HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-15 Minutes
SUSTAINABLE CLARINGTON COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Minutes of Meeting of May 15, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Room 1A
Present:
Michael Patrick, Chair (at 6:50 p.m.)
Mike Dymarski
Suzanne Elston
Allan Hewitt
Lorraine Jones
Ian Kruis
Kerry Meydam
Kira Nowick (at 6:15 p.m.)
Councillor Ron Hooper
Absent: Mayor Adrian Foster
Also Present: Curry Clifford, Corporate Initiatives Officer
Linda Coutu, Executive Assistant to the Mayor
Guests: Ron Albright, Manager, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Engineering Services
David Crome, Director of Planning Services
Sandra McEleney, Planning Analyst, Planning & Economic Development
Department, Region of Durham
Vicki Barron, Director of Administration and Regeneration Initiatives, Waterfront
Regeneration Trust
Pam Callus and Libby Racansky, Friends of Farewell and Black Creeks
Frank Lockhart, Valleys 2000
Peter Seto and Mark Bruce, Bowmanville Creek Anglers
Jim Boate, Clarington Cycling Club
1. WELCOME
Vice-Chair Suzanne Elston welcomed the committee members and guests to the meeting.
2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 20, 2014
Moved by Kerry Meydam, seconded by Allan Hewitt
THAT the minutes of the March 20, 2014 meeting be approved.
CARRIED.
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3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
There was no business arising from the minutes.
4. OVERVIEW AND CONTEXT FOR THIS EVENING’S DISCUSSION OF FOUR
OF THE COMMITTEE’S GOALS
Curry Clifford invited committee members and guests to introduce themselves then gave
a brief overview of the context for this evening’s meeting. Curry advised that there are
several major initiatives in Clarington that would suggest the community wishes to give
priority to the four topics of tonight’s discussion. This is demonstrated by:
the Municipality’s recent community-wide survey that indicated a strong desire
amongst residents for trails, green space, beaches/waterfront and public parks
this committee’s review of the 2010 Green Community’s Strategy. Protecting,
promoting and sustaining Clarington’s natural environment was found to be an
overarching aim when the committee members assessed which of these 58
suggestions should be given priority
the Municipality placing priority on these matters through two major initiatives: the
Official Plan Review and the Transportation Master Plan. The former will include
proposed policies on the countryside, natural heritage features, parks, open spaces and
trails and the latter includes proposals for cycling paths and walking trails
a number of related initiatives underway, including a study of the economic impact of
tourism in Clarington and the development of the first Tourism Plan, the recent
approval of a Regional Cycling Plan and the Region’s acceptance of a Local Action
Plan presented by the Durham Roundtable on Climate Change that touches on a
number of natural environment matters
the greater value that is being attached to physical health and exercise, especially
arising from cycling and walking (now termed “active transportation”) with the most
recent demonstration of this interest a report released the previous day by the GTHA
Medical Officers of Heath.
Curry advised that for this meeting we would start with Vicki Barron of the Waterfront
Regeneration providing a brief presentation as the work of the Trust is what originally got
the Municipality involved in trails and paths and the Trust brings experience from across
Ontario on what makes for effective trails and paths. Ron Albright, Manager,
Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Engineering Services Department will speak about
the Transportation Master Plan which sets out the Municipality’s plans for trails and
paths. Sandra McEleney will discuss the Region’s work in trails and paths.
Unfortunately, Peter Windolf the Municipality’s Manager of Park Development has
another business commitment and was unable to attend this meeting and Ron will cover
off for him. No one from the conservation authorities was able to attend the meeting but
they did send a joint written submission. Representatives from Durham Region Transit
were unable attend this meeting but Curry, Ron and Sandra will meet with Transit staff as
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well as GO Transit staff on June 2 to discuss the Committee’s three questions and Curry
will report the results to the committee.
5. DISCUSSION OF GOALS
Guests were invited to discuss four of the committee’s goals as follows:
#8 Healthy, Accessible Waterfronts
#6 Accessible and Integrated Trails
#4 Green, Efficient People Friendly Transportation
#5 Natural Green Space.
#8Healthy, Accessible Waterfronts:
Vicki Barron gave a presentation on the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and distributed
copies of a presentation to members of the committee. Vicki talked about the evolvement
of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust from its conception in 1988 to present day and its
overall approach of knitting existing municipal trails together.
