HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 20, 2023
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee
November 20, 2023
Hybrid - Electronic Meeting
Main Committee Room
7:00 pm
Attendees: G. MacPherson
A. McGean
A. Small
K. Stott
L. Tidd
A. Bathe, Region of Durham
N. Bryan, Ontario Power Generation
X. Kane, Pickering West Shore Community Association
K. Dunlop, Alkame Dragon Boat Services
S. Stanleigh, Fairport Beach Neighbourhood Association
A. Zeeb, Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club
B. Williston, Associate Director of Infrastructure Planning Permits, TRCA
Councillor M. Nagy
M. Murray, (Acting) Division Head, Culture & Community Programming
J. Joyce, The MBTW Group
R. Holborn, Director, Engineering Services
A. Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development (Staff Liaison)
J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: Councillor M. Brenner
J. Kyte, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(Include
deadline as
appropriate)
A. Mostert welcomed new Committee Members K. Stott and L.
Tidd.
1. Indigenous Land Acknowledgment
A. Mostert read the Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Statement.
2. Review and Approval of Agenda
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
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deadline as
appropriate)
The Committee reviewed the agenda.
Agenda approved.
3. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
4. Approval of Minutes
The Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee indicated that A.
Zeeb’s attendance was incorrectly noted as absent at the
September 18, 2023, meeting.
R. Holborn provided that the Draft Community Safety and Well-
Being Plan was approved by Council.
A. Mostert provided a brief update regarding the Draft Tree
Protection By-law that was presented to the Waterfront Visionary
Advisory Committee on September 18, 2023.
Councillor Nagy clarified that the Draft Tree Protection By-law
was referred back to staff to review an implementation plan that
would not necessitate the need for a special tax levy to fund the
program.
Moved by G. MacPherson
That the Minutes of the September 18, 2023 Meeting of the
Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee be approved with
amendments.
Carried
J. Currie to
amend the
September 18,
2023 minutes
to mark A.
Zeeb as
present.
5. Delegations/Presentations
5.1 Beachfront Park Revitalization – Jana Joyce, the MBTW
Group
J. Joyce provided a presentation regarding the Revitalization of
Beachfront Park, including a brief description of the City &
Consulting Team. J. Joyce highlighted the environmental context,
outlined the project timeline, and gave an overview of First Nations
& Indigenous engagement. J. Joyce’s presentation included a
Slideshow with visuals of the preferred Design Option.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding:
• clarification that the proposed boardwalk would not have a step
to separate the pedestrian and bicycle lanes;
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
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deadline as
appropriate)
• clarification that the final elevation of the proposed boardwalk
had not been finalized, but would be approximately 600 mm to
one meter above grade;
• whether the void that would be left beneath the boardwalk has
been considered in reference to nuisance wildlife, and that sand
dune and/or native vegetation plantings in front of the
boardwalk may be possible solutions;
• ensuring the railings on the boardwalk do not impede views;
• using the Beachfront Park Revitalization as an opportunity to
share the history of the Indigenous Communities;
• the addition of inviting features placed at the proposed seating
areas of the boardwalk;
• the safety concern of the bicycle lane being in close proximity to
the public benches that are proposed between the pedestrian
and bicycle lanes;
• winter maintenance and that materials being used to build the
boardwalk would accommodate mechanical snow removal to
limit the use of de-icing salts and other chemicals;
• whether erosion mitigation is being considered;
• the investigation of implementing hardening of the shoreline;
• off shore structures such as breakwater walls to protect the
shoreline and the impact they may have on recreational water
use;
• the benefit of directing the paths people take to mitigate further
environmental damages;
• the addition of a seasonal parking facility;
• operating a waterfront trail trolly to alleviate traffic and parking
issues;
• that Pickering is considering implementation of Trolly Tourism
Durham, and;
• signage and information about parking and the new Trolly being
made available on the City’s Website.
