HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD 10-09
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REPORT TO
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
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42
Report Number: PD 10-09
Date: February 2, 2009
From:
Neil Carroll
Director, Planning & Development
Subject:
Comments on the final report 'Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres
in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, prepared by the Ontario Growth
Secretariat, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, November 2008
Recommendation:
1. That Report 10-09 of the Director, Planning & Development, regarding the report
Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe,
prepared by the Ontario Growth Secretariat, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
November 2008, be received; and
2. Further, that as part of the conformity exercise for the Provincial Growth Plan
through the Pickering Official Plan Review, the Planning & Development
Department take appropriate foflow up action to:
(a) delineate the precise Urban Growth Centre (UGC) boundary, and
(b) establish land use designations and corresponding policies to define the
specific types and densities of uses in the UGC which support and
encourage development envisioned by the Growth Plan.
Executive Summary: The size and location of Pickering's UGC shown in the final
report (see page 22 of Attachment #1) continues to be supported by staff as it is the
same as was proposed in the Spring 2008. Staff will detail the UGC boundary through
the City's Official Plan Review.
Financial Implications: None
Sustainability Implications: The proposed size and location of Pickering's UGC
creates significant opportunities for new growth that is high intensity, mixed use, vibrant,
pedestrian-oriented and transit-supportive.
Report PD 10-09
February 2, 2009
Subject: Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres
In the Growth Plan
Page 2
43
Backaround:
1.1 The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure released its final report on the
Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden
Horseshoe, November 2008.
The Growth Plan identifies the Downtown Pickering UGC and establishes
policies and minimum density targets to encourage intensification and downtown
revitalization. Pickering's Urban Growth Centre will be planned to achieve, by
2031 or earlier, a minimum gross density of 200 residents and jobs combined per
hectare.
In accordance with policy 2.2.4.3 of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden
Horseshoe, 2006, municipalities will be responsible for delineating precise UGC
boundaries in their planning documents.
In implementing the UGC boundary and related policies, the City must consider
the entirety of the Growth Plan including the policies on cultural heritage
protection, open space, design of public realm, appropriate transition of built form
to adjacent areas, and transportation. The Ministry also expects that in
delineating the precise boundaries of the urban growth centres in official plans,
municipalities will adhere to and will make only minor necessary adjustments to
the size and location identified in the report.
2.0 Discussion:
2.1 Downtown Pickering UGC boundary
The Map for Pickering's UGC included in the report Size and Location of Urban
Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, November 2008, (see page
# 22 of the Report, Attachment #1) is the same as identified in the Technical
paper Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden
Horseshoe. prepared by the Ontario Growth Secretariat, Spring 2008. Report PD
23-08 of the Director, Planning & Development commented on the spring report
(see text of Report, Attachment #2).
In Report PD 23-08, staff supported the size and location of the Pickering UGC.
However, staff requested following:
(1) to revise the method of calculating the density in Pickering's UGC to allow
exclusion of the controlled access freeway and railway corridor; and
(2) to revise the profile for Pickering UGC to more accurately reflect its
current mix of uses and location; and
(3) to identify a predictable funding program to provide needed infrastructure
and related municipal facilities to foster the growth of UGC, including
Downtown Pickering.
Report PO 10-09
February 2, 2009
Subject: Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres
In the Growth Plan
it! j
44
Page 3
The final report Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater
Golden Horseshoe, November 2008 does not revise the method of calculating
the gross density, nor does it address infrastructure funding. Further the final
report does not contain any text descriptions regarding UGC.
3.0 Next Steps:
The City of Pickering is responsible for delineating a precise UGC boundary in its
Official Plan. Staff will initiate the exercise of finalizing the UGC boundary, with
minor adjustments where necessary, as part of the Pickering Official Plan Review
and the Growth Plan compliance exercise.
Attachments:
1. Extracts from the report Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater
Golden Horseshoe, November 2008, prepared by the MEI
2. Text of Report PO 23-08, dated June 2, 2008
Prepared By:
Approved/Endorsed By:
Nei~/
Director, Planning & Development
)_~~ ~tr
Deepak Bhatt, MCIP, RPP
Planner II
Catherine Rose, MCIP P
Manager of Policy
DB:cs
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City C~uncil
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in PCHMENT # . .1 TO
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Size and Location of
Urban Growth Centres
in the Greater Golden
Horseshoe
Fall 2008
M in istry of Energy and Infrastructure
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t? Ontario
'TTp,CHMENT # ,JTO
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Ministry of Energy
and Infrastructure
Ministere de l'Energie
et de !'Infrastructure
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Ontario
Office of the Deputy Premier
4th Floor, Hearst Block
900 Bay Street
Toronto ON M7A 2E1
Tel 416-325-6758
Fax 416-327-6754
www.energy.gov.on.ca
www.pir.gov.on.ca
Cabinet du Vice premier-ministre
Edifice Hearst, 48 etage
900, rue Bay
Toronto ON M7A 2E1
Tel 416-325-6758
Telec 416-327-6754
www.energy.gov.on.ca
www.pir.gov.on.ca
Dear Colleagues:
The McGuinty government established the Places to Grow initiative to manage growth
in the province and to ensure Ontario is healthy, safe, and livable. We want vibrant and
complete communities that have the right mix of housing, jobs and services, are easy to
get around in and are home to people engaged in building a sustainable and
prosperous future for themselves, their families and their neighbours.
The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006, which took effect on June
16, 2006, was prepared and approved under the Places to Grow Act, 2005.
I am pleased to issue the report Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the
Greater Golden Horseshoe. This report has been prepared in accordance with Policy
2.2.4.2 of the Growth Plan for Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006. The approximate size
and location of each urban growth centre has been determined in consultation with
affected municipalities, stakeholders, other interested communities and the public in the
Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH). .
Considerable effort, dedication and expertise were put into this initiative not only by my
ministry staff, but also by our partner municipalities, partner ministries, stakeholders and
independent experts.
This report outlines the relevant policies in the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden
Horseshoe, which relate to urban growth centres and provides maps depicting the size
and location of the 25 urban growth centres in the GGH, for use in implementing the
Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006. This report and other
information and tools related to implementing the Growth Plan can be found at
www.placestogrow.ca.
Sincerely,
&~&~
George Smitherman
Deputy Premier, Minister
48
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Table of Contents
SECTION 1. Introduction
1
SECTION 2. Urban Growth Centres and the Growth Plan
for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006
3
Urban Growth Centre Policies
4
SECTION 3. Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres
in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
Downtown Barrie Urban Growth Centre
Downtown Brampton Urban Growth Centre
Downtown Brantford Urban Growth Centre
Downtown Burlington Urban Growth Centre
Downtown Cambridge Urban Growth Centre
Downtown Guelph Urban Growth Centre
Downtown Hamilton Urban Growth Centre
Downtown Kitchener Urban Growth Centre
Markham Centre Urban Growth Centre
Downtown Milton Urban Growth Centre
Mississauga City Centre Urban Growth Centre
Newmarket Centre Urban Growth Centre
Midtown Oakville Urban Growth Centre
Downtown Oshawa Urban Growth Centre
Downtown Peterborough Urban Growth Centre
Downtown Pickering Urban Growth Centre
Richmond Hill/Langstaff Gateway Urban Growth Centre
Downtown St. Catharines Urban Growth Centre
Toronto: Downtown Urban Growth Centre
Toronto: Etobicoke City Centre Urban Growth Centre
Toronto: North York Centre Urban Growth Centre
Toronto: Scarborough Centre Urban Growth Centre
Toronto: Yonge- Eglinton Centre Urban Growth Centre
Vaughan Corporate Centre Urban Growth Centre
Uptown Waterloo Urban Growth Centre
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Get Involved
32
Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
SECTION 1.
"!.TlCm/1ENT It .,1
Ht.I-'ORT # PD_La~TO
Introduction
Places to Grow - Growth Plan for the Greater Golden
Horseshoe, 2006
On June 16,2006, the Government of Ontario released the Growth Plan for the
Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006. It was prepared under the Places to Grow Act, 2005, as
part of the Places to Grow initiative to plan for healthy and prosperous communities
throughout Ontario.!
Figure 1 below shows the extent of the Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan area.
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1 It is important to note that the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005, other provincial plans, and related provincial acts and policies
must be read in conjunction with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006.
Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
49
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The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006 aims to:
· Revitalize downtowns to become vibrant centres.
