K1-1 Minutes Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee Committee of the Council of The Corporation of the City of Brampton
PLANNING, DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT DATE: June 21, 2010
May 11, 2010 Council Committee Room 4th Floor, City Hall
Members Present: John Willetts, Citizen Member (Co-Chair) City Councillor John Hutton, Council Representative on the Credit Valley Conservation Authority (CVC) (Co-Chair) (left at 4:45 p.m.) Regional Councillor Grant Gibson, Chair of the Planning Design and Development Committee Regional Councillor John Sprovieri, Council Representative on the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority (TRCA) Ian Drever, Development Industry Jayne Pilot, Industry/Business Sector Bill Costigane, Academic Community Pam Hundal, Citizen Member (arrived at 4:15 p.m.)
Staff Present: Adrian Smith, Director, Planning Policy and Growth Management, Planning, Design and Development Susan Jorgenson, Manager, Environmental Planning, Planning, Design and Development Michael Hoy, Environmental Policy Planner, Planning, Planning, Design and Development Chandra Urquhart, Legislative Coordinator, City Clerk’s Office
K1-2 Minutes Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee
The meeting was called to order at 3:43 p.m., and adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
After due consideration of the matters placed before this Committee, the members beg leave to present its report as follows:
Item Recommendation
A. EPA001-2010 Approval of Agenda
B. Conflicts of Interest
C. EPA002-2010 Minutes – December 8, 2009
D 1. EPA003-2010 Inclusion of Public Lands – Credit River Valley, Humber River and Claireville Conservation Area in the Provincial Greenbelt.
D 2. EPA004-2010 Claireville Conservation Area Management Plan Update.
E 1. EPA005-2010 City’s Comments on the Claireville Conservation Area Management Plan.
E 2. EPA006-2010 Environmental Master Plan Update.
E 3. EPA007-2010 Growth Plan Official Plan Amendment Update.
E 4. Environmental and Stewardship Initiatives.
F . Environmental Ideas
G. Other/New/Business
H . Correspondence
I. Question Period
J. Public Question Period
K. EPA008-2010 Adjournment
______City Councillor John Hutton, Council John Willetts, Citizen Member (Co-Chair) Representative on the Credit Valley Conservation Authority (CVC) (Co-Chair)
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A. Approval of Agenda
EPA001-2010 That the agenda for the Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee Meeting of May 11, 2010, be approved as printed and circulated.
Carried
B. Conflicts of Interest - nil
C. Previous Minutes
C 1. Minutes of the Meeting held on December 8, 2009, approved by Council on February 10, 2010.
EPA002-2010 That the Minutes of the Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee of December 8, 2009 to the Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee of May 11, 2010, be received.
Carried
D. Delegations/Presentations
D 1. Delegation request by Peter Orphanos, Chairperson, Sierra Club Peel, re: Inclusion of Public Lands – Credit River Valley, Humber River and Claireville Conservation Area in the Provincial Greenbelt.
Peter Orphanos, Chairperson, Sierra Club, Peel, requested that consideration be given with respect to the inclusion of public lands in the Credit River, Humber Valley and Claireville Conservation Area in the Greenbelt Plan. He stressed the need for the City to adopt policies that will protect and preserve these public lands. He stated that the inclusion of public lands in the Greenbelt plan will not prevent the development of communities; it will increase the value of properties and improve the quality of life in communities.
Mr. Orphanos requested Committee’s consideration of the following recommendation:
“The Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee recommends that:
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1. City Council support, in principle, the addition of public lands in the Credit River Valley, Humber Valley and the Claireville Conservation Area to Ontario's Greenbelt to ensure these valuable lands are preserved and protected and accordingly direct staff, in consultation with Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and Toronto Region Conservation Authority, (TRCA), to carry out the following actions required to make an application to the Province of Ontario.
2. City Council direct planning staff to prepare a report to the Planning and Development Committee that:
a. identifies City, TRCA and CVC owned lands that are located within river valley connections in the City of Toronto identified in the Greenbelt Plan that may be suitable for Greenbelt designation; and
b. examines the implications of Greenbelt designation for City and CVC recreational uses, facilities and infrastructure.”
Discussion on the request as presented by Mr.Orphanos included the following: o Leadership role with respect to the actions required to include public lands in the Greenbelt Plan; Mr. Orphanos’ response that the City of Brampton will be expected to lead effort o Anticipated timelines o Location of lands that should be included in the Greenbelt Plan o The need to assess the implications to the valley systems before the proposal is considered
Staff advised that the City’s Official Plan contains policies regarding the protection of natural areas in valley corridors. The request by Mr. Orphanos to include public lands in the Greenbelt Plan requires the extension of the plan into an urban context and this proposal will have to be investigated and evaluated. Staff further explained that the request may be supported in principle but the implications and advantages need to be first understood. It was further acknowledged that any request to the Province for inclusion of public lands within the City of Brampton would have to be made by the Region of Peel in accordance with Growing the Greenbelt criteria.
