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Home My WebLink AboutCAO 07-03 Citlf o~ REPORT TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Report Number: CAO 07-03 Date: July 1O, 2003 From: Thomas J. Quinn Chief Administrative Officer Subject: Federal Green Space Lands Status Update File: A-251 0-004 Recommendations 1. That Report CAO 07-03, providing an update on Transport Canada's work on the Federal Green Space Lands be received. 2. That Transport Canada staff involved in the Green Space Project be invited to attend a future Pickering Council meeting to present their draft findings and conclusions with respect to the Project. 3. That Transport Canada, in addition to obtaining the advise and assistance of the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee, also seek input from the affected municipal councils, affected tenants, and others interested in the Green Space Project, before finalizing a Master Plan for submission to the Minister. 4. That a copy of this report be forwarded to Transport Canada's Green Space Project Team. Executive Summary: The purpose of this Report is to update Council on Transport Canada's work on the Federal Green Space Project, and to invite Transport Canada staff to attend a future meeting of Council to present their draft findings and conclusions with respect to the Project. It is also recommended that Transport Canada, in addition to obtaining the advise and assistance of the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee, be encouraged to also seek input from the affected municipal councils, affected tenants, and others interested in the Green Space Project, before finalizing a Master Plan for submission to the Minister. CAD 07-03 July 10, 2003 Federal Green Space Lands Page 2 Financial Implications: None Background: In May 2002, Federal Transport Minister David Collenette announced his Government's intention to establish a Green Space Strategy to protect the federally owned portion of the Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) in Pickering, Markham and Uxbridge, as well as a north-south corridor in Markham that connects the ORM lands to the Rouge Park. Approximately 3050 hectares (7540 acres) of "Green Space Lands" are involved in this initiative, which is approximately 40 percent of the total lands acquired in this area by the federal government (see map, Attachment No.1). To assist with the development of a vision and master plan for the Green Space Lands, the Minister created a Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee (GSSAC). GSACC has membership from the affected local and regional municipalities, tenants, the conservation authority, the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust, and an environmental interest group (the Green Door Alliance). The City is represented by the Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy. A listing of all GSSAC members is provided as Attachment No.2 to this Report. At the outset of the study, fifteen "guiding principles" were announced by Minister Collenette including the following: 1 . Ownership of the lands will remain with the federal government. 2. Environmentally sensitive areas will be protected. 3. The Rouge Park North Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine Plan, local government (official) plans and potential future airport plans will be considered. 4. Land being used for agricultural shall continue with the adoption of enhanced best practices, and be compatible with safe airport operations, enforced through covenants and long-term leases. 5. Residential tenancies are to be compatible with green space guiding principles and activities, through covenants in their leases. 6. Cultural heritage should be maintained with emphasis on revitalizing and enhancing the Hamlet of Altona. 7. Native cultural heritage initiatives are to be incorporated where possible. 8. Cemeteries and archaeological sites are to be preserved. 9. Long term re-naturalization, preservation, enhancement and restoration of watersheds, corridors, linkages and infrastructure (buildings) will be a priority. 10. The public shall have controlled access with uses being passive in nature. CAO 07-03 July 10, 2003 Federal Green Space Lands Page 3 11. No new residential or large-scale commercial development. 12. No expansion of service corridors (major highways, pipelines) except where there would be linkages with smart urban transportation solutions, as approved by the Minister. 13. Expansion of the green space lands at a later date could be considered. 14. Transport Canada will have effective communication strategies for all aspects of Green Space planning. 15. Activities must be consistent with the government's Alternate Service Delivery policy. Transport Canada hired a consulting team, lead by EDA Collaborative and Senes Consultants Ltd., to work with GSSAC to develop a Green Space Master Plan. Work is progressing, and it is anticipated that a Master Plan will be completed later this year. Many issues will need to be considered in finalizing a master plan, including: . Establishing a distinct and exciting vision for the Green Space Lands. . Ensuring that planning for the Green Space lands recognizes and supports other significant planning exercises currently underway, including the Greater Toronto Airports Authority's master planning process for a regional-reliever airport, and Pickering's Growth Management Study. .. . Deciding how best to accommodate required road and other service corridors to and through the Green Space lands (both in a north-south and east-west direction). . Determining whether buildings and structures on the Lands need to be retained in federal ownership, or whether they can be offered for sale to tenants. . Determining where and how best to encourage on-going, viable and environmental sensitive farming practices. . Selecting appropriate implementation measures, including an appropriate governance structure for the Green Space Lands and long-term funding commitments. The Federal Government should be commended for setting aside the Green Space lands, and initiating a process with the objective of retaining and enhancing these lands for future generations. To help ensure that the Plan for these lands is readily supported and of lasting benefit to the community, it is recommended that Council encourage Transport Canada to seek input from affected municipal councils, affected tenants, and other members of the public interested in the project (in addition to the valuable advise and assistance provided by GSSAC), before finalizing a Master Plan for submission to the Minister. Federal Green Space Lands July 10, 2003 141 Page 4 CAO 07-03 Attachment: 1. Map of the Federal Green Space Lands 2. Membership on the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee Prepared By: Approved I Endorsed By: , O~~- Tomas J. Qui Chief Administrative Officer ~ T JQ:tm Attachments Copy: Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council . --"--- )'-" ¡ -- TOWNSHIP OF-UXBRlDGE - , :\, SKErCH SHOWING PICKERING LANDS SITE ---. "'""'" """""""""""'" "'H'm. ~ ~ DEHOTES ~"',:'=TE """"'--ROUCENO<IT1i"" =- Omadã .+.==- æ::.:. - --- =::-.=..-- ~:-- = ,-, ",. I-~ -,~ ~ -f J> C":) :x: ~ rn :2 -f F -I 0 :c rn "t:I 0 :c ..... =1:1: ~ C) . 0, /)J Attachment No.2 to Report to Committee of the Whole Report CAO 07 ~03 Federal Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee Membership Organization Representative City of Pickering Tom Melymuk Green Door Alliance Brian Buckles Oak Ridges Moraine land Trust Don Prince Region of Durham Alex Georgieff Region of York John Waller Rouge Park Alliance Ron Christie Tenant Representative Bruce Moran Toronto Region Conservation Authority Craig Mather Town of Markham Lilli Douba Town of Uxbridge Alex Grant