,
· Create complete communities that offer more options for living, working,
shopping, and playing;
. Provide greater choice in housing types to meet the needs of people at all
stages of life;
. Curb sprawl and protect farmland and green spaces; and
. Reduce traffic gridlock by improving access to a greater range of transportation choices.
The Growth Plan identifies twenty-five existing or emerging downtown areas as urban
growth centres and establishes policies and minimum density targets to encourage
intensification and downtown revitalization. This report contains the maps depicting
the size and location of each urban growth centre, except Downtown Brantford.
Given the ongoing legal matters, claims and assertions within Brantford, the urban
growth centre remains as proposed in the Technical Paper of Spring 2008.
This report has been prepared pursuant to policies 2.2.4.2 and 5.3.3 of the Growth
Plan. The Province worked with municipal governments to develop a set of guiding
principles to be used in delineating the size and location of each urban growth centre.
The principles, combined with feedback and advice from municipalities, helped to
inform the development of the proposed boundaries that were depicted in the Proposed
Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Technical
Paper released in Spring 2008. Refinements and corrections proposed by municipalities
and members of the public provided important input into the size and location of
urban growth centres contained in this report.
2 Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
SECTION 2.
TT/,CHMENT I TO
hEPORT # PD_.LQ.:_ 0 cr
51
Urban Growth Centres and
the Growth Plan for the
Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006
Figure 2 below shows the urban growth centres identified in Schedule 4
of the Growth Plan fir the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006.
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Legend
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.It'-' 0 Urban Growth Cenlres
M Built-UpA'e<l-C~nceptual ,~~ GreMbeltAres'
~~~~:~~a~reenr~ld Area ~1~~~~~;'lg~~wth
Soun:es: Minlslry of Enl'lgy and Infrastructure, Mrn,stryof
Natural Resources and Ministry ofMunrcipar..ffair, illld Housing
'Onlario Regulation S9/05
"OntarooRegulation415/0S
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Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
3
52
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Urban Growth Centre Policies
Selected Growth Plan policies on urban growth centres are provided below:
Policy 2.2.4
1. Urban growth centres for the Greater Golden Horseshoe are identified in
Schedule 4 of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006.
2. The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure2, in consultation with municipalities
that have urban growth centres, will determine the approximate size and
location of the urban growth centres.
3. Municipalities will delineate the boundaries of urban growth centres in their
official plans.
4. Urban growth centres will be planned -
a) as focal areas for investment in institutional and region-wide public
services, as well as commercial, recreational, cultural and entertainment
uses
b) to accommodate and support major transit infrastructure
c) to serve as high density major employment centres that wi II attract
provincially, nationally or internationally significant employment uses
d) to accommodate a significant share of population and employment growth.
5. Urban growth centres will be planned to achieve, by 2031 or earlier, a
minimum gross density target of-
a) 400 residents and jobs combined per hectare for each of the urban growth
centres in the City of Toronto
b) 200 residents and jobs combined per hectare for each of the Downtown
Brampton, Downtown Burlington, Downtown Hamilton, Downtown Milton,
Markham Centre, Mississauga City Centre, Newmarket Centre, Midtown
Oakville, Downtown Oshawa, Downtown Pickering, Richmond Hill/Langstaff
Gateway, Vaughan Corporate Centre, Downtown Kitchener and Uptown
Waterloo urban growth centres
c) 150 residents and jobs combined per hectare for each of the Downtown
Barrie, Downtown Brantford, Downtown Cambridge, Downtown Guelph,
Downtown Peterborough and Downtown St. Catharines urban growth centres.
6. If at the time this Plan comes into effect, an urban growth centre is already
planned to achieve, or has already achieved, a gross density that exceeds the
minimum density target established in Policy 2.2.4.5, this higher density will
be considered the minimum density target for that urban growth centre.
2 The responsibilities of the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal are now the responsibilities of the Minister of Energy and
Infrastructure pursuant to Ole 1617/2008.
4 Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
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Policy 5.3.3
The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure will work with other Ministers of the
Crown, municipalities and other stakeholders on key pieces of further analysis,
in order to implement the Growth Plan, including the determination of the
approximate size and location of the urban growth centres.
It is important to note that municipalities, when implementing these policies, consider
the entirety of the Growth Plan including the policies on cultural heritage protection,
open space, design of public realm, appropriate transition of built form to adjacent
areas, and transportation. ltis expected that in delineating the precise boundaries of
the urban growth centres in their official plans, municipalities will adhere to and will
make only minor necessary adjustments to the size and location in this report.
