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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP-118-80 K; CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT D.N.SMITH,M.C.I.P.,Director HAMPTON,ONTARIO LOB 1JO TEL.(416)263-2231 REPORT TO THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF JULY 7, 1980. REPORT NO. : P-118-80 SUBJECT: Environmental Impact Analysis Terms of Reference BACKGROUND: As the members of the Committee are aware, Amendment 12 to the Darlington Official Plan requires the local municipality to conduct an environmental impact analysis prior to, or in conjunction with, a review of development proposals on sites which have been identified as being environmentally sensitive. In order to meet this requirement , staff prepared draft terms of reference for conducting such analyses, and circulated them to the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority and Durham Regional Planning for comments. In response to our circulation, we received the following comments: Durham Regional Planning The draft terms of reference appears to be a reasonable approach in terms of fulfilling the intent of proposed Amendment 19 to the Durham Regional Official Plan. You may wish to emphasize, however, that such analysis may apply to the subject area or to a wider area as suggested in proposed Amendment 19. - 2 - Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority The intended methodology is quite comprehensive and suitably addresses most of the Authority's concerns for environmentally sensitive areas. It is requested that consideration be given to include the following: 1) a tentative timetable for meetings between the owner, consultant and affected agencies during which the study methods and findings will be discussed and continuing direction provided to the consultant; 2) "building and lot line" before "setback requirements" on page 1 under Topography; 3) "recharge areas" after "aquifers" on page 2 under Hydrology; 4) "and access" after "present and proposed" on page 2 under Site Characteristics; and 5) "and transitory" after "indigenous" on page 2 under Wild- life. Attached for further information is a list of the factors to be reviewed in an impact assessment conducted under the provisions of the Authority's sensitive areas report. Your perusal and in- corporation of these Authority policies, as required, is recommended. As a final note, it should be indicated that the efficient con- ducting of an environmental impact analysis will largely depend on consultation between the Town, the applicant's consultant and the Authority, and the resolving of the differing points of view among several agencies regarding proposed amendment 19 to the Regional Official Plan, yet to receive approval by the 1i.nistry of Housing. COMMENTS: Staff have reviewed the above noted comments from the Region and Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority and have incorporated the necessary changes within the Terms of Reference which are included as Attachment 1 to this report. If the revised Terms of Reference are satisfactory to Committee and Council, staff will utilize said terms in all instances where Environ- mental Impact Analyses are required. In that regard, such analyses is 3 - required for Neighbourhood 3 of the Courtice Urban Area. The study is to be conducted by the Town and the necessary monies have been included and approved in the Department's budget. It should be noted that monies allocated within the Town's budget will be recoverable through future development proposals. Staff are, therefore, suggesting that a proposal call be initiated for conducting the Courtice Environmental Impact Analysis, to be con- ducted in fulfillment of the provisions of Amendment 12 to the Darling- ton Official Plan. For the Committee's convenience, we have included as Attachment 2, a list of the consulting firms which we feel should be invited to submit a proposal in respect of the Courtice Environmental Impact Analysis. RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Planning and Development Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. That Report P-118-80 be received; and that 2. The Terms of Reference for conducting Environmental Impact Analyses, as contained in Attachment 1 to report P-118-80 be adopted; and that 3. Staff be authorized to initiate a proposal call for conducting the Environmental Impact Analysis for Neighbourhood 3 of the Courtice Urban Area, said proposal call to be made to those firms listed on Attachment 2 to Report P-118-80; and that 4. Staff forward a copy of the adopted Terms of Reference to Durham Regional Planning and the Central Lake Ontario Conser- vation Authority for their information. - Re sp t mi lly submitted, TTE:lb D. th, M.C.I.P. Attachment 1 to Staff Report P-118-80 TERMS OF REFERENCE Environmental Impact Analysis Proposals for development within an area which has been identified as being environmentally sensitive shall be accompanied by a detailed field investigation to assess the environmental characteristics of the subject area, or a wider area, as may be determined by the relationship of the area's characteristics to other components of the environmental system as a whole. This investigation, to be conducted by the Town of Newcastle in co-operation with the Region of Durham and the respective Conservation Authority, shall consist of an Environmental Impact Analysis, prepared in accordance with the following guidelines, and which shall assess the development proposal and its justification, and the area's sensitive characteristics and provide recommendations in respect of protecting or preserving the sensitive characteristics, which may include; alternatives to the stated development proposal(s) ; methods of mitigating negative effects of development, if possible, and the costs to the municipality or Conservation Authority of implementing the stated or alternative develop- ment proposal(s) . 