Neighbourly News, Fall 2007 – front page
Bonnie Littley
Regional Councillor, Ward 1
announcing . . .
Bonnie’s 1st Annual
Community Idea Exchange
on Smart Growth & Sustainability
Saturday October 13th, 2007, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Petticoat Creek Library & Community Centre, Pickering
ALL WARDS WELCOME!
How do taxes, a lack of sidewalks and climate change relate to each other?
Come to my Community Idea Exchange and find out.
Think global, act local
preliminary program
9:30 am - Registration & browse community displays
Greetings from the City of Pickering - Mayor Dave Ryan
Welcoming Remarks - Bonnie Littley, Regional Councillor, Ward 1
“Working Together - It’s time to build bridges to address Climate Change”
Places to Grow - A Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe -
Ontario Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Renewal - Jason Thorne, PIR
“Pickering as an Emerging Growth Centre”
City of Pickering - Office of Sustainability/Economic Development
“Community involvement in creating a Sustainable City”
- Ron Taylor, Coordinator, City Development
Ontario Smart Growth Network/Conservation Council of Ontario
“Creating an Urban Village - Squashing fears of the concrete jungle ”
- Chris Winter, Executive Director
Municipal Leaders for the Greenbelt - Ajax Mayor Steve Parish - Over 50 Mayors and Councillors
from across southern Ontario have now joined.
What’s still needed to make all the pieces work together?
12:00 - 12:30 pm - Open Floor Discussion
Facilitated by David Donnelly, Lawyer & Planner, Environmental Defence
Visit our guests & displays
Durham Region Food Charter display
Durham SustainAbility
Friends of the Rouge Watershed
Environmental Defence
Heritage Pickering
Indopak - Pickering's first certified LEEDS building
Landoverlandings
Ontario Farmland Trust
Ontario Greenbelt Alliance
Rouge Duffins Greenspace Coalition
Toronto & Region Conservation Authority
United Way of Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge
Whitby/Ajax Community Garden and The Communal Garden Project
participate & get smart about smart growth!
Monday, January 1, 2007
2007 The Other Side of the Podium
Page 2
Greetings Ward 1!
The Other Side of the Podium, 2007
Personal reflection by Bonnie Littley
People keep asking me "How's it going with the new job as Regional Councillor?" Well aside from the usual agendas, committees and council meetings which I am used to from my community advocate role with Rouge Duffins Greenspace Coalition - now the difference is, I'm a politician.
I'm sometimes taken aback by the occasional person that doesn't know me and while talking to them on whatever issue they're expressing, I get the sense they're thinking "you're just another lying politician". I've even been told that in so many words. Wow, that's hard to get used to. Advice that I was given before I ran rings true - you need thick skin for this job.
What I think is more disturbing however is the general public opinion about politics and politicians. I have no doubt that those perceptions also translate into our low voter turnouts as well.
Many times over the years as a delegate on the other side of the podium addressing local or regional council, I've heard the comments from citizens that have formed such opinions. Accusations that politicians are more interested in political self-preservation than any other kind of preservation or public good. Most common is development industry influence from election campaign financing.
I was one of those residents. Do I still think it's true? Yes. Not all politicians, but some.
If that kind of funding doesn't influence politicians - why take it? Wouldn't being "developer-free" do wonders for public perception and public trust? Could it improve public participation in the political process? Create a more financially level playing field for new comers? And municipal contributions are not tax deductible so why is there so much development industry dollars in municipal politics? A cost of business that pays off? All very relevant questions.
York University Political Science Professor Robert MacDermid is studying municipal campaign financing and states "I think it's an important way of understanding municipal politics, is to understand where the funding comes from. And to understand how that influences how municipal decisions are made."
I believe if we ever want to control the design of our towns, cities and control urban sprawl, those rules need to change. And, we need the provincial government to change the Municipal Elections Act to do it.
"Prof. Robert MacDermid said he hopes his study will spur citizens to ask their communities to investigate candidates who appear to have bent fundraising rules and push for sweeping reforms, including a ban on corporate political donations."
Sounds like a great provincial election issue to me! Where do the provincial parties and our municipal representatives stand on this issue? When you see them, ask!
The Provincial Election is October 10th.
Bonnie Littley
Regional Councillor, Ward 1
Direct Tel: 905.420.4608
Res: 905.420-0667
blittley@cityofpickering.com
(excerpts from the June 28th, 2007, Globe & Mail,
Developers top list of 905 donors
York professor's work aimed at getting voters
to push for investigations, reforms
JEFF GRAY)
Want to learn more?
Sustainable Neighbourhood Design Guidelines
www.cityofpickering.com, 905-420-4617
York/Durham Energy from Waste Facility
www.durhamyorkwaste.ca,
also see Clarington Watchdog,
claringtonwatchdog.blogspot.com
Central Pickering Development Plan
www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page329.aspx
Environmental Defence
http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/
North Pickering Land Exchange
www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page326.aspx
The Greenbelt
www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page187.aspx
Greetings Ward 1!
The Other Side of the Podium, 2007
Personal reflection by Bonnie Littley
People keep asking me "How's it going with the new job as Regional Councillor?" Well aside from the usual agendas, committees and council meetings which I am used to from my community advocate role with Rouge Duffins Greenspace Coalition - now the difference is, I'm a politician.
