A meeting of the Newmarket Environmental Advisory Committee was held on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. in the Mulock Room at 395 Mulock Drive.

 

Present:           John Birchall

                        Philip Breault (Meeting Chair)

                        Wes Guldemond

                        Doug Jagger  

                        Jill King (6:40 – 8:33 p.m.)

                        Dayna Laxton

                        Joanna Parsons (6:47 – 8:33 p.m.)

                        Geoff Shore

                                                                                                                                   

Absent:            Stacey Tidman

                        Councillor Twinney

 

Staff:               C. Finnerty, Council/Committee Coordinator            

L. Moor, Council/Committee Coordinator     

                       

The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. 

 

Philip Breault in the Chair.                                  

 

additions to the agenda

 

None.

 

declarations OF INTEREST

 

None.                                       

 

1.            NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – FEBRUARY 12, 2014 – ITEM 1

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes of January 8, 2014.

Moved by Wes Guldemond

Seconded by Geoff Shore

 

THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes of January 8, 2014 be approved.

 

CARRIED

 

2.            NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – FEBRUARY 12, 2014 – ITEM 2

CORRESPONDENCE

 

Moved by Dayna Laxton

Seconded by Doug Jagger

 

THAT the correspondence items, previously distributed by e-mail, be received.

 

CARRIED

 

3.            NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – FEBRUARY 12, 2014 – ITEM 3

NATURAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION PRESENTATION

 

Natural Heritage Preservation Presentation deferred to the March 5, 2014 meeting.

 

4.            NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – FEBRUARY 12, 2014 – ITEM 4

APPLICATION FOR OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT, ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT, DRAFT PLAN OF CONDOMINIUM/DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION WEST SIDE OF SILKEN LAUMANN DRIVE/EAST OF YONGE STREET 

 

Discussion ensued regarding the development applications.  John Birchall provided photos of the subject property.  Concerns raised included electromagnetic force (EMF) factor, feasibility of a proposed east-west trail system, protection of natural drainage swales, species at risk in the meadowlands and an updated fisheries assessment.  It was suggested that the parkland designation should be swapped to provide for protection of the natural tributary on the site.  A comprehensive list of comments to be compiled and referred back to Planning Staff for consideration.

 

5.            NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – FEBRUARY 12, 2014 – ITEM 5

TRAIL MAPS UPDATE

Joanna Parsons provided a verbal report and advised that the draft maps are awaiting final approval.  She advised that the Director of Recreation and Culture has agreed to fund a portion of the printing costs out of the Recreation budget. 

 

Moved by John Birchall

Seconded by Dayna Laxton

 

1.    THAT Recreation and Culture confirm a financial commitment to the trail map printing;

 

2.    AND THAT NEAC contribute $5,500 carried over for this purpose from the 2013 budget;

 

3.    AND THAT a total of 10,000 trail maps be printed as soon as feasible. 

 

CARRIED

 

6.            NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – FEBRUARY 12, 2014 – ITEM 6

DARK SKIES UPDATE

 

John Birchall provided a visual with photographs and a verbal report regarding light pollution.  He outlined the impacts of inefficient lighting and provided a summary of worldwide initiatives to combat light pollution, more specifically through by-laws enacted in Richmond Hill and the Municipal District of Foothills, Alberta.  A suggestion was made to address this issue at the next Council/NEAC workshop.

 

7.            NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES  – FEBRUARY 12, 2014 – ITEM 7

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES/REQUESTS FOR FEEDBACK

Environmental Issues/Requests for Feedback deferred to the March 5, 2014 meeting.

 

8.            NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – FEBRUARY 12, 2014 – ITEM 8

RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE BAG REDUCTION

 

The Meeting Chair provided a verbal update on the City of Markham’s waste reduction strategy.  Clear plastic bags, removal of roadside electronics pickup and elimination of bag limits were incorporated into an updated waste diversion strategy.  Issues encountered and addressed through the move to clear bags included privacy, retail supply, how to dispose of surplus black bags and additional costs for clear bags.  The Meeting Chair advised that he would prepare a memorandum regarding same for consideration by Council.

 

9.            NEWMARKET EAC – FEBRUARY 12, 2014 – ITEM 9

COUNCIL REVIEW WORKSHOP UPDATE/PLAN

Council Review Workshop Update/Plan deferred to the March 5, 2014 meeting.

 

10.          NEWMARKET EAC – FEBRUARY 12, 2014 – ITEM 10

ATTENDANCE

Attendance deferred to the March 5, 2014 meeting.

 

11.          new business

 

a)         Ian Gray Environmental Award

 

Geoff Shore advised that the Town of Georgina has proposed an environmental award for Council’s consideration by using the Ian Gray Environmental Award model.   

 

b)         Community Garage Sale

 

Those present confirmed that a Community Garage Sale would be held in May, 2014.

 

c)         Mosaik Housing Development

 

Wes Guldemond provided a verbal report.  He advised that the homes are Energy Star rated and the developer is introducing a bioswale as opposed to a stormwater retention pond within the development. 

 

Moved by Wes Guldemond

Seconded by Dayna Laxton

 

THAT the meeting adjourn.

 

CARRIED

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.

 

 

 

           

______________________                                                          _____________________________

Date                                                                                        Philip Breault, Meeting Chair 

 

 

 

 

Next Meeting Date:     Wednesday, March 5, 2014 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Mulock Room.  Meeting Chair – Doug Jagger