Envision Kentville: Planning for Tomorrow, Today

ENVISION KENTVILLE UPDATE: MARCH 3, 2010

2010-03-09T04:47:00.000-08:00

Citizens of Kentville are invited to Public Planning Open House on March 10 from 7-9pm at Kentville Town Hall (2nd Floor, Council Chambers). Come to a presentation from Nova Insights about the results of the Sustainability Action Survey as well as the Town of Kentville Sustainability Action Plan.

The Kentville ICSP is currently open to public review. You may view the Kentville ICSP here: http://www.kentville.ca/documents/icsp/icspplan.pdf

You may share your comments on the ICSP by emailing Brennan Vogel at icsp@kentville.ca or by calling 679-2512.

The ICSP will be submitted to the Province of Nova Scotia on March 31, 2010.

You may also visit the Kentville Library or Kentville Town Hall - Department of Planning (2nd Floor) to review the draft version of the Kentville ICSP.

KENTVILLE HOSTS COMMUNITY PLANNING OPEN HOUSE

2010-01-15T09:16:00.000-08:00

The Town of Kentville hosted a Community Planning Open House on Wednesday, January 13 at the Town of Kentville Council Chambers with 21 members of the public and 9 members of Town staff and council in attendance.

The meeting about the Town’s “Envision Kentville” integrated community sustainability planning process included introductory remarks from Mayor Dave Corkum, a presentation from sustainability coordinator Brennan Vogel and a presentation from local market consultant Paul DesBarres.

Vogel presented on the key goals and priorities of the Kentville Integrated Community Sustainability Plan while Desbarres offered a summary of the Kentville Sustainability Action Survey that will be delivered by phone and internet to Kentville citizens over the next few weeks.

There was positive feedback from the citizens present on the “Envision Kentville” process to date & a high degree of public interest in participating in Kentville Sustainability Action Survey.

Citizens did share questions and comments on the issues of:

- Residential density & home affordability for diversity of demographics in Kentville

- Commercial zoning bylaws & community aesthetics

- Opportunities for community involvement in the ICSP implementation plan

- The potential for YMCA development in the Town of Kentville and region

- Opportunities for cultural development in the Town of Kentville including: the new Kentville library, planning for demographic diversities (age & accessibility) and interests in historic preservation

- Opportunities for youth engagement in municipal political and planning processes

- Opportunities for regional approaches and partnerships on issues of mutual interest

- Technical questions on the ICSP action survey

For more information, including the ICSP goals and priorities presentation and background information on the ICSP process, please see the community consultation documents section at:

http://www.kentville.ca/townhall_sustainability.cfm

For further questions or comments, please contact:

Brennan Vogel

Sustainability Coordinator

Town of Kentville

902-679-2512

icsp@kentville.ca

2010-01-07T05:48:00.001-08:00

*COMMUNITY PLANNING OPEN HOUSE*

Citizens of Kentville are invited to a presentation from the Town of Kentville & Nova Insights on the integrated community sustainability planning process. Hear the update on the plan and learn how you can be involved in the next steps of identifying priorities & actions for community sustainability projects & planning. All Kentville citizens are welcome to attend.

Wednesday, January 13: 7pm-8pm

Town Hall Council Chambers

354 Main Street Kentville

Two Green Events: Nov 21/22

2009-11-03T05:11:00.001-08:00

Atlantic Eco Expo - Halifax, November 21-22

For your information: http://www.atlanticecoexpo.com

The first sustainable business exhibition in Atlantic Canada is coming soon! Don’t miss this opportunity for your business, government organization, or not-for-profit to showcase your sustainable solutions to thousands of eco-minded consumers. By bringing together like-minded individuals, our goal is to promote economic development, a stronger community, and sustainable solutions. At the event, there will be a series of guest speakers, cooking demonstrations, a fashion show, and a silent auction. These activities are designed to raise awareness of sustainability initiatives in the Atlantic Region, and we look forward to seeing you there!

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ECO-KINGS GREEN ENERGY FAIR Saturday, November 21, 2009

The Eco-Kings Action Team is pleased to host the Eco-Kings Green Energy Fair (poster attached) on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Kentville Fire Hall. This event will feature a trade show, with exhibitors from organizations and businesses affiliated with alternative energy and sustainability. Presentations and workshops will also be held throughout the day, with a feature Comedy Hour presentation by Bill Carr. If you would like to be an exhibitor at the trade show, the cost is $100 for a for-profit organization, with a $50 deposit required by November 13, 2009. The cost for a non-profit is $50, with a $25 deposit required by November 13, 2009.