Where urban growth centre boundaries have yet to be identified in a municipal official
plan, the policies of the Growth Plan, including the urban growth centres, apply.
Additionally, the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005, other provincial plans, and related
provincial acts and policies must be read in conjunction with the Growth Plan.
Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
5
54
SECTION 3.
: Tr,.A\,ViUn L_. TO
hEPDRi # PD.____ to..::.O q
Size and Location of
Urban Growth Centres in
the Greater Golden Horseshoe
The following size and location mapping is being released for use in implementing
the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006. The urban growth centre
identification does not confer a land use designation. Any development on lands within
the urban growth centre boundary is still subject to the applicable provincial plans and
relevant provincial and municipal land use planning policies and approval processes.
Note that maps are shown at different scales:
· Urban growth centres that will be planned to achieve 150 residents and jobs
per hectare are presented at a scale of 1:25,000.
. Urban growth centres that will be planned to achieve 200 residents and jobs
per hectare are presented at a scale of 1:30,000.
. Urban growth centres that will be planned to achieve 400 residents and jobs
per hectare are presented at a scale of 1:40,000.
The information displayed in illustrations and base maps in this document has been
compiled from various sources, may not accurately reflect approved land-use and
planning boundaries, may not be to scale, and may be out of date. The Province of
Ontario assumes no responsibility or liability for any consequences of any use made
of these illustrations and maps.
First Nations lands are not subject to Ontario's land use planning system and First
Nations reserve lands are not in the Growth Plan area.
6 Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
I
Legend
Urban Growth Centre, Size and Location
. Major Highway
Regional/Municipal Boundary
Open Space (includes public and private parks,
cemeteries, golf courses, and utility corridors)
Source: Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
0.5
I
0.5 Km
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0.25
PLACES TO GROW
This size and location mapping is being released for use in implementing the Growth Plan
for the Greater Go/den Horseshoe, 2006. An urban growth centre boundary is not a land use
designation and its delineation will not confer any new land use designations, nor alter existing
land use designations. Any development on lands within the urban growth centre boundary is
still subject to applicable provincial plans and the relevant provincial and municipal land use
planning policies and approval processes. Tile Province of Ontario assumes no responsibility or
I iabi I ity for any consequences of any use made of this map.
BfTfER CHOIi:ES_ elllGHl m FUTURE
Downtown Pickering
Urban Growth Centre
22
Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
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56
Get Involved
For more information on urban growth centres or the Growth Plan for the Greater
Golden Horseshoe, please visit the Places to Grow website at www.placestogrow.ca or
call our toll-free line at 1-866-479-9781. You can also write to us at:
Ontario Growth Secretariat
Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
777 Bay St., 4th Floor, Suite 425
Toronto, ON, M5G 2E5
Canada
Fax: 416-325-7405
E-mail: placestogrow@ontario.ca
32 Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
57
~-"'lr i u
hLPORi # PD-----IO::J)1_ REPORT TO
PLANNJNG & DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
Report Number: PO 23-08
Date: June 2, 2008
Citif J~
From:
Neil Carroll
Director, Planning & Development
Subject:
Comments on the Technical Paper
Proposed Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the .
. Greater Golden Horseshoe, prepared by the Ontario Growth Secretariat,
Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal, Spring 2008 "
Recommendations:
1. That Report PO 23-08 of the ,Director, Planning &. Development, regarding on the'
Technical Paper Proposed Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the
Greater Golden Horseshoe, released Spring 2008, by the Ministry of Public
Infrastructure Renewal, be received;
2. That the comr:nents contained in Report PO 23-08 on the Technical Paper
Proposed Size and Location of Urban Growth. Centres in .the Greater Golden
Horseshoe, be endorsed, and that the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal
be requested to:
a) . finalize the size and location 'of the Pickering Downtown Urban Growth
Centre as set out in the Technical Paper;
b)
revise the method of calculating the density in Pickering's Urban Growth
. .
