RECOMMENDATION
THAT
the staff report entitled “Little Rouge Creek
Corridor Master Plan - Request for Funding from the Rouge Park Alliance”,
dated November 23, 2004, be received;
AND THAT
the Council support the Little Rouge Creek Corridor Master Plan process;
AND THAT
Council be kept informed of the planning process at
key milestones throughout the study process, including a presentation to
Development Services Commission prior to finalization of the Master Plan by the
Rouge Park Alliance.
AND FURTHER
THAT, subject to Council approving Town participation in this Rouge Park
Alliance project, funds in the amount of $15,000 be allocated in the 2005
Capital Budget.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is bring
forward the request from the Rouge Park Alliance for funding in the amount of
$15,000 to assist in the preparation of the Little Rouge Creek Corridor
Management Plan. The Rouge Park Alliance
request is attached as Appendix ‘A’.
BACKGROUND
Rouge North Management Plan and Official Plan Amendment No. 116 directs the
Preparation of the Little Rouge Creek Master Plan
In May 2004, the Province of Ontario transferred lands surrounding the Little Rouge
Creek to the Toronto Region Conservation Authority and Town of Markham for Rouge Park purposes.
The total conveyance represents 544 hectares of land. Official Plan Amendment No. 116 (Rouge North
Management Area) adopted by Council September 30, 2003 identifies the Little
Rouge Creek area as a Special Management Site and identifies policies to
encourage the preparation of a site specific Management Plan to guide the
long-term management of the lands as it pertains to land use, naturalization
and restoration, financial management, historic preservation and public use and
recreation opportunities. The recent conveyance of Rouge Park lands
along the Little Rouge Creek corridor provides a tremendous opportunity for
ecological enhancements and public use of this natural resource.
The Rouge Park Alliance have
requested that the TRCA take the lead role in the preparation of the Little
Rouge Creek Corridor Management Plan.
The Little Rouge Creek Steering Committee has been created to prepare
the Terms of Reference and guide the study process. The Town of Markham is represented on the Little Rouge Creek
Steering Committee by Lilli Duoba, Senior Project Coordinator, Environmental Planning & Rouge Park.
.
The Little Rouge Creek Master Plan study area comprises the
entire Little Rouge Creek corridor located in Toronto, Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville.
Partnership Model Proposed for
Funding
The Rouge Park Alliance have
requested that the Town of Markham contribute funding in the amount of $15,000 to assist in
the preparation of the Little Rouge Creek Master Plan. Contributions are also being sought from Whitchurch-Stouffville ($1,500), Toronto ($10,000), York Region ($10,000), TRCA ($15,000
plus in kind) and Rouge Park Alliance ($75,000). The Rouge Park Alliance are
targeting the commencement of the study in early 2005.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
The Rouge
Park Alliance are requesting a grant in the amount of
$15,000 in addition to the yearly $25,000 grant provided to the Rouge Park
Alliance by the Town of Markham for Natural and Cultural Heritage Projects. The Clerk’s Department have advised money is
not available within the grant funds and that the funding request does not meet
the requirements of the Grant policy.
The Little
Rouge Creek Corridor Master Plan supports a policy initiative identified in the
Town’s adopted Official Plan Amendment No. 116 (Rouge North Management
Area). Should Council wish to provide
funding for this study, the Finance Department should be directed to identify
sufficient funds in the 2005 capital budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
The Little
Rouge Creek Management Plan will provide a detailed management framework for a significant
portion of Rouge Park lands in Markham. The Management Plan
supports the Town’s Environmental Focus Goal of the Town’s Engage 21st
Markham Strategic Plan.
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED
This report has been reviewed by the Town
Clerk.
ATTACHMENTS
Appendix ‘A’: Rouge Park Alliance Letter
File Path: Q:\Development\Planning\MISC\MI460
RPA\Reports\Little Rouge Corrdior Funding report 2004.doc
|
|
|
|
|
Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Director of Planning & Urban Design
|
|
Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Commissioner of Development Services
|
