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Environmental Advisory
Committee Comité consultatif sur
l’environnement Minutes 26
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Present / Présents
: M.
Hegan (Chair / Présidente), S. Morin (Vice-Chair / Vice-président),
C. Caccia, A. Coffey, B. Collier, R. Dagenais, I. Hughes,
P. Koch, M. Lascelles, M. McGarrity, H. Parker, B. Pugsley,
P. Quealey, B. Sales
Councillor/Conseiller
A. Cullen (non-voting/membre non votant)
Absent / Absents: E.
D’Andrea
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST
DÉCLARATIONS D’INTÉRÊT
No declarations of interest were received.
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
RATIFICATION
DU PROCÈS-VERBAL
Minutes 25 of 9 March 2006 were approved as amended by the following:
“Mr. Manconi responded to questions from members including why this
program was given one million dollars, while the City’s environmental budget is
still down from last year.”
Chair Hegan announced that member Laura Beauchamp has resigned from the Committee and reserve member Edelweiss D’Andrea will be replacing the voting position at tonight’s meeting.
ACTION
ITEMS
POINTS
D’ÉXÉCUTION
1. city manager’s WORKING GROUP and budget update
GROUPE DE TRAVAIL DU DIRECTEUR
MUNICIPAL ET MISE À JOUR SUR LE BUDGET
Carol Christensen,
Manager, Environmental Sustainability Division noted the importance of the City
Manager’s working group indicating it gives the environment a much greater
profile within the administration of the City of Ottawa. Ms. Christensen provided updates on the
following:
City Manager’s
Working Groups’ Terms of Reference
·
Members raised questions with respect to the role of the EAC in the
Working Groups Terms of Reference; broadening the scope to engage more public
input and ensuring a report be released, preferably quarterly, providing
feedback on progress made and ensuring accountability.
DRAFT 2006 City of Ottawa Environmental Initiatives Inventory
·
Ms. Christensen provided clarification on issues
raised by Members and indicated a willingness to come back to the May EAC
meeting with a more complete document.
Education Strategy Progress
(website)
·
Sharron Ellis, Chief Communications Officer and Kirk
Finken, Project Manager provided a demonstration of the website to be launched
on April 22. Ms. Ellis noted the phases
of implementation, outlined the content to be included and stressed the
importance of receiving input from the community. Comments and suggestions were noted from Committee members who
were pleased with how ‘user friendly’ the site seemed.
Budget
·
Ms. Christensen indicated that the City Manager is
preparing a report for Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee
(CSEDC) on May 16 proposing the City formalize a relationship with Energy
Ottawa to create a revenue stream. It
is intended this revenue stream will be directed toward funding environmental
programs including some that were not approved in last years budget.
2. EAC TABLED MOTION “Reallocation of 2006 Budget Resources to address critical steps for implementing the Environmental Strategy for the City of Ottawa” - for consideration
LE COMITÉ CONSULTATIF SUR L’ENVIRONNEMENT (CCE) A DÉPOSÉ LA MOTION
« RÉAFFECTATION DES RESSOURCES BUDGÉTAIRES DE 2006 POUR TRAITER DES MESURES ESSENTIELLES PRISES POUR METTRE EN
œuvre LA STATÉGIE ENVIRONNEMENTALE DE LA VILLE D'Ottawa » - POUR ÉTUDE
Ms.
Christensen clarified issues in the tabled budget Motion that were no longer
accurate and indicated the City is still involved with important community
outreach initiatives such as the website and presence at the Eco-Stewardship
Fair.
Members discussed the options of amending the
tabled budget Motion to reflect changes that have occurred or further tabling
it until June following the aforementioned City Manager’s report rising to
CSEDC in May.
Councillor
Cullen encouraged Committee to be proactive and indicated if there are
environmental initiatives the EAC wants implemented it is important to make
certain the community and Council are aware and ensure it is part of the budget
process.