A motion was put forward as follows:
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“That the delegation regarding Growing the Greenbelt presented by Peter Orphanos, Chairperson, Sierra Club, Peel, to the Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee (BEPAC), at its meeting held May 11, 2010, be referred to staff for review and a report back to BEPAC regarding the potential consequences of participating with the request for expansion of the Ontario Greenbelt and other publicly-owned lands in Brampton along the Credit River and Humber River valley corridors including implications of including the Claireville Conservation Area, given the Urban Forest and nature first initiative presented by Mayor Fennell and endorsed by the TRCA Board on April 30, 2010.”
There was discussion with respect to the above motion as follows: o Whether the lands that are requested for inclusion in the Greenbelt Plan have been indentified o Investigate the potential advantages, benefits and opportunities of including public lands in the Plan o Modification of Mr. Orphanos’ request if necessary to fit the Plan o A suggestion that Mr. Orphanos’ request be supported in principle since the implications of including public lands in the Plan is unknown at this time o Feasibility of the request should be determined.
The motion was amended and considered as follows:
EPA003-2010 1. That the delegation of Peter Orphanos, Chairperson, Sierra Club, Peel, to the Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee Meeting of May 11, 2010, to the Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee Meeting of May 11, 2010, re: Inclusion of Public Lands – Credit River Valley, Humber River and Claireville Conservation Area in the Provincial Greenbelt be received; and,
2. That it is the position of Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee (BEPAC) to support in principle, the addition of public lands in the Credit River Valley and Humber River Valley Corridors in the Provincial Greenbelt, subject to staff review and a report back to BEPAC and Planning, Design and Development Committee regarding:
a. potential benefits, feasibility and opportunity of participating with the request to add these lands to the Greenbelt Plan;
b. implications and advantages of including the Claireville Conservation Area in the Greenbelt Plan, given the Urban Forest and nature first initiative presented by Mayor Fennell and endorsed by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Board on April 30, 2010.
Carried
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D 2. Presentation by Gary Wilkins, Humber Watershed Specialist and Deanna Cheriton, Project Manager, Land Management, Toronto and Region Conservation Area (TRCA), re: Claireville Conservation Area Management Plan Update.
Gary Wilkins, Humber Watershed Specialist, Toronto and Region Conservation Area (TRCA), provided background information on Claireville Conservation Area (CCA), highlighting the key features and attractions, the nature of the territory, and recreational opportunities. He explained that the Claireville Conservation Area Management Plan is being updated in response to development of the surrounding areas, to remove outdated projects, to incorporate current natural heritage inventory data and validate management zones. He indicated that there are many stakeholders involved in the preparation of the plan including naturalists’ clubs, recreational associations and community groups.
Ms. Deanna Cheriton Project Manager, Land Management, Toronto and Region Conservation Area (TRCA), highlighted the following: Key Management Recommendations in Updated Plan include: - reduce encroachment by implementing site securement and protection plans - increase habitat restoration and improvement areas - examine agricultural policies - improve public use and access to trails and recreational facilities e.g., refinement of inter-regional trail alignment throughout the property - eliminate off-leash dog activities and enforce TRCA’s policy to manage domestic animals on the property - recognize cultural heritage features and history Significant Changes in Update Plan include: - creation of new zones: e.g., agricultural reserve, heritage reserve, residential lease - public use zones to accommodate recreational and educational programs - designation of some agricultural lands for habitat restoration Inter-regional Trail Alignment – details of conceptual inter-regional trail was provided Brampton Pathways Plan – City of Brampton recommended trail network was provided Management Zones identified in1997 and 2010 Revised Management Zones identified in 2010 Classes CCA Management Plan Update 2010 New and Enhanced Features include a more comprehensive management plan Details of Current Land Use Major Accomplishments since 1997, include: - community engagement
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- cultural heritage - agriculture - habitat restoration - facilities enhancement - land securement Next Steps include: - stakeholder consultation - finalize management plan update - implement the updated management plan
Following the presentation, Ms. Cheriton responded to comments from Committee that included the following: o Whether an emergency preparedness plan is available and the impact on people and wildlife o Access to the area by emergency services o Availability of recreational trails with proper signage o Agricultural use and the type of farming that is being considered and the impact on the existing environment
The following motion was considered:
EPA004-2010 That the presentation by Gary Wilkins, Humber Watershed Specialist, and Deanna Cheriton, Project Manager, Land Management, Toronto and Region Conservation Area, to the Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee Meeting of May 11, 2010, re: Claireville Conservation Area Management Plan Update be received.
