Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-104-06 . ..:' t .. ' ClWilJglon REPORT PLANNING SERVICES Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE Date: Monday, September 18,2006 Report #: PSD-104-06 File #: PLN 14.1 By-law #: fJPA-3t:)'DG Subject: CLARINGTON GREEN COMMUNITY STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PSD-104-06 be received; 2. THAT Council endorse a Community Committee appointed by Council for the development of a Green Community Strategy; 3. THAT Staff and the Clarington Board of Trade be authorized to prepare detailed Terms of Reference and conduct a community survey as outlined in the report;and 4. THAT the Municipality match the contribution of $2,500 from The Clarington Board of Trade to complete the Survey. SUbmf" ed bY{)~ ~~ , David J. Creme, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director of Planning Services Reviewed by: cJ ~~t-zc Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer COS/DJC/sh September 13, 2006 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 REPORT PSD-104-06 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 Ontario Enerav Supplv Mix On December 9, 2005, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) released the Supply Mix Advice Report. This report presents recommendations to the Minister of Energy on options for the future development of Ontario's electricity system. It responds to a request from the Minister on May 2, 2005 for advice on the appropriate mix of electricity supply sources to satisfy the expected demand in Ontario, taking into account conservation targets and new sources of renewable energy out to 2025. Subsequently in early 2006, the Provincial Government decided to implement some of the recommendations of the report including exploring the expansion of nuclear generating stations. Given the economic development benefits to the community, the Mayor requested the Business Development Manager to look at the option of establishing a Community Committee to support the expansion of the Darlington Facility. The Business Development Manager established a staff working group with the Communications (Jennifer Cooke) and Planning Services (Carlos Salazar) Staff. The Working group then met with the President of the Clarington Board of Trade, the Chair of the Board's Economic Development Committee, and the Manager of Public Affairs - OPG Darlington. From our meetings with OPG, they informed us of their time frame for refurbishing and new build as follows: . 2014 Estimated Life Expectancy of Pickering Reactors; . An Environmental Assessment has begun for the refurbishing of Pickering B reactors; . The first refurbishment of Pickering B to start in 2012; . The estimated remaining life expectancy of Darlington's reactors is between 2018-2020; . The Environmental Assessment for the refurbishing of Darlington is anticipated to start in 2007; and . If approved, New Build would commence in 2017-2018. The Environmental Assessment processes for both the refurbishment and new build at Darlington have as one of the key criteria community participation and the willingness of the community support these projects. 1.2 CBOT Economic Development Strateav The economic development importance of the refurbishing and expansion of Darlington is reflected in the Clarington Board of Trade Economic Development Strategy. Through communications with the membership of the CBOT, members have clearly indicated the need for a broader program on energy conservation and green energy sources. ~ REPORT PSD-104-06 PAGE 3 1.3 Places to Grow Plan The Places to grow plan was enacted by the Provincial Government and came into effect on June 16, 2006. The Places to grow Plan directs municipalities to: "2.4 A Culture of Conservation 1. Municipalities will develop and implement official plan policies and other strategies in support of the following conservation objectives: b) Energy conservation, including- i. energy conservation for municipally owned facilities ii. identification of opportunities for alternative energy generation and distribution iii. energy demand management to reduce energy consumption iv. land-use patterns and urban design standards that encourage and support energy-efficient buildings and opportunities for cogeneration." 1.4 Case Studies of Other Communities The working group undertook research of other communities in Ontario with similar goals of creating a sustainable community. We found that the municipality in partnership with the business community plays an active role in each of their initiatives dealing with energy conservation and development incentives. One example is the Town of Caledon which has established a taskforce "committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, smog, other harmful air pollutants and climate change. Our mission is to give residents, business owners and municipal operations managers, easy ways to achieve cleaner air, a healthier environment and better way of life." More information can be found at: http://www.coolcaledon.orq/. Some of the community projects being implemented by COOL Caledon are: . Electricity Doctor Home Visits . Tree Stewardship . Transportation Alternatives . Wind Power . Alternative Energy Sources . Public Awareness, including a School Program Another municipal example is Municipality of East Gwillimbury where Council adopted a Municipal policy directing developers of residential developments of ten or more units to construct them to energy star qualification. East Gwillimbury is also considering the adoption of Leadership in LEED standards for all new industrial, commercial, and institutional developments in the Town. REPORT PSD-104-06 PAGE 4 1.5 Clarinaton's Current Initiatives The Municipality is currently analyzing the cost-benefit of making the Newcastle Library a "green building" under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System. In addition, the Municipality is looking into an overall energy conservation program for its facilities. Council has also approved agreements with the developers of the proposed Home Depot in the West Bowmanville Town Centre Area. The agreements call for the building to be LEED Certified. Staff is also promoting green development principles with the other developers of the West Bowmanville Town Centre. In recognition of the economic development prospects of the energy and environment sector, Council has designated lands for the development of the Clarington Energy Business Park. Council has adopted a 50% reduction of the development charges once the building is certified LEED in the Energy and Science and Technology Business Parks. Staff will also be meeting with the Canadian Urban Institute as part of the Green Building Alliance to consider land-use pattems and urban design standards that encourage and support energy-efficient buildings as part of the Neighbourhood Design Plans currently being prepared. The Green Community Strategy Policies will inform the upcoming review of Clarington's Official Plan. The working Group and other staff will be meeting with the CEO of the Conservation Bureau and the Director of Policy of the Ontario Power Authority. The purpose of the meeting is to explore joint projects on energy conservation and sustainability initiatives to make Clarington a leader in this area. 2.0 CONCLUSION 2.1 Based on our consultations, feedback from the membership of the CBOT, and our research of green energy and developments, The Working Group respectfully recommend to Council to support the establishment a Community Committee of Council to prepare the Green Community Strategy. This would include the preparation of a community survey with a cost of $5,000. 2.2 The detailed Terms of Reference for the Committee, the process, and the results of the survey would be presented to the new Council as part of their orientation.