AGENDA - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20150402ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA
THURSDAY,APRIL 2,2015
7 P.M.
HOLLAND ROOM
AURORA TOWN HALL
PUBLIC RELEASE
March 26,2015
TOWN OF AURORA
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA
DATE:Thursday,April 2,2015
TIME AND LOCATION:7 p.m.,Holland Room,Aurora Town Hall
1.DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
2.APPROVAL OF AGENDA
RECOMMENDED:
THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services be approved.
3.ADOPTION OF MINUTES
4.DELEGATIONS
(a)Patty Thoma,Deputy Clerk
Re:Advisory Committee Member Education and Training
(b)Christina Nagy-Oh,Program Manager,Environmental Initiatives
Re:Environmental Advisory Committee Update
5.MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
6.INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1.Memorandum from Program Manager,Environmental Initiatives pg.1
Re:CEAP Progress Report 2014
RECOMMENDED:
THAT the memorandum regarding CEAP Progress Report 2014 be
received for information.
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday,April 2,2015 Page 2 of 2
2.Memorandum from Program Manager,Environmental Initiatives pg.8
Re:Smart Commute Workplace Designation for 2015
RECOMMENDED:
THAT the memorandum regarding Smart Commute Workplace
Designation for 2015 be received for information.
3.Memorandum from Town Clerk pg.11
Re:Appointment of an Environmental Advisory Committee
Member to the Trails and Active Transportation Committee
RECOMMENDED:
THAT the memorandum regarding Appointment of an Environmental
Advisory Committee member to the Trails and Active Transportation
Committee be received;and
THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC)select one (1)
member to represent the EAC on the Trails and Active Transportation
Committee.
4.Memorandum from Senior Policy Planner pg.12
Re:Provincial Review of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan
RECOMMENDED:
THAT the memorandum regarding Provincial Review of the Oak Ridges
Moraine Conservation Plan be received for information.
7.NEW BUSINESS
8.ADJOURNMENT
MEMORANDUM
DATE:Thursday April 2,2015
TO:Environmental Advisory Committee
FROM:Christina Nagy-Oh,Program Manager,Environmental Initiatives
RE:CEAP Progress Report 2014
RECOMMENDATIONS
THAT the memorandum regarding CEAP Progress Report 2014 be received for
information.
BACKGROUND
The Environmental Advisory Committee provided support and strategic guidance throughout
the development of the Town’s Corporate Environmental Action Plan (CEAP).In
accordance with the Plan,staff have prepared a progress report outlining the progress
made in 2011,2012,2013 and now in 2014 toward achieving the objectives laid-out in the
Plan.The following is a listing of CEAP related initiatives that have either been completed in
2014 or which have been approved by Council in 2014:
AIR Goal –Improve air quality by reducing emissions and developing a Climate
Change Adaptation Plan.
Third year of Town Hall Employee Bike Share Program.Purchased bikes from local
company BionX International.Two e-bikes available for staff use,to decrease vehicle
usage and provide recreational opportunities.(Action 2.1.2)
Partnered with other municipalities to provide a 3 day inter-municipal Climate change
adaption work shop for town staff.(Action 2.1.4)
FIRE (Energy)Goal –Reduce the Town’s overall energy consumption through energy
efficiency measures and the use of renewable energy sources.
Developed the Corporate Energy Master Plan;approved by council (Action 2.2.2)
Staff Participated in WWF’s Earth Hour and National Sweater Day.(Action 2.2.2)
Installation of LED parking lot lights at AFLC,Town Hall and SARC (Action 2.2.4)
Installation of 2 solar light poles in 2 small parks with no electrical service (Action
2.2.4)
Received FIT application approval on a 600 kW solar PV system on the SARC
rooftop in collaboration with a solar project developer (Action 2.2.4)
100 John West Way
Box 1000
Aurora,Ontario
L4G 6J1
Phone:905-727-3123 ext.4382
Email:cnagy-oh@aurora.ca
www.aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Planning &Development Services
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday,April 2,2015 Item 1 Page -1
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April 2,2015 -2-CEAP Progress Report 2014
Began development of the new Joint Operations Center (JOC)aiming for LEED
Silver Certification
Undertaking a Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review,resulting in an entirely new
Zoning By-law.The Green Energy Act will be implemented through the new Zoning
By-law.(2.2.5)
EARTH (Land)Goal –Plan and manage Aurora’s ecology by protecting wildlife
habitat,promoting alternate modes of transportation and utilizing sustainable land
use planning.
