A portion of Larch Creek, which is a tributary of the Canagagigue Creek, traverses the area north of
Parcels 1 and 3 in a west/east direction. Associated with the creek are wetlands, steep slopes, and
floodplain areas covering approximately half of the Open Space area to the north of Parcel 1 and the
majority of the Open Space area to the north of Parcel 3. These two parcels are regulated by the
Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) and development within or in close proximity to these
environmental features is prohibited. Staff met with the GRCA to discuss this, and GRCA Staff
confirmed that there may be opportunity to develop a portion of the area immediately adjacent to the
Unopened Road Allowance – shown as Parcel 1 on Map 1 - as this portion would be outside the
regulatory floodline and adequately set back from the wetland area.
A GRCA permit would be required for the portions of Parcels 1 and 3 that are outside the
environmental features but within the buffer area around these features and, therefore are still within
the GRCA regulation limit. There should be no significant GRCA issues with developing the lands
south of the Unopened Road Allowance (Parcels 2 and 4). To evaluate a permit application for
development, the GRCA requires the following:
floodline);
Environmental Planner, Region of Waterloo
Staff solicited comments from the Region’s Environmental Planner, who indicated that there is
potential for development to occur within the subject lands provided that the value of the woodlot is
maintained or even enhanced through appropriate forest management activities. He believes that the
value of the forest is to provide aquatic and wildlife habitat, microclimate effects (temperature changes
through shading and wind break), and aesthetics for both the surrounding residences and those using
the trails. Prior to undertaking any activity, the Environmental Planner suggested the following:
measures to deter encroachment (dumping, building, clearing, etc.); and,
building layout by avoiding areas of high quality or valued trees. If the cutting is completed a least
a year before development occurs, the balance of the woodlot will have time to adapt to the new
conditions.
As recommended by the Region, Staff retained Ecoplans Limited (Environmental Planners) to begin
some of the initiatives that the Region’s Environmental Planner suggested by conducting an analysis
of the woodlot and other environmental features to determine: