A question and answer period ensued between Justin Malfara, Principal Planner, Zoning & Regulation, Peter Angelo, Director, Engineering, and Seva Marouchko, Sr. Manager, Development Engineering & Environmental Services and Members of the Committee regarding municipal sustainability matters, including:
- home heating fuel options and guidelines pertaining to sustainability;
- whether Council may provide input regarding the heating options considered for new subdivision developments during the approval process;
- municipal direction to builders to incorporate green infrastructure into future developments;
- whether new Town infrastructure supports renewable energy sources;
- the capacity of the distribution network to service homes and future developments with electricity;
- development standards for park land dedication;
- alternatives to stormwater management ponds and when alternative solutions may be implemented;
- whether low impact development measures were implemented in Whitby;
- whether the development approval process could include low impact development measures;
- whether the existing stormwater management and sewer systems could support intense, short duration rainfalls and rapid snowmelt events;
- whether the Town would disconnect eavestroughs from the Town’s stormwater system to reduce stress on the overall system;
- whether the Town has installed stormwater pretreatment systems;
- tracking sodium levels in the stormwater management system and whether the Town has implemented a salt management plan; and,
- whether upgrades to stormwater ponds were included as part of maintenance work.
It was the consensus of the Committee to hear Item 8, Council Update, at this time.