The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes

Minutes

Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting

CKLEAC2023-006

Thursday, September 07, 2023

2:30 P.m. - 4:30 P.m.

Electronic Participation Meeting

Members:

• Councillor Pat Warren
• Grant Barker
• Nicole Bruneau
• Virginia Colling
• Jamie Morris
• Deborah Pearson
• D. Ryrie
• Barry Snider

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. The City of Kawartha Lakes is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Please contact [email protected] if you have an accessible accommodation request.

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1.

Call to Order

In attendance:  Councillor Pat Warren, Virginia Colling, Nicole Bruneau, Jamie Morris, Deborah Pearson, D. Ryrie (joined the meeting at 3:00 p.m.)

Absent: Grant Barker, Josh Feltham

Observer in attendance:  Councillor Peter Franzen, Municipality of Trent Lakes

Staff in attendance:  Richard Holy, Director Development Services, Nancy Ord, Administrative Assistant, Ola Pasternak, Landowner & Community Support, Kawartha Region Conservation Authority

Absent:  Max Faulhammer, Planner II

 

Chair Pearson called the meeting to order at 2:31 p.m. with welcome extended to Councillor Peter Franzen, Trent Lakes and new KRCA representative Ola Pasternak.

2.

Administrative Business

2.1

Adoption of Agenda

The Chair expanded on items to be discussed under the following sections of the Agenda:

• Section 5.1 CKLEAC Work Plan Updates – a proposed resolution for Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes certification.
• Section 5.2 Gas Plants - the gas plant resolution approved by City Council on July 29, 2023.
• Section 6 New or Other Business – Rural Zoning By-law.

• EAC2023.026
  Moved By V. Colling
  Seconded By J. Morris

  That the Agenda be adopted as clarified.

  Carried

2.2

Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest disclosed.

2.3

Adoption of Minutes

• EAC2023.027
  Moved By Councillor Warren
  Seconded By J. Morris

  ​That the minutes of June 29, 2023 of CKLEAC be adopted as presented.
  

  Carried

3.

Deputations/Presentations

There were no deputations or presentations.

4.

Correspondence

There was no correspondence presented.

5.

Action Item Updates

5.1

CKLEAC Work Plan Updates by Project Team Leaders

Pollinator Garden Sub-Committee:

The Chair updated on the success of the recently completed Pollinator Garden and participation by the Sub-committee in the August 12, 2023 Environmental Fair.

Councillor Warren reported on the September 30, 2023 extended deadline for “Bee A Hero” nominations with awards to be presented in November 2023.

 

Transportation Sub-Committee

 J. Morris updated on the following:

 1. August 12th Environmental Fair (Featuring Electric Vehicles (EVs on Kent):

 Poor weather affected attendance but positives included:

 Sharing of EV information and opportunities for test drives.

• Actions which complemented Active Transportation (i.e. launching Lindsay Bike share, AT Advocates table, new bike racks outside the Library.)
• Fostering partnerships with the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce, Kawartha Lakes Library, Kawartha Gallery, Waste Reduction Coordinator Leanna Jones of the City’s Waste Division, Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes and Environmental Action Bobcaygeon.

Thanks were extended to Lindsay’s Downtown BIA, the Park’s Division for waiving fees for use of Queen’s Square, City staff and Councillor Warren.

 Councillor Warren reported on the October 27, 2023 deadline to apply for CHEST funds and the potential for the EV 2024 event to be held in Bobcaygeon.  The event could be supported by volunteers from Environmental Action Bobcaygeon, Impact 32 and the Chamber of Commerce and further review will be undertaken to clarify costs and organization.

 

2. Active Transportation Master Plan:

J. Morris recommended CKLEAC members view the City’s Jump In website for the proposed recommendations and ATMP network map and to undertake the ATMP survey as a means to participate and stress individual areas of interest.

 

3. Transportation Master Plan:  

J. Morris recommended CKLEAC members view the TM Plan on the City’s Jump In website to view Phase 1 of the project which assesses existing conditions, context and challenges.

Some discussion followed on procedures for posing questions and the expectation of receiving responses.  CKLEAC members with questions were recommended to, in addition to responding to the Jump In page, email the Engineering Staff member contact Joe Kelly, Supervisor Traffic Management.

Discussion followed on how the ATMP and TMP recommendations are coordinated with R. Holy referring to both plans ultimately having policy components included in the Official Plan or Secondary Plans.

Councillor Warren indicated the TMP is reviewing a rural transportation component.

 

Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes Subcommittee Report

J. Morris reported on the following:

• The Bobcaygeon and Lindsay Libraries are now taking registrations for three CKLEAC funded Bird Conservation workshops set for September and October 2023.

• Kawartha Lakes Bird Friendly partner, Kawartha Region Conservation Authority, has applied for and received a $1500 Nature Canada grant with the majority of funds for interpretive signage at the McLaren’s Creek viewing platform at Ken Reid Conservation Area.

• Bird Friendly Peterborough (BFP) has applied for a TD “Friends of the Environment” grant on behalf of BFP and Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes for educational programming.

J. Morris reported that Bird Friendly KL and a representative from Nature Canada will make a presentation in October 2023 to Council Committee of the Whole to:

• introduce the KL Bird Friendly team,
• explain why CKL is a strong candidate, and
• request Council support for an application for a Bird Friendly designation, a prerequisite for designation.

