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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 18, 2023 Page 1 of 6 Minutes/Meeting Summary Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee September 18, 2023 Hybrid - Electronic Meeting Main Committee Room 7:00 pm Attendees: G. MacPherson A. McGean A. Small A. Bathe, Region of Durham N. Bryan, Ontario Power Generation X. Kane, Pickering West Shore Community Association S. Stanleigh, Fairport Beach Neighbourhood Association J. Kyte, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority A. Zeeb, Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club Councillor M. Brenner Councillor M. Nagy E. Knox, Community Safety & Well Being Advisor I. Chowdhury, Planner II R. Holborn, Director, Engineering Services A. Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development (Staff Liaison) J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary) Absent: K. Dunlop, Alkame Dragon Boat Services Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (Include deadline as appropriate) 1. Indigenous Land Acknowledgment A. Mostert read the Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Statement. 2. Review and Approval of Agenda The Committee reviewed the agenda. Agenda approved. 3. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 4. Approval of Minutes Page 2 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (Include deadline as appropriate) A. Mostert provided that at the Special Council Meeting, August 16, 2023, Council approved the suggested revisions to the Waterfront Advisory Committee Terms of Reference including: • an increase in the Committee composition from three (3) Members to up to five (5) Members, and that Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club be added as a Stakeholder Member. • Additional members will be appointed, in-Camera, at the September 25, 2023, Council meeting. Moved by S. Stanleigh That the Minutes of the June 19, 2023 Meeting of the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee be approved. Carried 5. Delegations/Presentations There were no presentations or delegations. 6. New Business A. Mostert invited Members of the Committee, Staff, and meeting attendees to introduce themselves. 5.1 Community Safety & Well-Being Plan – Elaine Knox, Community Safety & Well-Being Advisor, Community Services Department K. Knox provided an overview of the Community Safety & Well- Being Draft Plan, highlighting 7 Priorities and associated action items. K. Knox welcomed questions and comments. Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding: • how investments in the City parks can help with Community Safety & Well-Being and the challenge of identifying the high impact items, such as social gathering places, and what is missing; • crime prevention through environmental design, and the appropriateness of lighting at various times; • the budget proposal and the prioritizing of specific action items being presented to Council with the Draft Plan; Page 3 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (Include deadline as appropriate) • the availability of Federal and Provincial Grants, and the benefit of knowledge sharing with Durham Region; • the opportunity to provide input on the City’s website for the Recreation and Parks Master Plan; and, • the Community Safety & Well-Being Plan being posted online once approved by Council. 5.2 Draft Tree Protection By-law Update – Ish Chowdhury, Planner II, Policy, City Development I. Chowdhury shared a presentation outlining the Draft Tree Protection By-law. The revised By-law will encompass lands beyond environmentally sensitive areas to include private property. Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding: • the recommendation of a report from Environment Canada, “How much habitat is enough”; • the importance of accountability of private landowners to the community and protecting the tree canopy; • the City of Toronto having a member of Council as a “Tree Advocate” providing political accountability; • the Draft Tree By-law public survey being closed, however, there is still opportunity to contact I. Chowdhury for further comment; and, • current tree planting events. Moved by G. MacPherson That the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee endorse the proposed Tree Protection By-law and recommend that Council consider the appointment of a “Tree Advocate”. Carried Discussion continued with Committee Members regarding: • clarification that there is an existing Tree Protection By-law, and that this by-law is a recommended revision; • the community enthusiasm for planting trees and the need to increase enthusiasm for the protection of existing trees; Page 4 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (Include deadline as appropriate) • clarification that the draft Tree Protection By-law refers to private/residential properties which is separate from new developments and commercial site plan approval; • the intent to keep records of big weather events causing tree loss to be updated every five years and to keep a tree inventory; • the inclusion of fines and penalties in the revised By-law and that permits for tree removal will be required; • enforcement and that staffing needs are being assessed, and will need to be increased, to accommodate implementation of the new By-law; and, • resident resistance to the new By-law concerning the right to regulate private property. 5.3 Waterfront Pop-up shops – Katy Dunlop, Alkame Dragon Boat Services X. Kane spoke in K. Dunlop’s absence. X. Kane discussed an opportunity where the City of Pickering could look into purchasing shipping containers to place along the East Shore and West Shore board walks with the purpose to rent to local businesses on a seasonal basis. Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding: • the Beachfront Park Master Plan which had considered the potential of a similar opportunity to the west of Millenium Square; • the merits of residents having various recreational options when attending the shore areas and utilizing the space more effectively; • the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority being required to review any proposed plan and assessing the constraints of the sensitive shore areas; • the existence of shipping containers on the East Shore currently being used for equipment storage by the City; • the option of the committee suggesting the “Pop-up Shop” shipping containers being considered in the Nautical Village Review; • alternative options to shipping containers, such as daily removal of items in a trailer, given the environmental Page 5 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (Include deadline as appropriate) concerns previously raised by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority; • the need to consider the benefits and/or detriments to the area and which services may be appropriate; • the benefit of providing a small commissary to accommodate residents visiting the area; • the limited capacity for traffic and the impact retail and/or other services may have on the ecosystem; • promoting the “pop-up shops” as predominantly local small businesses; and, • providing a summary of the current progress at the East Shore, outlining planned activities to increase business traffic and ensuring businesses are being sustained. 5.4 Waterfront Park Project updates – Arnold Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development, Engineering Services Department A. Mostert provided a presentation highlighting the City of Pickering’s Waterfront Project updates. Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding: • the Provincial Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Inspector visiting various locations; • providing alternate languages on park signage using a QR code; • additional safety measures such as dialing the number *16 to call the Coast Guard and signage to inform the public of dangers such as unanchored floatation devices; and, • the suggestion that this may be a project for Corporate Communications in the form of an Awareness Campaign. 6. Other Business There was no other business. 7. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for November 20, 2023, at 7:00pm. 8. Adjournment Page 6 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (Include deadline as appropriate) Moved by A. McGean That the meeting be adjourned. Carried Meeting Adjourned: 9:04 pm