Archive: Sustainability
Remember to VOTE on November 15 2008!
Informed voters are the key to community sustainability, so here is a brief of Michael Sather.
Michael Sathers’ background includes a degree in biology and a Master’s degree in psychology. He grew up on a farm and worked as an oilfield and construction worker, teacher, biologist, business owner in wilderness guiding and tours, political assistant and mental health therapist. He is currently the MLA for Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows (a position he will resign from if elected mayor).
Here is what Michael says:
We are living in the age of global warming and are at a turning point in the history of our community. The way we do business in North America will be changing to a new environmentally and economically sustainable model. There will be plenty of opportunities in the new economy and it is up to us whether we get on board or get left behind.
Maple Ridge has fallen seriously behind in business development and the creation of new, good-paying jobs. The vision, leadership and ability to develop new business has been lacking. Nowhere is this more evident than in our dilapidated downtown core.
My number one priority is re-development of our downtown area. We need larger format stores to complement Zellers and London Drugs. My vision also includes a development theme like Newport Village in Port Moody where attractive shops, with condominiums above, will keep more of our tax dollars at home and will invite visitors to shop in Maple Ridge.
An attractive downtown will enable us to densify our town centre. We will not get rapid transit until we show that we are densifying, not sprawling.
While re-development of the downtown core is the first key to bringing new business, the second is protecting the rural character of Maple Ridge. Our rural character and agricultural lands are our “ace in the hole” in successful business marketing. If we lose these we will become just another sprawling suburb that is too far from Vancouver to be of much interest to the new green businesses that are evolving in this century.
Agriculture is a business and should be developed as such, rather than being manipulated as a land bank for urban sprawl.
The relationship between business and the current mayor and municipal hall has not been conducive to development in Maple Ridge. I will establish a productive working relationship with the business community and all citizens.
Everyone will be treated with respect.
Bus service in Maple Ridge needs to be improved, particularly in new growth and rural areas. Quicker bus service to Skytrain in New Westminster is a must. I will advocate strongly for improved bus service.
Homelessness, crime and addiction are disturbing trends in Maple Ridge. In order to combat them I will maintain and increase our outreach, addiction, mental health, community police, RCMP, and supported housing resources.
We are an aging population. As mayor, I will work constructively with our seniors to ensure that their needs are being met in the new Maple Ridge.
If you have any questions for Michael Sather, here is his website http://www.michaelsather.com
AND remember to Vote - because you can!
Comment on sustainability and the District of Maple Ridge by Peter Tam
“I think most people in the District of Maple Ridge understand the meaning of sustainability. But envisioning it and laying out the steps to achieve that vision has a few holes and missing pieces that needs some innovative patch work”.
Social Sustainability
Everything has a budget increase of about 10% to 15% in 2007 except for Recreation and Culture and Sewer, with protective service in the lead. Its time we think about preventive instead reactive. Through youth development and support group subsidies, neighborhood watch, volunteering, and with public education on social awareness promotions. Some of these fall under BC government services or school boards but we don’t have the luxury of time to do finger pointing; these social aspects have tremendous impact on our ability to grow economically.
Economic Sustainability
Everyone is saying we need more commercial base taxes. However, no one seems to be able to answer the question of how to achieve that. We need a firm commitment to potential investors from the top down, We need to establish the focus whether it is Tourism, Hi Tech., light industrial, etc. These Focuses should be driven by the strength of our community. And we need to identify this strength. Before we let the world know we are ready for business, we need solid strategies, identifying each step that is needed to take us there. And finally, we need to evaluate the way we are currently handling business licensing and bylaws. Yes, we need strict enforcement to keep out degenerates who wants to create more work for the police but we need to work with legitimate sustainable businesses.
Environmental Sustainabilty
I think we are going with the right ideas and in the right direction on environmental sustainability, but its enforcement we needed to beef up. And patch up some of the damages done in the past few years. For Example; the priority should be on the Allouette flooding,
Peter Tam for Council
A Clear Vision for the Future.
www.petertam.ca
November will be a busy month for The District of Maple Ridge and we will be finished with the Canadian Federal Election.
Our local political race and outcome will probably have a higher impact on our daily lives than what happens in Ottawa…. so I welcome all candicates to make material contribtions to this website. This may help council hopefuls and incumbents to reach the public without the clutter of lawn signs and promotional brochures [I like the idea of saving paper and trees] - it is all about sustainability.
The importance of the next Major and Council for Maple Ridge cannot be understated as our community grows, in numbers and in needs and expectations. Much talk, and a lot of postioning is already underway in Maple Ridge, with different potential candidates jockeying for the major’s spot and those of the vacating councillors. (Al Hogarth and Ken Stewart have stated they will not run for another term).
So, what would I do if I wanted to win a prized position in the Maple Ridge Municipal Government and what would my platform be?
Sustainability
As sustainabilty is a big catch word these days, I would take a close look at the current balance between the economic, social, and environmental interests of our community; I’d consider smart, long-term alternatives that strike a sensible balance between the three things mentioned above.
As a tax payer in Maple Ridge over the last 42 years, it’s pretty obvious that a sustainable balance has never been attained by any previous council. Voters should be asking themselves why this balance has never been achieved, and what this failure costs the community down the road.
Openness of Government and keeping citizens better informed of city operations, which includes development by private companies
Many voters currently feel that the District office are employees of the “developers”, and this public feeling has reduced the trust of the citizens. If openness can be established, and everybody can see what’s going on behind the scenes, then one would like to think that many of the ‘problem spots’ would be eliminated. Consequently, the District would follow the guidelines established in the Official Community Plan, a document that outlines sustainable and long term development.
As we move forward to the big day I will be adding my 2 cents worth and remember your property taxes are due July 2, 2008.
The societal paradigm regarding environmental sensitivity has done quite the about-face in recent years. No longer are environmentalists referred to disparagingly, now that eco-friendly living has become main-stream. With Al Gore’s movie educating the masses and Oprah and Hollywood’s support, there are few individuals who no longer incorporate at least some measure of green living into their lifestyles. However, other popular trends have come and gone. How do we ensure that eco-friendly living doesn’t go the way of Feng Shui?
Local Maple Ridge resident Ken Hemminger partnered with Isabel Gibson’s Grade 1 class from Yennadon Elementary to educate these future environmentalists. The intent was to reach the children at a young age, integrating knowledge and hands-on practices that can grow and develop with them. Understanding and practicing an eco-friendly lifestyle will hopefully become second nature, embedding the will to preserve our earth so that green practices remain sustainable, continuing with future generations.
The 22 students and 10 parent volunteers spent March 13th planting a total of 46 trees. The trees were donated by Ken Hemminger, who grew the trees from tiny seedlings. The trees were Western Red Cedar, between 6 and 7 years old, the same age as the children participating. Each child tagged a tree with their name, so that they would be able to see the trees they planted growing with them. Prior to planting, they learned about the benefits these trees would have to them, to the neighborhood in which they were planted, and to the environment as a whole. The children were taught how the roots would absorb water preventing soil erosion, how the trees would provide homes for small animals, and create oxygen for them to breathe.
They showed their retention for these concepts when asked to write about their experiences the next day. Six year old Ryley stated “I love planting trees and I want to keep Earth’s air clean in the Earth”. That sentiment was echoed by all the students involved. Not only did they find the experience fun, but they expressed much interest in the whys of their actions. Such classroom projects will help to maintain the momentum of environmentalism, perpetuating continued interest and personal investments in our environment, ensuring that green living doesn’t ever become passé.
- Kerry Gibson
The Tyee has a good little piece that involves Richard Balfour, a strategic planner and advocate for smart, localized growth. Balfour and Eileen McAdam Keenan have written a book, Strategic Sustainable Planning: A Civil Defense Manual for Cultural Survival, that recommends strategies for developing cities and regions in the days and years following Peak Oil .
Be sure to read the first few comments, as there are some that relate directly to the ALR drama that’s currently being played out in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
This seven lot subdivision proposal at 28491 Dewdney Trunk [RZ/083/06] is part of the watershed of Whonnock Creek and the District of Maple Ridge have taken steps to protect Whonnock Creek and by connection Whonnock Lake. These steps include expropriation procedures of lands and the construction of a dyking system so that water levels of Whonnock Lake are maintained.
I do understand that the application reflects some of the OCP guidelines and has included some positive steps for “Rain Water Management”.
What we know!
The seven proposed lots would need the following:
- Seven Wells. Each well should produce at least 600 gals per day
- Seven Impervious surfaces. The housing foot print of the proposed homes will be 2500-3500 sq ft for a total of approx 15000 - 22000 sq ft of impervious surface.
And then we have an impervious street surface of approx 9000 sq. ft. Total impervious surface approx 31000 Sq ft which is approx 3/4 of an acre. What steps have been taken to reduce this impervious area? These days you can use pervious ashphalt, brick walkways and patios and rain garden surfaces for rain run-off.
What we don’t know
- What is the dollar amount of the security as part of the Watercourse Protection Development Permit [required to ensure that the Development Permit Guidelines are met]. For large-scale applications the environmental security deposit is 2.5 % of the total construction costs, while smaller projects the deposit is $1500 … so how much money?
- Is there a Tree Inventory prepared by a certified arborist:
- so the District can clearly determine areas that the developer has suggested as being “limits of clearing?” and
- so that the vegetative / tree health in the proposed conservation zone be determined and ensure that this area is not a future liability to the District. We need to insist that these conservation areas are healthy!
- The Historic Base Line flow levels for this part of Whonnock Creek to ensure that downstream water flows reflect pre-development flows. Note Sec 8.9 of the Official Community Plan states that pre-development flow regimes are to be maintained. Accurate data for the base flows [low flows] as well as reducing high flows is required so that there isn’t any disruption to the integrity of the watercourse and the living and movement of aquatic life. Note the photo of beaver lodge and dam below!
- The soil stratigraphy and the ability of the soil to retain water or not. This soil report is required in other districts, particularly when a watercourse is involved. [Coquitlam]
- What are the proposals for the re-vegetation of the drain-off areas for each building site and for each of the impervious driveway areas.
What we do know:
In the Executive Summary of this application the Engineering Department stated that, The lands to the east were recently subdivided and built on. These lands were subdivided over 15 years ago and since that time a higher level of awareness of sustainability is now reflected in the Official Community Plan.
The District had to extend the water system eastward to the Garibaldi St and McNutt subdivision due to a failure in a private water system [yes each home owner had a property assessment to cover these costs] However, at this site there is the BCIT woodlot between it and Garibaldi St [the distance is approx 2 kms.] so if a well water failure occurs in the future will this subdivision be a capital project paid for by the general public?
A significant number of residential homes located on these rural locations have suites [Whispering Falls, Rock Ridge] - due to the basic economics of affordability!
- Suites whether registered or not will increase demand on well water and septic systems so a Ground Water Impact Assessment Report should be required as all homes south of this lot are also on a well systems.
There is no provision for the densification of the tree and vegetation cover even though there is a housing densification.
The District should have a “Wildlife Habitat Assessment Report” as there is evidence of beaver activity in the South Eastern area of this property.
Beaver lodge in top center of photo taken 13 February 2008. Photo credit: © 2008 Ken Hemminger
If the District of Maple Ridge wants to protect Whonnock Creek and by extension Whonnock Lake we need to have more information for an educated decision on this subdivision application.
Morse Creek is one of the few remaining “Uptown” Creeks in Maple Ridge and forms a major component of the north slope watershed as it flows towards the south Alouette River.
Morse Creek on 11 July 2006, 10 days after the infraction at the source of the dispute. Photo: © Ken Hemminger
I applaud the District of Maple Ridge and particularly the Staff, in their successful position they took to protect a watershed in the Smart Growth Area of Maple Ridge.
If someone wanted to know how much soil was moved by the owner of this property on July 1 2006, you just have to just look at the trees!
A positive step to environmental sustainabilty, an example to all.
Proposed Residential Development of 12256 - 222St, Maple Ridge. Development Permit: DP/032/07
This proposal has requested a variance to the setback from the T2 watercourse [referred by the Developer as a drainage channel!] in the amount of 2.27 meters and 1.33 meters – these were the numbers presented by the developer at the Public Information Meeting of Dec 17, 2007.
Background information for this north slope watershed in Maple Ridge:
- The District of Maple Ridge at this point has spent approximately $60,000 protecting Morse Creek which is part of this north slope watershed, to prevent it’s compromise. So why wouldn’t the DMR require a building design that preserves this part of the watershed?
- The “Smart Growth on the Ground - Bulletin 3 June 2004” indicates that the DMR has committed to completing an integrated Stormwater Management Plan (ISMP) for each watershed. This commitment includes public participation.
- The 2004 Progress Report with the GVRD[now Metro Vancouver] – Liquid Waste Management Plan
states on
- Page17 C38, that there is a “Silver Valley Storm Water management Plan”, and
- Page 17 - C39 states that 2 studies for watersheds will be completed in 2005 [These are the two watersheds mentioned in the Technical Bulletin June 2004]
The above-mentioned documents [the watershed studies] directly relate to this application DP/032/07 [at 12256 222 St] in that T2 [a creek that empties into the South Alouette] is part of this watershed. This variance request applies to the underground parking as well as the building, so the recharge area for T2 will not just be a surface challenge. The volume of material that would have to be removed [due to the underground parking] will affect the soil hydrology and its’ water carrying capacity for T-2.
This same creek passes through agricultural land and includes a parcel of agricultural land owned by the DMR, so maintaining pre-development base flows on T2 is very important for the District. The newly formed Agricultural Advisory Committee should be informed of these developments.
The District is also planning on improving the 128/Abernathy connection in connection with the Golden Ears Bridge so we shouldn’t have to spend taxpayer’s money on over sizing the road culverts on 128th Ave to compensate for any increased storm water from upstream developments.
Upcoming meetings of the Advisory Design Panel
The next meeting of the Advisory Design Panel is May 13, 2008 so the above mentioned project may be on that agenda and the District staff may want to consider the down stream impact of this “variance ” request for 12256 – 222 Street, Maple Ridge.
If you have any concerns about this application please contact the Planning Staff at the District of Maple Ridge or the Mayor and Councilors. 604-463-5221.
Read the rest of this entry »
After attending the 7 November 2007 Public Open House on the Alouette Rivers Flood Management Task Force it seems that local officials would be wise to address taxpayers concerns as the wet season nears and the possibility of flooding looms large.
Hot spots and their affect on the Alouette River
Initially, we need to reduce some of the ‘hot spots’ on the rivers. The spots, including such blockages as ‘log jams’, ‘gravel buildup’, and ’silted-in areas’ that divert the natural waterways in the Alouette Watershed. Of course, we are now beyond the DFO window to work in and about a watercourse, so that presents a timeframe problem for the Municipality. The reality, though, is that the presence of these hot spots will not allow natural scouring of stream channels, especially considering the level of deposits that occurred over the past few years.
Eliminating downstream impact of development
As was indicated at the meeting by District of Maple Ridge staff, it’s important to ensure that what people do in one area, does not affect adversely other peoples’ property and its use.
Since it is evident that upstream development is having an impact in the Alouette River Watershed, the DMR should go to the next step. The DMR should follow and enforce the currently accepted principles of Integrated Storm Water Management, in which the majority of developmental storm water is re-infiltrated at source. In other words, the DMR should reduce or eliminate the use of streams and / or watercourses for the purpose of disposing water from hillside developments. One of the ways that this reduction can be achieved is by reducing housing density in hillside areas.
The above may not create a balanced or holistic solution but it’s a start.
South Alouette Concerns and Observations
1. The continued erosion and silt entering the S. Alouette at Mud Creek [approx 1.5 km south of the Alouette Dam - please note that there are two Mud Creeks]
2. The northwest corner of the property at 24085 130 Avenue; the owner has created a slide situation which continues to allow silt to enter Millionaire Creek
3. The property at 13300 240, a 25 acre parcel that was logged [without a Tree Removal Permit] and then in the fall of 2005 had major amounts of blast rock placed on it [no soil permit] this allowed creek surging and downstream soil erosion. The Ministry of Environment has had a water monitoring device at the mouth of Main Millionaire Creek since 2001, so if the Task Force needs some base-line data, the data is available from the MOE [I have copies].
4. The property at 23762 132 Ave. NE corner - this is the Headwater area of T-13 or Fern Creek. Again, this area has many loads of blast-rock placed on it [mid February 2006]
5. With the recent approval of the DMR gravel pit on 256 St and 140 Ave areas it is important to determine the base flows of the four creeks [Dickens, Doggett, Frodo and Mud Creeks] prior to any extraction process. The base flow info is imperative to determine if the extraction process will affect this part of the watershed and then also the down stream areas of the Alouette Watershed. We need a proactive, not reactive approach for the long term protection of the Alouette River Watershed.
I understand that there are other segments of the North Alouette River that need to be addressed.