Contact:

Jennifer Weisner, BSc, BAH

Development Officer

Kings Regional Development Agency

35 Webster Street

Kentville, NS B4N 1H4

Phone: (902) 678-2298

Fax: (902) 678-2324

jweisner@kingsrda.ca

350: Call to Action

2009-10-29T05:21:00.000-07:00

On October 24, the world joined together to urge world leader's to work for a fair, binding and scientifically relevant global climate treaty this December in Copenhagen. The Town of Kentville supports and endorses the need to return global carbon concentrations to 350ppm. This video celebrates the 350 Global Day of Climate Action.

ICSP Coordinator on Envision Kentville

2009-10-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

Kentville Supports 350 Day of Climate Action: October 24

2009-10-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

On October 13, the Town of Kentville Council Advisory Committee signified its unanimous support and endorsement of the 350 Day of Climate Action. On October 24, 2009, a planetary day of climate action is planned to share in the united worldwide message of the urgent need for global leadership to respond appropriately to the issue of global climate change.

Provincially, Shelburne, Bridgewater, Kentville and Wolfville have signified their formal support for the 350 Day of Climate Action. Locally, 350 events are planned in Wolfville, Windsor and Berwick to mark the 350 Day of Climate Action on Saturday, October 24. For more information on these events, please see www.350.org

The number “350” refers to the broad scientific agreement that the long-term global goal for greenhouse gas emission reductions needs to be set at 350 parts per million (ppm) of atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide. Currently global concentrations of CO2 are at 385.92 ppm and rising.

Scientists argue that 350 parts per million of CO2 is the safe upper limit if we wish to have a planet similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life on earth is adapted. Scientists argue that reducing global carbon concentrations is necessary to avoid the catastrophic impacts of global climate change such as increasing sea levels, flooding and extreme weather events.

It is estimated that meeting the “350” goal will require the countries of the world to collectively reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020 and by at least 95 per cent from 1990 levels by 2050. From December 7 to December 18, 2009 governments of the world will gather in Copenhagen, Denmark at the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 to negotiate the terms of a global climate agreement.

Sustainability Survey Results

2009-09-28T11:36:00.001-07:00

The Envision Kentville Sustainability Survey Report is complete and available on line at:

http://www.kentville.ca/documents/icsp/envisionkentvillephasetwo.pdf

This past summer 296 citizens of Kentville participated in verifying and prioritizing community sustainability assets and issues through a door-to-door survey.

Key survey results include:

95% of Kentville citizens support or strongly support the Kentville Vision Statement:
"Kentville is a healthy, vibrant, integrated and complete community where citizens can live work and play in an environment that supports a high quality of life."

79% of Kentville citizens are concerned, very concerned or more than very concerned about declining air quality and its health impacts (i.e. asthma, cancer).

77% of Kentville citizens are concerned, very concerned or more than very concerned about global climate change and its local impacts (i.e. sea level rise and flooding, changes in local weather).

"A" list priorities include:
- protecting and sustainably managing Town water resources
- working with regional partners to clean up the Cornwallis River
- protecting and planning for regional agricultural farmland and protecting the rural nature of the Valley
- encouraging diversity and entrepreneurship in the local economy

Although not a strictly scientific poll, the Survey results are considered to be a directional, social barometer of community opinions with an accuracy of 17/20 (95% confidence +/- 5.55 confidence interval)

For more information, contact sustainability coordinator Brennan Vogel at 902-679-2512 or icsp@town.kentville.ns.ca

That's all folks!

2009-08-25T11:58:00.000-07:00

Well Tupon and I have sadly to come the closing of this summer. We have had some really great times working with Brennan and have really learned a lot! We've collected many great stories over the summer, and if you ever see us around feel free to ask us how our summer went!

I will be heading back to Queen's University this saturday to start my second year in environmental science and education and Tupon will be heading over to Acadia for her third year in Psychology and Biology.

