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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
11:30 am
Main Committee Room
Attendees: Doug Dickerson, Chair, City Councillor, Ward 2
David Pickles, Vice-Chair, City Councillor, Ward 3
Peter Rodrigues, Regional Councillor, Ward 3
Tom Melymuk, Director, City Development
Catherine Rose, Chief Planner
Grant McGregor, Manager, Sustainability & Special Projects
Gilbert Boehm, Supervisor, Energy Management
Deán Jacobs, Principal Planner – Policy
Jesse St. Amant, (Acting) Coordinator, Environmental Awareness Programs
Shauna Muir, (Acting) Coordinator, Sustainability
Carol Redmond, (Acting) Executive Assistant, Council (Recording Secretary)
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Celebrating Sustainable Neighbourhoods: Program Update Shauna Muir
Councillor Dickerson called the meeting to order at 11:35 am.
S. Muir provided an update on the Celebrating Sustainable
Neighbourhoods Program. Seven groups have registered to
date. The cut-off date for groups to register and complete
their activities is November 30, 2013.
As the groups’ liaison, S. Muir has been visiting them often to
track their progress and will be planning a wrap-up event
where groups will meet, share information about their
projects and vote on a winner.
Councillor Dickerson asked if a tour of the projects is being
planned or if a map of the locations will be made available.
S. Muir to take into consideration.
A discussion ensued regarding the voting rules of the
program, nature of the projects and how the $10,000 would
be spent by the winning group. As it is the first year of the
program, committee members will work out any ambiguities
in the program and any items that need clarification. As well,
S. Muir advised that the winning group can bring forward their
own creative ideas on how to spend the $10,000 or choose
from a predetermined list established by the City, but
S. Muir to action.
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ultimately, the selected project must be approved by the
Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee.
Councillor Rodrigues asked if other municipalities have
similar programs. S. Muir responded that the program was
modeled after a similar concept in the City of Kitchener,
although their program is focused more on ‘getting to know
your neighbours’.
S. Muir advised that the theme of the July 23rd Farmers’
Market will be ‘Sustainability Day’ where she will have a
booth to promote the program.
Councillor Dickerson asked that she provide them with the
details when confirmed.
S. Muir to action.
2. Measuring Sustainability Report: Community Survey Shauna Muir
S. Muir advised that the Community Survey, first released in
2010, is being updated. The re-formatted survey will be
launched next week and will be promoted on the City’s website
and social media sites.
Councillor Dickerson commented that when the Sustainable
Pickering project was originally launched, town hall meetings
were held with the community to advise them about the
program. He suggested that they do this again with this report.
T. Melymuk noted that the report is expected to be released in
2014, after which the Committee could again consider
embarking on a public engagement process.
Councillor Rodrigues asked how many people participated in
the first survey. S. Muir responded that over 234 people
participated.
Councillor Rodrigues asked if printed surveys would be made
available for those without computers. S. Muir responded that
alternate formats would be available upon request, and at
select City facilities.
S. Muir to action.
3. Planning Tools for Sustainable Place-making Shauna Muir
D. Jacobs provided an overview of the Planning Tools for
Sustainable Place-making included in Bill 51 of the Planning
Act, and provided a copy of his presentation to committee
members.
He advised that the City is undertaking an Official Plan review
which consists of reviewing and drafting new policies.
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He noted that the review process includes a review of several
topics:
Duffin Heights.
Seaton.
Growth Plan conformity.
Environment & Countryside.
Sustainability (Planning Tools for Sustainable Place-
making).
General Matters.
T. Melymuk commented that the Official Plan process has been
ongoing for 3 or 4 years. Most topics are well underway or have
been completed. Staff are currently working on Sustainability as
well as Environment and Countryside.
D. Jacobs identified 5 characteristics of Sustainable Places:
resilient, adaptable, functional, environmentally friendly, and
attractive. He commented that these characteristics embody the
City’s approach for sustainable place-making. In moving
forward, the City needs to have solid place-making policies on
sustainable development.
Bill 51 of the Planning Act outlines planning tools for
municipalities to use. The planning tools include 3 categories:
Toolbox 1 - Green Development
Toolbox 2 - Architectural Control
Toolbox 3 - Financial Tools
Councillor Dickerson asked if the tools are enforceable by law.
T. Melymuk replied that it is not yet known to what extent the
new tools will stand up at the Ontario Municipal Board but
regardless, a municipality would need to have policies in the
Official Plan before the tools can be used.
D. Jacobs provided an overview of the new planning tools and
suggestions for new Official Plan policies:
Toolbox 1
Enabling policies
The current Official Plan includes only a few scattered
policies on the theme of sustainable development.
New Official Plan policies are proposed on:
o green technologies
o water and energy conservation
o urban forest
o climate change – e.g. extreme weather
conditions
o corporate initiatives
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Sustainable design elements on adjoining roads.
Currently the Official Plan does not have anything that
speaks to this issue. This tool will provide the City with
the ability to ask for these elements through the Site
Plan Control Review Process.
Councillor Dickerson asked if the Region of Durham
would allow the City to impose design elements on
Regional Roads. T. Melymuk advised that staff will look
into this.
Plans of subdivision and energy conservation and efficiency.
The City’s Official Plan does not speak to this provision.
If policies are included with respect to street and lot
orientation to maximize passive solar energy, alternative
energy systems, and micro-generation and the
attainment of certain energy performance standards, it
will strengthen the City’s implementation of Sustainable
Development Guidelines and provide stronger tools in
the review of draft Plans of Subdivision
Toolbox 2
Appearance & Design
The City can now, through the Site Plan Control Review
Process consider matters related to external designs,
provided there are enabling policies in the Official Plan.
