Burlington Sustainable Development Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Room 247, Level 2, City Hall

1.
Members Present:
 

Carolyn Barnes, Jim Feilders, Dave Bourns, Mitchell French, Dave Rokosh, Tim Park, Mathew McAuley and Councillor Paul Sharman (7:10 pm)

2.
Others Present:
 

Lynn Robichaud (staff)

3.
Regrets:
 

Katie Rauscher, Peter Cookson, Michelina Longo, and Hashem Hosseini-Mousavi, Susan Mattine, Chris Maynard, and Sarah Burjaw.

4.
Declarations of Interest:
 

None.

5.
City Advisory Committee Review:
 

The community working team who was supporting the Clerk’s Department on the review has decided that additional time is required to work with the Clerk’s Department on the proposed new structure for advisory committees.

Action: Lynn to provide an update when any new information is provided.

6.
Approval of Minutes:
 

7.
Consent Agenda:
 

7.1
2085 Pine St.
 

Approved.

7.2
Eagle Heights
 

Approved.

7.3
Downtown Concepts
 

Approved with amendments.

7.4
2093, 2097, 2102 Old Lakeshore Road, 2096 and 2100 Lakeshore Road
 

Approved.

8.
Regular Items:
 

8.1
Updates from previous events
 

a.
Climate Action Plan Open House, Haber Community Centre, Oct. 24 
 

Carolyn attended the open house and provided comments on the seven key program areas that will be included in the Climate Action Plan.

b.
Climate Action in Burlington (SDC event), Central Library, Nov 12 
 

Between 50 and 60 individuals attended the SDC’s event. Presentations were made on expected impacts of climate change on Burlington, Forestry, Stormwater Management, the city’s energy management & emissions program, and the Climate Action Plan. Many of the questions related to trees and stormwater management. There was a question related to trees and carbon sequestration. Lynn’s response was that there is insufficient land in Burlington even if you planted trees across the entire land mass to sequester the total amount of emissions from community sources. The focus of the plan is to reduce the use of fossil fuels particularly in the building and transportation sectors.

8.2
Upcoming events/news
 

8.3
Council & Staff Updates
 

a.
Councillor Sharman
 

A public meeting was held on the proposed Core development 2093, 2097 and 2101 Old Lakeshore Road, 2096 and 2100 Lakeshore Road. There was discussion on the Blue Water development about the potential to purchase 7 ½ metres of land to provide additional public access. A new seniors development is proposed on New Street just west of Guelph Line which will include a PAICE centre for seniors (Program of all Inclusive Care for Elders). The Halton Region apartment building on 410 John Street will also provide services for seniors to assist them to stay in their homes longer.


The councillor noted the importance of funding from senior levels of government to support affordable housing. CMHC has $55 billion to distribute over 10 years across Canada to support affordable housing. He noted (later in the meeting) that Hamilton has acquired a site and is working with three partners on a project to assist residents to enter into the housing market.


The private tree by-law will be considered at the Committee of the Whole meeting on December 2nd. There are different opinions on council about supporting the by-law.


Transit’s proposed five year business plan was referred back to staff for more work, considering on-demand vehicles, etc. The three new transit buses that were purchased in 2019 will just be coming into service in December. Transit will be working on a strategy to add electric buses to its fleet.

b.
Lynn Robichaud
 

The holiday social is scheduled for December 18th at Beertown off of Appleby north of Upper Middle. Reservation is for 6:00 pm. They have provided a special menu for the group – vegan and gluten free options will be available.

Action: Lynn to circulate the menu to the committee members.

8.4
Business arising from the minutes
 

a.
Tree by-law
 

There was a discussion about the tree by-law report that will be considered at the Committee of the Whole on December 2nd. Members feel that more information is needed on the tree canopy and what exactly the by-law is meant to achieve. The urban forestry master plan needs to be updated. Members would like see to see an emphasis on reforestation.


Comments prepared by Dave B were reviewed and amended. The final comments were approved by committee members. It was agreed that Dave B would delegate at the Committee of the Whole on December 2nd.

Action: Lynn to contact the clerks department to request that the comments be included in the agenda package to be circulated to members of council this Friday. If not, Lynn will circulate the comments directly to members of council via email.

b.
File Sharing Project
 

Tim advised that everyone has been provided access to the new file sharing system and encouraged members to log on to try it out.

8.5
Awareness sub-committee update
 

There was no Awareness sub-committee meeting in November due to the event. Carolyn advised committee members that the next library event will be on May 7th and will feature electric vehicles. Plug’n Drive will be coming with EVs for test drives and will also be making a presentation.

8.6
Policy and Development sub-committee update
 

Tim noted that most of the items in the P&D minutes have already been covered at this meeting. Georgian Court has responded to their request to meet and advised that they are still working on a second version and are not ready to meet at this time. P&D sub-committee are scheduling a guest from Halton Region community housing to attend the January meeting to discuss affordable housing issues. Questions will be drafted in advance of the meeting to focus the discussion.

8.7
Reports from external groups and conferences
 

a.
Climate Action Plan
 

Lynn provided an update of the seven key actions included in the draft plan. The goal is to work towards the goal of the City of Burlington being a net carbon neutral community and it is recommended that 2050 be the target date. The focus is to reduce the use of fossil fuels in the community through seven program areas: 1) Low carbon new buildings; 2) Deep energy retrofits of existing buildings; 3) Renewable energy; 4) Integrated Mobility; 5) Electric mobility and equipment; 6) Waste reduction; and 7) Industrial processes. The draft plan will be tabled at the Committee of the Whole meeting on December 2nd. Council is not being asked to approve the document. It will be made available to the public where feedback is welcome. The final report will be presented to the March 9th Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee for approval by council on March 30th.

b.
Bay Area Climate Change Council
 

Carolyn noted that there was a discussion about whether BACCC should delegate at the December 2nd meeting in support the draft Climate Action Plan. Lynn is to provide some feedback to BACCC on this matter. The Hamilton Climate Action Plan is being considered on December 4th at committee.

c.
BurlingtonGreen
 

Jim advised that there is one more eco film scheduled.

d.
Halton Climate Collective
 

No update.

e.
Hamilton Harbour RAP
 

Dave R is attending stakeholder meetings for the RAP review and will provide updates. The focus is on de-listing Hamilton Harbour as an area of concern. A number of issues are being reviewed such as: 1) Fish consumption guidelines – based on a review, a consumption limit may be introduced for sport fishing due to contaminants (PCBs are an issue); and 2) Swimming in the Harbour – There is no swimming at Bayfront Park at this time but swimming at Pier 4 is acceptable meeting Min of Health standards 80% of the time (apparently the standards have been relaxed). Standards are based on bacteria readings (Ecoli); Blue/Green algae; and water levels.


Future issues to be discussed include Restriction of wildlife consumption and Diversity of wildlife.

9.
Other Business:
 

10.
Adjournment:
 

Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.

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