I'm sometimes taken aback by the occasional person that doesn't know me and while talking to them on whatever issue they're expressing, I get the sense they're thinking "you're just another lying politician". I've even been told that in so many words. Wow, that's hard to get used to. Advice that I was given before I ran rings true - you need thick skin for this job.
What I think is more disturbing however is the general public opinion about politics and politicians. I have no doubt that those perceptions also translate into our low voter turnouts as well.
Many times over the years as a delegate on the other side of the podium addressing local or regional council, I've heard the comments from citizens that have formed such opinions. Accusations that politicians are more interested in political self-preservation than any other kind of preservation or public good. Most common is development industry influence from election campaign financing.
I was one of those residents. Do I still think it's true? Yes. Not all politicians, but some.
If that kind of funding doesn't influence politicians - why take it? Wouldn't being "developer-free" do wonders for public perception and public trust? Could it improve public participation in the political process? Create a more financially level playing field for new comers? And municipal contributions are not tax deductible so why is there so much development industry dollars in municipal politics? A cost of business that pays off? All very relevant questions.
York University Political Science Professor Robert MacDermid is studying municipal campaign financing and states "I think it's an important way of understanding municipal politics, is to understand where the funding comes from. And to understand how that influences how municipal decisions are made."
I believe if we ever want to control the design of our towns, cities and control urban sprawl, those rules need to change. And, we need the provincial government to change the Municipal Elections Act to do it.
"Prof. Robert MacDermid said he hopes his study will spur citizens to ask their communities to investigate candidates who appear to have bent fundraising rules and push for sweeping reforms, including a ban on corporate political donations."
Sounds like a great provincial election issue to me! Where do the provincial parties and our municipal representatives stand on this issue? When you see them, ask!
The Provincial Election is October 10th.
Bonnie Littley
Regional Councillor, Ward 1
Direct Tel: 905.420.4608
Res: 905.420-0667
blittley@cityofpickering.com
(excerpts from the June 28th, 2007, Globe & Mail,
Developers top list of 905 donors
York professor's work aimed at getting voters
to push for investigations, reforms
JEFF GRAY)
Want to learn more?
Sustainable Neighbourhood Design Guidelines
www.cityofpickering.com, 905-420-4617
York/Durham Energy from Waste Facility
www.durhamyorkwaste.ca,
also see Clarington Watchdog,
claringtonwatchdog.blogspot.com
Central Pickering Development Plan
www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page329.aspx
Environmental Defence
http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/
North Pickering Land Exchange
www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page326.aspx
The Greenbelt
www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page187.aspx
2007 Highlights & Hot Topics
Page 3
Highlights & Hot Topics
Pickering’s Official Plan Review & Public Consultation
A spirit of collaboration will get the most proactive results.
Over the past year, I’ve been discussing with staff new ideas on what I’ve always referred to as “window dressing public consultation”. Basically, “thank you for your comments, good-bye”.
City staff are in the process of developing a work plan that sets out some new ideas on gaining meaningful input from our residents in our Official Plan Review. They’ve already begun by engaging citizens through Sustainable Pickering Day and focus groups assisted by “Evergreen” for the City’s Downtown Study. This study will look for ways to intensify and enhance the area around City Hall, to create a vibrant and sustainable downtown core. This is in keeping with the Provincial Government’s Places to Grow Plan, which identifies Downtown Pickering as a “growth centre”. During the course of the Downtown Study, there will be a number of opportunities for comments and input from residents and businesses.
We need various public consultation processes that don’t dictate - that are flexible and go out to the public - not always expecting residents to come to City Hall. Consultation needs to be as diverse as our population, creative, interesting and appeal to all ages.
I’m looking forward to hear what further ideas staff have come up with. In the meantime, residents can start by attending my Idea Exchange on Smart Growth and Sustainability - don’t forget to bring your ideas on what you’d like to see in our City!
Energy from Waste Facility
(aka incineration)How do you want the Region to handle your waste?
Since shipping our waste to Michigan will no longer be an option and it’s already been determined that residents didn’t want more landfill - Taxpayers will have to decide how and how much they want to spend to deal with it.
Most certainly, we could start by improving our waste diversion and recycling. We could ask the province to enact legislation to make manufacturers more responsible for the waste created in the first place. If it cost money, incentive would exist to produce less packaging and more re-usable products.
European countries have been incinerating for years with various technologies. Some older operations have closed. Some have consolidated all their utilities and make a profit from the energy produced. The newest technologies which claim the best health and environmental protection are of course hugely expensive. So, what are the risks? The site and actual technology hasn’t been determined as yet - so neither can the risk.
Stay tuned for more - this is one HOT topic! (FYI: Halton Region recently voted down options for a EFW facility.)
Seaton
“the greenest community in Canada??”
The history of Seaton and the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP) is so long I’m sure one day someone will write a book or two on the subject - so, I’ll try to be brief.
It all started in 1972 when the federal government expropriated 18,000 acres for a federal airport - the province then expropriated 25,000 acres between the Rouge & Duffins for a City to go with it! (Many citizens are still involved that worked on the original urban plan called Cedarwood back in the 70's)
In 1999, the Province, Region, City, and citizen groups signed a Memorandum of Understanding to sell back land on the west side of Duffins Creek in Pickering as agricultural land in perpetuity held by easements on title - known as the DRAP.
2001, the province announces a swap for provincially owned land in Seaton with developers to protect land in the Oak Ridges Moraine.
The City lost it’s planning rights to the province when it recommended developing both Seaton and more than 1000 acres of the DRAP in the City’s Growth Management Study (GMS)- hence, the Central Pickering Development Plan was born. The final version released May 2006.
In the 2003 provincial election the Liberal government promised 2/3rds of Seaton would be included into the Greenbelt - none has to date. The Ontario Greenbelt Alliance gave the province a grade “D” in their Greenbelt Report Card.
“Positively, the Central Pickering Development Plan may be Canada’s most aggressive attempt to secure green space and Natural Heritage System (NHS) planning, however, the current NHS still does not adequately protect the Duffins Creek.” (Although much larger than in the City’s GMS - this is a hotly debated issue.)
Now that lawsuits launched by development interests in the DRAP lost in court, public consultation has now resumed for the 54% that is to remain as a Natural Heritage System and in public ownership The land swap is now complete and the City is left with the daunting task of implementing the provincial plan.
All that being said, I'm concerned that all of us should turn our focus to the inevitable urban plan for Seaton. To maintain the spirit and intent of the Central Pickering Plan we need to make Seaton the greenest urban community possible and everyone needs to participate proactively to make sure it is.
However, I see two problems. Will the developers step up to the plate? The same old sprawl subdivisions are not going to fly with the public this time and the devil will be in the details. Also, Council failed to uphold principles of our planning dept's "Sustainable Neighbourhood Design Guidelines" for the Downtown West Plan, so will they cave on the details of various development applications coming down the pipe for Seaton? Having an Office of Sustainability or a committee for that matter won’t mean much if Council doesn't uphold the principles. Council collaboration rather than political grandstanding will go a long way toward the success of Seaton. Maybe we’ll do better by the next newsletter? We’ll see.
Southeast Collector Sanitary Trunk Sewer Project (aka The Big Pipe)
Purpose of the project is to accommodate sanitary sewer flows from future growth in York Region; Environmental Assessment underway; Regions released recommended route in June/07. This is still a hot topic. York Region is criticized for not developing within-Region sewage treatment and tunneling raw sewage through the Oak Ridges Moraine aquifers, Bob Hunter Memorial Park, the Rouge Park and Pickering’s DRAP. Future public meetings to be held on recommended route. More information available at: sec.cenet.ca
Airport Update
In April, City Council passed a resolution confirming its opposition to an airport and requesting once again an independent peer review of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority’s (GTAA) Draft Plan for North Pickering. May 9th, Transport Canada announced the contract was awarded to GTAA to complete the previously announced Needs Assessment Study. These findings will become part of Transport Canada’s comprehensive due diligence review that will independently check and verify assumptions and conclusions in all related planning studies. (Doesn’t that make the GTAA doing a review of their own studies? How’s that for due diligence!)
Greenbelt Update
In January, Regional Council backed away (for now) from including maps of Greenbelt lands they want removed in the Regional Official Plan. (Pickering’s Greenbelt lands in the DRAP are considered)
Rouge Park
The Provincial government announced the headwaters of Petticoat creek in Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP) and the still provincially owned Markham side of the DRAP have been dedicated to the Rouge Park. Jointly, the Rouge Park Alliance and TRCA plan future pilot projects for “near-urban agriculture” in the Rouge Park.
Provincial Plans keep winning awardsT
he Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006 has been recognized by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) with the Leonard Gertler Award of Distinction. The newly-established award recognizes the importance that the Growth Plan will have on the future of planning in Ontario. Gary Davidson, OPPI president, noted that it represents “work of such significance that it substantially impacts people in the Province of Ontario and merits special recognition.”
The Ontario Government’s Greenbelt Plan was also named as a recipient of the award.
Electoral Reform
The Ontario Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform has recommended a new way to vote. They recommend that a Mixed Member Proportional system as the best voting system for Ontario – you’ll get two votes - one for the party of your choice, another for the candidate of your choice. In the provincial election, October 10th, look for a referendum question.
Highlights & Hot Topics
Pickering’s Official Plan Review & Public Consultation
A spirit of collaboration will get the most proactive results.
Over the past year, I’ve been discussing with staff new ideas on what I’ve always referred to as “window dressing public consultation”. Basically, “thank you for your comments, good-bye”.
City staff are in the process of developing a work plan that sets out some new ideas on gaining meaningful input from our residents in our Official Plan Review. They’ve already begun by engaging citizens through Sustainable Pickering Day and focus groups assisted by “Evergreen” for the City’s Downtown Study. This study will look for ways to intensify and enhance the area around City Hall, to create a vibrant and sustainable downtown core. This is in keeping with the Provincial Government’s Places to Grow Plan, which identifies Downtown Pickering as a “growth centre”. During the course of the Downtown Study, there will be a number of opportunities for comments and input from residents and businesses.
We need various public consultation processes that don’t dictate - that are flexible and go out to the public - not always expecting residents to come to City Hall. Consultation needs to be as diverse as our population, creative, interesting and appeal to all ages.
I’m looking forward to hear what further ideas staff have come up with. In the meantime, residents can start by attending my Idea Exchange on Smart Growth and Sustainability - don’t forget to bring your ideas on what you’d like to see in our City!
