HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 9, 2008
Uhf o~ Minutes I Meeting Summary
Seaton Advisory Committee
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
10 am
Main Committee Room
Pickering Civic Complex
Attendees: Rick Johnson, Regional Councillor, Chair
Bonnie Littley, Regional Councillor, Vice-Chair
Doug Dickerson, City Councillor
Neil Carroll, Director, Planning & Development
Tom Melymuk, Director, Office of Sustainability
Cathy Grant, Director of Public Services, Library
Catherine Rose, Manager, Policy, Planning & Development
Steve Gaunt, Principal Planner, Policy
Rik Ganderton, RVHS
John Connolly, Transport Canada
Dorothy Skinner, Region of Durham
Steve Heuchert, TRCA
Carolyn Woodland, TRCA
Lloyd Cherniak, Lebovic Enterprises
Bruce Fischer, Metrus Development
Rodger Miller, Mattamy Homes
Aaron Wesson, Mattamy Homes
Chris Matson, Brookfield Homes
Steve Goldhar, Sundial Homes
James McCafferty, Durham District Catholic School Board
Louise Farr Chambers, UOIT
Joan Wideman, Ajax Pickering Board of Trade
Kathy McKay, Ajax Pickering Board of Trade
Peter Rodrigues, Resident of Seaton
Absent: Tom Quinn, Chief Administrative Officer
Gil Paterson, Director, Corporate Services
Everett Buntsma, Director, Operations & Emergency Services
Reg Webster, Sernas Associates
Graham Martin, ORC
1. Introduction & Welcome
Councillor Johnson thanked everyone for attending this
meeting.
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M SPU date
Cathy Rose gave an overview of the update provided by Reg
Webster. The MESP is being undertaken to assist in the
development and approval of the neighbourhood plans.
The Seaton Master Environmental Servicing Plan (MESP)
Existing Conditions Report was circulated to the City of
Pickering, Region of Durham and Toronto Region Conservation
Authority (TRCA) in August 2008.
This Report summarizes existing conditions data, field
inventories and analyses of aquatic communities, fluvial
geomorphology of streams, terrestrial communities at existing
and proposed road crossings of the Natural Heritage System,
geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, floodplain mapping, existing
municipal services and road systems within Seaton.
The Report findings were presented to the Seaton MESP
Oversight Committee in August 2008. Based on Report
findings and discussions with the City and TRCA, a system of
field monitoring stations has been established to obtain further
field data on surface water flows in streams, water levels in
wetlands, groundwater contributions to wetlands and site
geology.
Ongoing monitoring of these systems will provide additional
data on the natural features and functions in Seaton. This data
will be used as input to the ongoing development impact
analyses. The data helps identify where sensitivities exist so
that impacts can be eliminated through neighbourhood or
construction design. Where impacts are unavoidable, the data
and analysis will assist in the formulation of mitigative measures
to be incorporated in development design. Technical meetings
are on-going with TRCA. '
Meetings have been held with GO Transit and the CPR on the
potential for expansion of GO rail on the CPR land on the south
boundary of Seaton.
Traffic analysis and determination of lane and signalization
needs for the non-Regional roads within Seaton is being
delayed until the overall system analysis is done for Seaton that
will be undertaken early in the Regional Infrastructure EA.
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There have been a number of meetings with municipal and
agency representatives dealing with the identification and
potential location of major community facilities. Draft
information compiled by Sernas was released for comment in
late August 2008. The City of Pickering is still reviewing this
information.
The First Nations consultation will be initiated in January now
that comments on the Existing Conditions Report have been
provided.
The first draft of the Energy Management Strategy for Seaton is
nearing completion. It is anticipated that a separate
presentation meeting will be held with all stakeholders in
January 2009.
It is anticipated that another Oversight Committee meeting will
be held in February or March with the final MESP Report
expected to be completed in the fall of 2009.
Dorothy Skinner advised that the RFP for the Regional
Infrastructure EA references the significant amount of work
completed or expected to be completed, through the MESP
pertaining to regional roads.
Lloyd Cherniak expressed frustration with the length of time it
is taking the City to provide information on its major
community facilities needs and preferred locations. He noted
the first meeting to discuss this information was held in
December 2007.
Tom Melymuk advised that a definitive position on community
facilities would not be possible until the Neighbourhood
Planning Program has been completed. It is the City's view
that the final size and locations should be an outcome of that
program.
Neil Carroll commented that the Neighbourhood Planning
Program has a specific component preparing a community
services and facilities plan that will help inform where
facilities should be located and what size they should be.
The City anticipated the Neighbourhood Planning Program
would be more advanced by now so that it could inform the
MESP.
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Jim McCafferty mentioned that he is not aware of any
requests for school locations in the Seaton area. He noted
the sites are usually determined once the neighbourhood
plan and designs are completed. Catherine Rose noted the
Board planners have attended the meetings on community
facilities.