We just want to thank everyone who helped us out this summer, or anyone we got to know over these few short months. the town of Kentville is a GREAT place to live and its people are even better. Everyone was inviting and interested in our survey and that is what made the summer enjoyable.

once again thanks to everyone and I hope to see you all soon!

Lucas and Tupon

Survey says...

2009-07-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

Over the past couple of weeks the two of us have been very busy completing the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan survey which, just starting last week, will be used to survey the residents of the Town of Kentville. The survey covers the four pillars of sustainability which are environmental, economic, social and cultural and it takes approxiamately 10 minutes to complete. With the help of Brennan, we have completed approximately 150 surveys out of the 400 desired. We have our work cut out for us and can’t wait to hear even more opinions about the town of Kentville from its citizens.

Also,
Check us out in the Register this week! Third page!

Tupon and Lucas

Fun in the Sun '09

2009-07-17T04:48:00.000-07:00

Hi there,
Our names are Tupon Tajrin and Lucas Brehaut and we are the summer students employed by the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corp to work with the Town of Kentville, Kings CED and Kings Transit. The environment is our passion and we are really excited to be a part of the Envision Kentville Plan.
We currently attend school at Acadia and Queen’s University where we are both taking Bachelors of Sciences. We plan on making the “green scene” a major part of our future lives, and this position has given us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in it.
You will probably see us around this summer, as we will be going door to door surveying the residents of Kentville, asking them about their future of the town.
So don’t hesitate to say hello or contact us to share your opinions at anytime.
Have a great summer!
Lucas Brehaut & Tupon Tajrin

Email:
NSYCC1@town.kentville.ns.ca
NSYCC2@town.kentville.ns.ca

Phone:
(902) 679-3998

Consultation Report Available

2009-07-10T07:48:00.000-07:00

Envision Kentville Update: July 10, 2009

Please see the “Envision Kentville” ICSP Public Consultation Summary Report in the Community Consultation Documents section of our website:

http://town.kentville.ns.ca/townhall_sustainability.cfm

This report summarizes the findings from the first phase of the Envision Kentville sustainability planning process. Thank you to all who came out to the public consultations for your contributions.

Please take a few minutes to review this Report that contains a summary of Kentville’s environmental, economic, social and cultural assets as well as key sustainability challenges and draft version of the community Vision Statement.

Your feedback on this Report is welcomed and encouraged. Please directed your comments to:

Brennan Vogel
Sustainability Coordinator
Town of Kentville
902-679-2512
icsp@town.kentville.ns.ca

Also, please feel free to share and distribute this Report within your community networks.

The next phase of the Envision Kentville ICSP process will include public surveying to verify the reliability of the data collected through the first phase of the process and to narrow the scope of strategic sustainability themes for the Kentville ICSP. We are pleased to welcome two sustainability assistants, Tupon Tajirin and Lucas Brehaut from the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps, to assist in this summer’s community survey work.

Be sure to participate in the upcoming sustainability survey and spread the word!

ICSP PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS: MAY 19 - JUNE 9

2009-05-11T08:30:00.001-07:00

The Town of Kentville invites you to participate in upcoming community sustainability planning consultations. These community consultations will form a cornerstone in the development of the Town’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP). The ICSP is a mandatory requirement for future access to Gas Tax Funds from the Federal Government. The ICSP will be developed throughout 2009 and be completed by March 2010.

Citizens of Kentville are invited to attend these consultations. Your participation in this planning process is valued and needed. You are welcomed and encouraged to attend the community consultations of your choice to share your input into the ICSP process that will establish the 20 to 30 year Vision for the community and create a practical and strategic plan for the future direction of Kentville.

All community consultations will take place at the Kentville Recreation Centre (upstairs) at 350 Main Street (beside Town Hall) and are open to the public.

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION SCHEDULE

Cultural Consultation	Tuesday May 19: 4:00-6:30pm
Social Consultation	Tuesday May 26: 4:00-6:30pm
Environmental Consultation	Tuesday June 2: 4:00-6:30pm
Economic Consultation	Tuesday June 9: 4:00-6:30pm

PLEASE RSVP if you plan on attending, and be sure to share the invitation to these consultations with other relevant community stakeholders. For more information on the ICSP please feel free to contact Brennan Vogel at 679-2512 or by email at icsp@town.kentville.ns.ca.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are unable to attend the public consultations, please contact the Sustainability Coordinator to ensure that your opportunity for participation in the ICSP process is realized.