Implemented a signage strategy as part of the Trail Master Plan.The installation of
the signs to be completed in 2015,pending council approval.(Action 2.3.8)
Initiated a review of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan for the purpose of
providing comments to the Province for their 2015 review (Action 2.3.9)
Completed 2nd Draft of the Town’s New Zoning By-law which will support/implement
intensification in the Downtown and Yonge/Wellington Street Corridors (Objective E3)
Approval of the Promenade Community Improvement Plan,contains two programs
that offer financial incentives for the redevelopment of Brownfield Sites (Objective E3)
Green procurement policy development (Action 2.3.16)
Provided consultation in the development of the York Region Food Charter
Completed the Community Wildlife Park Master Plan Feasibility Study (Action 2.3.2)
On-going:Vegetation Management and Protection initiatives for new subdivision
development areas (Action 2.3.6)
Purchased self-watering planters and hanging baskets for the Parks Street
Beautification program (Action 2.4.1)
Planted 750 shrubs and trees in association with the Neighbourhood Network and
local schools on municipal lands in May (Action 2.3.4)
Planted 500+trees and shrubs in the Wildlife Park as a buffer zone to the housing
developments in conjunction with TD Canada Trust and local volunteers in Oct.
(Action 2.3.4)
Installed an open air “Teaching Garden”at Aurora Heights Public School (May)
(Action 2.3.4)
350+additional trees planted within the Town of Aurora Tree Nursery (Action 2.3.4)
Completed the Urban Forest Effects (UFORE)study;encouraging the stewardship of
Aurora’s natural resources,through the monitoring of ecological indicators.
Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment Event.Hosted two WEEE collection events in
association with a local e-waste recycler,for e-waste generated by both the Town
and the community.(Action 2.3.14)
Annual Litter Clean Up Community Event –(Action 2.3.4)
Single stream recycling at all large scale Town of Aurora Facilities-(Action 2.3.14)
A Paper towel composting program,connected with the green bin program at Town
Hall (2.3.14)
Banning Styrofoam on all Town owned properties (Action 2.3.14)
The use of proper sized containers for recycling (larger recycling containers)(smaller
waste containers)and compost containers at Town events.(Action 2.3.15)
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday,April 2,2015 Item 1 Page -2
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April 2,2015 -3-CEAP Progress Report 2014
WATER Goal –Reduce corporate water consumption and utilize stormwater
management technologies to improve control of stormwater quantity as well as
enhance stormwater quality.
Completed the TOA Comprehensive Storm Water Management Master Plan
(CSWM-MP)(2.4.3 &2.4.4)
Creek Erosion rehabilitation project from Child Drive to Henderson Ave
Incorporating low impact development design elements in the repaving of ACC
parking lot
Rehabilitation of the creek headwall in Machell Park
Aurora was part of a Municipal Working Group which drafted Official Plan and Zoning
By-law Amendment templates to be used in the implementation of Regional Source
Water Protection Policies
The CEAP Progress Report 2014 will be made available to the public via the Town’s
website and printed copies.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 -CEAP Progress Report 2014
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
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Attachment 1
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MEMORANDUM
DATE:Thursday April 2,2015
TO:Environmental Advisory Committee
FROM:Christina Nagy-Oh,Program Manager,Environmental Initiatives
RE:Smart Commute Workplace Designation for 2015
RECOMMENDATIONS
THAT the memorandum regarding Smart Commute Workplace Designation for 2015
be received for information.
BACKGROUND
The Town of Aurora was recently awarded the Smart Commute Gold Workplace
designation for 2015.This is Aurora’s fourth year with the Gold Workplace designation.The
achievement of the Gold designation is a clear indication of our organization’s commitment
to promoting and supporting sustainable travel options for our employees.We have gone
beyond the basics of this program,making significant investments of time and resources to
ensure the program’s success.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 –Designation letter from Metrolinx
Attachment 2 –Smart Commute Workplace Certificate
100 John West Way
Box 1000
Aurora,Ontario
L4G 6J1
Phone:905-727-3123 ext.4382
Email:cnagy-oh@aurora.ca
www.aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Planning &Development Services
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday,April 2,2015 Item 2 Page -1
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Attachment 1
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
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Attachment 2
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
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MEMORANDUM
DATE:April 2,2015
TO:Environmental Advisory Committee Members
FROM:Stephen M.A.Huycke,Town Clerk
RE:Appointment of an Environmental Advisory Committee member to the Trails and
Active Transportation Committee
RECOMMENDED:
THAT the memorandum regarding Appointment of an Environmental Advisory
Committee member to the Trails and Active Transportation Committee be
received;and
THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC)select one (1)member to
represent the EAC on the Trails and Active Transportation Committee.
BACKGROUND:
The Trails and Active Transportation Committee (TATC)will be holding their initial
meeting on April 17,2015.The membership of TATC,as set out in its terms of
reference,includes one representative of EAC.
The TATC meets on the third Friday of every second month at 10 a.m.with the exception
of July and August.As well,additional meetings of the Committee may be called by the
Chair to address urgent matters.
It would be appropriate for EAC to appoint one of its members to the TATC.
100 John West Way
Box 1000
Aurora,Ontario
L4G 6J1
Phone:905-727-3123 ext.4771
Email:shuycke@aurora.ca
www.aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Legal &Legislative Services
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday,April 2,2015 Item 3 Page -1
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MEMORANDUM
DATE:Thursday April 2,2015
TO:Environmental Advisory Committee
FROM:Fausto Filipetto,Senior Policy Planner
RE:Provincial Review of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan
RECOMMENDATIONS
THAT the memorandum regarding the Provincial Review of the Oak Ridges Moraine
Conservation Plan be received for information.
BACKGROUND
In anticipation of the Provincial review of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan,staff
prepared the attached report to Council for their meeting on July 15,2014.At the meeting,
Council directed the item be referred back to staff to undertake public consultation.On
February 27,2015,the Province announced and formally launched the co-ordinated
review of the Growth Plan,Greenbelt Plan,Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and
Niagara Escarpment Plan.Staff are therefore in the process of planning for a public
consultation event as directed by Council.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 -Council Report No.PL14-043;dated July 15,2015
100 John West Way
Box 1000
Aurora,Ontario
L4G 6J1
Phone:905-727-3123 ext.4342
Email:ffilipetto@aurora.ca
www.aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Planning &Development Services
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday,April 2,2015 Item 4 Page -1
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TOWN OF AURORA
COUNCIL REPORT No.PL14-043
SUBJECT:Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan &Greenbelt Plan
Provincial Review (2015)
FROM:Marco Ramunno,Director of Planning &Development Services
DATE:July 15,2014
RECOMMENDATIONS
THAT Report No.PL14-043 be received;
THAT Council endorse the comments prepared by staff regarding the 2015
Provincial Review of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and Greenbelt
Plan;and
THAT Report No.PL14-043 and related Council resolution be forwarded to York
Region and the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs &Housing.
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
The purpose of this report is to inform Council of the Province’s upcoming review of the
Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP)and Greenbelt Plan and to obtain
Council’s endorsement of the staff comments.
BACKGROUND
In November 2001,the Province introduced Bill 122 entitled The Oak Ridges Moraine
Conservation Act 2001.This legislation provided the underlying authority to establish
an overall ORMCP.In April 2002,the ORMCP was established by Provincial
Regulation (Ontario Regulation 140/02).Through the Oak Ridges Moraine
Conservation Act,2001,and the accompanying ORMCP,the Province of Ontario
established a policy framework for protecting the Oak Ridges Moraine.Municipal
planning decisions are required to conform to the ORMCP,which prevails over
municipal official plans.
Under the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act 2001,municipalities were given
eighteen months from the time the ORMCP was filed as a regulation to prepare Official
Plan Amendments and Zoning By-law Amendments,which conform to and implement
the ORMCP.The Town’s ORMCP conformity exercise was adopted by Council on
October 22,2003 as Amendment No.48 to the Town’s Official Plan.
Attachment 1
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday,April 2,2015 Item 4 Page -2
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July 15,2014 -2 -Report No.PL14-043
Official Plan Amendment No.48 was approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs on
October 21,2004,with modifications.These policies were implemented by way of a
Zoning By-law Amendment which was adopted by Council on October 22,2003 and
approved by the Minister with modifications on May 17,2006.
In 2005,the Province passed the Greenbelt Act which enabled the creation of the
Greenbelt Plan (2005).The Greenbelt Plan protects about 1.8 million acres of
environmentally sensitive and agricultural land in the Golden Horseshoe from urban
development.It includes and builds on about 800,000 acres of land within the Niagara
Escarpment Plan and the ORMCP.The Greenbelt extends 325 km from the eastern
end of the Oak Ridges Moraine,near Rice Lake,in the east,to the Niagara River in the
west.The Greenbelt Plan contains policies for providing permanent agricultural and
environmental protection as well as providing for a wide range of recreation,tourism
and cultural opportunities in the area.The Act requires that decisions made under the
Ontario Planning and Development Act,1994,the Planning Act and the Condominium
Act,1998 conform to the Greenbelt Plan.
COMMENTS
The Province will be undertaking a review of the ORMCP and Greenbelt Plan in 2015.
This will involve a consultation process with stakeholders including upper and lower-tier
municipalities,conservation authorities,environmental groups,land owners and the
general public.York Region has already held two consultation workshops in 2014 for
the purpose of getting feedback from local stakeholders to include in their comments to
the Province.Attendees at the workshops included local municipal staff,elected
officials,conservation authorities,environmental groups,land owners and the general
public.
Furthermore,the Region also held three Public Open Houses for the purpose of
providing information and receiving comments from local residents and businesses
which will be provided to the Province.These comments will be made available in the
future.The Public Open Houses were held on the evenings of:
Tuesday,June 3,2014 at the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Municipal Offices;
Tuesday,June 10,2014 at the King City Arena and Community Centre;and
Wednesday,June 11,2014 at the East Gwillimbury Sports Complex.
Staff from Planning &Development Services attended the Open House held on June
10,2014 in King City for the purpose of assisting the Region with the consultation.Staff
from the Township of King and the City of Vaughan were also in attendance.
Town staff have been working with the ORMCP since 2003 and have prepared
comments to provide to the Province with respect to the upcoming ORMCP review.
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday,April 2,2015 Item 4 Page -3
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July 15,2014 -3 -Report No.PL14-043
All of Aurora’s Greenbelt is located on the Oak Ridges Moraine and therefore staff will
concentrate their comments on the ORMCP.Planning &Development Services held an
interdepartmental meeting to present the draft comments and to obtain input.The
comments prepared by staff are as follows:
Consideration should be given to providing greater flexibility with respect to the
land severance policies for large parcles in the Countryside Designation;
providing that there would no adverse impact on any Natural Heritage or
Hydrological Features.Consideration should also be given to allowing municipal
facilities in the Countryside Designation;again where it could be demonstrated
that there would no adverse impact on any Natural Heritage or Hydrological
Features.
The Water Resource Policies of the ORMCP require updating based on
completed watershed plans,Lake Simcoe Protection Plan and Clean Water Act.
Consideration should be given to providing greater flexibility in the ORMCP
policies in the review of small-scale developments;for example,eliminating the
need for onerous approval requirements such as zoning amendments and minor
variances for minor expansions to existing permitted uses.
The Infrastructure Policies of the ORMCP require updating to include wind
power,solar power and other green energy infrastructure.
The Province held workshops regarding Tree Preservation and Site Alteration
By-laws with the goal of developing common examples to be implemented;
however the Province did not require the implementation of such by-laws.
