HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 22, 2008
Citq 0#
Minutes I Meeting Summary
Seaton Advisory Committee
Tuesday,April22,2008
10:30 am
Pickering City Hall, Main Committee Room
Attendees: Rick Johnson, Regional Councillor, Chair
Bonnie Littley, Regional Councillor, Vice-Chair
Doug Dickerson, City Councillor
Bill McLean, Regional Councillor
Neil Carroll, Director, Planning & Development
Tom Melymuk, Director, Office of Sustainability
Catherine Rose, Manager, Policy, Planning & Development
Steve Gaunt, Senior Planner, Planning & Development
Grant McGregor, Principal Planner, Policy, Planning & Development
Reg Webster, Sernas Associates
Dorothy Skinner, Region of Durham
Kathy McKay, Executive Director, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Rodger Miller, Mattamy Development Corporation
John Hourihan, Mattamy Development Corporation
Chris Matson, Matson, McConnell Ltd.
Bruce Fischer, Metrus Development
Tom Albani, Metrus Development
Lloyd Cherniak, Lebovic Enterprises
John Connolly, Transport Canada
Steve Heuchert, TRCA
Gordon Willson, Whitevale Resident
Ralph Sutton, Land Division Representative at Region
Renee Michaud, City of Pickering (Recording Secretary)
Absent: Mayor Ryan
Tom Quinn, Chief Administrative Officer
Graham Martin, ORC
Ash Kothyial, ORC
Jim McCafferty, Durham Catholic District School Board
Joan Wideman, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Donna McFarlane, UOIT, Durham College
Peter Rodrigues, Whitevale Resident
Item I Details & Discussion &Conc/usion Action/terns! Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include.. deadline as
appropriate)
1 Welcome Councillor Rick Johnson
Chair
Introductions and welcome.
Page 1
CORP0228-2/02
Item /
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
2.
Neighbourhood Planning Program
- Draft Terms of Reference (Update)
Catherine advised that as a result of a meeting held on April 17,
2008, between City staff, Regional staff and the landowners, the
Landowners Group is no longer asking the City to hold off on
proceeding with the Neighbourhood Planning Program. The Terms of
Reference will continue to identify a planned population of 70,000
persons and employment of 35,000 jobs. However, the City is still
awaiting any detailed comments from the Landowners Group, for
consideration prior to finalizing the draft Terms of Reference. The
landowners' concerns with urban form, density and ultimate
population are best addressed through the Neighbourhood Planning
Program.
Once those comments are received and reviewed, the Terms of
Reference will be finalized, and presented to Council. Staff is
targeting a June Council meeting, and the RFP process would
commence shortly after. Funding arrangements will be required
between the Landowners Group and the City to cover the cost of the
Neighbourhood Planning Program.
3.
MESP UPDATE
The consultants will be moving forward on the MESP now that they
have the background information required. A Phase I Background
Report is anticipated to be released by the end of May. The next
Oversight Committee meeting will also be held at the end of May.
One of the two significant studies which are needed to finalize the
MESP has been completed, the Wetlands Water Balance Study, and
the other, the Natural Heritage System Management Plan and Master
Trail Plan Study (NHSMP & MTP is currently in draft form and being
circulated for comments.
The final MESP report should be out by the summer.
Reg confirmed that the energy management consultant (Bill Wong, of
SAIC Canada) has been hired, and a meeting has been scheduled
between City staff, the consultant, Sernas and Veridian.
Reg advised that they have had a couple of meetings with Nancy
Mather regarding the 3D groundwater modeling. Reg explained that
it's a very technically complicated process. More deep wells are
needed for monitoring, and the sub-consultant will be submitting a
proposal for review and approval.
It was suggested that the consultants be invited to do a presentation
in order to provide more detailed overview of the project.
CORP0228-2/02
Action Items / Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
Catherine Rose
Landowners Group to
provide comments.
ReQ Webster
Page 2
Item /
Ref#
Details. & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Reg Webster advised that the 3D groundwater component may be
released in a separate document. Similarly, the Energy Management
Plan may be released in a separate document.