The Trust has also more recently been contracted by the Greenbelt Foundation to develop
the Greenbelt Cycling route covering the length of the Greenbelt that includes Clarington
roads.
Goal (Question 1)
For the Waterfront Trail, the Trust has facilitated a partnership of 68 municipalities,
conservation authorities and others. Highlights include:
58% of the Waterfront Trail is on secondary highways with the balance split equally
between dedicated off-road paths and residential streets and rural roads
Tourism potential of the trails is beginning to be realized with:
significant lessons being taken from Quebec’s successful experience in this
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area
large scale and growth in visitors who went cycling while in Ontario- 2
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million in 2010 - a 25% increase over 2009 and spent $391 million - 18%
increase over 2009
“Grand Tour” – Niagara and Lake Erie regions attracted up to 2,000
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participants with 52% from Montreal and 59% with an income greater than
$80k
work underway to make Ontario a cycling destination, including promoting
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Share the Road’s Bike Friendly Communities designation, adding cycling
routes to tourism maps, getting businesses on side, creating tourism packages
that combine cycling with other activities; developing partnerships with CAA
recognizing that a large percentage of cyclists are also motorists.
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Current State (Question 2)
In Clarington:
the Waterfront Trail is 36.7 km with 11.5 km on unpaved surfaces- usually
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packed limestone and the balance on “quiet country” roads
upcoming projects include re-routing around Energy Park, extension of the
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trail from Bowmanville Creek to the Waterfront Trail and municipal funding
to improve the condition of the “Big Hill”.
Suggested Actions ( Question 3)
Proposed actions or “remaining issues” on the Waterfront Trail in Clarington
include addressing:
soft or overgrown trail surfaces
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one steep incline
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no accommodations along the trail and more broadly realizing the tourism
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potential as discussed above including recognizng that Clarington is the first
rural area that cyclists come to along the Trail if coming from the west
north-south connections to the waterfront trail.
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Ms. Barron indicated that to increase the likelihood of success with any funding
requests, including those under the Ontario Cycling Strategy, the applications should
reference the Municipality’s involvement with the Waterfront Regeneration Trust.
Suzanne Elston thanked Ms. Barron for her presentation.
#4 Green, Efficient People Friendly Transportation
Ron Albright from Clarington and Sandra McEleney from the Region provided
overviews of this item. Highlights included:
Goal (Question 1):
Lower congestion by moving to increase cycling and walking rather than
motoring- divide the transportation infrastructure “pie” differently rather than
creating a bigger pie
Move from 4% of the population using active transportation to 6%
Link cycling paths from old and new Bowmanville (west end)
Link cycling paths to waterfront – Bowmanville & Courtice (like Newcastle)
Increase the number of students walking rather than being driven to school.
Current State (Question 2):
For the first time Clarington is developing a Transportation Master Plan and it
includes significant active transportation components. The plan is nearing
completion.
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The Region is embarking on updating its Transportation Master Plan which is 10
years old, developed before concepts like active transportation became common.
Durham Cycling Plan approved in 2013
Smart Commute program scope being expanded to include other community
players beyond large employers
Recent painting/signing of bike lanes has taken place in Bowmanville and
Newcastle bike lanes on Edward Street/Brookhouse will be in place by the end of
next year.
Cycling in Clarington maps are available on the Municipality website. Clarington
has also installed covered bike racks in key locations, such as on Church Street in
front of the library
Suggested Actions (Question 3):
Capital budget is key funding place to address required actions
The Development Charge Review that will begin in the Fall is another place to
address anticipated needs
A dialogue with decision makers about the priority of trails and paths is required
to move to action.
Jim Boate spoke briefly about cycling and advised that there are huge groups of cyclists
coming to this area. Jim indicated support for the goals noted and emphasized the
importance residents attach to the goals of (1) having access to the Waterfront Trail from
the downtown core of Bowmanville and from the commercial area of Courtice as well as
(2) a paved bicycle lane from the downtown core to the west end of Bowmanville along
Hwy #2. He emphasized that once this key safety issue is addressed it will mean
increased usage.
#6 Accessible and Integrated Trails
Ron and Sandra also provided overviews of this item. Highlights included
Goal (Question 1):
Trails are considered a vital part of the transportation master plan and barriers
identified in that Plan to be addressed through the long term development of an
active transportation network
Key future trails are set out in the Transportation Master Plan
Establish alternative funding mechanism for construction of trails.