VISIONING WORKSHOP AVAILABLE!

2009-04-16T06:10:00.001-07:00

As a part of the ‘Envision Kentville’ sustainability planning process, Sustainability Coordinator Brennan Vogel is pleased to offer citizens and community groups in the Town of Kentville with an interactive ‘Visioning Workshop’.

This workshop consists of a short presentation about the past, present and future of Kentville, followed by an interactive visioning session that is geared towards citizen participation.

The objectives of the workshop are:

1. To broadly identify community values and visions for the future of Kentville, as well as;

2. To gather citizen ideas for community projects in the coming years;

3. And thirdly to identify the barriers/challenges to achieving the community vision for the future

The Visioning Workshop takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour and is open to all.

If you are interested in booking a ‘Visioning Workshop’ for your neighborhood, community or service group, please contact Sustainability Coordinator Brennan Vogel @ icsp@town.kentville.ns.ca or by phone: 902-679-2512.

If you are an unaffiliated citizen but interested in participating in this process, you may obtain a copy of the ‘Visioning Worksheet’ by visiting our website @ http://town.kentville.ns.ca/townhall_sustainability.cfm and downloading and printing the ‘Visioning Worksheet’ document from the Community Consultation documents section. Once complete, you can drop off, fax or email the document back to Brennan Vogel at the Town of Kentville Department of Planning & Development (354 Main Street, 2^nd Floor).

ENVISION KENTVILLE: ICSP Open House Summary & Findings

2009-03-31T06:56:00.000-07:00

The 1st “Envision Kentville” ICSP Open House was held at the Kentville Fire Hall on Monday, March 9 2009. The event well-attended by Town of Kentville citizens and Town of Kentville Staff & Council alike.

Attendance: 52 Confirmed (+60 throughout the night)

The evening consisted of introductions from Mayor Corkum and Councillor Bolland followed by a Power Point presentation on Integrated Community Sustainability Planning and Sustainability from ICSP Co-ordinator Brennan Vogel. There were no questions from the audience after the presentation.

The second portion of the evening was an “Asset Mapping” exercise. The participants were divided into 3 groups and participated in 3 rotating stations that were focused on gathering participant input on the Economic, Environmental & Social/Cultural Community Assets of Kentville. In addition to gathering this Community Asset data, the participants were invited to comment on how these community assets contribute to the community wellbeing and how these community assets are under threat.

This information was then voted on by all of those in attendance. Participants were asked to rank their top three Community Assets (One from each category). These ranked Assets provide us with a valuable first insight into what the community values collectively – particularly when there are themes repeated across the 3 categories. It is unfortunate that the voting may not accurately represent the views of all of those in attendance given the discrepancy between the total numbers of votes (max. 36) and the confirmed participant list (52). This signifies that some people left before voting. However, the data is still relevant as first ‘snapshot’ of what the community values in Kentville and will be cross-referenced for validity in future consultations and public processes. Please find the Ranked Assets (in no particular order) below.

COMMUNITY VALUES & THEMES OF INTEREST

HEALTH
KEY FINDINGS
The Hospital was ranked #1 Economic Asset (11 votes) & the #2 Social/Cultural Asset (4 votes) was the Health System indicating health (i.e. health system, health resources, health infrastructure, access to health care) has multiple values in the community.

ENVIRONMENT (LAND/WATER)
KEY FINDINGS
The Cornwallis River, Wildlife, Trails & Miners Marsh were ranked #2 among Economic Assets (8 votes). Green Space, Climate/Geographic Location, Trails & Millbrook Greenspace received a total of 16 votes for Environmental Assets; while Water, the protection of Aquifers and the Cornwallis River received 5 votes for Environmental Assets. This indicates a broad community interest in the environment (land/water) with a particular value placed on green space, the river and the community trail system.

RECREATION (Fields, Soccer Dome, Ball Fields, Rinks, Trails, Organizations, Dance)
KEY FINDINGS
Ranking as the #1 Social/Cultural Asset for Kentville was Recreation Facilities (with 14 votes). The value of recreation was also recognized in the other categories (3 votes in Economic Assets & 4 votes in Environmental Assets). This signifies that the Citizens of Kentville identify access to recreation spaces and recreational opportunities as something of major community value.

