Environment & Sustainability Experts Panel Minutes

Friday, September 25, 2020

9:30 A.m. - 11:00 A.m.

Virtual

Present:

• Kieran Hanley, MBA - Sustainable Economic Growth, Chair
• Joel Finnis, PhD - Climate Science & Resilience
• Krista Langthorne, BA, SEBT - Resilience & Natural Resources
• Pablo Navarro - Socio-cultural & Quality of Life
• Joseph Daraio, PhD, PEng - Sustainable Urban Planning & Resilience
• Michel Wawrzkow, PEng, PGeo - Natural Environment & Resilience
• Brian Head, Manager - Parks & Open Spaces
• Edmundo Fausto, Sustainability Coordinator
• Shanna Fitzgerald, Legislative Assistant

Regrets:

• Councillor Ian Froude, Council Representative
• Dennis Knight, MSc, MCIP - Sustainable Urban Planning & Economic Growth

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

• Moved By Pablo Navarro
  Seconded By Joel Finnis

  That the agenda be adopted as presented.

  MOTION CARRIED

3.

ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

3.1

Adoption of Minutes - August 13, 2020

• Moved By Krista Langthorne
  Seconded By Joel Finnis

  That the minutes of the ESEP meeting of August 13, 2020 be adopted as presented. 

  MOTION CARRIED

4.

BUSINESS ARISING

4.1

Stormwater Management Policy

The Sustainability Coordinator provided a brief overview of the Stormwater Management Policy. This item was referred to the Panel at the Committee of the Whole meeting of July 20, 2020. This policy provides a comprehensive Stormwater management approach for all development within the City of St. John’s. Once the policy is approved, the current 08-04-19 Stormwater Detention Policy will be rescinded. 

The Panel was tasked to review and provide feedback for inclusion in the recommendation to Council. The ESEP supports the holistic approach to the management of stormwater, which includes the water in the storm sewer system, streets, parking lots, watercourses, wetlands, as well as subjects like retention, floodplains, stream crossings, erosion and sediment control, and overall protection of the watersheds. Members presented a list of suggested comments (attached) to improve the existing draft Storm Water Management Policy including recommendations to use more clear direct language. During discussion, the Panel indicated they concurred with the proposed suggested amendments. The Sustainability Coordinator will implement the comments and feedback provided by the Panel and submit to Council.

At a future meeting, the Panel will be provided an update on the status of inventory work in the Wetlands Study. 

4.2

Future Presentations/Delegations of Interest

Members were invited to submit future presentations or delegations of interest. At the previous meeting, the following ideas were suggested: 

• Infrastructure design and requirements of the City
• City efforts for reuse of energy
• Mysa pilot project (currently in early development) 
• BC Healthy Built Environment Linkages Toolkit
• Transportation discussion - municipalities perspective/greater St. John's metropolitan area
• Newfoundland Power - potential plan for electrification
• Urban space food production

Following review of these recommendations, it was agreed that the Newfoundland Power potential plan for electrification will be discussed at the next meeting of the Panel with a complimentary transportation discussion about ways to move away from individual vehicle ownership, movement to electrifying vehicles, and active transportation within the City. It was recommended that Dr. Daniel Fuller, Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair in Population Physical Activity at Memorial University present to the Panel.

The Panel was advised that following a previous conversation regarding electric vehicle charging, the Public Utilities Board ruled that electric vehicle charging will not be subject to legislation in the Province and they will not be required to set a rate, charge or toll. The ability to install a charging station and charge for service is available to anyone.

5.

NEW BUSINESS

5.1

139 Petty Harbour Road - DEV2000125

Andrea Roberts, Development Officer was in attendance for this portion of the meeting. 139 Petty Harbour Road was referred to the Panel for review of an application for driveway access through the flood plain buffer. A portion of Petty Harbour Road, where this property has frontage, is located in the flood plain buffer. Subject to Section 11.2.4(2) of the St. John’s Development Regulations, Council may permit Development within the 15 metre buffer of the 100-year high water mark of designated bodies of water for a driveway to access residential development. The proposed driveway access will be within the fifteen (15) metre floodplain buffer. No part of the development shall encroach into the floodplain.

Members viewed site plan documents referencing the proposed location of the residence. Petty Harbour Road has preexisting risk within the 15m buffer zone of the 100-year floodplain. Concern was expressed about contaminants from the long driveway feeding back into the buffer area. Consideration must be made that run off from the driveway is controlled in some way. There is not a lot of vacant land in that area for concern of further development. The Panel agreed that while the access is through the buffer zone, the development as proposed would not be at significant risk directly from riverine flooding.

6.

OTHER BUSINESS

6.1

Verbal Updates

The Panel was provided with an update about the collaboration of partners to put forward a proposal to FCM for the program development for an energy financing program.

Question was raised what the limits of the mandate of the ESEP are. The Terms of Reference will be reviewed, and the Panel will be advised further.

The Sustainability Coordinator advised that the City is considering development of an economic study to go along with the sustainability plan. There will be more information provided as it becomes available.

The Chair highlighted for the Committee that due to recent announcements for funding, Cities and Municipalities should be able to apply for funding for the following commitments:

• Government wants to legislate net zero emissions by 2050. 
• Home and building retrofits.
• Climate change adaptation.
• Reduction of impact for floods and wildfires.
• Delivering more transit and active transit options.
• Making zero emissions vehicles more affordable and building more charging stations. 

7.

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting is scheduled for October 23, 2020 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm.

Purpose of next meeting:

1. Drive Thru Referral
2. 42-52 Diamond March Drive
3. Newfoundland Power potential plan for electrification and transportation discussion. 

8.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:37 am.