Without implementing by-laws,municipalities are unable to enforce tree cutting or
site alteration that occurs outside of the realm of a Planning Act application.It is
therefore recommended that the Province require municipalities to update their
Tree Preservation and Site Alteration By-laws in order to implement the policies
of the ORMCP.
The definition of “Site Alteration”is too general and as a result is overly
restrictive.The definition should be revised to specifically prohibit the exact
activities which are intended to be controlled.
In addition to requiring municipalities to revise their Site Alteration By-laws to
conform to the ORMCP,the Province should require conservation authorities to
revise any policies,by-laws,practices and procedures related to fill permits to
comply with the ORMCP as well.
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday,April 2,2015 Item 4 Page -4
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July 15,2014 -4 -Report No.PL14-043
Furthermore,given municipalities are responsible for ensuring ORMCP
compliance,conservation authorities should be required to report any fill permits
issued on the Moraine to the municipality so that they can ensure compliance
with the ORMCP and implementing documents.
For the most part,settlement area boundaries should not require expansion
through the ORMCP review process.Regional municipalities and local
municipalities,as part of Provincial Growth Plan Conformity have planned for the
accommodation of growth to the year 2031.In the case of Aurora,the required
growth to the year 2031 can be accommodated without any boundary
adjustments.However,should a municipality be in the unique position of
requiring expansion into the Countryside Area based on Growth Plan Conformity,
expansions could be considered.Furthermore,if there were inaccuracies in
other internal boundaries then this process provides a good opportunity for
correction.
The Province required the Town to include by-law provisions to require
amendment or relief (minor variance)from the by-law for almost all applications
in a Landform Conservation Area.Almost the entire Oak Ridges Moraine in
Aurora is a within a Landform Conservation Area and such clause is overly
restrictive for minor applications.
Aurora has one of the largest settlement areas on the Moraine and was
successful in getting several flexibility clauses approved by the Province for
development in the settlement area;the revised ORMCP should accommodate
such flexibility.
The Province has historically been very hesitant to provide any interpretation on
specific aspects of the Plan,which leads to inconsistent interpretation by
municipalities and consultants.The Province should adopt a more active
approach in interpretation and prepare FAQ’s on common interpretation issues.
The Province should also consider providing support regarding interpretation of
the ORMCP by assigning dedicated staff.
The location of the Oak Ridges Moraine in Aurora is depicted on Schedule “A”,Map 1 of
the Town’s Oak Ridges Moraine Zoning Map;which has been attached to this report as
Figure 1.This schedule also illustrates the Oak Ridges Moraine Designations and
Zones.
LINK TO STRATEGIC PLAN
By providing comments to the Province regarding the upcoming review of the ORMCP
and Greenbelt Plan,the Town is aiming to have the ORMCP revised in a manner which
will maximize environmental protection and efficiency for residents and land owners.
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday,April 2,2015 Item 4 Page -5
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July 15,2014 -5 -Report No.PL14-043
This supports the Strategic Plan goals of supporting an exceptional quality of life for
all and supporting environmental stewardship and sustainability.The supporting
Strategic Plan objectives include encouraging the stewardship of Aurora’s natural
resources and promoting and advancing green initiatives.
ALTERNATIVE(S)TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS
1.Council has the option of not endorsing staff’s comments;or
2.Council also has the option of directing that staff report back with additional
information once the Province’s review is underway.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
PREVIOUS REPORTS
None.
CONCLUSIONS
The Province will be undertaking a review of the ORMCP and Greenbelt Plan in 2015;
which will include consultation with the affected stakeholders including upper and lower-
tier municipalities.Staff have prepared the comments outlined in this report for the
purpose of providing them to the Province in anticipation of the ORMCP and Greenbelt
Plan review.Staff have also attended stakeholder consultation workshops at the
Region of York and the comments presented in this report are consistent with the
comments being expressed by other municipalities.Staff are therefore asking Council
to endorse the comments outlined in this report and that the comments be forwarded to
the Province as part of the ORMCP and Greenbelt review in 2015.
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