Councillor Johnson stated that he understands the
developers' frustrations and they will attempt to provide the
requested information as soon as possible.
Dorothy mentioned that the Region provided considerable
input on facility needs. She advised that the draft minutes
were released by Sernas, but final meeting notes were not
yet prepared, and that she had suggested several changes to
the draft.
Bruce Fischer stated that the list of facilities is needed for
them to move forward and mentioned that Sernas has
completed a drawing where the facilities were identified.
Dorothy confirmed that the drawing Bruce is referring to is the
one discussed at the August meeting.
Lloyd mentioned that the population will determine the
number of facilities required and that they are also waiting for
the Fiscal Impact Studies to be completed.
Councillor Littley reiterated Tom Melymuk's comment that it
would be appropriate that the neighbourhood plans are
completed before the information on the community facilities
is made available.
Councillor Dickerson mentioned that Seaton is a large area,
with up to 15 neighbourhoods, and it he understands that it
would be helpful for the developers to know where the parks
will generally be located. He does not feel that the
developers' request for general information on community
facilities is unreasonable.
Rodger Miller stated that there are always some refinements
needed once the plans are in place.
Lloyd Cherniak noted that the Central Pickering Development
Plan requires identification of major community facilities as
part of the MESP.
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Catherine Rose noted that City staff did provide input on
community facilities at the December 2007 and August 2008
meetings. However, the City staff needed additional time to
meet and review the information provided by Sernas in
August.
Councillor McLean joined the meeting in progress.
Councillor Johnson thanked the developers for raising the
issue and advised that staff will endeavour to provide the
information requested within the next month.
City to provide
comments on major
community facilities
needs
Neil Carroll advised that Planning & Development will
coordinate the list of facilities with the Culture and Recreation
Department.
Bruce Fischer suggested that some of the major facilities be
located on non-developable land. Catherine Rose
requested clarification as all of the community facilities must
be located on developable land. Bruce clarified that he
meant the facilities could be placed on some of the remnant
parcels that were not part of the land exchange.
Discussion ensued on whether the facilities could be
combined in central locations, such as EMS, Fire, Operations
and Transit.
Councillor McLean mentioned that there have been
discussions at both the Regional Finance and Works
committee about combining these facilities as it would reduce
costs.
He further stated that EMS stations should be in a central
downtown area rather than in a remote location.
Councillor Littley indicated that she visited a combined facility
in Calgary a few years ago and the shared services are a
great advantage for the municipalities.
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3.
Natural Heritage System (NHS)
ManaementPlan & Master Trails Plan
The Final Seaton NHS Management Plan and Master Trails
Plan Report was released in October 2008. The document is
over 500 pages long. The study was commissioned by the
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and prepared by a
team on consultants headed by Schollen & Company Inc.
The Report is considered "advice to the Province" and will not
be formally adopted by the Province, similar to the study
completed by Hemson for the employment lands in Seaton.
The Final Report considered extensive comments by City,
MMAH, MNR, TRCA and Region of Durham staffs and other
stakeholders on the Draft Report released in March 2008.
The Appendices to the Final Report include technical
information and detailed responses to the comments
received during the Study.
The NHS Management Plan is a guide to manage the NHS to
ensure natural heritage values are protected in the long term.
One component, the Cultural Heritage and Archaeological
Resources Management Plan, provides a guide for the
management of cultural heritage features and landscapes
including a strategy for an interpretive plan.
The Master Trails Plan proposes a trail system to link
neighbourhoods and the larger regional trail and open space
networks.
The Final Report provides a budget only for capital costs.
Estimated amounts are $95 to $110 millions for NHS
Restoration and approximately $38 million for the Master
Trails Plan.
The Report suggests the roles and responsibilities for the
partner agencies:
- The Province to coordinate financial resources;
The Region to complete official plan amendment;
The City has a more extensive list which includes:
. policies, zoning, neighbourhood planning and
multiple partnerships;
. trails enforcement, education, safety,
monitoring and maintenance;
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Steve .Gaunt
City staff will review
and prepare
comments on the
Final Report for the
consideration of
Council early in
2009.
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- The TRCA to provide staff resources and expertise
and secure funding for management of NHS.
The Report states that the trails should be constructed prior
to build out of adjacent neighbourhoods, and the alignment of
trails outside of the NHS is to be determined through the
neighbourhood planning program with input form other
studies, such as the Regional EA and MESP.
Councillor Dickerson indicated that the best approach would
be to have all the trails built up front.
Bruce Fischer noted that the location of the storm ponds
should be identified before trail heads are located.
