Earth Hour event, being held on March 27, 2010 from 4:00 p. m. to 9:30 p. m. At the request of the Committee, Mr. Price agreed to contact the local school boards to encourage their participation. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 18, 2010 - 5 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. INTRODUCTION OF THE GREEN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW The Committee considered the Kitchener Official Plan Review Project Work Program -Review of Green Development Policies (RGDP), dated February 2010. Ms. E. Brown presented the Work Program, advising that it is being undertaken to ensure that Kitchener's new Official Plan is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement issued under the Planning Act and the Region of Waterloo Official Plan. In addition, the Work Program calls for a review of policies relating to "green" development, including energy production and conservation, air quality, water conservation and waste management. Ms. Brown highlighted the key factors and timelines for the completion of the RGDP, advising that the project is expected to occur in two phases. She outlined that Phase One will include: initial background review, research, work program preparation, project team formation, identification of project requirements, as well as determining objectives and expected results. Phase Two will include additional research and consultation in order to develop draft policies to satisfy legislative requirements and to meet the overall objectives and goals of the Official Plan. She added that the Work Program includes detailed descriptions for each task that will be pursued, noting that the Environmental Committee will have an opportunity to provide further comments on the initial draft policies in April 2010. She commented that the Project is anticipated to be completed by June 2010. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned if consideration had been given to expedite approvals for developers who employ "green" building methods. Ms. Brown advised that while adherence to timelines prescribed by the Planning Act imposes limitations, consideration has been given to creating a point system to encourage developers to undertake "green" initiatives and recognizing them accordingly. 4. REGIONAL GREENLAND SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT The Committee was in receipt this date of the Regional Greenland System Implementation Guidelines (RGSIG) Sub-committee report, providing comments and summarizing the key points of the RGSIG. Mr. M. Peterson reviewed the Sub-committee's comments, which stress the need for effective buffers and natural linkages. Mr. Cris Gosselin, Manager of Environmental Planning, Region of Waterloo, responded to some of the comments made by the Sub-committee and advised that the draft RGSIG has been developed to build upon the 2002 Guideline for the Preparation of Environmental Impact Statements in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. He stated that the Implementation Guidelines will provide scientifically sound guidance for developers when preparing full and scoped Environmental Impact Statements. In addition, the Guidelines will delineate the buffers of Regionally significant environmental features and natural linkages. He noted that while the Implementation Guidelines may elaborate upon the Official Plan, they would not introduce new policies, which could be cited as grounds for refusing an application. Mr. Gosselin further advised that the Guidelines were circulated in draft form to maximize the opportunity for all stakeholders to provide feedback by end of April 2010. Several members expressed support for the comments provided by the Sub-committee, which are intended to be incorporated into a staff report on the RGSIG anticipated to go forward at the March 8, 2010 Development and Technical Services Committee meeting. 5. GENERAL DISCUSSION -PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE AIR QUALITY KITCHENER REPORT The Committee was in receipt of correspondence from Ms. C. Musselman, dated February 1, 2010 outlining the process for revising the Air Quality in Kitchener report in 2010. Ms. Musselman reviewed the proposed process and advised that at the January 21, 2010 meeting, the Committee undertook a preliminary brainstorming exercise on the development of the revised Air Quality in Kitchener report. She indicated that time has been set aside at this meeting to allow the Committee an opportunity to discuss and propose new environmental action items for consideration as future Best Bets. She noted that following the brainstorming ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 18, 2010 - 6 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. GENERAL DISCUSSION -PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE AIR QUALITY KITCHENER REPORT (CONT'D) session she would compile the suggested action items into a consolidated list for consideration at a future meeting. The Committee then undertook a brainstorming session, where members put forward ideas for action items to be included in the revised Air Quality in Kitchener report in relation to the following functional areas: 1. Energy systems; 2. Resources Consumption and Waste Management; 3. Environmental Education and Public Awareness; and, 4. Air Quality. Following the completion of the brainstorming session, Ms. Musselman advised that any questions or additional potential Best Bets could be forwarded to her directly at Carrie.musselman(a~kitchener.ca. She noted that ideally the revised Air Quality in Kitchener report would be finalized by the May 20, 2010 Environmental Committee meeting. 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:01 p. m. Dianna Saunderson Administrative Clerk