Discussion: ELSI comments re Colwood Draft Official Community Plan

Transcription

1 File: Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative AGENDA Steering Committee Tuesday, December 12, :30 4:30 p.m. Committee Room, Colwood Municipal Hall TIME ACTIVITY RESPONSIBILITY 2:30 Approval of Agenda Jody Watson 2:35 Discussion: ELSI comments re Colwood Draft Official Community Plan Kitty/All 3:00 Discussion: Colwood draft urban forest bylaw Judith Cullington/All 3:30 3:50 Colwood Updates: Brookes School Pacific Landing Royal Bay Ocean Grove Other Coordinator Updates 2018 meeting schedule 2018 Work Plan Discussion re Pit House Park restoration Ivo van der Kamp Kitty Lloyd 4:10 Partner Updates All 4:30 Adjournment All ENVS If you are unable to attend, please advise Kitty Lloyd

2 625 Fisgard Street, PO Box 1000 Victoria, BC V8W 2S6 Tel: Dec. 14, 2017 File: Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative Mayor Hamilton and Council City of Colwood 330 Wishart Rd Victoria, BC V9C 1R1 Dear Mayor Hamilton and Colwood Council, RE: ELSI Comments RE Colwood Draft Official Community Plan Thank you for the opportunity to provide input to the Colwood Draft Official Community Plan. The Draft was sent via to Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative (ELSI) members for their review, and was discussed at the regular ELSI meeting of Dec. 12 th Earlier this year (Feb. 22, 2017) ELSI provided input to Colwood regarding the OCP Review Process, with comments and suggestions pertaining to topics around natural features, traffic and transportation choices and waterfront protection. It was encouraging to see some of our recommendations incorporated into the Draft, such as using a Green Shores approach to shoreline protection. We encourage Colwood to also include reference to the Wildlife Refuge Areas in Esquimalt Lagoon, established with Canadian Wildlife Service to provide protection for birds and other wildlife. An item of concern is the proposed policy of providing uninterrupted public access along Colwood s waterfront. Of particular concern is the concept of a multi-use pathway along Coburg Peninsula, unless it is built within one of the existing paved traffic lanes on Ocean Blvd. ELSI has long promoted creating a single one-way lane for vehicle traffic and transforming the other into a multi-use pathway. Further detailed comments on the Draft OCP are provided in Appendices 1 and 2 attached. If you have questions or would like clarification on any of the comments provided, please contact me at or klloyd@crd.bc.ca Regards, Kitty Lloyd, Coordinator Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative ENVS Working together to protect, enhance and restore Esquimalt Lagoon

3 Re: Colwood OCP Page 2 Appendix 1: ELSI Comments and Suggestions regarding Colwood Draft OCP 3. Vision & Goals 3.2 Goals: Page 9: ELSI members support the statement that waterfront access will be balanced with measures to protect sensitive ecological areas from human activity Page 10: ELSI supports decision-making based on watershed impacts of proposed development Part B Policies 7.1 Land Use Page 53: Neighbourhood Hillside and Shoreline ELSI supports the policy stating that there will be exceptionally strong support for protecting natural features and sensitive ecological areas Parks and Open Space Page 60, photo on Page 61: We are supportive of the stated objective of providing habitat protection and natural infrastructure services (could elaborate what that means ie trees providing stormwater abatement, foreshore dunes providing a buffer to rising seas). However, the recognition of environmentally sensitive areas including rare and endangered ecosystems is in direct conflict with the photo on the opposite page showing a whole row of picnic tables situated right in the sensitive dune ecosystem that has many documented rare and endangered plants. ELSI has requested several times that Colwood move these picnic tables away from the dune, and place them instead in the gravel parking areas. 8. Streets & Mobility Page 64 Policy Waterfront Walkway, and Page 68 Policy Multi-Use Pathways: Establishing a multi-use pathway on Ocean Blvd. ELSI does not support this waterfront multi-use walkway if it means increasing the width of the existing paved area along Coburg Peninsula. As suggested many times to Colwood, ELSI supports the transition of Ocean Blvd along the peninsula to a one-way vehicle lane, and the other lane could be the multi-use pathway. Eventually closing this road to all but emergency vehicle traffic is a goal that also addresses climate change and sea level rise adaptation. Page 70: Good to see that there is no plan to include public transit along Coburg Peninsula. 10. Climate Change Page 81: Good to see recognition of potential local impacts that include slope instability, wetlands being overwhelmed, increased stream flows, marine shore erosion, and public pressure to maintain shoreline access. Pages 84/85: Objective : To adapt to the impacts of climate change Policy Adaptation Planning