Energy from Waste Facility
(aka incineration)How do you want the Region to handle your waste?
Since shipping our waste to Michigan will no longer be an option and it’s already been determined that residents didn’t want more landfill - Taxpayers will have to decide how and how much they want to spend to deal with it.
Most certainly, we could start by improving our waste diversion and recycling. We could ask the province to enact legislation to make manufacturers more responsible for the waste created in the first place. If it cost money, incentive would exist to produce less packaging and more re-usable products.
European countries have been incinerating for years with various technologies. Some older operations have closed. Some have consolidated all their utilities and make a profit from the energy produced. The newest technologies which claim the best health and environmental protection are of course hugely expensive. So, what are the risks? The site and actual technology hasn’t been determined as yet - so neither can the risk.
Stay tuned for more - this is one HOT topic! (FYI: Halton Region recently voted down options for a EFW facility.)
Seaton
“the greenest community in Canada??”
The history of Seaton and the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP) is so long I’m sure one day someone will write a book or two on the subject - so, I’ll try to be brief.
It all started in 1972 when the federal government expropriated 18,000 acres for a federal airport - the province then expropriated 25,000 acres between the Rouge & Duffins for a City to go with it! (Many citizens are still involved that worked on the original urban plan called Cedarwood back in the 70's)
In 1999, the Province, Region, City, and citizen groups signed a Memorandum of Understanding to sell back land on the west side of Duffins Creek in Pickering as agricultural land in perpetuity held by easements on title - known as the DRAP.
2001, the province announces a swap for provincially owned land in Seaton with developers to protect land in the Oak Ridges Moraine.
The City lost it’s planning rights to the province when it recommended developing both Seaton and more than 1000 acres of the DRAP in the City’s Growth Management Study (GMS)- hence, the Central Pickering Development Plan was born. The final version released May 2006.
In the 2003 provincial election the Liberal government promised 2/3rds of Seaton would be included into the Greenbelt - none has to date. The Ontario Greenbelt Alliance gave the province a grade “D” in their Greenbelt Report Card.
“Positively, the Central Pickering Development Plan may be Canada’s most aggressive attempt to secure green space and Natural Heritage System (NHS) planning, however, the current NHS still does not adequately protect the Duffins Creek.” (Although much larger than in the City’s GMS - this is a hotly debated issue.)
Now that lawsuits launched by development interests in the DRAP lost in court, public consultation has now resumed for the 54% that is to remain as a Natural Heritage System and in public ownership The land swap is now complete and the City is left with the daunting task of implementing the provincial plan.
All that being said, I'm concerned that all of us should turn our focus to the inevitable urban plan for Seaton. To maintain the spirit and intent of the Central Pickering Plan we need to make Seaton the greenest urban community possible and everyone needs to participate proactively to make sure it is.
However, I see two problems. Will the developers step up to the plate? The same old sprawl subdivisions are not going to fly with the public this time and the devil will be in the details. Also, Council failed to uphold principles of our planning dept's "Sustainable Neighbourhood Design Guidelines" for the Downtown West Plan, so will they cave on the details of various development applications coming down the pipe for Seaton? Having an Office of Sustainability or a committee for that matter won’t mean much if Council doesn't uphold the principles. Council collaboration rather than political grandstanding will go a long way toward the success of Seaton. Maybe we’ll do better by the next newsletter? We’ll see.
Southeast Collector Sanitary Trunk Sewer Project (aka The Big Pipe)
Purpose of the project is to accommodate sanitary sewer flows from future growth in York Region; Environmental Assessment underway; Regions released recommended route in June/07. This is still a hot topic. York Region is criticized for not developing within-Region sewage treatment and tunneling raw sewage through the Oak Ridges Moraine aquifers, Bob Hunter Memorial Park, the Rouge Park and Pickering’s DRAP. Future public meetings to be held on recommended route. More information available at: sec.cenet.ca
Airport Update
In April, City Council passed a resolution confirming its opposition to an airport and requesting once again an independent peer review of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority’s (GTAA) Draft Plan for North Pickering. May 9th, Transport Canada announced the contract was awarded to GTAA to complete the previously announced Needs Assessment Study. These findings will become part of Transport Canada’s comprehensive due diligence review that will independently check and verify assumptions and conclusions in all related planning studies. (Doesn’t that make the GTAA doing a review of their own studies? How’s that for due diligence!)
Greenbelt Update
In January, Regional Council backed away (for now) from including maps of Greenbelt lands they want removed in the Regional Official Plan. (Pickering’s Greenbelt lands in the DRAP are considered)
Rouge Park
The Provincial government announced the headwaters of Petticoat creek in Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP) and the still provincially owned Markham side of the DRAP have been dedicated to the Rouge Park. Jointly, the Rouge Park Alliance and TRCA plan future pilot projects for “near-urban agriculture” in the Rouge Park.
Provincial Plans keep winning awardsT
he Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006 has been recognized by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) with the Leonard Gertler Award of Distinction. The newly-established award recognizes the importance that the Growth Plan will have on the future of planning in Ontario. Gary Davidson, OPPI president, noted that it represents “work of such significance that it substantially impacts people in the Province of Ontario and merits special recognition.”
The Ontario Government’s Greenbelt Plan was also named as a recipient of the award.
Electoral Reform
The Ontario Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform has recommended a new way to vote. They recommend that a Mixed Member Proportional system as the best voting system for Ontario – you’ll get two votes - one for the party of your choice, another for the candidate of your choice. In the provincial election, October 10th, look for a referendum question.
2007 Ward 1 Specific Activities
Page 4
Ward 1 Specific Activities
Sheppard Sidewalk
• The slope retention system is anticipated to be complete before winter 2007/08. This will allow widening of the road platform to enable the City to widen Sheppard Ave. complete with sidewalk and storm water systems. Consideration will be given to commencing road works in 2008 in a phased approach.
Altona Road Widening (The Region of Durham)
• The Region anticipated starting construction for the widening of Altona Road from two (2) to four (4) lanes from Kingston Road to Stroud’s Lane in 2008, however an appeal has been filed on the environmental assessment out of concern for Petticoat Creek. (see www.region.durham.on.ca);
Twyn Rivers & Altona Road (Altridge Properties Inc.)
• Proposal for 10 detached dwellings situated at the south west corner of Altona Road and Twyn Rivers; Consideration of the rezoning and Plan of Subdivision by Council was tabled to accommodate a meeting with Regional staff to verify options available for road access from Altona Rd. and to review findings with residents.
778 & 790 Kingston Rd. (Kingswhite Properties Inc.)
• Proposal for three commercial buildings approximately 2400 square metres of combined gross floor area; Site Plan approval and building permits are still under review
816 Kingston Road (816 Kingston Road (Pickering) Limited)
• Proposed mixed use subdivision of four residential blocks (16 townhouse units), one commercial block and one open space block; Rezoning has been approved by Council, Plan of Subdivision has been draft approved;
875 Kingston Road (786 Indopak Inc.)
• City Council has approved a mixed use commercial / residential building at south-west corner of Kingston Road and Fairport Road; The proposed ten storey building will have 198 dwelling units and 3,400 square metres of commercial floor space; The proponent has indicated a desire to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, with the specific objective to achieve LEED Gold standard. Further, the applicant is also pursuing certain green building design elements, including a green roof, solar collectors, and energy saving glazing;
Wingarden Cres/ Shademaster Dr. (946037 Ontario Ltd.)
• Rezoning and Plan of Subdivision applications approved for a 12 lot subdivision through the extension of Wingarden Crescent and Shademaster Drive;
Fairport Rd/Spruce Hill Rd/Welrus St. (Anthony Debruin)
• Proposal for 27 single detached dwellings fronting onto a proposed municipal road; Application will be considered by Council in the near future pending a residents meeting;
Waterfront Trail
• Acquisition of land by the City of Pickering and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to accommodate the future easterly extension of the Waterfront Trail, east of Marksbury Road;
Frenchman’s Bay Stormwater Management Plan
• The plan is in final stages of completion. Public input and comments from Waterfront Coordinating Committee have been received. Final report expected Oct/Nov. for 2008 Capital projects consideration.
Frenchman’s Bay Harbour Entrance
May 30, 2007 – The City of Pickering, in partnership with the TRCA, received a $300,000 grant from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism to conduct an environmental assessment, and design an enhanced harbour entrance for Frenchman’s Bay.
Ward 1 Specific Activities
Sheppard Sidewalk
• The slope retention system is anticipated to be complete before winter 2007/08. This will allow widening of the road platform to enable the City to widen Sheppard Ave. complete with sidewalk and storm water systems. Consideration will be given to commencing road works in 2008 in a phased approach.
Altona Road Widening (The Region of Durham)
• The Region anticipated starting construction for the widening of Altona Road from two (2) to four (4) lanes from Kingston Road to Stroud’s Lane in 2008, however an appeal has been filed on the environmental assessment out of concern for Petticoat Creek. (see www.region.durham.on.ca);
Twyn Rivers & Altona Road (Altridge Properties Inc.)
• Proposal for 10 detached dwellings situated at the south west corner of Altona Road and Twyn Rivers; Consideration of the rezoning and Plan of Subdivision by Council was tabled to accommodate a meeting with Regional staff to verify options available for road access from Altona Rd. and to review findings with residents.
778 & 790 Kingston Rd. (Kingswhite Properties Inc.)
• Proposal for three commercial buildings approximately 2400 square metres of combined gross floor area; Site Plan approval and building permits are still under review
816 Kingston Road (816 Kingston Road (Pickering) Limited)
• Proposed mixed use subdivision of four residential blocks (16 townhouse units), one commercial block and one open space block; Rezoning has been approved by Council, Plan of Subdivision has been draft approved;
875 Kingston Road (786 Indopak Inc.)
• City Council has approved a mixed use commercial / residential building at south-west corner of Kingston Road and Fairport Road; The proposed ten storey building will have 198 dwelling units and 3,400 square metres of commercial floor space; The proponent has indicated a desire to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, with the specific objective to achieve LEED Gold standard. Further, the applicant is also pursuing certain green building design elements, including a green roof, solar collectors, and energy saving glazing;
Wingarden Cres/ Shademaster Dr. (946037 Ontario Ltd.)
• Rezoning and Plan of Subdivision applications approved for a 12 lot subdivision through the extension of Wingarden Crescent and Shademaster Drive;
Fairport Rd/Spruce Hill Rd/Welrus St. (Anthony Debruin)
• Proposal for 27 single detached dwellings fronting onto a proposed municipal road; Application will be considered by Council in the near future pending a residents meeting;
Waterfront Trail
• Acquisition of land by the City of Pickering and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to accommodate the future easterly extension of the Waterfront Trail, east of Marksbury Road;
Frenchman’s Bay Stormwater Management Plan
• The plan is in final stages of completion. Public input and comments from Waterfront Coordinating Committee have been received. Final report expected Oct/Nov. for 2008 Capital projects consideration.
Frenchman’s Bay Harbour Entrance
May 30, 2007 – The City of Pickering, in partnership with the TRCA, received a $300,000 grant from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism to conduct an environmental assessment, and design an enhanced harbour entrance for Frenchman’s Bay.
2007 FEATURE TOPIC
Page 5
FEATURE TOPIC
“A cornerstone of long-term sustainability is Food, and “Sustainability” must include planning for Food”
Is the reality and importance of maintaining the ability to feed ourselves finally catching on?
Everyone is talking about “local food” and “sustainable food systems”
I‘ve said it so often over the years, I sound like a broken record. Presentations, as a delegate at Council, speeches.... and finally people are starting to understand food security issues here in the Greater Golden Horseshoe - home to over half of Canada’s prime agricultural land. We’re expecting an increase of almost 4 million people by 2031. For a total of 11.8 million people. And some people think it’s just a rural issue?
Help Us Develop a Durham Regional Food Charter
What is a Food Charter?
A Food Charter is a document that articulates a community commitment to a common approach to food security.
It is developed by the community with input from all areas related to food.
Once a Food Charter is adopted by Regional and Municipal Councils, it can act as a guide for developing policy which implements community food security principles.
The delegates of the Durham Region Food Charter Visioning Day envisioned a charter focused toward building a just and sustainable food system that contributes to the economic, ecological and social well-being of our region and its residents well into the future.
As a result of the November 17th, 2006, Durham Region Food Charter Visioning Day, a community-based taskforce was formed to create a Regional Food Charter.
The Taskforce is anxious to gain feedback from the public to complete our Charter so that we may move on to the next step of implementing community food security principles into future plans for our Region.
Your comments are very important to our task.
To comment and for a copy of the brochure, please contact my office or:
Durham Region Food Charter
c/o Durham Lives!
P.O. Box 730, Whitby, ON L1N 0B2
durhamfoodcharter@sympatico.ca
download at: www.durhamlives.org
Places to Grow Food Conference,
University of Guelph,
This spring I attended the “Places to Grow Food” conference hosted by the Ontario Farmland Trust. The conference explored issues focused on building local economies and the marketing of local food in the GTA, new directions in land use planning for agriculture and supporting immigrant, new and young farmers entering the industry. Some practical recommendations included:
- Increasing the societal value of farmland for its agricultural value and not development market value
- Giving the OMB a mandate to protect against development proposals on prime farmland outside urban boundaries
- Establishing programs to support value-added processing or marketing at the farm level, pooling of resources among farmers to increase local food marketing, promotion of the benefits of local food consumption
- Creating internships, mentoring and production-sharing arrangements, training and incubator farms to support entering farmers
- Providing start-up grants and low-interest loans for new, immigrant and next generation farmers, such as are common in the European community.
An Open Letter for the Provincial Election
Food connects us all
To the citizens of Ontario, big city, small town, rural, and in-between.
Once upon a time everyone thought the world was flat. Figuring out that it was round changed how we saw everything. Now the next revolution in perspective has arrived-the world is not just round, it is connected. The Global Village-Marshall McLuhan's phrase for the connected world created by new communications technologies-has arrived, and not just in communications but also with food and foodways. We think this global food village must be connected by conscience and fairness-to the other villagers, to our environment.
The way we grow, market, process, manufacture, and distribute our food here in Ontario reveals the connections across the global village. Ontario's working landscapes, farms, rural communities, and cities are linked in a web of complex exchanges. But our food policies to date have usually ignored that web, dividing rather than connecting. If we are going to build a healthy and sustainable village, we have to make the connections.
This letter is supported by, and represents the initiatives of, a network of organizations working on many aspects of food policy in Ontario. We are working together because we believe that food is connected to every major problem being raised in the current provincial election campaign-rising medical costs, poverty and hunger, declining farm incomes, the paving-over of farmland, wildlife protection, urban sprawl, youth unemployment, and communities at risk.
These problems will only be solved when we connect the dots.
Local farmers markets, community gardens, food co-ops, urban gardens, food access centres-all of these emerging possibilities support healthier, tastier food for all villagers. As this happens, everyone benefits and communities become stronger and more inclusive.
Provincial politics have become increasingly stuck in a frustrating gridlock. We have separate ministries for agriculture, health, economic development, community development, and the environment, as well as a multiplicity of non-governmental organizations, each focused on a single piece of the problem. We are at risk of missing many of the potential connections and the benefits they could generate.
This letter invites you to help us propose elegant solutions to the complicated problems embedded in today's food system. It takes food to raise a better village.
Connect to us at www.alphabet-city.org.
We ask you to engage with these issues, and to work together to find long-lasting solutions to our food policies. Ideas that are financially viable, ecologically responsible, and socially equitable.