Moved
by P. Quealey
Whereas Council
in 2003 approved an Environmental Strategy for Ottawa which requires the
implementation of action plans for the City to reach its objectives by 2020;
Whereas the first action plan –
the Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan (approved by Council in
December 2004) identified the area needing most urgent attention to be the
development of an inventory of greenhouse gases and other pollutants for the
community at large, which is responsible for all but 3 to 5% of the pollutants
emitted from the City as a whole;
Whereas
achievement of the goals outlined in the Air Quality and Climate Change
Management Plan will bring about major improvements in quality of life, health
and environment, as well as major economic savings which will be enjoyed by all
citizens of our city. For example, air pollution currently results in over 250
premature deaths and $100 million of direct health costs each year for Ottawa
alone, and reducing this air pollution by 10 to 20 % will reduce the health
costs by an estimated $10 to 20 M per year;
Whereas
transportation and the heating and cooling of buildings represent the two
largest components contributing to air pollution in Ottawa and improvements in
their efficiency will have direct economic benefits which greatly surpass the
upfront investments needed;
Recognizing that
Council has a very difficult time during the budget process to give appropriate
consideration to these facts and had very difficult trade offs to make; and
Recognizing that
the items cut from the budget will put a stop to the implementation of the Air
Quality and Climate Change Management Plan which Council has already approved;
Whereas the
$276,000 capital account authority for air and energy initiatives within
account #902560 was removed from the budget;
Whereas $580,000
within the Planning, Environment & Infrastructure Policy (PEIP) operating
budget fund to complement, not duplicate, existing programs for achieving
building energy efficiency within our community was removed from the budget;
Whereas $390,000
within the Planning, Environment & Infrastructure Policy (PEIP) operating
budget for one community outreach staff position and the conduct of activities
to increase natural environment stewardship and energy efficiency was removed
from the budget; and
Whereas due to
these cuts, the work completed to date to implement the City’s Environmental
Management Strategy and the Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan will
be given a lower priority;
Whereas the City
has a direct responsibility to ensure the well-being and safety of its
citizens, shared with other levels of government;
Be it resolved
that the EAC views City Council's noted withdrawal from supporting city wide
environmental initiatives, with the needed resources, as an erosion of the
public trust which runs contrary to its responsibilities.
Be it further
resolved that the EAC deplores, in the strongest possible terms, City Council's
decision to remove the aforementioned funds from supporting City environmental
initiatives and requests that funds be reinstated.
Be it further resolved that the EAC welcomes the City Manager’s Working Group on Environmental Initiatives and looks forward to continuing to work with this working group and Council on these issues.
CARRIED
YEAS (9): C. Caccia, A.
Coffey, B. Collier, R. Dagenais, M. Lascelles, M. McGarrity, W. Pugsley,
P. Quealey, B. Sales
Nays
(5): M. Hegan, S. Morin, I. Hughes,
P. Koch, H. Parker
Action: Committee Coordinator will forward the approved motion to
the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee.
3. Galetta windpower project -
presentation and discussion
PROJET D’ÉNERGIE ÉOLIENNE DE Galetta -
présentation ET discussion
The Committee received a
PowerPoint presentation on the above-noted matter from Ted
Robinson, President; Benjamin Strehler, Vice-President and Director and Robert
Farrell, Treasurer and Director, Green Coop.
A copy of the presentation is held on file with the Committee
Coordinator. The presenters outlined
the following points:
·
Background and Corporate Structure of Green Co-op
·
Steps to project realization
·
Benefits to the local community
·
Plans on how to implement the project and who can participate
·
Location of the Galetta project
·
Environmental aspects including noise, shadow (flicker) and wildlife
Members provided
comments with respect to the need for a Federal Environmental Assessment; to
focus on mitigation measures with respect to birds; Wind Measurements and
questioned the difference between the wind turbines in Toronto and the one
being proposed in Galetta. Mr. Robinson
indicated the Provincial requirement for this project is to gain the support of
the community, as such, his company is seeking endorsement from the EAC and
Council.
Moved by B. Collier
WHEREAS
the use of wind power generation is increasingly recognized as a viable source
of energy,
BE IT RESOLVED
THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee endorses in principle the Galetta
Project and further encourages an Environmental Assessment; and,
FURTHER BE IT
RESOLVED THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee recommend that Council
consider this project which supports sustainable energy and fits the City’s
sustainability plan.
