MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
2007-06-12 -
Meeting No. 19
All
Members of Council
Development
Services Economic
Development
Chair: Regional Councillor J. Jones Chair: Regional Councillor T. Wong
Vice-Chair: Councillor J. Webster Transportation Issues
Chair: Regional Councillor G. Landon
PART A
Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda
9:00 a.m. – Canada Room
Attendance
|
Mayor F. Scarpitti Deputy Mayor J. Jones Regional Councillor J. Heath Regional Councillor T. Wong Regional Councillor G. Landon Councillor V. Burke Councillor E. Shapero Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor C. Moretti Councillor J. Webster Councillor D. Horchik (d: Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu |
J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services M. Boyce, Senior Policy Coordinator A. Brown, Director of Engineering C. Conrad, Town Solicitor D. Ciastko, Senior Economic Development Officer L. Duoba, Project Coordinator T. Lambe, Manager, Policy and Research V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design C. Raynor, Committee Clerk |
The Development Services
Committee convened at the hour of
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST -
None disclosed.
1. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- May 22, 2007, Part A (10.0)
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A,
CARRIED
2. POWERSTREAM
AND SNC LAVLIN
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR
PROPOSED
TRANSFORMER STATION (5.7, 13.7)
Mr. C. Wallace, Environmental Planner, SNC-Lavlin Engineers & Constructors Inc. presented information relating to the Environmental Assessment process for a proposed transformer station. Criteria for selecting candidate and preferred sites were outlined and included factors such as soil, drainage, road access, public input, proximity to load growth areas, impact on the natural environment and cost.
It was noted that a first Public Consultation Meeting on the matter is
scheduled for
There was discussion surrounding the potential health risks posed by electromagnetic fields.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the presentation by Mr. C. Wallace, Environmental Planner, SNC-Lavlin Engineers & Constructors Inc., regarding Powerstream and SNC Lavlin – Environmental Assessment for Proposed Transformer Station be received.
CARRIED
3. ENVIRONMENTAL
POLICY REVIEW
AND CONSOLIDATION (5.7, 10.0)
Ms. L. Duoba, Project Coordinator presented the background to the Environmental Policy Review and Consolidation along with the project objectives, which include establishing a Natural Heritage Network, minimizing loss, protecting biodiversity and balancing public use. It is expected that recommendations from the report will be forthcoming to Committee in fall, 2007.
Mr. M. Schollen, Schollen and Company, provided information relating to the first phase of the Study. During this phase different mapping models will be consolidated in order to help determine existing natural heritage features and other areas of potential interest. Areas of the Town that are too urbanized to accommodate green spaces will be examined for opportunities to provide linkages to existing green space through the development of trails or cycle paths.
It was stated that a public information meeting will be held on
Staff agreed to distribute a comparison of the natural heritage areas in the Town from the late 1990s to the present day. Staff also noted that a number of external agencies will be engaged during the study process.
There was discussion surrounding the
Moved by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That the presentation by Ms. L. Duoba, Project Coordinator, and Mr. M. Schollen, Schollen and Company, regarding the Environmental Policy Review and Consolidation be received.
CARRIED
4. PLANNING FOR TOMORROW
YORK REGION GROWTH MANAGEMENT (10.0)
Mr. J. Waller, Director of Long Range and Strategic Planning, York Region, presented an overview of the Region’s Growth Management Strategy. Information included projected growth figures and a review of the principles to be considered such as environmental impact, quality of life, and intensification.
There was discussion surrounding the population and employment growth figures used by the Region. Mr. Waller noted that plans will include low, medium and high scenarios and that the figures will be checked against census data to ensure they remain as accurate as possible. Committee suggested that the impact of growth and intensification on agriculture, affordable housing and built heritage should also be considered. Committee also requested that the Region explore initiatives such as carbon-neutral and sustainable developments.
Committee noted that intensification will require development of communities different from the current norm, particularly that residential and employment uses will become more co-mingled.
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the presentation by Mr. J. Waller, Director of Long Range and Strategic Planning, York Region regarding Planning for Tomorrow - York Region Growth Management be received.
CARRIED
5. EMPLOYMENT LANDS STRATEGY (10.0)
Mr. T. Lambe, Manager, Policy and Research, provided a brief chronology of the Employment Lands Strategy starting with the Employment Lands Strategy Study in 1998. It was noted that one of the primary issues affecting the availability of employment lands is the conversion of such lands to other uses. It is hoped that a report on the matter will be forthcoming to Committee in fall, 2007.
There was discussion surrounding increasing the availability of employment lands. Suggestions included redeveloping vacant employment land and land banking. Committee expressed concern over the availability of large tracts of land that might be used to attract major employers.
Moved by Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the presentation by Mr. T. Lambe, Manager, Policy and Research, regarding the Employment Lands Strategy be received.
CARRIED
6. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY (5.3)
Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the presentation by Mr. S. Sito,
Environmental Engineer, regarding a Stormwater Management Strategy be deferred
to the next Part A session of Development Services Committee on June 26, 2007.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of