FEATURE TOPIC
“A cornerstone of long-term sustainability is Food, and “Sustainability” must include planning for Food”
Is the reality and importance of maintaining the ability to feed ourselves finally catching on?
Everyone is talking about “local food” and “sustainable food systems”
I‘ve said it so often over the years, I sound like a broken record. Presentations, as a delegate at Council, speeches.... and finally people are starting to understand food security issues here in the Greater Golden Horseshoe - home to over half of Canada’s prime agricultural land. We’re expecting an increase of almost 4 million people by 2031. For a total of 11.8 million people. And some people think it’s just a rural issue?
Help Us Develop a Durham Regional Food Charter
What is a Food Charter?
A Food Charter is a document that articulates a community commitment to a common approach to food security.
It is developed by the community with input from all areas related to food.
Once a Food Charter is adopted by Regional and Municipal Councils, it can act as a guide for developing policy which implements community food security principles.
The delegates of the Durham Region Food Charter Visioning Day envisioned a charter focused toward building a just and sustainable food system that contributes to the economic, ecological and social well-being of our region and its residents well into the future.
As a result of the November 17th, 2006, Durham Region Food Charter Visioning Day, a community-based taskforce was formed to create a Regional Food Charter.
The Taskforce is anxious to gain feedback from the public to complete our Charter so that we may move on to the next step of implementing community food security principles into future plans for our Region.
Your comments are very important to our task.
To comment and for a copy of the brochure, please contact my office or:
Durham Region Food Charter
c/o Durham Lives!
P.O. Box 730, Whitby, ON L1N 0B2
durhamfoodcharter@sympatico.ca
download at: www.durhamlives.org
Places to Grow Food Conference,
University of Guelph,
This spring I attended the “Places to Grow Food” conference hosted by the Ontario Farmland Trust. The conference explored issues focused on building local economies and the marketing of local food in the GTA, new directions in land use planning for agriculture and supporting immigrant, new and young farmers entering the industry. Some practical recommendations included:
- Increasing the societal value of farmland for its agricultural value and not development market value
- Giving the OMB a mandate to protect against development proposals on prime farmland outside urban boundaries
- Establishing programs to support value-added processing or marketing at the farm level, pooling of resources among farmers to increase local food marketing, promotion of the benefits of local food consumption
- Creating internships, mentoring and production-sharing arrangements, training and incubator farms to support entering farmers
- Providing start-up grants and low-interest loans for new, immigrant and next generation farmers, such as are common in the European community.
An Open Letter for the Provincial Election
Food connects us all
To the citizens of Ontario, big city, small town, rural, and in-between.
Once upon a time everyone thought the world was flat. Figuring out that it was round changed how we saw everything. Now the next revolution in perspective has arrived-the world is not just round, it is connected. The Global Village-Marshall McLuhan's phrase for the connected world created by new communications technologies-has arrived, and not just in communications but also with food and foodways. We think this global food village must be connected by conscience and fairness-to the other villagers, to our environment.
The way we grow, market, process, manufacture, and distribute our food here in Ontario reveals the connections across the global village. Ontario's working landscapes, farms, rural communities, and cities are linked in a web of complex exchanges. But our food policies to date have usually ignored that web, dividing rather than connecting. If we are going to build a healthy and sustainable village, we have to make the connections.
This letter is supported by, and represents the initiatives of, a network of organizations working on many aspects of food policy in Ontario. We are working together because we believe that food is connected to every major problem being raised in the current provincial election campaign-rising medical costs, poverty and hunger, declining farm incomes, the paving-over of farmland, wildlife protection, urban sprawl, youth unemployment, and communities at risk.
These problems will only be solved when we connect the dots.
Local farmers markets, community gardens, food co-ops, urban gardens, food access centres-all of these emerging possibilities support healthier, tastier food for all villagers. As this happens, everyone benefits and communities become stronger and more inclusive.
Provincial politics have become increasingly stuck in a frustrating gridlock. We have separate ministries for agriculture, health, economic development, community development, and the environment, as well as a multiplicity of non-governmental organizations, each focused on a single piece of the problem. We are at risk of missing many of the potential connections and the benefits they could generate.
This letter invites you to help us propose elegant solutions to the complicated problems embedded in today's food system. It takes food to raise a better village.
Connect to us at www.alphabet-city.org.
We ask you to engage with these issues, and to work together to find long-lasting solutions to our food policies. Ideas that are financially viable, ecologically responsible, and socially equitable.
2007 FYI Tidbits
Page 6
FYI Tidbits - 2007
Mayor’s Task Force on Accountability & Transparency
As a member, we have been asked to make specific recommendations to City Council regarding a Code of Conduct for Members of Council. Public consultation sessions will follow.
Smog Summit
In June, I was thrilled to represent the City & the Region at this years Smog Summit at Toronto City Hall. To listen to all the presentations visit, www.cleanairpartnership.org
Communities in Bloom
The City is proud to announce that this year, it participated for the first time in the provincial Communities in Bloom competition. Communities in Bloom is an important step in our Sustainable Pickering journey. It involves everyone in the community, and encourages civic pride, environmental responsibility, and beautification.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
STUDENTS - GET YOUR COMMUNITY HOURS!