4 Re: Colwood OCP Page 3 ELSI supports adoption of an integrated watershed management approach to planning, and collaboration with neighbouring communities in achieving watershed wide goals. Accounting for the value of natural areas in addressing climate adaptation, and avoiding development in areas expected to be affected by sea level rise, and adopting a soft shore approach to shorelines. ELSI recommends the adoption of a Green Shores approach to shoreline development to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise. The Green Shores program offers many practical suggestions and techniques to use in mitigating climate impacts, shoreline erosion, flood mitigation and rising sea levels. Members were pleased to see Green Shores included in section 11 Park Areas and Natural Assets (page 95), but reference to this program should be included in this section as well. 11. Park Areas and Natural Assets Page 87: Last sentence in first paragraph is not complete, or was it meant to be part of preceding sentence? We hope that Bee Creek and Esquimalt Lagoon are recognized as important natural spaces, providing critical ecological services to Colwood Waterfront Access: Provide continuous, uninterrupted public access along the entirety of the marine waterfront, while limiting human disturbance and managing access in ecologically sensitive areas. ELSI does not agree with the policy stated here that Colwood should provide continuous uninterrupted public access along the entire marine waterfront. How can the ecologically sensitive area all along Coburg Peninsula (i.e. the dune ecosystem) be continuously accessible, when trampling by human visitors is a major contributor to its degradation and erosion? This policy could be restated as follow: Provide public access to the waterfront in such a way that does not threaten the ecological integrity of the foreshore and marine ecosystems. Page 89: ELSI supports the implementation action regarding the anticipated future Parks Master Plan (Policy ) that it should incorporate climate adaptation and mitigation, and natural assets in its directions. Page 91: Policy Limiting Human Disturbance: ELSI supports this policy, but suggests using stronger language, specifically removing the phrase Wherever possible, before the statement promoting ecosystem restoration of degraded areas. First sentence under Policy has a typo, not sure exactly what is meant there, but the policies listed are good, requiring natural assets inventory, minimizing ecosystem disturbance, etc. Objective To strengthen Colwood s forested areas and overall tree canopy. ELSI is very supportive of this objective to manage and protect the urban forest and encouraging planting of native tree species. A policy of tree replacement of 2:1 or 3:1 is a worthy goal to include here. Page 94, Figure 17 Shoreline Protection Measures

5 Re: Colwood OCP Page 4 ELSI is supportive of all the measures outlined in this diagram. NB there are quite a few typos in this diagram Page 95 Objectives: and , and the supporting policies of Shoreline Protection and Native Habitat Restoration: ELSI was very pleased to see the Green Shores program mentioned here. The last point ( f.) is confusing, though looks like Figure 11.2 is actually referring to Figure 17 on page Built & Natural Infrastructure Page 96: 12.1 Overview: ELSI members are very supportive of the policy of recognizing and valuing natural environmental assets, such as the good drainage in much of the city due to the underlying geology. NB Typo: the last sentence has an extra of in it. Page 97: Policy Education: ELSI and its partner programs at the CRD have numerous outreach materials, brochures, etc that support water conservation, rainwater management, wastewater and solid waste management that could support the educational component of this policy. We are happy to share and help with outreach at events that ELSI attends regularly in Colwood. Pages 98/99: Objective : To manage rainwater in a manner that optimizes conservation, protects ecosystems, and maintains quality We are very supportive of this objective, and the accompanying policies, regarding integrated rainwater management and natural and built green infrastructure 13. Arts & Culture Page 101 Objective To build understanding and seek partnership opportunities with First Nations ELSI has been advocating for strengthened relations between Colwood and First Nations for years, as evidenced by the Esquimalt Lagoon Mural and Sign project undertaken almost a decade ago with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. To date neither the sign created by Darlene Gait, nor the cedar mural carved by Butch Dick have been put on public display at the lagoon, as intended. We sincerely hope that Colwood takes the earliest opportunity to get both of these artworks installed as a gesture of understanding and partnering with these Nations. Objective To encourage protection of historic built assets ELSI created a sign outlining the early settler history of the lagoon and surrounding area, also not yet installed. We encourage Colwood to take this opportunity to get both signs and the mural finally installed at the lagoon. 15. Economy Page 109: Policy Welcoming and Orientation Signage Great opportunity to install the carved cedar mural and Welcome to the Traditional Territory of the Esquimalt and Songhees Nation interpretive sign that have been waiting installation for almost 10 years. Part D: Development Permit Area Guidelines