5.2 Recreation & Parks Master Plan 2024-2034 – Marilou
Murray, (Acting) Division Head, Culture & Community
Programming
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appropriate)
M. Murray provided an overview of the Recreation and Parks
Master Plan highlighting Pickering’s changing demographics and
how the impact of issues pertaining to the pandemic are being
addressed. The Community Engagement Strategy, including a city-
wide survey, the dates of five focus group sessions, four
Charrette’s, and a youth engagement partnership was shared with
the Committee.
M. Murray solicited the Committee’s input and participation.
Discussion with the Committee Members ensued regarding:
• clarification that the Community Survey is still open to the public
and that a summary of feedback is not available yet;
• whether water quality in the bay was included in the Recreation
and Parks Master Plan;
• whether the water quality and clean up of the bay was the
responsibility of the Operations Department;
• concern that the recreation facilities are being prioritized over
park lands and green space, and;
• identifying and mapping all parklands and greenspace in
Pickering, noting how this could contribute to climate change
mitigation and the value it would add to the Master Plan.
6. New Business
6.1 Waterfront Washrooms at Beachfront Park and Rotary
Frenchman’s Bay West Park – Kelly Stott
K. Stott acknowledged the great work done in Rotary Frenchman’s
Bay West Park. She raised concern that the washrooms available
do not offer privacy in the form of a stall for the toilet. Ms. Stott
noted various situations in which privacy within the washrooms
may be required.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding:
• the designation of Universal Washrooms are defined in the
Ontario Building Code in reference to accessibility, and that
should a stall be build around the toilet the washroom would
require an alternate designation, and;
• that one of the three washrooms could be altered, and remove
designation of Universal Washroom, to provide the opportunity
for privacy when required.
A. Mostert to
investigate
altering one of
the three
existing
washrooms.
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(Include
deadline as
appropriate)
6.2 Waterfront Trail Reconstruction from Bruce Handscomb
Park to Elvira Court – project update
A. Mostert provided an update on the reconstruction that has
begun on the Waterfront Trail and that the projected completion is
Spring 2024.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding:
• clarification that the noted paths are planned to be accessible to
the public by June.
A. Mostert provided an overview of the Indigenous Public Art
Installation unveiling of “Water is Medicine” by Jacques Baril.
Clarification was provided that the initial spelling was in French and
that is has been corrected to the English spelling by the artist and
their staff.
A. Mostert invited the Members of the Waterfront Visionary
Advisory Committee to the Public Art unveiling of “Same
Material/Different Time” by Jordan Shaw. The unveiling will be
held Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, located at
Millennium Square.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding:
• the general approval of the possibility of a festival of lights in the
waterfront area as an attraction in the winter months, and;
• the benefit of holding events outside of the common workday
hours.
6. Other Business
A. Zeeb sought clarification concerning the sale of Frenchman’s
Bay by Pickering Harbour Company and what information was
available to the public.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding:
• that the City had provided a news release which outlined two
rejected proposals to purchase Frenchman’s Bay;
• clarification of the level of development that is permitted in
reference the property for sale;
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(Include
deadline as
appropriate)
• that a portion of the Bay is currently privately owned and the
perceived benefit of public ownership of the property;
• the benefit of making a usable waterway and advocating for the
preservation and revitalization of the Bay;
• the necessity of multi-level government intervention in the
purchase of the property;
• the lack of public awareness surrounding the possible outcome
should the ownership of the Frenchman’s Bay property remain
private, and;
• clarification that the City’s stance as stated in the issued News
Release is that “The City felt it was critically important to own
these assets in order to safeguard from aggressive and overly
ambitious development proposals; maintain public access and
recreational use; and enhance environmental stewardship of
the Bay and surrounding lands.”
Moved by A. McGean
That the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee supports the
City of Pickering’s position regarding public ownership of
Frenchman’s Bay.
Carried
7. Next Meeting
Review of 2024 Meeting Schedule proposed as follows:
• March 18, 2024 @7pm
• June 17, 2024 @7pm
• September 16, 2024 @7pm
• November 18, 2024 @7pm
Moved by A. Zeeb
That the proposed Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee 2024
Meeting Schedule be approved.
Carried
8. Adjournment
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deadline as
appropriate)
Moved by A. Zeeb
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 9:17 pm