[GREN-Exec] Update on Activities

Mon Mar 21 10:48:15 EDT 2022

Today's Record mentions that Waterloo councillor Jeff henry (who is retiring at the end of this term) will present a motion re green standards at this evening's council meeting.
-Greg
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From: Executive <executive-bounces at gren.ca> on behalf of Kevin Thomason <kevthomason at gmail.com>
Sent: March 20, 2022 10:33 PM
To: GREN Executive <executive at gren.ca>
Subject: [GREN-Exec] Update on Activities

Hi GREN Executive,

I hope that you are enjoying this warmer weather.  I want to provide an update on a number of things:

1) Wilmot MZO - continues to wind down with some recent media articles still being written.  For the most part this is a good news story of the community coming together in a very strong way and defeating a proposed MZO.

2) Green Development Standards - with so many people appalled at the development plans put forward by the Cachet Developments MZO there are a number of citizens and groups interested in taking the momentum from the MZO and seeing how the energy in the community can be directed into having local municipalities require Green Development Standards where building permits won’t be issued unless high levels of design, performance, and environmental standards are met that far exceed the current building code, etc.  The Region of Waterloo, City of Waterloo, Township of Halton Hills, City of Ottawa, City of Toronto, etc. are doing progressive things and there is a good chance that we can make some significant progress perhaps even in advance of October’s elections.  The GDS group is undertaking a bunch of research and meetings to better understand what might be achievable.

3) Regional Official Plan Review - continues with new information and public consultations expected from the Region in the next few weeks - I will keep you posted.

4) Greenbelt Expansion - one government leak says that any Greenbelt expansion has been deferred until after the June provincial election, while another leak is that there will be announcements for just Urban River Valley expansions before the end of March with then announcements in the autumn assuming Ford gets re-elected opening up the Greenbelt in the exact amounts of these URV expansions.  Only time will tell what transpires however we may need to be ready to counter any possible announcement in the weeks ahead.

5) GRCA Land Sale - I have had Laura Murr (unknown to me but sounds knowledgeable) reach out through the new GREN website saying that the GRCA is preparing to sell off significant tracts of land to developers.  We have seen this in the past from the GRCA and given the Ford gutting of the CA’s anything is possible.  I’m not sure if there is anyone willing to work with her on this to see what could be underway or if there is anything that we can do about it.

6) Hallman Pit - the Wilmot Township decision on the Hallman Pit application in Shingletown that the Citizens for Safe Ground Water has been fighting for 3 years comes to Wilmot Council on April 4th.  They are looking for help from GREN in making delegations that evening.  I’m totally swamped these days and can’t take on anything more though I have tried to help this impressive little group as much as I can.  I have a call with Samantha on Thursday at 11:30am if someone would like to join it and see how you can help them in the weeks ahead.  I plan to offer insights and coaching but can’t really do much else at this point.

7) Gravel Pit Moratoriums - the new Reform Gravel Coalition has been making great progress in getting municipalities to issue moratoriums on gravel pits (Halton Hills, North Dumfries, Woolwich, etc.).  I suspect they will be successful in Wilmot as well (once the Hallman Pit is approved this will be the carrot offered….).  We will have so see how things unfold.

8) Ontario Greenbelt Alliance - There is also an OGA all member meeting coming up on April 7th at 7 pm.  Details are as follows:

Join the OGA Steering Committee and OGA members from across Southern Ontario to discuss the upcoming Provincial election, local planning fights and provincial Greenbelt expansion.

REGISTER HERE. <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgDAO6ceiec2143cz3f7Pj3ywRPuzbTAm1vg4n4fetlVQI4w/viewform?usp=sf_link>

NEW OGA Resources to Help Local Planning Fights - Check out the OGA website Resources page<https://www.greenbeltalliance.ca/resources> for a host of new resources. They're designed to help OGA members convince local Councils to make good planning decisions that create Greenbelt-friendly, affordable and sustainable communities. They were developed from four OGA webinars we recently held for local elected officials and planning staff across the GGH.

A "Must See" Video<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbeRR65KreQ> that Debunks Developer Myths - We've just posted a new video<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbeRR65KreQ> by expert planners Kevin Eby and Susan Lloyd Swail. Designed for local elected officials and planning staff, Kevin and Susan provide facts and insights that debunk key planning myths the development industry is pushing as part of local MCR processes. Now, we need your help to get your Mayor and Councillors to watch the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbeRR65KreQ

Hopefully all this makes sense.  Please let me know any questions or ideas.

Cheers,
Kevin.

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Kevin Thomason

1115 Cedar Grove Road
Waterloo, Ontario Canada  N2J 3Z4

Phone: (519) 888-0519
Mobile Phone/WhatsApp: (519) 240-1648
Twitter: @kthomason
E-mail: kevinthomason at mac.com<mailto:kevinthomason at mac.com> or kevthomason at gmail.com<mailto:kevthomason at gmail.com>

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