Report to: Development Services Committee                                  Report Date: May 20, 2008

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Rouge Park Projects Information and Screening Package

PREPARED BY:               Lilli Duoba Ext. 7925; Learie Miller Ext. 6922

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Development Services Commission Report entitled Rouge Park Projects Information and Screening Package dated, May 20, 2008 be received;

 

AND THAT the Rouge Park Projects Information and Screening Package attached as Appendix ‘A’ be endorsed for use when future Rouge Park projects within the Town of Markham are proposed;

 

AND THAT the Site Alteration By-law 2006-97 be amended to grant the Director of Engineering discretionary powers, as noted in this report, to vary the information requirements and waive the fees required for issuance of a site alteration permit for Rouge Park projects within the eastern Markham Rouge Park;

 

AND THAT the Tariff of Fees for the Processing of Planning Applications By-law 2007-267 be amended to waive the fees required for a site alteration permit for Rouge Park reforestation and site restoration projects;

 

AND THAT the amendment to Site Alteration By-Law 2006–97 as attached in Appendix ‘B’ be enacted;

 

AND THAT the amendment to Tariff of Fees for the Processing of Planning Applications By-law 2007-267 as attached in Appendix ‘C’ be enacted;

 

AND THAT notice of the amendment to Site Alteration By-law 2006-97 be posted on the Town of Markham website;

 

AND THAT Staff be authorized to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

1. Purpose                     2. Background                      3. Discussion                        4. Financial        

 

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units)             6. Attachment(s)

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the report is to seek Council’s approval to implement a management tool  to streamline the processing of Rouge Park project requests, and to make certain amendments to the Site Alteration By-law 2006-97 and Tariff of Fees for Processing of Planning Applications By-law 2007-267 respectively.

 

BACKGROUND:

A number of projects are undertaken in the Rouge Park each year. These projects include tree planting, habitat restoration, wetland creation, wetland restoration, and invasive species management among others. These projects can be initiated by the Rouge Park staff or can be initiated by non-profit groups such as the Friends of the Rouge Watershed, 10,000 Trees for the Rouge, and Ontario Streams.  The Town often supports these projects with direct or indirect funding and these projects contribute substantially to the Town’s environmental and natural heritage goals, as well as the overall health of the Rouge River.

 

There has been a long-standing working relationship and collaboration between the Rouge Park Alliance and the Town of Markham. An important aspect of the collaboration is related to the planning and implementation of Rouge Park projects within the Town of Markham, particularly because these projects often require approvals or permits from the Town. These projects generally include tree planting and site restoration and may include site alteration. 

 

With additional project funding becoming available to the Rouge Park, Town staff are fielding more enquiries and requests for assistance than in previous years. This increase in activity in the Rouge Park, while beneficial for the implementation of the Rouge Park Plan, has accentuated the need to establish a more coordinated review and approval process.  

 

In the past, Rouge Park projects were routinely brought to the attention of the Town later in the stages of development with an expectation that any requisite approvals required from the Town would be provided as a matter of urgency, notwithstanding any deficiency of information and short notice that may be given to the Town about these projects. This practice can obviously result in delays, thereby negatively affecting the timing of the projects, and as critical, give the perception that the Town is not supportive and responsive to Rouge Park initiatives.  A need for a more coordinated and structured process has been identified by Town staff and supported by the TRCA and Rouge Park.

 

DISCUSSION:

It is anticipated that more projects are likely to come on stream in the foreseeable future as the Rouge Park Alliance moves ahead with the implementation of the management plans for the Little Rouge Corridor and the Bob Hunter Memorial Park. In addition, the efforts of groups such as the Friends of the Rouge Watershed and 10,000 Trees for the Rouge, will continue with their tree planting and restoration objectives in the Rouge Park.

 

Streamlining Process

In order to improve and streamline the review and approval process of Rouge Park projects, staff propose a Rouge Park Projects Information and Screening Submission process. This process will involve the submission of Rouge Park Projects Information and Screening Application for review prior to commencement of a restoration project (See Appendix A). The Screen application was developed in consultation with Town staff, the TRCA and Rouge Park, to help identify where permits and approvals may be required.  

 

Importantly, the Screen application is intended to facilitate a timely exchange of information between the project proponents and the Town which in turn should result in a more efficient approval process. It will enable the Town to understand the details of the projects, as well as identify other agencies (DFO, TRCA, Ontario Hydro etc.) approvals that may be required for the successful implementation of the project.

 

The Screen application process will also provide the Town with data to monitor Rouge Park projects and track tree inventory in the Town as part of the Trees for Tomorrow initiative.