CARRIED with C. Caccia
dissenting.
Action: Coordinator will send a memo to
Council for information.
4. Greenspace Master Plan - development of
EAC recommendations
PLAN DIRECTEUR DES ESPACES VERTS -
ÉLABORATION DES RECOMMANDATIONS DU CCE
Councillor
Cullen provided Committee with a letter he had sent to all community groups
indicating that City staff are contemplating creating a policy to purchase
surplus school sites. The purpose of
the policy is to preserve neighbourhood community greenspace, i.e., sports
fields and play structures and use the existing building for public use, i.e.,
child-care and community centres. He
encouraged the EAC to provide comments as staff are seeking input into the
necessity of creating this policy.
Members
discussed different options of involvement for the EAC and noted the importance
of working with the Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee as this
falls within their mandate.
Action: Members Lascelles, Parker and Caccia
will form a task force to review the Greenspace Master Plan and provide
comments back to the EAC in May.
5. COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT WORKING GROUP update - next steps in workplan
BILAN DU GROUPE DE TRAVAIL
sur la participation communautaire - PROCHAINES ÉTAPES DU PLAN DE TRAVAIL
(a) Eco-Fair - 22 april 2006
Éco-FOIRE - 22 aVril 2006
Action 1: Member Dagenais will
organize the materials and set up the booth.
Action 2: Members Dagenais; Koch; D’Andrea;
Reserve member Costa; Chair Hegan and Vice-Chair Morin volunteered to assist at
the Eco-Fair.
(b) Community Newspaper Articles
ARTICLES DE JOURNAUX COMMUNAUTAIRES
Action: Coordinator will provide the City’s contact list for the community
newspapers to Member’s Quealey; D’Andrea; Chair Hegan and Vice-Chair Morin.
(c) EAC
Website
SITE
WEB DU CCE
Action: Coordinator will follow up with Phillip Clarke,
Director, Client Services and Public Information, as to the status of this
pilot project.
6. EAC
DARP RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROCESS - REVIEW AND UPDATE
RESPONSABILITÉS ET PROCESSUS PEDD DU CCE - EXAMEN ET MISE À JOUR
Member
Koch provided the following updates:
DAR
Process
Action: He will continue to review the
development applications on a regular basis until Cynthia Levesque, Program
Manager, Environmental Sustainability Division, obtains a staff person to
assist in restructuring the process.
New
Westminster Checklist
·
In New Westminster, BC all developers are required to
submit a checklist related to sustainability when they submit an
application. He will with J. Moser,
Director, Planning and Infrastructure Approvals, on implementing this
initiative.
Community
Design Plans (CDP)
Action: He will distribute the list of CDPs
to members by email, encouraging them to participate in those that are of
interest to them.
Findlay Creek Village (Leitrim) Development
·
A Motion was approved at Council in January; there has
been no action taken from the developer following Council’s direction.
7. Ottawa
sustainability Fund - Next Steps and Role of EAC
FONDS DE DURABILITÉ D’Ottawa - PROCHAINES
ÉTAPES ET RÔLE DU CCE
Members
Koch and Quealey provided copies of a document updating the Committee on the
status of the Ottawa Sustainability Fund, (A
copy is held on file with the Coordinator) outlining the agreement; Rules
of Procedure for fund governance; official launch details and fundraising.
Action: Carol Christensen, Manager,
Environmental Sustainability Division, will provide Committee with an update on
the draft agreement scheduled to go to Planning and Environment Committee on
May 31, 2006.
8. Functioning of Advisory Committees - Outcome
of Chairs and Vice-chairs meeting for operation of EAC
FONCTIONNEMENT DES COMITÉS consultatifs -
résultat de la réunion des présidents et des vice-présidents pour le
fonctionnement du cce
Action
1: Vice-Chair
Morin will provide information by email to Members with respect to the outcome
of the Chairs and Vice-Chairs Meeting.
Action 2: Coordinator
will forward the concerns of some members regarding signing the Advisory
Committee’s Code of Conduct to Elaine Fleury for appropriate action.
Moved by P. Koch
Pursuant to Section 9 (8) of the
Advisory Committee Procedure By-Law, that the Environmental Advisory Committee
proceed with this evening’s meeting beyond 10:30 p.m.
CARRIED
9. outcome
of eac presentation to planning and environment committee re: 2006 workplan
résultat de la présentation Du cce au comité
de L’URBANISME ET DE L’environNEment CONCERNANT LE PLAN DE TRAVAIL 2006
Chair Hegan gave a brief update on the outcome of the presentation to
the Planning and Environment Committee (PEC) meeting regarding the annual
report and workplan. She indicated the
PEC members provided positive feedback and encouragement towards the EAC.
10. updates and outstanding
issues from EAC working groups and special project groups
bilans et points en
litige des groupes de travail du cce et des groupes de projets spéciaux
Transportation
Liaison Group
Light Rail Transit
(A) Moved
by A. Coffey
WHEREAS the Environmental Advisory Committee has participated in the
Public Working Group (PWG) for the location of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT)
maintenance yard;
AND WHEREAS the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiated by
the City of Ottawa with the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada
identifies the re-use of the Walkley Rail Yard as one of the key deliverables
of the LRT project;
AND WHEREAS
after many weeks of meetings and community effort, the PWG has voted
overwhelmingly in favour of re-using the decaying and underutilized Walkley
Rail Yard for the LRT maintenance and storage facility as identified in the
MOU;
AND WHEREAS the
PWG selected the Walkley Rail Yard because it is the most community- and
environmentally-appropriate of the four proposed sites – the selected Walkley
Brownfield location, and three biodiverse natural areas, or Greenfields located
inside the Greenbelt;
AND WHEREAS both
the Fairlea and the Heatherington residents support the PWG’s selection since
locating the LRT maintenance yard on the Walkley site will result in a number
of benefits, including the revitalization of the rail yard and the surrounding
environment for both community use and employment opportunities;
AND WHEREAS
the Walkey site is the least expensive of the three alternatives when the City
of Ottawa abides by its own principles of assessing land values according to
the Fair Market Value or the true value of a subsidy;
AND WHEREAS the Walkley site has much to commend it as an ideal
location for the LRT maintenance and storage facility, including:
•
Ample space for future expansion if needed;
•
Close proximity/access to the North-South rail line;
•
Conveniently accessible by trains from the East-West line for heavy
repairs;
•
Existing rail yard (benefits of having the required infrastructure, and
minimizing the risk of contaminating an undeveloped natural area);
•
Away from core natural areas and sensitive ecosystems;
•
Away from water courses (especially those with sensitive ecological
conditions and fish habitat);
•
Away from areas with high groundwater tables and recharge/discharge
areas;
•
Away from areas with high concentrations of existing or proposed
residential developments (due to the visual, noise and air pollution typically
associated with rail yards);
•
Easily accessible for employees; and
•
Existing services (electricity, water, telephone, etc.) available
on-site or nearby
AND WHEREAS the Environmental Advisory
Committee strongly opposes locating the LRT maintenance yard in either of the
three proposed natural areas since it will diminish Ottawa’s natural capital,
including forested areas and wetlands, and also unnecessarily create a new
brownfield instead of redeveloping an existing one.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee recommends that the Transportation Committee recommend that Council approve the Walkley Rail Yard brownfield as the most rational, least environmentally damaging, and the most community-beneficial location for the LRT maintenance yard.
CARRIED with H. Parker dissenting.
Action: Coordinator will send a memo to staff indicating the EAC support of the
Walkley Rail Yard Site.
(B) Member Pugsley noted the importance of an open house, May
9-11, with respect to the East/West Light Rail Transit project and indicated
anyone interested should attend.
Action: Members
Pugsley and Lascelles will attend a public consultation group meeting on May 6.
Water and Human Health Working Group
Wetlands
·
Chair Hegan noted a Wetlands Stakeholder
Group has been formed to assess sensitive issues relating to wetlands,
particularly in the Goulbourn area, as part of a follow up workplan that Councillors
have asked for action on by June 5.
Action: Chair Hegan will write
a memo to the Members of the EAC providing an update on the Groups progress.