1. The Environmental Impact Analysis shall contain: a) A detailed description of the development proposal with specific regard to the following factors: land use, density, sewage disposal, water supply, storm drainage, utilities, and roads; and b) a detailed description of the physical and biological char- acteristics of the site or a wider area, and its relationship to other components of the environmental system or the viability of the system as a whole with specific regard to the following factors: air, land, surface and ground water, plant and _ animal life; and c) a detailed description of the type and degree of sensitivity of the environment; and d) a detailed description of the positive or negative effects of the proposed development upon the factors listed in (a) ; and e) a detailed description of the recommended methods of miti- gating negative effects upon the sensitive characteristics of the environment as they relate to the site and other com- ponents of the environmental system, this may include alternatives - 2 - to the stated proposal which would eliminate negative impacts and still satisfy the intent of the stated pro- posal; and f) a detailed description and delineation of the lcoation of those environmentally sensitive area(s) which should be preserved; and g) a reflection of opinions of the landowners of the site, as well as, those of adjacent properties. 2. The following is a list of information which may generally be required by 1 above. (some items may not be pertinent to all projects while other projects may require additional information.) a) Development Proposal - proposed site plan or plan of subdivision; - proposed location of building envelopes; - proposed location of all services and or utilities; - proposed location of roads and other impervious surfaces. b) Landscape Analysis - location of each tree in excess of 7.5 cm in diameter measured 0.3 m above the ground; - location of general areas of smaller trees or shrub growth; - species of plant materials (specific as to location) ; - size of plant material (diameter and height of each tree general height of large groupings) ; - condition of plant material (state of health) . c) Topography - analysis of slopes broken down into percentages; - assessment of slope stability; - location and delineation of topographic break in slope; - building and lot line setback requirements from the topo- graphic break in slope. d) Hydrology - surface drainage (may be indicated on the Topographic map) ; - approximate location and extent of aquifers, recharge areas and contributing factors; - impacts of proposed development upon surface and sub- surface hydrolo - 3 - e) Soils - soil types and their suitability or building potential - f) Climate - prevailing winds; - sun exposure; - micro climates. g) Site Characteristics - views on and off site; - definition of areas by visual character; - visual impact of development proposal; - adjacent land uses, present and proposed site land use and access, present and proposed. h) Development Potential - suitability of site or portions of the site for development and preservation - alternative development proposals i) Wildlife - identification of indigenous and transitory species; - criteria for wildlife habitat and corridor conservation. 3. Review of Existing Literature a) Gartner Lee Study; b) M.N.R. Hazard Land Information; c) Other studies as may be relevant. 4. Timetable of Meetings At least four (4) formal meetings, with Regional, Town and Conservation Authority staff, will be required to review the study progress, data and analysis, as follows: (i) Initial meeting, prior to commencing study, to discuss terms of reference with consultants; (ii) Second meeting, after data collection, to review and discuss data and provide further direction in respect of any additional material required, if any; (iii) Third Meeting, after analysis of data as it relates to the development proposal, presumably in the form of a first i - 4 - draft report, to review and discuss the consultant's analysis and recommendations; (iv) Final meeting, to review and discuss final draft of consultant's report prior to recommending that the report be adopted for consideration during the review of the development proposal(s) . Attachment 2 to Staff Report P-118-80 Ecologistics Limited Branch Office Environmental & Recreation Planning Consultants 133 Wynford Drive Dr. Derek J. Coleman, M.C.I.P. DON MILLS, Ontario 309 Lancaster St. West M3C 1K1 KITCHENER, Ontario (416) 441-4111 N2H 4V4 Gail Ferguson, M.C.I.P. (519) 744-4448 Ecoplans Ltd. C. M. Kitchen, M.C.I.P. 544 Conestoga Road West WATERLOO, Ontario N2L 4E2 (519) 884-7200 Gartner Lee Associates Ltd. J. F. Gartner Toronto-Buttonville Airport MARKHAM, Ontario L3P 3J9 (416) 297-4600 Ecological Services for Planning Ltd. 40 Norwich East GUELPH, Ontario (519) 836-6050