RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the
staff report entitled “Rouge Park Alliance Resolution
– Infrastructure in Rouge Park March 25, 2003, be received;
AND THAT in response to the November 22, 2002
Rouge Park Alliance resolution calling for the establishment of a “vigorous
policy to discourage the use of Rouge Park lands for new infrastructure sites
and routes”, the Alliance be advised
that the Town of Markham continues to support the current provisions of the
Rouge North Management Plan and guidelines with respect to new infrastructure;
AND FURTHER THAT the planning for municipal
infrastructure in the vicinity of Rouge Park lands be in accordance with the
guidelines provided in the Rouge North Management Plan and established
environmental and planning processes including the Environmental Assessment
Act.
PURPOSE
The purpose
of this report is to respond to a resolution passed by the Rouge Park Alliance
and forwarded to Markham for endorsement.
BACKGROUND
On January
21, 2003 Development Services Committee received a request by the Rouge Park
Alliance to support a resolution to establish a vigorous policy to discourage
the use of Rouge Park lands for new infrastructure sites and routes, including
new pipelines, transmission lines, transportation corridors, communication
towers and similar uses. Committee
referred the resolution to the Development Service Commission for
response. The resolution from the Rouge
Park Alliance is attached as Appendix ‘A’.
DISCUSSION
Current Rouge Park Policy is sufficient
On March 9, 2001 the Rouge Park Alliance
approved the Rouge North Management Plan, subject to a number of revisions and
forwarded the document to the partners for endorsation and implementation. The Alliance resolution is attached as
Appendix ‘B’. On July 10, 2001 the Town
of Markham received, and endorsed in principle as a guideline document, the
Rouge North Management Plan (2001). The
Council resolution is attached as Appendix ‘C’. The Town in now engaged in implementing the Rouge Park through
preparation of an Official Plan Amendment to recognize the Rouge Park and
delineate the Rouge Park boundary on future Rouge Park lands.
The Rouge North Management Plan (RNMP), 2001 represents current Rouge
Park Alliance policy with respect to management activities and expansion of the
Rouge Park. The RNMP recognizes that
infrastructure related to urban development will occur within the vicinity of
the Rouge Park. The Plan contains a
section dealing specifically with Infrastructure Guidelines (see Section 6.4.2
of Appendix ‘D’). Of particular note,
Section 6.4.2 identifies the following two principles:
“* The
implementation of the guidelines must facilitate the protection and enhancement
of the integrity of and long-term sustainability of the recourses of Rouge
Park; and,
* The recommended solutions to address
potential conflicts between development and infrastructure and the Rouge Park
ecosystem must be efficient, economically viable and effective in order to
encourage their use.”
The Guidelines also state that “flexibility must be maintained in the
plan to ensure that the best alternatives for infrastructure are considered on
the basis of environmental impacts in addition to technical and economic
considerations.” The Guidelines are
attached as Appendix ‘D’.
Rouge North Management Plan
addresses a high standard of environmental review but does not prohibit
municipal infrastructure
The Rouge North Management Plan does not prohibit municipal
infrastructure from locating adjacent to the Rouge Park, and where necessary,
crossing the Rouge Park subject to consideration of a higher standards of
environmental protection and integration into existing planning and
environmental approvals processes. The
Management Plan does discourage some forms of traditional infrastructure design
and encourages alternative and innovative designs where practical, feasible and
cost effective. The principles
in the Rouge North Management Plan which guide infrastructure provide for the
protection and enhancement of the integrity and long term sustainability of the
Rouge Park and solutions to resolve any potential conflicts with infrastructure
in an efficient, economically viable and effective manner. Overall, the Rouge North
Management Plan represents a high standard of environmental care in the
consideration of public infrastructure.
FINANCIAL
CONSIDERATIONS
None.
BUSINESS UNITS
AFFECTED
None.
CONCLUSION
The
endorsation of the Rouge North Management Plan raises the standard of
environmental consideration and ensures a review process for all
transportation, servicing and stormwater management consistent with the
endorsed guidelines. The Town is
committed to the Rouge Park and the principles and guidelines established in
the Rouge North Management Plan. The
Rouge North Management Plan is approved by the Rouge Park Alliance and
represents current Rouge Park Alliance policy.
If the intent of the Rouge Park Alliance resolution is to supersede
their own policies, then a consultative process should be enacted with the
Rouge Park partners to review the matter in more detail and deal with the issue
through the guidelines approved and endorsed in the Rouge North Management
Plan. The Town’s approach to
infrastructure planning is consistent with current Rouge Park Alliance policy.
ATTACHMENTS
Appendix ‘A’: Rouge
Park Alliance Resolution - Infrastructure
Appendix ‘B’: Rouge
Park Alliance Resolution – Rouge North Management Plan
Appendix ‘C’: Council
Resolution – Rouge North Management Plan
Appendix ‘D’: Rouge
North Management Plan Infrastructure Guidelines
File Path: Q:\Dev.\Plg\MISC\MI460 RPA\Reports\Report to DSC March 25.doc
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Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Director of Planning & Urban Design
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Alan
Brown, C.E.T
Director
of Engineering
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Jim Baird,
M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Commissioner
of Development Services
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