Report to: General Committee Date Report Authored: June 2, 2010
SUBJECT: Draft for Consultation Greenprint, Markham’s Sustainability Plan
PREPARED BY: Raj Mohabeer Ext. 2658
RECOMMENDATION:
1) That the staff report titled Draft for Consultation Greenprint, Markham’s Sustainability Plan, dated June 2, 2010, be endorsed;
2) And that staff go forward with broad consultation on the Draft Greenprint, Markham’s Sustainability Plan with Council, staff, the community, stakeholders and all levels of government;
3) And that staff provide a final Greenprint, Markham’s Sustainability Plan to Council for consideration in early 2011;
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to receive Council approval to move forward with broad consultation on the Draft for Consultation Greenprint, Markham’s Sustainability Plan. The Greenprint vision is supported by twelve sustainability priorities that promote Social and Cultural Well-Being, Economic Vitality, and Environmental Health. The Greenprint will be available, downloadable and accessible, online on the Town of Markham website, and printed copies will available for the public at the Civic Centre, libraries and community centres. In addition, email notification will be sent to all stakeholders and copies of the Greenprint will be mailed to stakeholders for comments and feedback.
BACKGROUND:
Greenprint in
strategic framework
In his inaugural speech, the Mayor
outlined a strategic framework for the upcoming term of Council, including a Greenprint
for
The Greenprint will build on other initiatives, such as the Diversity Action Plan, the Integrated Leisure Master Plan, the Growth Management Strategy, the Vision 2020 Economic Development Strategy and policies, guidelines and processes underway, to become a comprehensive, integrated framework that guides the Town, over time, to the desired sustainable future. The Greenprint will also meet the criteria of the Federal Gas Tax Agreement to complete a community sustainability plan.
Staff, community,
and stakeholder engagement has also been underway since 2007 (a list of invited
stakeholders is provided in Appendix A).
The engagement activities included:
- Quest for the Best Markham Youth
contest, October - December 2008
- Sustainability Fair and Futures Forum
Workshop (October 2009)
- World Café (February 2009)
- Council/Senior Leaders Visioning Session
(December 2009)
- Stakeholders Workshops (December 2009
and April 2010)
- Stakeholders included members of government,
non-governmental organizations, developers, and representatives of
Markham’s business community (lists of those invited and those that
attended are attached to this report)
- Greenprint Advisory Committee Meetings
(four between June 2009 and March 2010)
- Council Workshops (October 2009 and
March 2010)
- The Natural Step Workshop (January 2010)
- Part A Presentation to General Committee
(May 10, 2010)
OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:
In a report to General Committee on May 10, 2010, staff presented an overview of the priorities, strategies and objectives for the Greenprint, Markham’s Sustainability Plan.
The Greenprint, Markham’s Sustainability Plan is a long-term, comprehensive strategy to make Markham one of the most liveable and sustainable cities in North America. The Greenprint is built on a framework of vision, priorities, strategies, and indicators.
Draft Vision:
Markham: leading the way together to liveable neighbourhoods, healthy people, and continuing prosperity.
Using The Natural Step sustainability principles as a guide,
in a sustainable
- We rely on materials, goods and services that are created, harvested and processed in keeping with natural cycles – we do not dig things up too fast;
- We rely on materials, goods and services that break down easily in nature, are easily used by nature and are abundant in nature – we do not produce waste;
- We value and restore the natural environment and protect biodiversity, natural capital and ecosystem services, and;
- We meet people’s needs.
Priorities:
The Greenprint vision is supported by twelve sustainability priorities that support Social and Cultural Well-Being, Economic Vitality, and Environmental Health.
1.
Social and Cultural Well Being
·
Social Equity:
a community where all people can thrive
- Identity and Culture: a unique, culturally vibrant,
and inclusive community
- Individual Health: a community that facilitates
wellness
- Shelter: a community that provides
housing choices for all residents
- Food Security: a community that facilitates
safe, accessible and healthy food for all residents
- Access and Mobility: a community where all residents
have viable mobility and access options
2.
Economic Vitality
- Education and Skills: a community of high performing
and empowered citizens Economic Vibrancy: a community of choice to
live, work and play
3.
Environmental Health
- Energy and Climate: a carbon neutral, responsible,
and resilient community
- Ecosystem Integrity: a community that protects biodiversity
and habitat
- Materials Management: a community that facilitates a
closed loop materials management system
- Water Efficiency: a community that conserves by reducing consumption and waste.
