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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD 14-10 Citq o~ Report to Planning & Development ~R Committee PI KEING Report Number: PD 14-10 Date: June 7, 2010 30 From: Neil Carroll Director, Planning & Development Subject: Duffin Heights Restoration Works Terrestrial Habitat and Fish Habitat Restorations Part of Lots 15 to 24, Concession 3 City of Pickering Recommendations: 1. That Report PD 14-10 of the Director, Planning & Development on terrestrial habitat and fish habitat restorations within the Duffin Heights Neighbourhood be received; 2. That, notwithstanding the City's Purchasing Policy, City staff be authorized to enter into appropriate agreement with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to undertake City approved terrestrial habitat and fish habitat restoration works as identified in the Duffin Heights Environmental Servicing Plan; 3. That the appropriate officials of the City be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect hereto; and 4. Further, that the City Clerk forward a copy of Report PD 14-10 to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Duffin Heights Landowners Group. Executive Summary: The Environmental Servicing Plan (ESP) for the Duffin Heights Neighbourhood identified areas of development that are subject to compensation payment to enhance the natural environment. The Duffin Heights Official Plan policies require that compensation payments be made as a condition of development in the identified areas. Further, all developers are required to contribute to a separate fund that will be used to improve fish habitat in the Ganatsekiagon and Urfe Creeks. Both these funds are to be held in trust and administered by the City of Pickering. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) was a key participant in the review of the Environmental Servicing Plan and supported the principle of applicants compensating for the loss of natural heritage and aquatic features from developable lands and the restoration of the natural heritage system. This principle was also supported by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Report PD 14-10 Date: June 7, 2010 Duffin Heights Restoration Works Page 2 Al TRCA has considerable knowledge, experience and success in undertaking restoration projects throughout the Greater Toronto Area and is considered the most appropriate and effective body to undertake this work. Notwithstanding the provisions of the City's Purchasing Policy, it is therefore recommended that TRCA be retained, through and in consultation with the City, to undertake the restoration works identified in the Duffin Heights ESP. Financial Implications: The City, as an owner of lands that are identified for compensation will be responsible for paying into the funds established for terrestrial habitat and fish habitat restorations. The approximate cost to the City, as owner of a proportionate share of the lands would be $7,200 for terrestrial habitat and $35,000 for fish habitat. These costs will be capitalized as part of the cost of asset and be recovered from revenues from the eventual sale of the City owned lands involved. This was provided for in the 2008 Capital Budget. Sustainability Implications: The contributions from applicants will assist in achieving the environmental sustainability objectives endorsed by Council for the Duffin Heights Neighbourhood through restoration works. 1.0 Background: 1.1 TRCA was a key participant in the review of the Duffin Heights ESP and supported the principle of compensation for impacts from development on natural heritage features and watercourses TRCA was a key participant in the preparation and review of the Duffin Heights ESP. The recommendations of the ESP ensure that future development would not only have minimal impacts but would have positive benefits on the area's environment. The recommendations included but were not limited to, enhancing the central tableland woodlot, establishing natural heritage buffers, improving fish habitats and accommodating open water drainage features such as bioswales and infiltration trenches. These measures have set the environmental bar higher for future developments. TRCA also supported the principle of compensation for the loss of natural heritage and aquatic features from developable lands through the restoration of the natural heritage system on provincially-owned lands. 1.2 The Duffin Heights Official Plan policies require applicants to compensate for the loss of natural heritage and aquatic features within developable areas The Official Plan policies for the Duffin Heights Neighbourhood embody the enirvonmental objectives set out in the ESP to minimize and mitigate impacts to the natural environment from future development. In this regard, compensation is required from developers for the loss of natural heritage and aquatic features identified within their developable areas. Report PD 14-10 Date: June 7, 2010 Duffin Heights Restoration Works Page .3 32 Also, in recognition of the direct impacts of development on two reaches of the Ganatsekiagon and,Urfe Creeks, all developers are required to contribute funds in order to achieve a net gain in fish habitat as required by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). 1.3 City staff, TRCA and the Duffin Heights Landowners Group agreed to an approach to compensate for the loss of terrestrial habitat within Duffin Heights Properties where terrestrial habitat loss requiring compensation would occur through future development and the extent of the loss by major habitat type were identified. Similarly, suitable locations for the enhancement of terrestrial habitat to compensate for these losses were identified. As part of this work, the following three areas of terrestrial habitat loss were identified: Area A North of Dersan Street, east side of 3.0 ha woodland and 0.3 ha central woodlot (multiple owners wetland Area B Cougs Property 5.8 ha woodland and 0.56 ha wetland Area C Future stormwater pond #4, north of 1.3 ha woodland and 1.3 Third Concession Road (future riparian/wetland multiple benefiters The total area requiring compensation is 12.26 ha (10.1 woodland and 2.16 ha wetland). To compensate for the loss of terrestrial habitat, restoration opportunities were identified. Potential areas include the