6 Re: Colwood OCP Page 5 Page Development Permit Area Guidelines Looks like the heading on page 120 should have been placed near page 127? ELSI is very supportive of all development permit applications including the requirement for an environmental management plan that includes a Stormwater Management Plan. 19. Environmental Development Permit Areas Page 132: The general objectives outlined here are supported by ELSI members. Good to see that an integrated watershed planning approach is being taken to manage rainwater and groundwater flows. NB: There s a typo at the end of the second bullet (page 132) under General where the phrase is incomplete 20. Riparian Areas & Marine Shorelines Environmental DPA Page 140: Great to see the reporting requirements here for new development proposals, using Site Adaptive Design, aimed at minimizing ecosystem disturbance and protection of wildlife corridors Page 141: It would be good to include a map of the creeks referred to at the top of Page 141 (20.1.c.) ELSI fish monitoring volunteers: Are there fish-bearing creeks that are not mentioned here? Page Marine Shoreline Guidelines ELSI members are very supportive of Colwood requiring that development applications within this DPA must meet criteria for Green Shores certification. This is a very positive step in protecting shorelines and increasing resilience to the effects of climate change that are expected in the region. Good to see the requirement for a survey of the present natural boundary of the shore, rather than the registered land title boundary, these are frequently outdated and do not reflect current marine shoreline and sea level conditions. Page 145: We support the guideline (20.2.i) that structures, including docks, may not be located within the Migratory Bird Sanctuary Page 146: Good to see reference to forage fish (Conservation of Habitats and Marine Riparian Areas,) and their habitat (20.2.q) ELSI supports 20.2.w restricting the use of watercraft on Esquimalt Lagoon. There should be reference in the Marine Shoreline Guidelines to the Wildlife Refuge Areas on the Lagoon, established in 2010 in partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Service (see map in Appendix 2). ELSI recommends that Colwood promote the WRAs as sensitive areas where boating and paddling are discouraged. Signage is needed to educate the public about the WRAs and why they are important to help preserve birds and other wildlife in this busy public area.

7 Re: Colwood OCP Page 6 Conservation of Coastal Sediment Processes Good to see reference to preservation of coastal sediment processes, in recognition of the significance of this natural process, particularly important along Colwood s sediment shores. 22. Hillside Environmental DPA Page 150: ELSI is supportive of the guidelines in this section, regarding non-alteration of drainage patterns, requirement for rainwater management plans, use of native vegetation, and protection and enhancement of riparian zones, watercourses and urban forests 25. General Intensive Multi-Family, Commercial & Light Industrial Page Lighting ELSI recommends that Colwood require new buildings to follow FLAP Canada (Fatal Light Awareness Program) BirdSafe guidelines for lighting, to help prevent bird strikes on windows. This is especially important in Colwood, home to one of the region s most important Migratory Bird Sanctuaries. This policy should be adopted for all public lighting in Colwood as well, and could be incorporated into other sections of the OCP where lighting is addressed. Page Stormwater Management It s encouraging to see that reduction of impervious surfaces is stressed here, and in related sections of the OCP. NB The caption under the upper photo on this page is incomplete.

8 Re: Colwood OCP Page 7 Appendix 2: Wildlife Refuge Areas within Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary