September 29, 2005
By Danielle MilleyStaff Writer
PICKERING -- Pickering wants to set the standard as a sustainable and green municipality.
Ward 1 Regional Councillor Maurice Brenner introduced a motion at the Sept. 19 council meeting to establish a committee to develop a plan to get public input on standards the City wants to implement for development.
"We continue to lead by example and I think it's time we revisit benchmarking standards for all developments," Coun. Brenner said.
Coun. Brenner, Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson and Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson were appointed to work with senior staff to come up with the plan to get feedback from stakeholders, including that of community associations, business groups and developers.
Coun. Brenner said when it comes to the new development in Seaton, Pickering is holding the Province and the developers up to high standards so it should hold itself up to those same standards.
Coun. Dickerson agreed.
"Because we're asking the Province if they truly want to make Seaton a community of the 21st century they need to implement some of these things," he said.
Some of the possible standards might relate to whether there is a net benefit to all Pickering residents and whether it promotes environmentally friendly initiatives.
"There are enough technologies that we can be talking about each new home or new business having 50 per cent of its energy generated by something other than Ontario Power Generation, for example solar," Coun. Dickerson said.
Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles also supported it.
"It brings forward a number of good initiatives with respect to sustainability," he said. New developments could include hot water on demand systems or solar panels on garages, he said.
Mayor Dave Ryan supported the idea, but thought it would be difficult to implement.
"The intent of the motion is excellent. I think we're going to have one heck of a time trying to make any real changes," he said. "In terms of what we're trying to accomplish it is the right thing to do."
A report on the plan to get consultation is to be brought back to council no later than Nov. 7.
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