GREENSPACE ALLIANCE OF CANADA’S CAPITAL
Greenspace Watch
Board Meeting
MINUTES
September 6, 2023
In person meeting
Members present: Paul Johanis (chair), J.P. Unger, Daniel Buckles, Iola Price, Erwin Dreessen, David McNicoll, Janice Seline
Having met online exclusively for over one year, members had expressed a desire for holding a meeting in person. An earlier attempt in June fell through due to poor weather but an opportunity arose to hold such a meeting on September 6. This was organized quickly, without the usual general notice. As a result the minutes of this meeting are presented as a Board meeting, which can be called by the Chair at any time, rather than as a General Meeting.
- Adoption of the agenda
The proposed agenda was agreed upon. Moved by Daniel, seconded by JP.
2. Administrative items
a. Minutes of July 31, 2023 meeting (for approval)
Moved by Erwin, seconded by Iola. Carried.
b. Association reports
Paul reported on the Board retreat of the FCA held on August 5, 2023. Paul is serving as Director at large on the FCA Board again this year. The new Board has seen some turnover, with long time members stepping down and new Directors recruited from the general membership, a sign of healthy governance. Improved public engagement with the City figured prominently in the priorities discussed at the retreat. It was agreed to pursue a new initiative in this regard advocating for the adoption of the Gunning Principles as the framework for interactions between the City and community representatives.
3. Policy instruments
a. Review of the Provincial Policy Statement
Paul held the pen for the drafting of a collective response by the POP Coalition to proposed changes to the PPS consequential to Bill 23. The GA’s specific input was based on the draft text prepared by Paul and Erwin and reviewed by members at the July 31 meeting concerning the process and criteria for urban expansion. The consolidated comments were submitted via the Environmental Registry of Ontario by the deadline of August 4 2023.
b. City Budget 2024 Process
Item deferred.
c. Site Alteration Bylaw review
Item deferred.
- Threats and opportunities
a. Rural greenspace
i. Final NSDF submission
The final hearing for the Near Surface Disposal Facility for nuclear wastes at Chalk River was held on August 10 2023. First Nations organized an in person meeting where they presented their briefs, with Commissioners observing online. Erwin and David attended this in person gathering and shared with members a brief description of the proceedings and their impressions on the process.
b. Major urban greenspace
i. Developments proposal for 1081 Carling Avenue
The application for a development application for two apartment towers at the corner of Parkdale and Carling Avenue, came before Planning and Housing Committee on August 16. The GA appeared as a delegation and also made a written submission, focussing on the shading the towers would produce, which would render a large section of research fields on the Central Experimental Farm unusable. Other delegations included the heritage and scientific community, the Protect the Farm coalition, broader environmental community and local community associations. Notable for their absence was any representation from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the “owners” of the CEF. Planning Committee approved the application. However, we subsequently learned that an official notice of the proposed zoning bylaw amendment was not send to AAFC ahead of the meeting. As result, the item was not considered by Council as scheduled and was returned to Planning Committee, where it will be on the agenda of their September 20 meeting. It is expected that AAFC representatives will attend.
c. Other greenspace
Nothing to report
The Meeting adjourned later than usual…