Action Items / Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
4. Urban Design Workshop Tom Melymuk
Tom Melymuk mentioned that the one-day urban design I
sustainability workshop would not really be able to address the issue
of population and employment targets in Seaton. It therefore does
not need to be held ahead of the Neighbourhood Planning program.
The idea now would be to hold the workshop in the fall, concurrent
with the Neighbourhood Planning Program.
Tom M. noted that Seaton is of interest to many groups and
organizations and that it would be a great opportunity to open the
process up to others. For example, external agencies such as CMHC
and the Canadian Urban Institute have expressed an interest in
participating in the urban design I sustainability workshop.
Reg mentioned that the fiscal impact study will include a conservative
population model, but that the final population would be determined
through the Neighbourhood Planning Program. Further, he noted
that it would be beneficial to have the City's consulting team in place,
and thus fall timing for the urban design workshop makes sense.
Councillor Johnson indicated that the developers must have a
forecast for population counts based on the residential subdivision
plans submitted and enquired if the range is within 70% of the 70,000
count previously planned for.
Bruce Fischer mentioned that the goal is still 70,000 but it may take
time to reach it and noted that there may be some opportunities for
increasing density on the Metrus lands.
Lloyd commented that if the landowners were able to locate schools
and parks in the green spaces, there would be more developable
area for residential.
Steve Gaunt advised that the NHS Management Plan does not permit
those types of uses.
Steve Heuchert mentioned that the 'empty cornfields' within the NHS
are vital buffers, and the NHS Management Plan outlines
revegetation plans to enhance these lands over time.
Councillor Littley commented that a lot of planting is required, and
that she supports passive uses on the buffers
Councillor Johnson noted that the maintenance of the trail system
could be as high as $4.5 million annually.
CORP0228-2/02
Page 3
Item /
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Dorothy mentioned that the urban design workshop could be used to
review different neighbourhood developments and also demonstrate
various sustainable communities with alternative energy sources.
Gord Willson suggested that the focus should be on the design
aspects including pre-design sessions with the developers. Energy
efficiency issues need to be addressed from the beginning rather
than later. The workshop would identify expectations for Seaton
taking into consideration all studies completed to date.
Councillor Dickerson agreed that the design workshop would be a
good idea.
Councillor Littley enquired if comments received from the workshop
could still be included in the Terms of Reference for the
Neighbourhood Planning Program. Tom confirmed that suggestions
could be added to the Terms of Reference if the workshop is held
first. If the workshop is held in the fall, it will be a parallel and
complementary process that helps inform the work of the City's
consultants.
Councillor Johnson mentioned that although we are still a long way
from starting to build, the Province has a real opportunity to come
forward with a "Jobs First" initiative and provide funding.
Ralph Sutton enquired why there was no provincial representation at
the table and Councillor Johnson mentioned that both Graham Martin
and Ash Kothyial of ORC called late Monday afternoon to advise that
they would not be able to attend today's meeting.
5. Update on Other Studies All
Development Charges Study. Reg mentioned that the Region has
released the Development Charges Background Study for comments.
He noted that the background document still excludes the water,
sewer and transit development charges for Seaton. It is expected
that these will be done by an area specific bylaw.
In response to a question from Tom M. about whether it is
competitive to have a non-residential development charge, Reg
advised that Durham is the only region within GTA that does not have
these charges. Regional staff's recommendation is to phase in the
non-residential development charge. The Region is proposing to use
the money from the non-residential development charge to help fund
servicing of employment lands in the Region.
Lloyd suggested that there should be cost sharing to service the
Seaton employment lands. The developers and ORC are trying to
come up with a methodology for the cost-sharing and the resulting
phasing in of a non-residential development charae for Seaton.
CORP0228-2/02
Action Items / Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
Page 4
Item /
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Dorothy mentioned that a Public meeting has been scheduled for
June 7th with a report to Regional Council on June 26th
Fiscal impact Study - Dorothy advised that there are no new details
at this time. The Region is focusing on a 2 for 1 ratio of population to
jobs. The Study will run two models, i.e, population of 70,000 and
35,000 jobs as set out in the CPDP, and a population of 54,000
population and 27,000 jobs as the landowners feel that this ratio is
achievable.
