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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 27, 2024 - Special Draft Special Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2024 Hybrid Electronic Meeting Council Chambers 5:00 pm Present: Mayor Kevin Ashe Councillors: M. Brenner S. Butt L. Cook M. Nagy D. Pickles L. Robinson Also Present: M. Carpino - Chief Administrative Officer K. Bentley - Director, City Development & CBO P. Bigioni - Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor F. Jadoon - Director, Economic Development & Strategic Projects S. Cassel - City Clerk C. Rose - Chief Planner D. Jacobs - Manager, Policy & Geomatics P. Furnell - Supervisor, Building Permits B. Weiler - Principal Planner C. Redmond - (Acting) Deputy Clerk 1. Call to Order/Roll Call The City Clerk certified that all Members of Council were present and participating in-person. 2. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 3. Delegations Mayor Ashe, Chair, gave an overview of the requirements for the Statutory Public Meeting under the Planning Act, and outlined the order of the meeting and the methods in which individuals could be notified of future updates on the Official Plan Review. Brandon Weiler, Principal Planner, City of Pickering Re: Report PLN 14-24 Special Council Meeting for the Pickering’s Official Plan Review Draft Special Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2024 Hybrid Electronic Meeting Council Chambers 5:00 pm Brandon Weiler, Principal Planner, appeared before Council and through the aid of PowerPoint presentation, provided an overview of Pickering’s Official Plan (OP) Review process. Mr. Weiler spoke to the purpose of the Special Council Meeting and noted that the OP was the City’s primary, long range, comprehensive planning document, that provided the framework for land use decision-making in the City. He discussed various matters that the OP provided direction on, how the OP fits within the planning hierarchy in Ontario, and the reasons for reviewing the OP at this time. Mr. Weiler spoke to how the project tagline would create project recognition and help interested parties identify engagement opportunities. He discussed the timeline of the workplan targeted for completion in the 2nd quarter of 2026, including background and research, policy drafting, policy recommendations and implementation. He spoke to the community engagement strategy for the project and commented that the Background Paper set the stage for the OP review. He concluded by speaking about next steps in the process, including the release of discussion papers and community engagement. A discussion ensued between Members of Council and staff regarding: • the various opportunities available to the community for engagement during the review process; • how the City’s OP and the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan related to the Region’s Official Plan; • that Pickering’s OP Review and the Secondary Planning process would not revisit decisions already adopted by the Region; • municipalities’ responsibilities in the Planning Hierarchy and the expectations of the community; • if the timelines and requirements of the current OP were being met due to the growth in the community; • how engagement with Indigenous communities would be included in the process; • how the housing and affordability component would be measured as part of the process; and, • how interested parties could reach out to participate in community consultation. 3.1 Jessica Wilkins, Oshawa Resident Re: Report PLN 14-24 Special Council Meeting for the Pickering’s Official Plan Review Jessica Wilkins, Oshawa Resident, appeared before Council via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 14-24, specifically regarding the Region of Durham’s Community Climate Change Action Plan and Pickering’s Measuring Sustainability Report. She advised that after reading the documents she was unable to find an action plan and how the goals would be achieved and Draft Special Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2024 Hybrid Electronic Meeting Council Chambers 5:00 pm commented that this showed a lack of transparency. She discussed her concerns with the statements in the Durham Region Climate Change Action Plan, including weather modification, and health risks. She commented that the role of municipalities included policy direction, influence and funding of public transit, roads, economic development and urban and building design, and other factors that determined the consumption of greenhouse gas emissions in the community. She spoke to other cities globally that had been leaders in climate protection and questioned how Durham Region embedded climate considerations into their business planning cycle. Ms. Wilkins concluded by noting the ways the Region could reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. 3.2 Nicholas Zamora, Pickering Resident Elise Zamora, Pickering Resident Re: Report PLN 14-24 Special Council Meeting for the Pickering’s Official Plan Review Nicholas Zamora and Elise Zamora, Pickering Residents, appeared before Council to speak to Report PLN 14-24, and through the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, provided an overview of their vision for the future of Greenwood. Mr. Zamora spoke about the location and history of Greenwood and the benefits of preserving the community and seeking public engagement for positive change. Ms. Zamora spoke to her education and experience in farming and horticulture and noted that she didn’t want to see Greenwood paved over. Mr. Zamora discussed various activities that would be affected by the Official Plan (OP), and that the OP would enhance communities like Greenwood while not dismantling their foundations, ensuring there was a balance between rural and urban areas, current and future generations, and a good business case. Ms. Zamora spoke to the sensitivity to the Northeast Pickering Lands, to the maintenance of the natural water system, that the agricultural industry should be supported, and discussed their vision of Greenwood within Pickering. Mr. Zamora concluded by speaking to their support for the Plan. A brief discussion ensued between Members of Council, Mr. Zamora and Ms. Zamora regarding: • whether they would be interested in participating in the execution of the Northeast Pickering Secondary Official Plan; • that land uses proposed in close proximity of Greenwood being sensitive to Greenwood; • plans for the new Pickering Heritage Community Centre that would include a library and additional community space; Draft Special Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2024 Hybrid Electronic Meeting Council Chambers 5:00 pm • whether the delegation would like to see a steering committee of community representatives, instead of consultants, to help preserve the environment in Greenwood; and, • whether the Official Plan Review Process should be a developer or community driven process. After the registered delegations had concluded, the Chair called for delegations for the Statutory Public Meeting from any members of the public who were present in the Chambers. 3.3 Ryan Linkletter, Pickering Resident Re: Report PLN 14-24 Special Council Meeting for the Pickering’s Official Plan Review Mr. Linkletter appeared before Council to speak to Report PLN 14-24. Mr. Linkletter advised that he believed Council should take a step back and review the long-term implications of the Official Plan (OP) and to consider further community engagement. He stated that he would like to see an OP that was by the people, for the people, and not driven by developers. 3.4 Yetunde Sopeju, Pickering Resident Re: Report PLN 14-24 Special Council Meeting for the Pickering’s Official Plan Review Yetunde Sopeju appeared before Council to speak to Report PLN 14-24. Ms. Sopeju advised that she attended the previous meeting regarding the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan and was concerned with transparency around community engagement, as there was no opportunity to provide feedback on the options presented or whether other options had been explored. She commented that she felt the process was developer driven. Ms. Sopeju stated that she was pleased to hear the delegations from Greenwood and their feedback, and hoped Council would take their comments into consideration. She concluded by commenting that transparency and authenticity were important matters to be considered in the Official Plan Review. 3.5 Nicole Mouttet, Pickering Resident Re: Report PLN 14-24 Special Council Meeting for the Pickering’s Official Plan Review Nicole Mouttet, Pickering Resident, appeared before Council to speak to Report PLN 14-24. Ms. Mouttet spoke to accountability and asked who the developers were accountable to in the process. 3.6 Henry Siu, Pickering Resident Draft Special Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2024 Hybrid Electronic Meeting Council Chambers 5:00 pm Re: Report PLN 14-24 Special Council Meeting for the Pickering’s Official Plan Review Henry Siu, Pickering Resident, appeared before Council to speak to Report PLN 14-24. Mr. Siu advised that development had increased since he moved to Greenwood and questioned the influences on Council by developers and whether there was ever a conflict of interest between those making decisions at the City and the developers. He commented that his children were with him that evening and that he would like to see them have input on how they would like to see their future. 3.7 Lindsay Hunt, Pickering Resident Re: Report PLN 14-24 Special Council Meeting for the Pickering’s Official Plan Review Lindsay Hunt, Pickering Resident appeared before Council to speak to Report PLN 14-24. Ms. Hunt advised that community consultation was important, and from what she had seen on social media, development was one of the biggest concerns for residents, including the density of the development in the City Centre and the development of Pickering’s rural areas. She asked if the City would consider providing information and learning opportunities for residents to better understand the planning process. 4. New and Unfinished Business 4.1 Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 14-24 Special Council Meeting for the Pickering’s Official Plan Review Discussion ensued between Members of Council and staff regarding: • using the Toronto Star to post ads where there was a legislated requirement to publish notice in a newspaper, and if the City advised residents and stakeholders door to door of this process, and if residents knew they had to purchase the Toronto Star in order to receive the information; • the City receiving no comments from the last two ads placed in the Toronto Star regarding the Official Plan Review; • the circulation of the Toronto Star and its reach to residents in the City of Pickering; • the City fulfilling its statutory requirements by posting an ad in the Toronto Star Newspaper, and that the information would be communicated through various other mediums and engagement opportunities, including with tax bill inserts distributed to all taxpayers in Pickering; Draft Special Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2024 Hybrid Electronic Meeting Council Chambers 5:00 pm • the issues experienced with the records portal on the weekend prior to the Meeting and the impacts to individuals who were looking to access the Meeting Agenda; • if comments made by delegations regarding accountability, transparency, would be taken into consideration in the review process; • the number of individuals that received notice of the Special Council Meeting for the Official Plan Review through various social media groups that had reshared the Meeting information; and, • that there was ample time for further community engagement as the Project would not be completed until the 2nd quarter of 2026. Resolution # 482/24 Moved by Councillor Butt Seconded by Councillor Cook 1. That Report PLN 14-24, including the Pickering Official Plan Review Background Paper provided as Attachment 1, and Workplan and Timeline provided as Attachment 2, be received for information; 2. That staff be authorized to continue with the Official Plan Review, in keeping with the Workplan and Timeline; 3. That any comments received at the Special Council Meeting be referred to staff for consideration as part of the review process; 4. That a copy of Report PLN 14-24, and Council’s decision, be forwarded to the Region of Durham Planning and Economic Development Department; and, 5. That all interested parties and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision. Carried on a Recorded Vote as Follows: Yes: Councillor Brenner Councillor Butt Councillor Cook Councillor Nagy Councillor Pickles Mayor Ashe No: Councillor Robinson Draft Special Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2024 Hybrid Electronic Meeting Council Chambers 5:00 pm 5. Confirmatory By-law By-law Number 8107/24 Councillor Cook seconded by Councillor Butt moved for leave to introduce a By-law of the City of Pickering to confirm the proceedings of May 27, 2024. Carried 6. Adjournment Moved by Councillor Cook Seconded by Councillor Brenner That the meeting be adjourned. Carried The meeting adjourned at 6:39 pm Dated this 27th day of May 2024. Kevin Ashe, Mayor Susan Cassel, City Clerk