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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM- July 10_Final (2) Page 1 CORP0228—2/02 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. Page 2 CORP0228—2/02 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. Page 3 CORP0228—2/02 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 Page 4 CORP0228—2/02 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. Page 5 CORP0228—2/02 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. Page 6 CORP0228—2/02 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 Page 7 CORP0228—2/02 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