HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD 07-10
Ciro Report to
- Planning Development
PICKERING Committee
Report Number: PD 07-10
40 Date: April 6, 2010
From: Neil Carroll
Director, Planning & Development
Thomas E. Melymuk
Director, Office of Sustainability
Subject: Seaton Updates
- Neighbourhood Planning Review and Other Implementation Studies
Recommendation:
1 That Report PD 07-10 of the Directors, Planning & Development and Office of
Sustainability, respecting a status update on the Seaton Neighbourhood
Planning Review and other implementation studies required under the Central
Pickering Development Plan, be received for information.
Executive Summary: On September 21, 2009, City Council considered Addendum
to Report CAO 05-09 and accepted the proposal of the consulting team lead by
Sorensen Gravely Lowes Planning Associates Inc. (SGL) to undertake the Seaton
Neighbourhood Planning Review.
This Report to the Planning & Development Committee provides an update on SGL's
progress. In addition, it provides an update on the other interrelated studies that are
required to be completed under the CPDP.
SGL is currently in the middle of the Background Studies part-of their work program.
Public consultation workshops are being scheduled on key topics related to the heritage
review of Whitevale Road, sustainability, and a broader session on the other findings
from the background review, and policy options to implement the background studies.
The Neighbourhood Planning Review requires the integration of relevant information
from a number of studies, some that are underway, and some that have been
completed. Studies currently underway include: the Province's Seaton
Implementation Plan; the Region's Class Environmental Assessment for Regional
Services for Central Pickering; the Seaton Landowners' Master Environmental Servicing
Plan; and the Seaton Landowners' Fiscal Impact Analyses for both the Region and the
City. For each of these studies, the City is represented by staff from one or more
Departments.
Report PD 07-10 April 6,.2010
Subject: Seaton Updates Page 2 41
Studies that have been completed by the Province include: the Highway 407 (Seaton
Lands) Economic Development Study; the Natural Heritage System Management Plan
and Master Trails Plan; the Durham/TorontoNork Area Transportation Plan Study; the
Wetlands Water. Balance Evaluation; and the Highway 407 - Preliminary Functional
Planning Study for Two New Interchanges.
Studies not yet underway include the City's Development Charges Study and By-law for
Seaton; the Region's Development Charges Study and By-law for Seaton infrastructure
and transit; and the Region's conformity amendments to the Durham Regional Official
Plan.
Staff will continue to update Council on the progress. of the Neighbourhood Planning
Review and the other on-going studies.
Financial Implications: Not applicable.
Sustainability Implications: Receiving this Report provides information to members
of Committee and others and therefore relates to the objective of healthy society. The
Neighbourhood Planning Review, and the other required Seaton studies as a package
will implement many aspects of the sustainable objectives of the Central Pickering
Development Plan including: restoring the natural heritage system of Seaton; providing
a transportation network including active transportation alternatives such as walking and
cycling; offering parks and recreational opportunities for the future residents; creating
employment opportunities; and developing innovative, transit-supportive mixed use
neighbourhoods.
1.0 Background:
1.1 The Central Pickering Development Plan (CPDP) requires a number of
studies to be completed concurrent with or prior to the processing of the
plans of subdivision
Along with the preparation of Neighbourhood Plans for Seaton Community, the
CPDP requires other studies to be completed to bridge the gap between a plan
and the development of a community. In some instances, the CPDP identified
who is responsible to undertake a required study, and in other instances, it did
not.
The following sections of this Report identify and provide a status update on the
required studies, as well as on additional. implementation studies that are
underway or completed. The studies are grouped by who is leading the study:
the City; the Province; the Region; and the Seaton Landowners.