 

Site Alteration By-law 2006-97

The Site Alteration By-law is to regulate or prohibit removal of topsoil, placing or dumping of fill and the alteration of the grade of land within the Town of Markham.  The Rouge Park projects generally reviewed by the Town consist of tree plantings, wetland creation and berms. These projects are reviewed by Rouge Park and TRCA staff who have environmental expertise to ensure consistency with the approved Rouge Park management plans. As such Town staff are confident that the projects are well scrutinized by the TRCA and Rouge Park from a natural heritage restoration perspective.

 

There are a number of requirements that have to be satisfied prior to the issuance of a permit under the Site Alteration By-law.  These include a site alteration plan certified by a professional engineer, application permit fee, confirmation that the appropriate archaeological assessments have been completed to the satisfaction of the Ministry of Culture, securities and proof of liability insurance with a minimum coverage amount of $5,000,000. The Rouge Park has indicated that they will have difficulties meeting all the requirements including the fees because of limited project budget. Staff supports a process of reduced scrutiny and costly environmental and grading drawings subject to the following conditions:  

 

  • The project is located on the eastern Markham Rouge Park lands;
  • TRCA’s and all other applicable agencies approvals have been received;
  • No or a negligible amount of fill is imported or exported; and,
  • The project does not impact other Town priorities.

 

Staff recommend that the draft by-law attached as Appendix ‘B’ amending the Site Alteration By-law 2006-97 be approved permitting alternative submission requirements for Rouge Park projects within the eastern Markham Rouge Park lands.

 

Fee By-law 2006-267

The fees collected by the Town for a permit under the Site Alteration By-law are as follows:

Residential                     $1,500/application plus $450/hectare

 

All other types               $2,000/application plus $500/hectare

 

Site Inspection               $100 per visit

 

Rouge Park projects would be assessed under this By-law. This cost is significant given that these non-profit agencies have limited budget. Given the Town’s partnership with the Rouge Park Alliance and the alignment of the Rouge Park projects with the Town’s goals for natural heritage protection and the Trees for Tomorrow initiative, staff recommend that the Rouge Park be provided with an exemption of fees for projects which may involve site alteration. A copy of the draft amendment to By-law 2006-267 is attached as Appendix ‘C’.

         

Submission Processing Procedure

The submission process is proposed as follows:

 1).    Five (5) copies of the Rouge Park Screening Application be submitted by the proponent (Rouge Park) to the Development Services Counter.

 2).    The Development Services Counter using a Rouge Park Project Circulation Notice (Appendix ‘D’), will simultaneously circulate the proposal to the Coordinator Environmental Planning (2 copies), and 1 copy each to the Manager of Development Engineering, Manager of Parks Operation, and the Manager of Parks and Open Space.

3).     For the Rouge Park Screening Application, the response time by the Town is expected to be 10 days from receipt of the application.

4).     The Town’s response will be made on a standard form (Appendix ‘E’), designed specifically to provide input and indicate what other additional information may be needed by the Town or what other external organization approval may be required. Subsequent approvals, if necessary, may be required and will be the responsibility of the Rouge Park and or TRCA.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE:

The process contemplated for the Screen Application recommends that projects submitted for the Rouge Park be exempt from fees required where a site alteration permit is needed.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

It is anticipated that the projects being undertaken will be consistent with the various management plans for the Rouge Park and also consistent with the recommendations in the Rouge Watershed Plan.  The Rouge Park and associated tree planting efforts support the Town’s Trees for Tomorrow initiative.

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

The Screening process application includes a question to ensure trails and facilities address accessibility requirements.

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

This aligns with the Town’s Environmental Green Print and Trees for Tomorrow initiatives.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

This report was circulated internally to Engineering, Parks and Open Space and the Operations Department, and their comments, where provided, have been incorporated. The Screening application has also been circulated to the TRCA and Rouge Park who are in support of the initiative.

 

CONCLUSION:

Staff recommends that Council support this initiative inclusive of the proposed amendments to the Site Alteration and the Tariff of Fees for the Processing of Planning Applications By-Laws respectively to facilitate a more efficient processing of future Rouge Park project proposals.

 

RECOMMENDED BY:

 

 

 

 

________________________________                ________________________________

Valerie Shuttleworth M.C.I.P. R.P.P                    Jim Baird M.C.I.P., R.P.P

Director of Planning and Urban Design                Commissioner of Development Services

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

 

Appendix A: Rouge Park Projects Information and Screening Submission Package.

Appendix B: Proposed Amendment Site Alteration By-law 2006 – 97

Appendix C: Proposed Amendment Tariff of Fees for the Processing of Planning 

                     Applications By law 2007-267

Appendix D: Rouge Park Project Circulation Notice

Appendix E: Rouge Park Screen Application Town of Markham

 

Schedule A: Map showing Boundary of Lands Identified as eastern Markham Rouge  

                    Park lands.

 

 

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