Recommendation: That, the following actions
be taken with respect to the Medway Valley Heritage Forest Environmentally
Significant Area, North Trail Master Planning Study:
a) the
Medway Valley Heritage Forest North Environmentally Significant Area Trail
Master Planning Study, March, 2013 BE ACCEPTED;
b) Trail
Option 5B - ‘Enhanced Accessibility’ BE APPROVED for implementation as
shown in Appendix “B” of the Civic Administrations report dated April 9,
2013, subject to the following modifications being undertaken:
i) the area marked on Appendix B as
`proposed 1.0 m wide hiking trail with wood chip surface` be changed to a 2.0
m wide hiking trail with wood chip surface, with a smooth and even solid
base, without obstructions, such as visible tree roots;
ii) the existing maintenance access/hiking
trail be improved to a 3.2m asphalt pathway north and south of the ‘bend’;
iii) the only non-asphalt surfaces will be
~225 metres at the “bend” which will be a boardwalk over the tributary and
the 2.0m wood chip hiking trail, noted in i), above; and,
iv)
construction of i) and ii),
above, be completed by June 1, 2014, with the exception of the Sunningdale
West pathway connection;
c)
the Trail Advisory Group (TAG) BE
THANKED for their input into this process and that no further comment be
sought with respect to this matter;
d) an
additional inventory to confirm the management zone limits and boardwalk
layout around the ‘bend’ in the Medway Creek to cross the Wonderland Road
Tributary BE INITIATED this spring;
e) implementation
of the recommended trail option, including “on-road” linkages BE INITIATED
and include involvement of the Transportation Division as required by the
City’s Trails Standards in environmentally significant areas;
f) the
Civic Administration BE REQUESTED to continue land acquisition
discussions with private landowners to support implementation of the
preferred option; and,
g) the
Civic Administration BE REQUESTED to develop and implement a
monitoring program for the long-term sustainability of the trail use for
intended objectives that will consider adaptive management where and if
required;
it being noted that the
Planning and Environment Committee reviewed and received the following
communications, with respect to this matter:
·
communications from the Sunningdale West Residents Association;
noting that a
petition signed by approximately 209 individuals is on file in the City
Clerk's office;
·
a communication, dated March 28, 2013, from Lori and Keith
Zerebecki, 1966 Valleyrun Boulevard
·
a communication, dated March 27, 2013, from William J. Lyons,
#36 – 1511 Aldersbrook Road;
·
a communication from Dr. Peter Agathos, 2112 Valleyrun
Boulevard;
·
a communication, dated March 27, 2013, from Gordon Wood, 195
Brunswick Crescent;
·
a communication, dated March 27, 2013, from David Potten, 110
West Rivertrace Walk;
·
a communication, dated March 27, 2013, from Fred Fretz, 1984
Valleyrun Boulevard;
·
a communication, dated March 26, 2013, from Bill Davis,
President, Old Masonville Ratepayers Association;
·
a communication, dated March 27, 2013, from Sean Hunt, 2124
Wallingford Avenue;
·
a communication, dated March 24, 2013, from Alain A. Proulx,
Ivey Eye Institute;
·
a communication, dated March 16, 2013, from Anita Caveney, David
and Winnifred Wake, Nature London;
·
a communication from David Bronicheski, 314 Rivertrace Close;
·
a communication from Bruce McMillan, McMillan Company;
·
a communication, dated April 8, 2013, from Mike Harasym, Harasym
Development Inc.,
·
a communication from Carmine Gargarella, Bridlewood Homes;
·
a communication from Judy Kwasnica, #706 – 655 Windermere Road;
·
a communication from Nisha and Adrian Lattanzio, 332 Cornelius
Court;
·
a communication from Ella, Julie, Nicholas and Matteo Votta, 345
Cornelius Court;
·
a communication from Jonathon Batch and Elizabeth Abbott, 231
Pebblecreek Walk;
·
a communication from Bruce and Dana McMillan, 613 Eagletrace
Drive;
·
a communication, dated April 1, 2013, from Laura Price and David
Pringle, 2148 Valleyrun Boulevard;
·
a communication, dated March 31, 2013, from Robert, Janet,
Taylor and Jaxon Lee, 1995 Wallingford Avenue; and,
·
a communication from Julie Robertson, 2128 Valleyrun Boulevard;
it being pointed
out that at the public participation meeting associated with this matter,
the following individuals made oral submissions in connection therewith:
·
C.