Centre to allow exclusion of the. controlled access freeway and railway
corridor; and
revise the profile for Pickering's Urban Gr.owth Centre to more a'ccurately
reflect its current mix of uses, and location, as set out in Section 2.4 of this
Report;
3. . Th~t the Ministers of Public Infrastructure Renewal, .andMunicipal Affairs and
Housing be requested to identify a predictable funding program to provide
needed infrastructure and related municipal facilities' to foster the growth of
Urban Growth Centres, including Downtown Pickering; and
c)
4. Further, that a copy of Report PO 23-08 be forwarded to the Region of Durham
and the Ministers of Public Infrastructure Renewal and Municipal Affairs and
Housing.
Report PO 23-;]8
n "'il '. ." .....,\
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f'OF,! * 10"-:09 . v
June 2, 2C08
Subject: Proposed Size and Location of
Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golcen Horseshoe
Page 2
58
Executive Summary: Downtown Pickering is identified as an Urban Growth Centre
(UGC) by the Provincial Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. As one of the
implementation steps under the Growth Plan, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure
Renewal released a Technical Paper titled Proposed Size and Location of the Urban
Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Extracts of the Paper are provided
as Attachment #1.
The Technical Paper shows the proposed size and location for each growth centre.
The map for Downtown Pickering's growth centre is found on Page 45 of the Paper and
is included in .Attachment #1. The Technical Paper also: restates the overall objectives
for urban growth centres; identifies guiding principles for them; provides key statistics
and a descriptive profile about each; and suggests principles to improve each urban
growth centre. Comments on the Technical Paper were requested by the end of
May 2008.
Staff supports the size and location of Downtown Pickering's urban growth centre,
proposed in the Technical Paper. However,. we continue to disagree with the Ministry's
requirement to use a "gross" land area for monitoring the density. In Pickering's growth
centre, Highway 401 and Canadian National's main railway corridor comprise almost
20% of the total land area. These lands are not redevelopable. The Growth Plan sets
the density target for Downtown Pickering at 200 jobs and persons per gross hectare.
If the Highway 401 and CN lands remain in the calculation of the growth centre area,
then the remaining lands must be developed at significantly higher densities Uust under
250 jobs and persons per hectare), which in our view is contrary to the intent of the
Growth' Plan. . The' Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal is requested to' allow
controlled access highways and rail corridors to be excluded from the density
calculations.
In addition, the Province is requested to provide long-term predictable funding for the
infrastructure and municipal facilities necessary to serve the Downtown Pickering Urban
Growth Centre.
Financial Implications: None
Sustainability Implications: The .Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
(Growth Plan), along with the Greenbelt Plah, are key to the Province directing a more
sustainable urban growth pattern across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Defi ning
Urban Growth Centres is one. of several key elements of the Growth Plan. The
proposed size and location of Pickering's Urban Growth Centre will accommodate
significant new growth with high intensity, mixed uses, and vibrant, pedestrian-oriented
development. The centre will achieve a sufficient size and density to effectively sup port
public transit as an alternative transportation mode.
Report PO 23~08
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Jl;ne 2, 20C8
Subject:
59
Proposed Size and Location of
Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
Page 3
1.0 Background
1.1 The Ministry invited comments on its Technical Paper on the Size and
Location of Urban Growth Centres
On June 16, 2006, the Ontario government released the Growth Plan for the
Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006,. which established a twenty-five year vision
and set of policies for the development of more complete and vibrant
communities, with an appropriate mix of housing, jobs and community services.
The Growth Plan identifies twenty-five Urban Growth Centres (UGC) throughout
the Greater Golden Horseshoe and establishes specific policies arid minimum
density targets for these centres. The Downtown Pickering UGC, along with the
others adjacent to Toronto, are to achieve a density of 200 jobs and residents
per hectare by 2031.
To implement the Growth Plan, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal
(MPIR) is working to identify the general size and location of the urban growth
centres. The Ministry .has requested comments be provided by May 30,2008,
on the recently released Technical Paper titled Proposed Size and Location of
Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Among other matters,
the Paper contains' conceptual mapping for each UGC to guide municipalities
through Growth Plan conformity.
2.0 Discussion
2.1 The Proposed Boundary for the Downtown Pickering Urban Growth Centre
is generally supported
The Technical Paper envisions the Pickering UGC as a focal point forinve.stment
in institutional, recreational, commercial,. cultural and entertainment uses, and as
a location for higher density residential and employment opportunities that
enable walking, cycling and higher order transit service. This vision iSGonsistent
with City's objeCtives for Downtown Pickering.
The Technical Paper's proposed si~e and location for the Downtown Pickering
UGC is appropriate to foster an appropriately sized and situated centre for the
City. The map for Pickering reflects City and Regional staff recommendations to
date on this matter. The boundary will be precisely delineated in the Pickering
Official Plan through the City's Growth Plan conformity amendment.
Staff's comments to MPIR were provided to Council in June 12, 2007, through
CAO correspondence respecting Comments to Ministry of Public Infrastructure
Renewal on a Draft Boundary for the Pickering Urban Growth Centre.
Report PO 23-08
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June 2, 20C8
Subject: Proposed Size and Location of
Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshce
Page 4
60
Attachment #1 is an extract from the Technical Paper. It contains key statistics,
a description of the current Pickering Downtown, suggested objectives, and a
map showing the proposed size and location of the Downtown Pickering UGC.
The Proposed Downtown Pickering Urban Growth Centre boundaries are:
. eastern boundary - the west edge of the Hydro right-of-way;
. northern boundary - north side of Kingston Road, westerly from Hydro
right-of-way to include the west corner of Liverpool Road;
. western boundary - Pine Creek; and,
. southern boundary - north side of Bayly Street, from Liverpool Road to
the Hydro right-of-way.
2.2 The Ministry's requirement that Highway 401 ,and CN Railway lands be
included in calculating intensification .targets goes against one of the
guiding principles for Urban Growth Centres and is not supported
The first two Guiding Principles for Urban Growth Centres proposed in the
Technical Paper are:
. An urban growth centre should be one contiguous area; and,'
. An urban growth centre should have opportunities for intensification and
redevelopment that complement existing urban form.
MPJR staff have indicated that required densities within Urban Growth Centres
must be calculated for all lands within the UGC boundaries. While the guiding
',principles are supported, achievement of one principle should' not frustrate
achievement of other principles.
Retention of a contiguous boundary for the Pickering UGC meets the principle
that the UGC be orie contiguous area. However, inclusion of non-developable
Highway 401 ,and CN rail lands in the density calculations for the UGC frustrates
the achievement of the second principle that a UGC have opportunities for
, intensification and redevelopment that complement existing urban form.
The Growth Plan sets the density target for Downtown Pickering at 200 jobs and
,persons per gross hectare. The Growth Centre proposed by MPIR comprises a
gross area of approximately 140 hectares, approximately 19% of which is
occupied by the Highway 401/CN corridor. While it is appropriate to include local
and regional roads in the grow area calculation, inclusion of the wide 401/CN
corridor will significantly impact Growth Plan implementation.
Report PO 23-08
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June 2, 2008
Subject:
61
Proposed Size and Location of
Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
Page 5
The inclusion of the Highway 401/CNR lands means the remaining lands in the
Pickering UGC must achieve a density of approximately 245 jobs and persons
per gross hectare, being an increase of approximately 23%. None of the other
GTA UGC's have similar large areas of undevelopable lands within their UGC
boundary.
For the Pickering 'UGC, either the Highway/Railway lands should be mainly
excluded from the UGC boundary at the Official Plan conformity amendment
step of implementing the Growth Plan, or the Minister should agree to not count
these lands for intensification monitoring purposes.
2.3 The density of Pickering's Urban Growth Centre has increased since the
2001 Census information used in the Technical Paper
The Technical Paper indicates a density for the Pickering UGC of about 50 jobs
and residents per hectare. This is based on 2001 census information. Based on
an update of the development that has occurred since 2001, staff suggests the
density of Pickering's UGC, in mid 2007, has increased to about 63 jobs and
residents per hectare.
2.4 The profile for Downtown Pickering should include more specific information
The profile for Downtown Pickering should indicate that the downtown centre
contains recreational facilities in addition to institutional and cultural facilities. It
should also specify that Downtown Pickering is located along the Highway
401/GO transportation corridor.
2.5 To date, the Ministry has consulted with municipal staff on technical
aspects of implementing the Growth Plan
Since the release of the Growth Plan in June 2006, the Ministry has consulted
with staff several times on the matters related to identifying the boundary of the
built-up area, and the scale and scope of the Urban Growth Centres. In each
case, comments on methodology and mapping were provided directly to MPIR
staff given the short time frames for commenting. Although the current Technical
Paper is available on the MPIR website, and was sent to municipalities and other
key stakeholders, there has been no broad public involvement program by MPIR.