The City goes to great lengths to preserve the unique
design and craftsmanship of certain historic buildings. It
would be nice if today’s newly constructed buildings
could display a quality and character that warrants
preservation by future generations.
Persons with Disabilities
The scope of Site Plan control is expanded to include
detailed drawings regarding facilities designed for
persons with disabilities pursuant to the Ontario
Disabilities Act, 2005, providing there is an enabling
policy in the Official Plan.
Toolbox 3
Community Improvement Plans (CIP)
Expands CIP policies to reflect broader scope of
participation by the Region in local CIP’s.
Could be useful as the City looks at the downtown and
redevelopment of lands.
Density and Height Bonusing
The City’s policy only includes density bonusing.
Suggest expanding policies to include height and
T. Melymuk to action.
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development review criteria to consider eligibility of
project for bonus.
Development Permit System
New Planning tool to combine multiple planning
applications. The new tool has a lot of potential but has
not yet been tested. Suggest introducing new place-
holder policy in the implementation section.
Other possible tools to utilize in the future:
Local appeal body
Zoning with conditions
D. Jacobs advised that the next step is to finalize the Official
Plan Amendment this summer. If members have any
suggestions or questions, see him to discuss.
4. Waste Management Update – Eyes on the Street Jesse St. Amant
J. St. Amant advised that at the last Sustainable Pickering
Advisory Committee Meeting, concerns over road side garbage
were raised. He has since researched what other municipalities
are doing with respect to this, and has concluded that most are
reporting and picking up the garbage.
He advised that he met with City staff to discuss the most
frequent illegal dumping sites. Most are located north of
Highway 401. He also met with P. Bigioni and spoke to J.
Hodgson to review current signage.
J. St. Amant presented committee members with examples of
current and new proposed illegal dumping signage. The current
signs are outdated and need to be revised. New signs could
include, email, quick response codes, fines for illegal dumping
and rewards for reporting.
J. St. Amant noted that secondary signs with additional
information can be placed on the signs. Councillor Dickerson
suggested looking into night glow signs for the northern areas.
Councillor Pickles suggested that the secondary sign could
include the contact information for Customer Care.
A discussion ensued regarding the use of rewards for reporting
illegal dumping. Some committee members felt that it may not
be effective in increasing the number of illegal dumping reports.
In 2012 there were122 illegal dumping calls registered through
the Customer Care Centre, although the frequency of illegal
dumping is much higher as calls are not always registered
through the Customer Care Centre. The suggestion moving
J. St. Amant to action.
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forward is to develop a more structured tracking system for all
illegal dumping calls through the Customer Care Centre and
Operations.
J. St. Amant noted that the idea is to educate – report - enforce
– reward. Education is the key to the whole program and is
something that can be started immediately.
Use ‘Eyes on the Street’ program as a catalyst to report
dumping.
Use the media to educate the public on how much it
costs to have staff pick up illegal dumping.
Engage residents to ask their contractors for dumping
receipts from waste disposal companies.
Promote waste disposal drop off hours, cost, and
location of private waste disposal sites on the website
and social media sites.
Councillor Dickerson suggested that video monitoring may
deter illegal dumping. J. St. Amant advised that he will look into
the cost of installing video monitoring at specific illegal dumping
sites. He has looked into the cost of installing street lights in
certain areas and found that it was expensive.
A discussion ensued regarding the ‘Eyes on the Street’
branding. All committee members were in agreement to
continue with the current branding.
Councillor Dickerson asked staff to draft a report to send to
Council for information. The Report should detail potential
solutions to illegal dumping, including the elements of the Eyes
on the Street Program: educate, report, enforce, and reward.
J. St. Amant to action.
J. St. Amant to action.
G. McGregor to
action.
5. Energy Projects Gilbert Boehm
G. Boehm provided an update of the City’s energy projects.
He advised that the Roving Energy Manager, Antonio Galati, P.
Eng. started 3 weeks ago and that his position will be shared
with Pickering, Ajax, Clarington and VW Distribution. Originally,
he was to be shared with Pickering, Ajax and Clarington, so his
time will be limited. His focus is to save peak demand
electricity.
A discussion ensued as to how much time he will have to focus
on Pickering. G. Boehm noted that he will keep the committee
members informed once Mr. Galati has settled into the position.
G. Boehm noted that he has communicated with Mr. Galati
several times and has toured some of the City’s facilities with
him. He is currently looking into an underground light project for
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the parking garage at the Civic Complex.
G. Boehm updated committee members on the following
energy projects:
Energy management systems are now installed at
Petticoat Creek Community Centre, East Shore
Community Centre, Claremont Community Centre and
Dunbarton Pool.
GRCC gas line will be installed this fall in time for the
heating season.
RFP for Energy Audits for Claremont Community Centre,
Greenwood Community Centre, West Shore Community
Centre, Don Beer and Dunbarton is in draft form and are
expected to be released shortly.
East Shore Community Centre air handling unit RFQ
closes this week. Installation is scheduled for this fall.
Councillor Dickerson asked if they will be including locks
on the thermostats in the main hallway. G. Boehm
replied that he will look into it.
A pre-construction meeting with Canadian Tech Air is
scheduled to begin this week for the Recreation
Complex air handling units SF/RF14&16 replacement.
As mentioned previously, the City Hall underground
parking lighting retrofit project design work is underway.
Recreation Complex indoor tennis court lighting retrofit
project design work is underway.
Councillor Dickerson asked about the status of the solar
projects. G. Boehm replied that there is nothing new to report at
this time.
G. Boehm to action.
6. Other Business All
Councillor Dickerson adjourned the meeting at 2:10 pm.
Meeting Adjourned: 2:10 pm
Next meeting: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 11:30 am, Main Committee Room
Copy: City Clerk