Solar Hot Water
·
Ms. Christensen clarified for Committee that the Ontario Building Code
(OBC) references a specific CSA standard for solar domestic hot water systems
and the City’s Building Department will not issue a building permit unless the
CSA standard is met. She also noted the
Province has proposed changes to the OBC including the possibility of deleting
the reference to the CSA standard.
11. ORGANIZATION
CHART
ORGANIGRAMME
Action: Any
Member interested in being the EAC liaison member to the Ottawa Forests and
Greenspace Advisory Committee should submit their name to Chair Hegan.
12. REVIEW
AND CONSIDERATION OF DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS, community design plans AND PROPOSED PROPERTY DISPOSALS
EXAMEN ET ÉTUDE DE DEMANDES D’AMÉNAGEMENT, DE
PLANS DE coNCEPTION COMMUNAUTAIRES ET
D’aliénations de propriétés proposées
Committee members
reviewed development applications deferred from previous EAC meetings and
approved comments and recommendations to the following by consent:
·
1500 Thomas Argue Road - Plan of Subdivision and Plan of Condominium
Proposal Carp Airport
Moved by B. Collier
Whereas this project proposes to develop a residential and
commercial project on the Carp Airport; and
Whereas the project will impact several farms; and
Whereas the project is within close proximity to a quarry;
and
Whereas the project is within close proximity to a major
landfill site which may contravene federal aviation guidelines; and
Whereas the project is within close proximity to a major
bird landing site; and
Whereas there may be safety concerns for children and
pets,
THEREFORE Be it resolved that the Environmental Advisory Committee strongly oppose this proposal and
recommends that if Council does consider this, that:
1. The
Plan of Subdivision and Plan of Condominium Proposal be:
a) delayed
until after a full Environmental Assessment has been completed; and
b) Be
promoted from delegated authority to Committee and Council approval.
2. That
the residents impacted by this development be included in the process.
3. That
City staff require the developer to prepare documentation to address the issues
of:
a) Child
and pet safety for the “Hangar Lots”;
b) Safety
issues associated to close proximity to a quarry;
c) Investigate
and get an opinion from Transport Canada on having a development in close
proximity to a major landfill;
d) To
address safety and environmental impact of increased air traffic near a major
migratory bird landing site.
4. That
City Staff prepare a report on the long-term impact of “boxing in” farms.
CARRIED
·
1501 Hunt Club Road - Zoning Amendment / Plan of Subdivision Proposals
Moved by P. Koch
That the Environmental Advisory Committee endorse the following recommendations from the Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee:
1.
That the small woods in the SE corner of the
proposed development (Unit 3 in the Environmental Impact Statement) be
retained.
2.
That new planting of residential and other
trees and shrubs be comprised mainly of native species, and as large-diameter
trees as possible, so that the effects of the new trees on the local
environment can accrue as soon as possible.
CARRIED
·
5670 Carp Road - Site Plan
Control Proposal
Moved by B. Collier
The Environmental Advisory Committee
recommends that a septic system design be undertaken and approved by the
Provincial authorities before final approval.
CARRIED
The following
development applications were deferred to the May EAC meeting for updates:
·
Kanata West - Official Plan Amendment Proposal
·
2075 Montreal Road - Site Plan Control Proposal
·
5625 Campeau Drive - Plan of Subdivision and Zoning Amendment Proposal
·
900 Second Line Road - Site Plan Control Proposal
·
2415 Richardson Side Road - Site Plan Control Proposal
·
801 Eagleson - Zoning Amendment Proposal
13. CONFIRMATION OF SUMMER
MEETINGS
CONFIRMATION DES RÉUNIONS D’ÉTÉ
Action: The EAC will hold a regular meeting on July 13 and cancel the August
meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
AUTRES
QUESTIONS
Ottawa Farmer’s
Market
Member
Quealey indicated that Council approved a Motion in support of the Ottawa
Farmer’s Market Association Pilot Project to help develop a producer-based farmer’s
market at Lansdowne Park.
Action: Member Quealey suggested the EAC
move a motion at the May meeting to support this initiative.
ADJOURNMENT
LEVÉE DE LA SÉANCE
The meeting adjourned at 11:20 p.m.
Original
Signed By Original
Signed By
Committee Coordinator Chair