Sheculski, Vice President, Sunningdale West Residents Association – advising
that the Manager, Environmental and Parks Planning gave a wonderful history
of the Medway Valley Heritage Trail (Trail); indicating that he contacted the
developer and the City in 2007 to enquire as to how the Trail would connect;
noting that he was advised that it would be based on the 2005 Plan;
indicating that he moved into his residence in 2008; advising that he kept in
touch with the project advancement; noting that he contacted the developer
with respect to the bridges; indicating that an alternative method was found
that did not require a bridge; advising that there has been a change in the
Municipal Council since the commencement of this project; indicating that
there was a public meeting held in December, 2011; indicating that this new
proposal is quite an alarming surprise; noting that it looked like the trail
system was gone; further noting that it did not feel like there was a good
chance for the trail system; indicating that a second public participation
meeting was held; advising that in November, 2012, he asked about the
Planning Advisory Group and the Trails Advisory Group; noting that many of
the area residents expressed concern with their lack of voice on the two
groups; indicating that, in January, 2013, he shared some points and concerns
and the construction of the bridges was reduced to one; indicating that there
has been no change in the community position; advising that 207 area
residents signed their petition; advising that he feels that this is a
discussion of principle; advising that he has spent half of his life working
in the environmental industry; indicating that there is development on every
side of them; and indicating that people are using the trails; advising that
he will continue to advocate for the trails; advising that the enhanced Option
5b is not there yet; advising that he would like to see the areas up until
the bend, paved with asphalt; noting that split asphalt is acceptable; indicating
that he supports the boardwalk through the bend; expressing agreement with
the two metre trail system; indicating that the bulk of the request for
asphalt is around accessibility or strollers; noting that there are a lot of
elderly residents living in the area; and advising that there is also a
seniors building in the area.
·
Michael
Dawthorne, Chair, Accessibility Advisory Committee and resident of northwest
London – advising that this is a unique opportunity for people with
disabilities; noting that one in seven people have a disability; advising
that there are many trails that are not accessible; indicating that this is
an opportunity to put in a trail that will be used by over 50% of the
residents; advising that the last speaker expressed how passionate people are
about their city; indicating that woodchips and gravel are not accessible;
advising that he realizes that accessibility is expensive; indicating that
the Civic Administration has advised the Accessibility Advisory Committee
that every consideration is given to access; indicating that this is the
first step to see this honoured; and advising that accessibility is not a
price tag, it is a right.
·
Leonard
Fluher,
106 Rhine Avenue – advising that he has been a member of the Trails Advisory
Group since January; indicating that he had a heated discussion with a city
employee; enquiring as to whether or not we should cave into these people;
advising that he is from one of the oldest families in London; indicating
that this is one of the oldest trails in London; advising that John Graves
Simcoe made the access open to everyone (Dundas Street); noting that this is
listed as part of the surrender of London; expressing outrage at the way
people with disabilities are treated; advising that his family has been part
of the forest ranger service; indicating that today is the 99th anniversary
of Vimy Ridge; and providing some family history.
·
David
Bronicheski, 314 Rivertrace Close – advising that he moved to London 10 years
ago; indicating that the most base issue is whether or not this Council will
honour the commitment that the previous Council made 10 years ago when the
sewer went in; advising that he takes visitors to the areas that have been
completed and everyone is impressed; and requesting that the Civic
Administration’s recommendation be rejected and that a continuous asphalt
link be installed.