Carried
E. Reports/Updates
E 1. Verbal update by Susan Jorgenson, Manager, Environmental Planning, Planning, Design and Development, re: City’s Comments on the Claireville Conservation Area Management Plan. Susan Jorgenson, Manager, Environmental Planning, Planning, Design and Development, advised that all City departments are involved in the Claireville Conservation Area Management Plan Update, including Planning, Design and Development, Community Services, and Economic Development and Corporate Communications, Tourism division. She indicated that the intent is to promote Claireville Conservation Area as a place people will visit. She noted that a report by Mayor Fennell on the subject and circulated for Committee’s information will be considered by Council on May 12, 2010.
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EPA005-2010 That the verbal update by Susan Jorgenson, Manager, Environmental Planning, Planning, Design and Development, to the Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee Meeting of May 11, 2010, re: City’s Comments on the Claireville Conservation Area Management Plan be received.
Carried
E 2. Verbal update by Mike Hoy, Environmental Planner, Planning, Design and Development, re: Environmental Master Plan.
Mike Hoy, Environmental Planner, Planning, Design and Development, provided an update on the Environmental Master Plan (EMP) highlighting the following: o Brampton’s current sustainability initiatives and environmental challenges were discussed at a workshop involving the Region of Peel, environmental community groups, vendors and the Board of Trade; initiatives, challenges and opportunities were identified: - Initiatives include: SNAP program, Partners in Project Green, Smart Commute and Pathways Master Plan - Challenges include: creating pedestrian friendly streets and communities, providing more open space, low density housing, water quality and climate change - Opportunities include: commitment to protect natural heritage system, more passive recreation areas, promoting pedestrian, cycling and transit and intensification o Consultant group and the EMP working team is preparing a draft Phase 1 Background/Consultant Report o Summary of the next steps in the process: - Development of a metrics table that will help the City measure its progress in meeting future targets - Best practices from elsewhere collated to identify objectives, case studies, metrics and targets o Benchmarking monitoring framework
o Strategic direction, action plan and partnerships o Future public consultation include: additional external stakeholder meetings and a Mayor’s Town Hall meeting.
Staff advised that Committee will be kept informed of the Mayor’s Town Hall meeting and suggested that Members consider their role and contribution with respect to the development of the EMP.
The following motion was considered:
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EPA006-2010 That the verbal update by Mike Hoy, Environmental Planner, Planning, Design and Development, to the Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee Meeting of May 11, 2010, re: Environmental Master Plan be received.
Carried
E 3. Verbal update by Susan Jorgenson, Manager, Environmental Planning, Planning, Design and Development, re: Growth Plan Official Plan Amendment.
Susan Jorgenson, Manager, Environmental Planning, Planning, Design and Development, advised that the Growth Plan Official Plan Amendment process is coming to an end with the final amendments being presented to Council in June 2010. Following approval by Council, Regional approval will be required. Ms. Jorgenson explained that changes have been incorporated with respect to natural heritage systems, recognizing that climate change is an issue, and that water and energy conservation, air quality protection and stormwater management systems need to be addressed. She noted that the amendment also restricts new development in valley and watercourse corridors’ properties.
Committee discussion on this matter included the following: o the impact of active recreation in a natural environment such as Eldorado Park and Chinguacousy Park o defining existing development and opportunities for changes on valley and watercourse corridors’ properties o access to wildlife corridors, e.g. crossing structures and signage
The following motion was considered:
EPA007-2010 That the verbal update by Susan Jorgenson, Manager, Environmental Planning, Planning, Design and Development, to the Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee Meeting of May 11, 2010, re: Growth Plan Official Plan Amendment be received.
Carried
E 4. Verbal update by Mike Hoy, Environmental Planner, Planning, Design and Development, re: Environmental Initiatives and Stewardship Efforts.
Staff advised that an update on this matter will be provided by email to all Members.
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F. Environmental Ideas - nil
G. Other/New Business - nil
H. Correspondence - nil
I. Question Period
I 1. Jayne Pilot, Member, commented that the City of Brampton needs to publicize its accomplishments regarding environmental projects, such as Partners in Project Green and Claireville Conservation Area. She suggested that BEPAC staff initiate a challenge to other Cities on their accomplishments on environmental projects. Staff noted Ms. Pilot’s comments and advised that they will be directed to the Brampton Flower City Committee.
I 2. In response to a question from Jayne Pilot, Member, with respect to geese management at Chinguacousy Park, staff advised that the geese population is controlled with dogs and the geese’ eggs are not removed from the site.
J. Public Question Period
K. Adjournment
EPA008-2010 That the Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee Meeting will now adjourn and the Committee will meet again on August 10, 2010, 3:30 p.m., or at the call of the Chair.
Carried
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