Report to: General Committee Date
Report Authored: April 30,
2010
SUBJECT: Green Print Community Sustainability Plan Strategies
PREPARED BY: Raj
Mohabeer Ext. 2658
RECOMMENDATION:
1)
That the staff report titled Green
Print Community Sustainability Plan Strategies, dated April 30, 2010, be received;
And that Staff be authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Green Print
Community Sustainability Plan is a comprehensive strategy to make Markham one of the most
liveable and sustainable cities in North America
and is built on a framework of a vision, priorities, strategies, and
indicators. Nested within each priority are
objectives and recommendations for achieving the priority. The Plan contains a
list of indicators in the form of a baseline report. The indicators are higher order means for measuring the success of efforts that result from the
plan.
Staff will continue to develop the Green
Print Community Sustainability Plan, based on input and
feedback of Council, the community and stakeholders, with the next report to
Council planned for June 14,
2010. Once the draft Green Print
Community Sustainability Plan has been released for public consultation,
inreach and outreach with staff, the community, stakeholders and other levels
of government will continue through the summer and fall, 2010. It is
anticipated that the Green Print
Community Sustainability Plan will be before Council for approval in early 2011
The purpose of this report is to
provide Council with an overview of the Green Print
Community Sustainability Plan strategies including the Draft Recommendations
being considered. The Green Print vision
is supported by twelve sustainability priorities that are clustered around
Social and Cultural Well-Being, Economic Vitality, and Environmental
Health.
Green Print
in strategic framework
In his
inaugural speech, the Mayor outlined a strategic framework for the upcoming
term of Council, including a Green Print
for Markham. Working
together with Council, staff and the community, the Green
Print will include a vision, priorities, strategies, goals
and objectives that will contribute to Markham’s future as a sustainable
community, ensuring long-term prosperity, social well being and environmental
health.
The Green Print will build on other initiatives, such as
the Diversity Action Plan, the Integrated Leisure Master Plan, the Growth
Management Strategy and policies, guidelines and processes underway, to become
a comprehensive, integrated framework that guides the Town, over time, to the
desired sustainable future. The Markham Green Print will also meet the criteria of the
Federal Gas Tax Agreement to complete a community sustainability plan.
The following
Council engagement has occurred, to date, around the Green
Print Community Sustainability Plan:
Staff, community and stakeholder engagement has also been
underway since 2007.
The Green
Print Community Sustainability Plan is a comprehensive
strategy to make Markham
one of the most liveable and sustainable cities in North
America. The Green Print
is built on a framework of vision, priorities, strategies, and indicators.
Draft Vision:
Markham: leading
the way to liveable neighbourhoods, healthy people, and continuing prosperity.
Using The Natural Step sustainability
principles as a guide, in a sustainable Markham:
Priorities:
The Green
Print vision is supported by twelve sustainability priorities
that are clustered around Social and Cultural Well-Being, Economic Vitality,
and Environmental Health.
1.
Social and Cultural Well Being
·
Social Equity: a community
where all people can thrive
2.
Economic Vitality
3.
Environmental Health
Strategies
for a Sustainable Markham:
In response to global forces of change
and Markham’s
vision and sustainability priorities the following integrative strategies and
corresponding goals and objectives are being considered:
- Complete neighbourhoods as the foundation of a Great
Community.
I.
Goal: Walkable and Accessible Complete
Neighbourhoods: Significantly increase housing, employment and institutional
diversity within existing and new neighborhoods
II.
Goal: Multi-Modal Transportation System: 40% of trips
to work make use of transit, walking and cycling (combined)
III.
Goal: Integrated Open Space Network: Create a network
of parks, trails and valleys lands that promote habitat and connectivity
- Robust
and resilient infrastructure.
IV.
Goal: High Performance Buildings: Net Zero Energy,
Water and Waste Buildings by 2020
V.
Goal: Viable Ecosystems and Landscapes: Net increase
in extent of Natural function within Markham’s
urban environment and preserve existing natural areas
VI.
Goal: Maintain Smart and Resilient Water, Energy,
Waste Management and Communication Infrastructure and Services
VII.
Goal: Create & Support a Local Food System:
Significantly increase food growing, celebration and processing in Markham
- Continuing
health and prosperity.
VIII.
Goal: Healthy People: Proactively create the
conditions for physical and mental health within the Markham
IX.
Goal: Inclusive and Engaging Government: A Council
and Committees that are 100% representative of Markham’s cultural, household
income and gender demographic composition
X.
Goal: Nurture Local & Future Opportunities that
lead to Sustainable Economic Development
XI.
Goal: A Culture of Excellence
Nested within
each goal there are objectives and recommendations for achieving the goal.
The Plan
contains a list of indicators in the form of a baseline report. The indicators are higher order means for
measuring the success of efforts that result from the plan. These indicators will need to be assessed
every three to five years to determine if the sustainability efforts being
implemented are effective and to adjust appropriately.
CONCLUSION
Staff will
continue to develop the Green Print
Community Sustainability Plan, based on input and feedback of Council, the
community and stakeholders, with the next report to Council planned for June 14, 2010. Once the
draft Green Print Community
Sustainability Plan has been released for public consultation, inreach and
outreach with staff, the community, stakeholders and other levels of government
will continue through the summer and fall, 2010. It is anticipated that the Green Print Community Sustainability Plan will be
before Council for approval in early 2011.
None at this time.
None at this time.
The Green Print will build on other initiatives, such as
the Diversity Action Plan, the Integrated Leisure Master Plan, the Growth
Management Strategy and policies, guidelines and processes underway, to become
a comprehensive, integrated framework that guides the Town, over time, to the
desired sustainable future. The Markham Green Print will also meet the criteria of the
Federal Gas Tax Agreement to complete a community sustainability plan.
Community and
Fire Services
Development
Services
Corporate
Services
RECOMMENDED
BY: ________________________ ________________________
Victoria McGrath, Director John
Livey, CAO
Sustainability
Office
Presentation
Draft Green Print Community Sustainability Plan