J. Morris read the following resolution to CKLEAC members, indicated the wording follows that of the City of Peterborough, that no funding will be requested, there is no ongoing cost for the designation and the KL team (with their own sources of funding) will undertake the work to support the designation.

Discussion followed on the City’s potential role in implementing bird friendly practices/recommendations (e.g. Cat By-laws, modifying windows in municipal buildings, grant applications and establishing polices/guidelines for new development) with J. Morris to provide Planning Staff with background, certification standards to assist in preparing the Planning Staff report to accompany the following resolution and to enable Councillor Warren to make the appropriate supportive City Council motion.

• EAC2023.028
  Moved By V. Colling
  Seconded By D. Ryrie

  Whereas the goal of Bird Friendly City certification is to provide local partners with a clear standard to measure the impact and progress needed to make the City of Kawartha Lakes safe for birds;

   

  And whereas the certification standard is a tool that allows for an independent assessment of key issues by establishing benchmarks and allowing for measurement of progress over time and comparison with other cities;

   

  And whereas birds throughout Canada and North America have experienced dramatic declines due to habitat loss, window strikes, climate change, and the spread of diseases and invasive species, with serious implications for the future health of our ecosystems;

   

  And whereas through certification, the City of Kawartha Lakes and its residents have the opportunity to reduce human-related threats to birds;

   

   And whereas supporting bird-friendly initiatives fosters environmental awareness and sustainability and increases interactions and engagement for habitat protection, restoration, and climate resiliency;

   

   And whereas by becoming a Bird Friendly City, the City of Kawartha Lakes can highlight initiatives already in place and further engage local communities in education and awareness of successful coexistence strategies with birds;

   

  And whereas community bird friendly initiatives are to be undertaken and led by the Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes team;

   

  Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes team be authorized to submit the certification application to Nature Canada to designate the City of Kawartha Lakes as a Bird Friendly City.

  Carried

5.2

Gas Plants

G. Colling reported on presentation by herself and Barry Snider for a resolution adopted by City Council on July 29, 2023 calling for the phase-out of Gas-Fired Electricity Generation. Thanks were extended to Planning Staff for their supportive report and for clarifying the importance of staff report to accompany CKLEAC resolutions to Council. G. Colling indicated there was almost unanimous Council support for the resolution.

Some discussion followed on the incorrect impression of some members of the public that Enbridge’s proposed gas pipeline looping proposal would be affected by the resolution.  It was stressed there is no connection and that Council is in support of the looping of gas pipelines between Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon.  The Ontario Clean Air Alliance was also named as a source for information on the costs for individuals to sign up for the extended gas pipeline service (e.g. retirement charges over time, installation charges, etc.). 

5.3

Environmental Fair Report

The Chair indicated this item had been dealt with in Section 5.1 (Transportation Sub-Committee Work Plan Update).

6.

New or Other Business

Rural Zoning By-law

Chair Pearson referred to the deadline one week away for comments on Rural Zoning By-law and the following issues were raised:

• A need to limit “monster” homes on small lake front lots which are not compatible to the neighbourhood and the need for minimum lot frontages for new lots. Reference was made to minimum 200-foot lot frontage in some municipalities.

• The impact of a proposed 30.0 metre setback from the water to keep the shoreline as natural as possible while still allowing water access. R. Holy referred to the OP standard which is required to be implemented by the Rural Zoning By-law.  Reference was made to the involvement and requirements of Kawartha Region Conservation and Lake Management Plans.

• Wind turbines, solar farms and green energy installations in the Agricultural zone with R. Holy referring to the need for OP policy to permit these uses as-of-right.

• CKLEAC member B. Snider has undertaken significant analysis and information on wetlands in Kawartha Lakes and has highlighted concern about agricultural uses (excluding buildings and structures) as permitted in the EP zone.

Discussion followed on potential impacts of restricting agricultural uses in EP zoned areas referring to:

• the significant number of existing farms with substantial EP zones and the potential number of grandfathered agricultural uses should the use be restricted;
• traditional farming practices to remove trees to create arable land;
• tile draining of areas with higher water table to create additional arable land which is regulated by the Drainage Act; and
• the potential need to fence/enforce agricultural uses outside of EP zoned areas if prohibited.

R. Holy recommended additional consultation/review on the topic as the OP currently allows for agricultural uses (excluding building and structures) in EP zoned areas and future OP Agricultural policy updates are anticipated. The issue may form part of the Agricultural section of the Healthy Environment Plan review. R. Holy indicated comments of Barry Snider be submitted to the City Solicitor Robyn Carlson for the Tree Preservation By-law as a means to curb tree removal to create arable land.

CKLEAC members were encouraged to submit their comments as individuals to the RZB consultants in addition to the following motions:

• EAC2023.029
  Moved By J. Morris
  Seconded By N. Bruneau

  That CKLEAC support and submit member Barry Snider's comments on the Rural Zoning By-law to the City's consultants.

  Carried
• EAC2023.030
  Moved By D. Ryrie
  Seconded By V. Colling

  That the comments of Barry Snider, CKLEAC member be submitted to Robyn Carlson, City Solicitor for consideration in preparation of the City's Tree Preservation By-law.

  Carried

7.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of CKLEAC be held Thursday, October 12, 2023, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with members being canvassed for their attendance.

8.

Adjournment

• EAC2023.031
  Moved By Councillor Warren
  Seconded By D. Ryrie

  That the meeting be adjourned at 4:16 p.m.

  Carried