Report PD 07-10 April 6, 2010
Subject: Seaton Updates Page 3
42
2.0 City - Led Studies
2.1 As required by the CPDP, the City retained a consulting team led by
Sorensen Gravely Lowes Planning Associates Inc. in 2009 to undertake the
Neighbourhood Planning Review
2.1.1 The consulting team was retained conditional upon execution of a funding
agreement between the City and Seaton landowners
On September 21, 2009, Council considered Addendum to Report Number
CAO 05-09 respecting the approach to completing the required Seaton
Neighbourhood Plans. Through Resolution #224/09, Council accepted the
recommendation to retain the services of Sorensen Gravely Lowes Planning
Associates Inc. (SGL), in association with The Planning Partnership, LEA
Consulting Inc., SCS Consulting Group Ltd., N. Barry Lyon Consultants Limited
(now replaced by Lapointe Consulting Inc. because of a conflict), Robin Dee &
Associates, and Bray Heritage.
The Proposal by SGL identified the following six modules to address the City's
requirements:
1. Background Studies (review of existing and on-going studies submitted by
the landowners, Region and the Province, and preparation of new studies as
required);
2. Conformity Amendments to the Pickering Official Plan (review of
landowners' submitted proposed neighbourhood plan policy, and preparation
of/revisions to official plan amendments as required);
3. Neighbourhood Plans (review of landowners' submitted 'proposed
neighbourhood plans and preparation of/revisions to official plan
amendments as required)
4. Development Guidelines (review of landowners' submitted proposed
guidelines and preparation of/revisions to the guidelines as required);
5. Approval of Amendments (finalize draft regional official plan amendment;
and finalize local official plan amendments and guidelines for statutory open
house, public information meeting, and consideration by Planning &
Development Committee and Council); and
6. Development Review (review of landowners' submitted proposed draft plans
and zoning by-law amendment applications, and recommend revisions to
comply with the Official Plan amendments).
Report PD 07-10 April 6, 2010
Subject: Seaton Updates Page 4
43
2.1.2 The required funding agreement was executed on February 2, 2010
A draft funding agreement was included in Addendum to Report Number
GAO 05-09. The agreement, between the City and the landowners, including the
Province of Ontario, provides that the landowners fund modules one to five of
the work program. Further, the agreement acknowledges that the City will fund
module six from revenue received for the Seaton draft plans and zoning by-law
amendment applications.
2.1.3 The City's consulting team is about half way through the Background
Studies Module
There is a considerable amount of existing information that has been prepared to
date on Seaton. Accordingly, to start the Review, the consulting team is
reviewing:
• existing information and preparing new work where required to establish
sustainability performance measures and benchmarks to be incorporated into
the neighbourhood plans and used to review the development applications;
• existing studies on heritage to respond to Council's resolution on a potential
expansion of the Whitevale Heritage Conservation District designation;
• existing socio-economic, demographic and housing trends to identify an
affordable housing strategy;
• existing retail studies and preparing new work where required to address the
hierarchy, amount and location of retail uses in Seaton;
• the urban design of the submitted neighbourhood plans and development
applications at a variety of scales from community to neighbourhood to site;
• the Seaton landowners' submitted proposed neighbourhood plans and
studies;
• existing completed Provincial studies; and
• other information available to date and attending meetings respecting the
on-going studies.
2.1.4 An introductory Technical Group Meeting was held in December 2009
The Technical Group comprises City staff and external agency representatives
involved in reviewing, commenting and approving official plan amendments, draft
plans of subdivisions and zoning amendments. The landowners' consultants,
and the Province's consultants undertaking the Seaton Implementation Plan
(SIP) were also in attendance. The purpose of the meeting was to outline the
City's Neighbourhood Planning Review work program and schedule, and seek
initial input from the Group.
Report PD 07-10 April 6, 2010
Subject: Seaton Updates Page 5
44
As a follow-up to the Technical Group meeting, the heritage consultant on the
City's consulting team met with the Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee in
early March 2010. The purpose was to discuss preliminary observations, and
allow an exchange of information on how Heritage Pickering wishes to be
involved in the Neighbourhood Planning Review process.
2.1.5 Following public consultation sessions in mid to late April, draft reports
will be prepared and presented to the Technical Group and to Council in May
Three upcoming public consultation sessions are being organized and scheduled
for mid to late April. The topics of the sessions are as follows:
• the heritage review of Whitevale Road;
• sustainability; and
• other findings from the background review, and policy options to implement
the background studies.