The Places to Grow Act requires that municipalities (both the Region and the
City) amend their official plans to conform to the policies of the Growth Plan by
June 16, 2009. The Region of Durham is undertaking a Growth Plan
Implementation Study with the intent to complete a conforming amendment to .
the Durham Regional Official Plan by the end of 2008, with adoption anticipated
by June 2009. The Pickering Official Plan Review includes a Growth Plan
conformity amendment as a workplan deliverable in 2009.
Report PO 23-08
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Subject: Proposed Size and Location of
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2.6 Consideration of the 'conformity' amendment to the Pickering Official Plan
will provide an opportunity for Council and public input to implementation
of the Growth Plan
The opportunity for local public input on the Pickering Downtown Urban Growth
Centre boundary will occur through the City's process to amend its Official Plan
to conform with the Growth Plan. At that time, minor changes to the boundary
from that set out by the Province can be considered. However, should major
changes to the size and location be recommended, the Minister of Public
Infrastructure Renewal must be consulted.
3.0 Related Growth Plan Implementation Matters
3.1 The Final Built BoundarY has been delineated by the Minister
This spring, MPIR also issued a document titled Built Boundary for the Growth
Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006. This document gives the final
principles and the detailed mapping ofthe delineated built up areas for Durham
Region, and the other Growth Plan areas. The Built Boundary will be used to
monitor the intensification target of the Growth Plan. ,The Plan requires that 40%
of the Region's future residential growth should be located within the Built
Boundary, by 2015, and each year thereafter.
For 'Pickering, the Built Boundary identified by MPIR basically follows the CP Rail
line. Staff concurs that this boundary reflects the built up areas of Pickering as
of June 2006 and incorporates almost all of the recommendations made by City
and Regional staff.
3.2 Financial tools available to municipalities are not adequate to proyide
infrastructure and municipal facilities necessary to support the intensified
development envisioned for the Urban Growth Centre
The City supports the overall objective of transforming the Pickering's Downtown
into a more vibrant urban growth centre, with intensive, mixed-use, transit and
pedestrian oriented development. However, the financial tools to upgrade the
public infrastructure are not sufficient.
The financial tools provided by amendments to the Planning Act and related
legislation over the past several years are minimal in their ability to stimulate
private sector development. They. are mainly aimed at municipal governments
waiving fees or providing subsidies. No significant assistance has been
identified to stimulate the development market and pay for large scale
infrastructure and municipal/public facilities that will be needed to serve the
increased jobs and people. Confirmation of a multi-year, predictable funding
source for infrastructure and other municipal facilities to support urban growth
centres 'is needed.
Report PD 23-08
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Proposed Size and Location of
Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
Page 7
Accordingly, it is recommended that Council request the Provincial Government
to identify a predictable funding program to provide needed infrastructure and
related municipal facilities to foster the growth of a Downtown Pickering Urban
Growth Centre.
3.3 The Provincial Growth Plan also provides an 'intensification in areas
outside the Downtown Urban Growth Centre
In addition to Urban Growth Centres, the Growth Plan includes policies to
achieve intensification in major transit station areas and intensification corridors. '
Major transit station areas include lands within an approximate 500 metre radius
of higher order transit stations, such as the Pickering GO station. Intensification
corridors include areas along major roads, arterials or higher order transit
corridors.
The policies require official plans to designate lands to achieve increased
residential and employment densities and a mix of residential, office, institutional
and commercial development, where appropriate, around' major transit station
areas and intensification corridors.
Implementation of the major transit station area and intensification corridor
policies will provide opportunities for intensification along such arterial roads as
Kingston Road and Bayly Street and at nodes along these corridors. These
other opportunities will be reviewed and established through the City Official Plan
Review process and the conformity amendment required to implement the
Growth Plan.
Attachments:
1. Downtown Pickering Urban Growth Centre - Key Statistics, Objectives and Map
(Extracts from Technical Paper - Proposed Size and Location of Urban Growth
Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe) ,
Repcrt PO 23-08
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Subject: Proposed Size and Location of
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Prepared By:
Approved/Endorsed By:
J~JJ~
.
Steve Gaunt
Senior Planner
Ne~
Director, Planning & Development
Catherine Rose, MCIP, R
Manager, Policy
SG:jf
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council ,\
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