Carolyn Woodland from TRCA indicated that the roles and
responsibilities need to be clearly defined. Acquiring the
land is great, but managing the lands is a long term
commitment that requires extensive funding. There should
be a greater commitment from the Province. TRCA is
disappointed that there was not more dialogue with
municipalities and agencies for this process.
Councillor Mclean left the meeting.
Neil Carroll advised that the Province should retain
ownership of lands and TRCA could monitor them.
Tom Melymuk advised that the report is available for viewing
at the Planning & Development Department and that copies
may be made available at a later time.
Catherine Rose suggested that the consultant (Mark
Schollen) be invited to the next Seaton Advisory Committee
meeting to provide a more detailed overview of the report.
Peter Rodrigues noted that some members of the public
objected to the recommendation that primary trails be paved.
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Steve Gaunt to contact
Mark Schollen inviting
him to the next Seaton
Advisory Committee
meeting to provide a
more detailed overview
of the Final Report.
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elghbourhood Planning Process
U date
In mid November, a consolidated version of the Council
adopted Terms of Reference for the Seaton Neighbourhood
Planning Process was sent to Members of Council and
Sernas (on behalf of the Developers Group), Provincial and
Regional representatives, and senior City staff.
As part of Council's approval of the Terms of Reference, a
Management Agreement is required to be entered into
between the City and the Developers Group. The City
Solicitor is currently drafting the Agreement, and has had a
discussion about the contents of the Agreement with the
solicitor for the Developers Group. The Solicitor's draft of the
Agreement should be ready for discussion with City staff in
early January 2009.
Lloyd Cherniak informed the committee that the Developers
Group would not be proceeding based on the current Terms
of Reference as they are concerned with amendments made
to the Terms of Reference, and stated that they would like to
propose some further amendments.
Catherine Rose reminded the Developers Group that the
amendments to the draft Terms of Reference were proposed
by Planning & Development Committee (not staff) and
approved at Council. Copies of the Minutes from September
2, 2008 Planning & Development Committee detailing the
amendments are available if anyone would like to obtain a
copy.
Tom Melymuk clarified that the opportunity to propose
amendments for the Terms of Reference was at the Council
meeting when any interested parties could appear as a
delegation.
Councillor Johnson stated that under the Municipal Act,
amendments must be dealt with at Council in a public
meeting.
Jim McCafferty advised that he has seen the original Terms
of Reference, but would like to see the revised one. It was
noted that the revised Terms of Reference are a public
document.
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C. Rose to send out a
copy of the Council
adopted Terms of
Reference and
Minutes of Council
meeting to those who
did not yet received a
copy.
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Lloyd Cherniak mentioned that their main concern is with the
interpretation of employment lands and whether residential
development can occur prior to jobs. He understands how
critical jobs are to Pickering and the Region, but the
development charges are over $700 million. Lloyd Cherniak
stated further that the province should fund the servicing of
these lands.
Councillor Dickerson confirmed that the City and the Region
have adopted a job first policy for Seaton development.
The Developers Group asked if the City could support them
to pressure the province to speed up the process. The
Developers Group advised they have received a commitment
from the Minister of Municipal Affairs, and they would like to
start working together.
Councillor Dickerson stated that the possibility of jobs being
created in this current economic crisis should be a positive
sign and the Province should proceed with building the
infrastructure for the employment lands.
It was suggested that Council pass a motion at Council
requesting that the Province commit to the funding for the
infrastructure and a start date.
Councillor Johnson mentioned that other new employment
lands developments in the area have been cancelled or
postponed and we want to avoid this from happening in
Seaton.
Lloyd Cherniak stated that the Province and land developers
are taking a big risk investing in Pickering, but the Region
wants to encourage investment in this area.
Councillor Johnson advised that there are many local
businesses in our community looking to expand their
business and want to stay in the area. The Seaton
employment lands would accommodate their needs.
Lloyd Cherniak advised that the Minister's commitment was
to have an MOU regarding funding drafted by March 2009.
Catherine Rose mentioned that this timing is consistent with
the timing anticipated for the selection of a consultant for the
Neighbourhood Planning Program (assuming the
Management Agreement is entered into and the RFP for the
Neighbourhood Planning Program is issued by late January).
Peter Rodri ues mentioned that after hearin the comments
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from Mr. Cherniak, he may not necessarily agree with all of
them. One thing which is not clear is whether homes would
be built before there is employment in the area.
5.
Other Stucli$s
Dorothy Skinner advised that the RFP for the Regional EA is
closing on January 29, 2009. Regional Council is
anticipated to select the successful consultant by March
2009.
All
6.
A draft version of the Fiscal Impact Study of Seaton on the
Region should be available for review soon. This Study is
bein undertaken b 181 for the Develo ers Grou .
NextM$eting
The next meeting to be scheduled for the third week of
January 2009.
All
Other Business
All
Meeting Adjourned: 12:10 pm
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