·
Angela
McGonigle, 297 Cornelius Court – advising that she has lived at her residence
since 2008; indicating that Sunnigdale West is close to the Trail system;
advising that her son relies on a powered wheelchair to get around;
indicating that, through the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, people
are able to access places for work, travel and play; expressing
disappointment that they have been fighting for 8 years for universal access;
advising that it is difficult to ask for compromise but she wants to be able
to take her son for a walk; requesting that the Trail be 2 metres wide, with
a woodchip surface that is smooth and even with no tree roots; advising that
the only non-asphalt surface that she will support is the boardwalk;
requesting that the Trails Advisory Group be thanked for its work; indicating
that there is a difference between those with an interest in a subject and
those who have a stake in a subject; advising that she has attended every
meeting and felt that, as of November, 2012, she was losing her voice on this
matter; indicating that she has volunteered 50 hours of her time on this
matter; expressing hope that the community is being heard tonight; advising
that on page 2 of the Civic Administration’s report, the second last
paragraph mentions that the road pathway was to be built to four metres;
advising that on page 2 of the Civic Administration’s report, the last
sentence, she did not learn about this until 2 ½ years later; indicating that
she was not invited to be a member of the Planning Advisory Group until this
year; advising that in Appendix C of the Civic Administration’s report, the
existing gravel base road gets muddy and wet; advising that on page 12 of the
Civic Administration’s report, the existing dirt hiking trail, what happens
if a wheelchair and a stroller meet up from opposite sides, how do they get
by each other; advising that the area is a natural beauty; and indicating
that with the enhanced Option 5b, her son, Owen cannot get across the creek
to see his friend.
·
Jacqueline
Madden, 2134 Valleyrun Boulevard – advising that she has lived in world class
cities; indicating that London considers itself a world class city and
everything should be done world class, including this Trail.
·
Renee
Agathos, 2112 Valleyrun Boulevard – advising that they have a stake in this
area; indicating that she was not aware of this issue until the Fall of 2011;
indicating that she tried to follow the pathway with children and they were
dumped out just south of Fanshawe Park Road; noting that they walked up to Wonderland
Road, which was scary; indicating that they found their way through a field
and back to the Trail; advising that, with the new work that has been
completed on Wonderland Road North, it does not provide access to bicycling
or rollerblading in safe ways; expressing a preference for the continuous
asphalt pathway; and requesting that sidewalks be built further away from the
road.
·
Alain
Proulx, 2044 Creekbend Place – reiterating the previous comments; advising
that environmentally significant areas deserve respect; and advising that
there is heavy equipment at the sewer.
·
Roslynn
Moorhead, 7 Hastings Gate – advising that environmentally significant areas
are the jewels of London; advising that she was talking to someone visiting
London from Kingston and they were impressed with the beauty of London;
advising that Medway has been compromised by the sewer; noting that there is
some need to compromise, but requesting that everyone remember that this is
not a neighbourhood park; and advising that she does not support a continuous
asphalt pathway.
·
Keith
Zerebecki, 1966 Valley Run Boulevard – indicating that he and his
grandchildren love visiting Plane Tree Park; advising that, if he was on the
Planning and Environment Committee, he would be tempted to vote in favour of
the Civic Administration’s recommendations; noting that the recommendations
add a valuable bridge and paves some of the pathways; indicating that the
enhancements have been well thought through; indicating that one of the
enhancements meets up with the lookout; advising that Option 5b links asphalt
with multi-use pathways; advising that the Trail is an outstanding feature in
the city; advising that if Option 5b is approved, part of the pathway would
be paved; advising that the link for the pathways is 500 metres of additional
asphalt; indicating that there is approximately 80% in place; and expressing
gratitude that only one bridge has to be built, not three.
·
David
Potten, 110 West Rivertrace Walk, on behalf of Friends of Medway Creek – advising
that the 1998 Sunningdale Community Plan had an impact; indicating that there
is no one here from Upper Richmond Village; indicating that there is no
mention of cycling; noting that the alterative is to use Sunningdale Road,
which is unsafe for recreation; advising that phase one of the plan is north
of Fanshawe Park Road; indicating that if people stay on the pathway, they
can keep the area clean; enquiring as to what it will be like in the summer
and when Hickory Heights subdivision is built; advising that 72% of people
voted to use the 50/50 weighing of environmental and social criteria of the
study; indicating that if you cannot put a trail here, no trails would have
positive scores; enquiring why taxpayers money is spent on conducting
environmental studies; expressing appreciation to the members of the Trails
Advisory Group; noting that the Group conducted a site visit, evaluated the
options and reached a consensus; advising that Medway Creek residents educate
the community on responsible environmental options; expressing support for an
enhanced Option 5b; and advising that if half of the access road is paved on
top of the sewer, it will satisfy more people.