valleys associated with Ganatsekiagon and Urfe Creeks, the woodlot north of the Lebovic lands on the west side of Tillings Road, and open areas on lands south of Old Taunton Road. 1.4 An appropriate formula was developed to.calculate the cost of implementing the required compensation measures for the loss of terrestrial habitat Based on TRCA's past experience, the cost (materials, design, and implementation) for replacing the loss of terrestrial habitat is: o $10,000 per ha for forest habitat • $30,000 per ha for wetland habitat Report PD 14-10 Date: June 7, 2010 Duffin Heights Restoration Works Page 4 33 When applied to the areas identified above, the total cost of terrestrial compensation is as follows: Area A 3.0 ha woodland $30,000 0.3 ha wetland $9,000 Area B 5.8 ha woodland $58,000 0.56 ha wetland $16,800 Area C 1.3 ha woodland $13,000 1.3 ha riparian/wetland $39,000 The total cost for the area of 12.26 ha (10.1 ha woodland and 2.16 ha wetland) is $165,800. In assessing the cost of compensation to the affected landowners (Areas A, B or C), a blended rate per ha of compensation was derived that would be used to assess each area. This cost per ha is therefore calculated as follows: $165,800/12.26 ha = $13,525/ha The terrestrial compensation levy will be applied as a condition,of site plan or subdivision approval. For future stormwater pond #4, the City'would be responsible for paying its share (20.39%) of the compensation along with all benefiting landowners along Brock Road. For the City's share, the cost for the City would be $7,200 (rounded) (2.6 ha x $13,525 x .2039). The terrestrial compensation fund would be collected and administered by the City. 1.5 To achieve a net gain in productive capacity of fish habitat, a number of restoration opportunities were identified The ESP recommended restoration opportunities assure a net gain in the productive capacity of fish habitat in accordance with DFO's policy. The restoration areas selected and costs associated with the two reaches of the Ganatsekiagon and Urfe Creeks are provided in a chart (see Attachment #1). The cost of the selected fish habitat restorations is $139,000 plus 30% Engineering and Contingencies for a total of $180,000 (rounded). All new development will contribute to the overall fish habitat compensation fund. Based on a total development area of 119 hectares, the contribution per hectare would be as follows: $180,000/119 ha = $1,513/ha This amount per hectare would be applied as a condition of site plan or subdivision approval. For all of the City's lands that are developable, the total cost for the City would be $35,000 (rounded) (23 ha x $1,513). The funds would be collected and administered by the City. Report PD 14-10 Date: June 7, 2010 Duffin Heights Restoration Works Page 5 34 2.0 Discussion: 2.1 In recognition of TRCA's knowledge and experience, staff recommends that TRCA be retained by the City to undertake the restoration works identified in the Duffin Heights ESP TRCA's Restoration Services Section has considerable knowledge, experience and success in undertaking restoration projects throughout the Greater Toronto Area. TRCA staff are professionally trained in the field of terrestrial and aquatic habitat restoration. Also, an integral part to the restoration will be the provision for community volunteers such as students to complement and support the work of TRCA staff. Consequently, there are inherent efficiencies to having TRCA carry out this work. The City of Pickering's purchasing policy requires that three formal written quotes be obtained for the provision of goods and services at the proposed dollar value for these works. Based on TRCA's experience and expertise, staff is recommending that Council retain TRCA to undertake the restoration works identified in the Duffin Heights ESP and not seek additional quotes. City staff would manage the restoration program, identify the required works to be performed by TRCA, and issue payment upon satisfactory completion. Both the Director, Operations & Emergency Services and Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer have been consulted with regard to this matter and concur with this recommendation. 2.2 Specific accounts have been set up in order to apply the contributions from applicants for the required restoration works in Duffin Heights Accounts have been set up to accommodate the contributions from applicants for the required works. identified in the Duffin Heights ESP. Once sufficient funds have accumulated, City staff will initiate the restoration progam to implement the required works. 3.0 Next Steps: With Council's concurrence, City staff will enter into an appropriate agreement with TRCA to undertake the restoration works identified in Duffin Heights ESP, notwithstanding the provisions of the City's Purchasing Policy. Attachment: 1. Fish Habitat Compensation Table Report PD 14-10 Date: June 7, 2010 Duffin Heights Restoration Works Page 6 35 Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: Grant McGregor, MCA RPP N 16C a Principal Planner - Policy Director, ning & Development Everett Buntsma Director, Operations & Emergency Services Gillis Paterson Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer GM:jf Attachment Copy: Chief Administrative Officer Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City ncil k 7 G T o as . Qui ih MR, C III Chief Adm rative Officer ATTACHMENT L_,TO REPORT # PD I y - I U 36 Fish Habitat Compensation Table i Location Restoration Compensation Estimated Opportunity Cost Ganatsekiagon The culvert under Replace the structure $25,000 Creek the CPR railway to concentrate low (at CPR railway) and the rubble at flows and enhance the outlet creates the fish passage a permanent barrier to fish passage Ganatsekiagon The small drop at Create backwater $10;000 Creek the culvert condition through the (at CPR railway) creates a culvert through the seasonal barrier installation of grade to fish passage control Urfe Creek A concrete Remove the structure $30,000 l structure and re-stabilize the upstream from banks using the golf course bioengineering restricts flow techniques Urfe Creek The stop log dam Remove the on-line $74,000 is a barrier when pond and reinstate logs are present natural channel form using natural channel design. Restore the riparian areas with aggressive restoration plan,