REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: April 25, 2016 Report No. DEV-16-028
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Guiding Principles - Wastewater Treatment in Esquimalt
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council authorize staff to post the “Draft Ten Guiding Principles for the Siting of a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Esquimalt” (with any amendments approved by Council), attached as Schedule “A” to Staff Report DEV-16-028, on the Township’s website and ask for comments by May 16, 2016.
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RELEVANT POLICY:
Official Community Plan
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
The following Strategic Priority has been identified by Council and is germane to the siting of a wastewater treatment plant in Esquimalt:
- Proactively plan for integrated waste strategies.
BACKGROUND:
At their Special Meeting held on April 13, 2016, Council unanimously passed a motion that stated in part:
That the Township of Esquimalt will develop a report on non-specific principles regarding what the residents of Esquimalt require in order to support a wastewater treatment facility in Esquimalt; through a process to involve a brief public input opportunity parallel with the CRD private sector proposals process.
In response to Council’s motion, staff have developed, “Draft Ten Guiding Principles for
Wastewater Treatment in Esquimalt” (Schedule “A”). These principles, when adopted with or without amendments, will provide Council with a decision making framework related to any decisions about the siting of a wastewater treatment plant in Esquimalt.
Staff propose to post the “Draft Ten Guiding Principles” on the Township’s website for one week and request that public comments be sent to the Township by May 10, 2016. These public comments will be compiled in a staff report for the May 16, 2016 Council meeting. Any comments received after May 10 will be added as late items to the May 16 Council meeting. The public will also have opportunity to provide input on the guiding principles at both the May 2 and May 16 Council meetings.
This public engagement initiative represents Phase 1 of a two phase public engagement process related to the potential siting of a wastewater treatment plant in Esquimalt. As per Council’s April 13, 2016 motion, Phase 2 will not start until the CRD provides the Township with the appropriate type and level of detail required to undertake a meaningful public consultation process. Specifically the motion stated in part:
That the Township of Esquimalt will co-lead community consultation with the CRD when it can be informed by the potential technology to be used at either of the referenced sites and additional information regarding climate change, environmental impacts, site configuration and financial implications.
There will be a far more significant and robust public engagement process in Phase 2 when a lot more details and resources are available.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
The “Draft Ten Guiding Principles for the Siting of a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Esquimalt” were compiled by staff based on their understanding of Council’s concerns related to the potential siting of a wastewater treatment plant in Esquimalt. As per Council’s direction, the public needs an opportunity to provide Council with comments on the Draft Guidelines in order for Council to ascertain the degree to which the Draft Guidelines reflect the various opinions of the public and to allow Council to consider amendments to the Draft Guidelines based on ideas presented by the public.
2. Organizational Implications
Phase 1 of the public consultation process will consume some staff time in reviewing and summarizing the public’s comments related to the “Draft Ten Guiding Principles for the Siting of a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Esquimalt”. Phase 2 will consume considerably more staff time; however, the CRD will provide funding to the Township of Esquimalt to hire consultants to run the public consultation process.
3. Financial Implications
There are no significant financial implications for the Phase 1 consultation. As mentioned above, the CRD will provide the Township of Esquimalt with funding to hire the appropriate consultants to run the Phase 2 public engagement process.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
The “Draft Ten Guiding Principles for the Siting of a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Esquimalt” contain a number of guidelines related to the reducing impacts on the environment.
5. Communication & Engagement
Staff will post the “Draft Ten Guiding Principles for the Siting of a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Esquimalt” on the Township’s website for two weeks to allow the public to submit comments for Council’s consideration. If Council desires, additional means of disseminating the Guiding Principles are available.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council authorize staff to post the “Draft Ten Guiding Principles for the Siting of a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Esquimalt” (with any amendments approved by Council), attached as Schedule “A” to Staff Report DEV-16-028, on the Township’s website and ask for comments by May 16, 2016.
2. That Council send the “Draft Ten Guiding Principles for the Siting of a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Esquimalt” back to staff for major revisions.