DEVELOPMENT & PROTECTION OF FARMLAND
KEY FINDINGS
Town land for future development was recognized as an Economic Asset (3 votes) and also as an Environmental Asset (3 votes) indicating community interest in the theme of land development. Further evidence of this interest in land development is identification of farmland as an Economic Asset (1 vote) and the protection of farmland as an Environmental Asset (2 votes). Based on these findings, further exploration of this theme is warranted for future consultations.

HUMAN RESOURCES
KEY FINDINGS
The identification of History, Expertise and Talent as an Economic Asset (3 votes) combined with the identification of Knowledge Assets for Renewable Energy (1 vote) as an Environmental Asset, in addition to the identification of Town History, NSCC, volunteers and people of the Town as Social/Cultural Assets (7 votes in total) indicates community interest in the theme of human resources. Further exploration of this theme is warranted.

Envision Kentville: Planning for Tomorrow, Today

2009-02-20T06:37:00.000-08:00

Imagine for a moment what Kentville will be like in 25 years. What will make this community a great place that we want to live? What will make Kentville a place that you are proud to come from and to call your home? Most importantly, what is the legacy that you would like to leave for your children and grand-children?

What is your Vision for the Town of Kentville? Over the coming months, the Town of Kentville will be seeking your thoughts, opinions and ideas about the future sustainability of Kentville. You are invited to get involved and use your imagination! By working together, we will collaboratively develop an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) that will provide a Vision and an action-plan for the long-term sustainability of Kentville.

There is an old saying that we do not inherit the Earth from our elders, but we borrow it from our children.

Sustainability planning is about looking holistically at the bigger picture and planning for the long-term. It is about understanding the important roles and responsibilities that we all must play to ensure that in meeting our own needs today, we do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs tomorrow.

The air, water, soil and resources that we depend on for our survival are limited in nature; therefore we must care for and manage these natural assets so that they may endure for our children and grandchildren. Sustainability planning is about achieving a balance between environmental, social/cultural and economic goals and objectives in a way that everyone can agree on.

Across Canada and around the world, municipalities are rising to the current challenges of becoming more sustainable. In so doing, many regions are sponsoring innovation in business, becoming more economically efficient and in turn, are seen as more attractive places to live and work.

Achieving sustainability requires the active participation of citizens and governments at all levels. Integrated Community Sustainability Planning is a ground-breaking process in that involves the municipal, provincial and federal governments all working together towards the common goals of cleaner air, cleaner water and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Upon completion of the ICSP, Kentville will be eligible to receive funding for Environmentally Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure projects that will help the town. This initiative is a part of the federal gas tax agreement that puts Canadian gasoline taxes to work for municipalities. Eligible projects categories for ICSP Funding include:

Public transit (ex. buses, light rail, transit stations, park and ride facilities etc.)

Improving traffic flow through better infrastructure design and technology

Ensuring water safety by improving water treatment & distribution systems and improving wastewater and sewage treatment systems

Improving solid waste management projects (ex. waste diversion, recycling and recovery, composting etc.)

Developing community energy systems (ex. heat and power co-generation, district heating and cooling projects)

Improving active transportation infrastructure (ex. bike lanes, trails etc.)
Building municipal capacity through collaboration with partners, utilizing knowledge resources (ex. research and technology), integration (ex. planning and policy) and education and training programs

Kentville and the Annapolis Valley are well positioned to become leaders in sustainability planning and initiatives. The possibilities for imagining and creating a sustainable future for the Town of Kentville are endless! But the time for collective action is now.

At its heart, the ICSP is driven by the Vision that the community sets forward to take ownership for a sustainable future. Your input as a citizen of Kentville is vital in setting the Vision and priorities for the sustainable future of the town. Through public consultation, the ICSP will set forth a Vision for the community, as well as set concrete goals, objectives and strategies for achieving this Vision. You are encouraged to get actively involved by sharing your vision for a sustainable Kentville. You can do this by attending upcoming sustainability events hosted by the Town of Kentville and joining the community conversation about what a sustainable future means for Kentville.

For more information about the ICSP or to learn how to get more involved in the process, please contact Brennan Vogel, Sustainability Co-ordinator with the Town of Kentville by email at: icsp@town.kentville.ns.ca or by phone at: 679-2512.