·
Sandy
Levin, 59 Longbow Road, on behalf of the Orchard Park/Sherwood Forest
Ratepayers Association – advising that he served on the Planning Advisory
Group; recommending that the Trails Advisory Group should continue; advising
that the policies and practices that the Municipal Council implements are
what balances the conflicts between neighbourhoods; indicating that, by
improving the access to the Trails, you are turning them into bicycle lanes;
advising that someone took leaf bags and threw them in the bollard; advising
that Option 5b might be the right compromise; indicating that this is only
one part of the environmentally significant areas; enquiring as to whether
the next step is to provide access through the entire environmentally
significant areas; indicating that Option 5b bends the rules of the Official
Plan a bit, but does not break them; indicating that the issues with the
muddy areas are a result of the fallout from the sewer work being undertaken;
and advising that no one is going to get what they want.
·
Bill
Davis, Old Masonville Residents Association – advising that people have
provided reasons for approving or disapproving the Civic Administration’s
recommendations; and indicating that the environmentally significant areas
can be protected.
·
Susan
Blocker, 367 Grosvenor Street – advising that there is an excellent park
system in the City; indicating that environmentally significant areas are
different than park systems; advising that environmentally significant areas
are not just for us, but are to protect and preserve other species; and
advising that she does not support the continuation of the asphalt pathway.
·
Jack
Blocker, 367 Grosvenor Street – reminding the Committee that there is one set
of actors who have an even larger stake in this, the wildlife who will be
impacted with the increase in human traffic; advising that the Municipal
Council passed a resolution to suspend asphalt paving in environmentally
significant areas in 2009; indicating that with an increase in asphalt
paving, there is an increase in human traffic; advising that all Londoners
have the advantage of natural areas in the City; indicating that he agrees
with the Environmental and Ecological Planning Advisory Committee
recommendation to weigh environmental consideration, with Options 3, 5a and
7b being given the highest priority; and noting that these recommendations
are cheaper.
·
David
Wake, Nature London – advising that the Medway Valley Trail is an
environmentally significant areas and is set aside for all the reasons that
we know about; advising that the issue of the bend around the River is a
substantial issue; advising that trails and bicycles are not allowed in
environmentally significant areas; requesting the minimum footprint be
allotted for the bend in the Trail; and recommending that bicycle racks
should be placed at the end of the asphalt trail so that people can walk, not
bicycle.
·
Winnifred
Wake, Nature London – supporting her husband’s comments; requesting that the
integrity of environmentally significant areas be put first; advising that a
lot of compromise has already taken place; and recommending the minimum
footprint around the bend in the Trail.
·
Anita
Caveney, Nature London – advising that Nature London is relentless in its
protection of environmentally significant areas; advising that there are
reasons why environmentally significant areas are given that designation;
indicating that these reasons should be considered first and foremost;
expressing disappointment to hear how other people put their interests first;
and reading an exemption from the Ontarians with Disabilities Act
relating to environmentally significant areas.
·
Lori
Pratt, 519 Sundance Place – advising that, even with all of the building
going on, she sees all kinds of wildlife; and indicating that she loves
nature and wants to enjoy it.
·
Jim
Cushing, 25 Elmwood Avenue East – advising that he enjoys the paved pathways
in the parks; and indicating that he does not want to see pathways in
environmentally significant areas.
·
Chester
Pawlowski, 178 St. Bees Close – indicating that the 2005 Medway Valley
Heritage Trail Plan was on track; advising that Sandy Levin and the
Attawandaron Residents supported the 2005 Plan; indicating that, with respect
to Councillor Henderson’s concerns relating to the bend in the Trail, Stantec
reported on the costs and assessment; and advising that this information is
not provided in the Civic Administration’s report. (2013-E20)
|