Our seniors need our help. Every year the City has a wait list for seniors that need assistance with snow removal. Our community also needs assistance with clean-ups and other community projects. Give a call and lend a hand to your neighbours and your neighbourhood. Please contact my office directly to participate and Thanks!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
Council Secretariat
New Council Governance Structure initiated for 2007 include changes such as:
• Agenda pages will be posted on the City’s website two weeks prior to each meeting.
• Statutory Public Information Meetings for planning items are held the same night as the Planning and Development Committee meetings.
• Meetings held on a three-week cycle – Planning & Development (Week 1), Executive Committee (Week 2), Council Meeting (Week 3), No meetings (Week 4).
Animal Services
The City of Pickering Animal Services section continues to promote responsible pet ownership. Communication initiatives include the introduction of the Animal Services website and the implementation of a knowledge database with the customer Care Department to handle incoming inquiries. The Division has also introduced a basic dog obedience training course, a Pets in the Park event and have been recognized in the National Animal Control Magazine for its’ proactive approach to animal control.
By-law Enforcement
The City of Pickering By-law Enforcement section reviewed and implemented a new Taxicab Licensing By-law, and a new Body Rub Parlour Licensing By-law. All City of Pickering Taxicab drivers will be professionally trained – which means a better and safer service for our citizens! By-law has also begun their new pro-active Commercial Property Inspections Program, to help to keep our commercial properties clean. Regular Bike Patrol of the City’s Parks and Green Spaces was initiated this past summer. The bike patrol increases public safety and security, protects and preserves park quality and condition, and educates park users on City policies and by-laws.
Assessment Comparison Information
If you would like to compare your property’s assessment to the assessment of other properties in Pickering, printed copies of the Assessment Roll (for 2007 taxation) are available for viewing. The City also has a computerized assessment database that is available for public use. Both are available on the second floor at City Hall.
Assessment data is also available on the City’s website, cityofpickering.com.
REMINDER -Collection Waste Schedule
• Green Bin Kitchen Food waste: Weekly
• Blue Box recycling: Weekly
• Garbage: Bi-weekly
Contact Information:
Durham Region 905.579.5264 or 1.800.667.5671
www.region.durham.on.ca/waste
Email: waste@region.durham.on.ca
TRANSIT INFORMATION
www.durhamregiontransit.com
1-866-247-0055
Email: drtwest@region.durham.on.ca
FYI Tidbits - 2007
Mayor’s Task Force on Accountability & Transparency
As a member, we have been asked to make specific recommendations to City Council regarding a Code of Conduct for Members of Council. Public consultation sessions will follow.
Smog Summit
In June, I was thrilled to represent the City & the Region at this years Smog Summit at Toronto City Hall. To listen to all the presentations visit, www.cleanairpartnership.org
Communities in Bloom
The City is proud to announce that this year, it participated for the first time in the provincial Communities in Bloom competition. Communities in Bloom is an important step in our Sustainable Pickering journey. It involves everyone in the community, and encourages civic pride, environmental responsibility, and beautification.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
STUDENTS - GET YOUR COMMUNITY HOURS!
Our seniors need our help. Every year the City has a wait list for seniors that need assistance with snow removal. Our community also needs assistance with clean-ups and other community projects. Give a call and lend a hand to your neighbours and your neighbourhood. Please contact my office directly to participate and Thanks!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
Council Secretariat
New Council Governance Structure initiated for 2007 include changes such as:
• Agenda pages will be posted on the City’s website two weeks prior to each meeting.
• Statutory Public Information Meetings for planning items are held the same night as the Planning and Development Committee meetings.
• Meetings held on a three-week cycle – Planning & Development (Week 1), Executive Committee (Week 2), Council Meeting (Week 3), No meetings (Week 4).
Animal Services
The City of Pickering Animal Services section continues to promote responsible pet ownership. Communication initiatives include the introduction of the Animal Services website and the implementation of a knowledge database with the customer Care Department to handle incoming inquiries. The Division has also introduced a basic dog obedience training course, a Pets in the Park event and have been recognized in the National Animal Control Magazine for its’ proactive approach to animal control.
By-law Enforcement
The City of Pickering By-law Enforcement section reviewed and implemented a new Taxicab Licensing By-law, and a new Body Rub Parlour Licensing By-law. All City of Pickering Taxicab drivers will be professionally trained – which means a better and safer service for our citizens! By-law has also begun their new pro-active Commercial Property Inspections Program, to help to keep our commercial properties clean. Regular Bike Patrol of the City’s Parks and Green Spaces was initiated this past summer. The bike patrol increases public safety and security, protects and preserves park quality and condition, and educates park users on City policies and by-laws.
Assessment Comparison Information
If you would like to compare your property’s assessment to the assessment of other properties in Pickering, printed copies of the Assessment Roll (for 2007 taxation) are available for viewing. The City also has a computerized assessment database that is available for public use. Both are available on the second floor at City Hall.
Assessment data is also available on the City’s website, cityofpickering.com.
REMINDER -Collection Waste Schedule
• Green Bin Kitchen Food waste: Weekly
• Blue Box recycling: Weekly
• Garbage: Bi-weekly
Contact Information:
Durham Region 905.579.5264 or 1.800.667.5671
www.region.durham.on.ca/waste
Email: waste@region.durham.on.ca
TRANSIT INFORMATION
www.durhamregiontransit.com
1-866-247-0055
Email: drtwest@region.durham.on.ca
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