Current State (Question 2):
Clarington currently has approximately 20km of off-road trails (not including the
Oakridges Moraine Trail) that are used both for recreation and transportation.
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Since 2001 Clarington has constructed over 12km of recreational trails in the
Bowmanville Valley, Soper Creek Valley, Samuel Wilmot Nature Area, Graham
Creek and along the Lake Ontario Waterfront trail.
The most recent trail project was completed in 2012 when a bridge and asphalt
trail were constructed to create a link from the Bowmanville Valley Trail to the
residential areas in south Bowmanville.
The municipality’s capital budget forecasts future trails along the Farewell Creek,
Bowmanville Creek and Soper Creek
There are challenges getting agreement from Hydro One to permit trails to be
established along hydro corridor rights of ways as they wish to be compensated
for the use of this space, although this has been done in Scarborough. However, it
also means a loss of municipal tax revenue if the space is used for trails.
Durham Trails Co-ordinating Committee consists of eight Regional Councillors
and eight citizens. Its focus is on the connections with trails within the area
municipalities within the Region and between the Region and its neighbours. And
it provides information about trails through durhamtrails.ca.
Suggested Actions (Question 3):
Don’t build trails if you’re not going to maintain them
Transferability of Valleys 2000 approach of community volunteers caring for
trails to other parts of the community – requires time, love, spending time
Increased communications about trails
See also goals above
The committee recessed at 7:40 p.m. for five minutes.
Frank Lockhart spoke briefly about Valleys 2000. Mr. Lockhart noted that trails should
be seen as an important element of the quality of life in the community and enjoyed in
their own right, not just as a means of transportation.
#5 Natural Green Space
Frank Lochardt, Pam Callus, Libby Racansky, Peter Seto and Mark Bruce were each
invited to discuss this goal. Highlights included:
Goal (Question 1):
Create:
places where people just want to be there – not on the way to something but as
destination itself to be enjoyed in its own right
a sense of mystery with these spaces
natural spaces that are (1) kept clean, (2) populated by flora and fauna and (3) that are
appreciated by residents and well used (get people “into the weeds”)
an ethos of returning natural spaces to the way they were as much as possible
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interest in the type of designation for natural spaces as Mississauga has done– New
Valleys Urban Trails
a goal that all river valleys should have trails.
Current State (Question 2):
Ms. Callus stated that she uses the Millennium Traill in Courtice on a regular basis
and appreciates the natural space as a walking trail
Black & Farewell Creek – split private/municipal ownership
Salmon population is up – attracts fishermen from U.S., across Canada
Fishing tourism is growing. The new fish by-pass ladder in the Bowmanville Creek is
a great asset which was accomplished by working together with Valleys 2000 and the
Municipality. Both Mr. Seto and Mr. Bruce agreed that the valley should be shared
with cyclists, walkers and fishermen.
Suggested Actions (Question 3):
Generate the level of community engagement seen with Black & Farewell Creeks in
other parts of the community, e.g., “Friends of” type foundations
A boat launch and dredging at Port Darlington would be helpful, esp. tourist fishers
Increase marketing of Clarington as a fishing destination
Build understand of the leisure benefit of fishing
Teach people how to fish – anglers and fishers clubs provide this service
Recognize that if the fish are thriving it is a key indicator of a healthy ecology and
that it nicely represents sustainability
Improve access to Graham Creek and Soper Creek
Integrate hiking, cycling with fishing and manage any conflicts between users
Promote this summer’s Valley Fest.
Suzanne thankedall of the guests for their informative presentations and they left the
meeting at 8:45 p.m.
The committee members briefly discussed the highlights of the meeting. The recurring
theme that was noted throughout the meeting was the opportunity to integrate both within
and between the range of community interests and local government interests (Municipal
and Regional government working more collaboratively). And that a key starting point
for this is sharing information among the various interests – bringing the information out
to the community. Creating capacity within the community, Suzanne noted, is also key to
getting significant results in sustainability and should form part of the advice to Council.
6. Other Business
Suzanne reminded the Committee Members that the next meeting will be held on
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Thursday, June 5 at 6:00 p.m.
Moved by Alan Hewitt, seconded by Michael Patrick
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That the meeting adjourn at 9:05 p.m.
CARRIED
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