Considering the results of the public consultation, draft reports will be prepared
on the Whitevale Heritage Conservation District Extension Review, a Retail
Analysis, an Affordable Housing Strategy, a Sustainability Actions Report and a
Summary of Consultation. The revised drafts will then be made available and
meetings will be held with the Technical Group, the landowners and Council.
Subsequently, the reports will be finalized.
The original schedule anticipated the background reports to be presented to
Council in March. The schedule was aggressive and the consultant's start-up
was delayed. The consultants are working ahead on other parts of the work
program, particularly the general policy amendments. However, further delays
are anticipated. Certain elements of the policy and design work will need to
incorporate information arising from other studies which are not yet in available
(such as the MESP and the SIP), and final interchange, arterial and collector
road locations and NHS crossings will affect detailed neighbourhood design.
2.1.6 First Nations consultation will be occurring through a process led by the
Province
As part of the Provinces duty to consult with First Nations about activities on its
land, the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC) is organizing the consultation
process respecting the potential location of infrastructure within the Natural
Heritage System (NHS), protection of significant archaeological sites within the
developable areas, and facilitating the First Nations involvement in the on-going
planning and development of Seaton, as set out in the CPDP.
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Subject: Seaton Updates Page 6
45
Three on-going and interrelated studies, the Master Environmental Servicing
Plan (MESP), the Region's Class Environmental Assessment (EA) and the City's
Neighbourhood Planning Review, may result in recommendations for
infrastructure within the NHS. This could include roads, water pipes and sanitary
sewers and facilities, stormwater management facilities and utilities. In addition,
the arrangement of land uses could be instrumental in protecting and
commemorating significant sites and lands.
ORC is therefore organizing a coordinated approach to consulting with First
Nations (and Metis) involving the Region and its consultants undertaking the EA,
Sernas Associates undertaking the MESP, and the City and its consultants
undertaking the Neighbourhood Planning Review. This coordinated approach
will be more efficient and effective than if each study team were to undertake a
consultation on its own.
2.2 In the future, the City will need to undertake a Development Charges Study
& By-law for Seaton
The City's current DC By-law does not include Seaton. Information is required
through the Neighbourhood Planning Review before this study can be
undertaken.
The Seaton landowners have appealed the City's current DC By-law because it
does not include a development charge for Seaton.
3.0 Region - Led. Studies
3.1 The Region's Class EA for infrastructure and transit services for Central
Pickering is underway, and is expected to take 18 months (to mid 2011) to
complete
The Region of Durham retained a consulting team, led by GENIVAR Ontario Inc.,
to undertake the Class EA study for the provision of Regional services, including
water, wastewater, transportation, transit and service facility infrastructure to
service the lands identified for development in Seaton. The Notice of Study
Commencement was given in December 2009, and the first Public Information
Forum is anticipated in the spring of 2010.
The study area boundary extends beyond the boundary of the CPDP area to
identify and accommodate required Regional infrastructure for the Federal lands
and future development areas identified by the Region's Growth Plan
Implementation Study.
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Subject: Seaton Updates Page 7
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3.2 In the future, the Region will need to update its Development Charges
Study & By-laws to include provisions for Seaton with respect to water,
sewer and transit
The Region's current DC By-law includes a development charge for the soft
services and roads for Seaton, but not for water, sewer or transit. Additional
information is required through the EA process before this study can be
undertaken.
The Seaton landowners have appealed the Region's DC By-laws as they do not
completely address Seaton.
3.3 The Region will need to adopt conformity amendments to bring its Official
Plan into conformity with the CPDP
Part of SGL's work is to prepare a draft Regional Official Plan amendment to
implement the CPDP. Durham has been awaiting the outcome of the City's
Neighbourhood Planning Review prior to initiating amendments to its Official
Plan. In this manner, both the local and Regional amendments could be dealt
with as a package.
However, the Ministry,of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) recently
released a draft decision on.Regional Official Plan Amendment 128, which
implements the Provincial Growth Plan. In that draft decision, MMAH staff are
proposing some modifications to the amendment to the Regional Plan to
implement the CPDP. The_City will take into consideration the content and
status of the draft, modifications in deciding whether there is any need for SGL to
continue with that element of the work program.