Strategies for a
Sustainable
In response to global forces of change and
- Complete
neighbourhoods as the foundation of a Great Community.
I.
Goal: Walkable, Accessible, and
Inclusive Neighbourhoods: Create Places that Bring People Together.
II.
Goal: Multi-Modal Transportation System:
40% of trips to work make use of transit, walking and cycling (combined).
III.
Goal: Integrated Open Space Network:
Create a network of parks, trails and valleys lands that promote habitat and
connectivity
- Robust and resilient
infrastructure.
IV.
Goal: Net Zero Markham Buildings and
Property: Balanced Annual Consumption and Production of Energy, Water, Waste
and Emissions by 2050
V.
Goal: Smart, Resilient, Adaptable,
Integrated and Load-Balanced Water, Energy, Waste and Information
Infrastructure and Services
VI.
Goal: Vibrant Ecosystems and Landscapes:
Net increase in extent of Natural function within Markham’s urban environment
and preservation of existing natural areas
VII.
Goal: Create & Support a Local Food
System: Significantly increase food growing, celebration and processing in
Markham
- Continuing health and
prosperity.
VIII.
Goal: Healthy People: Proactively create
the conditions for physical and mental health within Markham for all citizens
IX.
Goal: Inclusive and Engaging Government:
A Council and Committees that are representative of Markham’s cultural,
household income and gender composition
X.
Goal: Nurture Sustainable Economic
Development: create 100,000 new jobs
XI.
Goal: A Culture of Excellence
Nested within each goal
there are objectives and recommendations for achieving the goal.
The Plan contains a
list of indicators in the form of a baseline report. The indicators are higher order means for
measuring the success of efforts that result from the plan. These indicators will need to be assessed
every three to five years to determine if the sustainability efforts being
implemented are effective and to adjust appropriately.
Response
to General Committee feedback
As a result of the May
10, 2010, General Committee Meeting, changes were made to the Draft for
Consultation Greenprint, Markham’s Sustainability Plan to respond to
committee’s feedback. The most notable changes are:
·
Goal four has been changed from: “High
Performance Buildings: Net Zero Energy, Water and Waste Buildings by 2020” to “Net Zero Markham Buildings and Property: Balanced
Annual Consumption and Production of Energy, Water, Waste and Emissions by
2050”
·
The previous goal six has been changed
from: “Maintain Smart and Resilient Water, Energy, Waste Management and
Communication Infrastructure and Services” to “Smart, Resilient, Adaptable,
Integrated and Load-Balanced Water, Energy, Waste and Information
Infrastructure and Services.” It has
also been moved up in the list of goals to the fifth position (though the
position in the list of goals is not intended to be in order of importance).
Draft
for Consultation
Subject to Council
approval, the Draft for Consultation Greenprint, Markham’s Sustainability Plan
will be available after June 22, 2010, downloadable and accessible online on
the Town of Markham website, and printed copies will available for the public
at the Civic Centre, libraries and community centres. In addition, copies of
the Greenprint will be mailed to stakeholders for comments and feedback.
CONCLUSION
The Draft for Consultation Greenprint, Markham’s Sustainability Plan will be released for public consultation after Council approval on June 22, 2010. Following the release of the draft, inreach and outreach will take place through the summer and fall of 2010 with Council, staff, the community, stakeholders and other levels of government. It is anticipated that the final Greenprint will be before Council for approval in early 2011.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)
None at this time.
HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS
None at this time.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
The Greenprint will build on other initiatives, such as the Diversity Action Plan, the Integrated Leisure Master Plan, the Growth Management Strategy, the Vision 2020 Economic Development Strategy and policies, guidelines and processes underway, to become a comprehensive, integrated framework that guides the Town, over time, to the desired sustainable future. The Markham Greenprint will also meet the criteria of the Federal Gas Tax Agreement to complete a community sustainability plan.
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Community and Fire Services
Development Services
Corporate Services
RECOMMENDED
BY: ________________________ ________________________
Victoria
McGrath, Director John Livey,
Sustainability Office
ATTACHMENTS:
Presentation
Draft for Consultation Greenprint, Markham’s Sustainability Plan
Appendix A - List of Invited/Engaged Stakeholders