Natural Heritage Sytem Management Plan and Master Trail Plan
Study - Steve Gaunt advised that the draft report was released last
week and he will be reviewing the document, and summarizing
comments received from other City staff. He noted some of the
issues identified to date in the review included implementation of the
trail plan, the governance and funding structure, insufficient detail on
the cultural heritage matters, and the NHS- neighbourhood interface
guidelines.
Steve indicated that the draft Report will be finalized by the
consultants and submitted to the Province as 'advice'. The final
Report will again be circulated for comment (likely during the
summer) and staff will prepare a Report to Council on the NHS
Management and Trail Plan. Steve stated that all comments and
feedback from the public consultation sessions will be included in the
report.
Bruce indicated that the cost to maintain the trail systems has been
reported to be quite high and enquired if the Province will provide
funding. Steve advised that the there is no indication in the report
who will be assuming the cost to maintain the trails.
Councillor McLean asked if Transport Canada will be providing any
funding for servicing airport lands. John Connelly advised that they
are aware of ongoing discussions but have made no commitments to
date.
Dorothy advised that the Region has reviewed the NHS study and
noted that it will take decades to implement. The report does not
provide any timeline to build the trail system. The cost to maintain
the trail system is estimated at $4.6 M. TRCA to be a pivotal player,
but the onus should be on the Province to fund this project even in
the event of a change in government.
Councillor Johnson mentioned that if the City was forced to take on
the trail system maintenance costs, this would mean a 12 -14% tax
increase for Pickering residents.
CORP0228-2/02
Action Items / Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
Page 5
Item /
Ref#
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
,
Tom Albani mentioned that long term issues were about replanting
the fields, and constructing and maintaining the trails. The trails
could be phased as the neighbourhoods are completed.
Councillor Littley commented that the trail system is not just for
recreation, but also to provide alternate means of transportation for
residents.
Neil Carroll stated that similar to the objective of 'transit early', the
main neighbourhood trails should be in place early to provide
necessary connections, rather than built later.
Lloyd stated that developers are innovative in creating new trails to
enhance neighbourhoods and have worked closely with TRCA. For
example, Lloyd suggested the topsoil from the development areas
could be put on the cornfields to help revegetation. However, the
developers cannot assume all the costs for these projects.
Neil mentioned that since the trail system will be part of a City wide
system, and the City has a DC allocation for trails as part of its
current (South Pickering) DC, some funding may be available.
Councillor Pickles joined the meeting at 11 :40 am.
Steve Gaunt indicated that the NHS Management Plan and Master
Trail Plan Study includes several maps outlining the different levels of
trails, the master trails and profiles for the types of trails. The
consultants had been invited to do a presentation at today's meeting,
but had to decline due to other deadlines.
Reg mentioned that it would be worthwhile for this committee to be
briefed on the NHS study and be given an opportunity to provide
comments.
Bonnie suggested that the public should also be invited to provide
comments. It was noted that public consultation sessions have
already been held.
Regional, Water, Sewer and Transportation Class EA - Dorothy
Skinner advised that the Memorandum of Understanding between the
Landowners Group and the Region, about the landowners funding of
the EA is almost finalized. Once that is done, the Terms of
Reference can be finalized, and the Region can issue an RFP.
Dorothy anticipates the RFP to be issued in June.
Reg commented that the Region's EA is the critical path and will set
the time line for construction. Reg expressed concern that the
process is moving along slowly.
CORP0228-2/02
Action Items / Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
Page 6
Item I Details & Discussion & . Conclusion Actionlterns I Status
Ref # (summary of discussi()n) (inc//Jdedeadline.8s
appropriate)
6. Other Business All
Seaton Website - Tom reminded committee members to continue to
submit regular updates on the various studies in order to keep the
website current.
The next meeting will be held in May. Details to follow.
Meeting Adjourned: 11 :45 am
Copy: Members of Council
Directors
Division Heads
City Solicitor
City Clerk
Page 7
CORP0228-2/02