4.0 Provincially - Led Studies
4.1 Although not identified as a required Provincial study under the CPDP, the
Province retained in the fall of 2009 a consulting firm led by BDP to
undertake a Seaton Implementation Plan (SIP)
This recent initiative of the Province is to prepare options and strategies that can
be implemented by all stakeholders in order to achieve the Province's vision for
Seaton. The Plan will constitute advice to the Province on a number of matters
including: energy initiatives such as the use of renewable energy sources;
innovative building standards and compact neighbourhood design; and
transportation and transit initiatives. A draft SIP report is expected this spring,
which will be subsequently circulated to various stakeholders, for review. City
staff is part of the Steering Committee led by ORC and the Ministry of Energy
and Infrastructure (MEI).
Report PD 07-10 April 6, 2010
Subject: Seaton Updates Page 8
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In undertaking the Neighbourhood Planning Review, the City's consulting team
will be considering the recommendations of the SIP, as well as any staff or
Council comments on that Study.
4.2 The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) recently released a detailed design
study for the two Highway 407 interchanges proposed at Sidelines 22
and 26
The CPDP indicates that the interchanges at Sidelines 22 and 26 and the
resultant spacing of them must meet applicable design, safety and operational
standards. In 2007, the MTO retained the consulting firm of Morrison Hershfield
to review the location of the two new interchanges at Sidelines 22 and 26. The
consultant's "Highway 407 - Preliminary Functional Planning Study for Two New
Interchanges" Final Report, dated December 2009, has been provided to the
City, the Region, ORC and the Provincial Ministries of MEI, MMAH, and Natural
Resources.
The consultant identified three alternative interchange locations and
configurations that vary somewhat from the locations shown in the CPDP. The
consultant selected a technically preferred alternative that in their evaluation has
the least impact on the natural environment and satisfies highway intersection
spacing criteria. If this is the Provincial position, the effect would be a westerly
shift of the Sideline 22 interchange by about 200 metres and a westerly shift of
the Sideline 26 interchange by about 400 metres.
City staff as well as other agencies are reviewing the consultant's Report. The
precise locations of the interchanges at Sidelines 22 and 26 are critical inputs to
moving forward with a number of required studies such as the MESP, the
Regional EA, and the City's Neighbourhood Planning Review.
4.3 As required by the CPDP, the Province retained AECOM (previously TSH) in
2006 to undertake the Durham/Toronto/York Area Transportation Plan Study
MMAH requested MTO to lead a strategic transportation study to support the
development of Seaton and the broader Durham/Toronto/York Study Area.
This Study, finalized in September 2009, identified the key transportation
investments that are required to address long term regional road and transit
network deficiencies. The Study findings and recommendations on
transportation and transit infrastructure investments for the area will serve as
advice to the Province. A copy of the Study is available on the City's website.
City staff was part of the Study Team along with representatives from the
Ministries of MEI and MMAH; ORC; Durham Region; York Region; and the City
of Toronto. City staff provided comments to MTO generally supportive of the
study's "transit-first" strategy for implementing new transit and road infrastructure
to support growth in Seaton and the surrounding area.
Report PD 07-10 April 6, 2010
Subject: Seaton Updates Page ,9
48
In undertaking the Neighbourhood Planning Review, the City's consulting team
will be considering the recommendation of this Study, as well as the staff
comments on that Study.
4.4 As a requirement of the CPDP, the MMAH retained the consulting firm of
Schollen & Company in 2006 to prepare a Seaton Natural Heritage System
Management Plan and Master Trails Plan Study (NHSMP and MTP)
The Study, finalized in late October 2008, represents the consultant's advice to
the Province on how to restore the natural heritage system in Seaton, create a
complete trail network for walking and biking and a program to respect the
cultural heritage of Seaton. A full copy of the completed study is available at the
City of Pickering Planning & Development counter, and selected extracts are
available on the City's website.
In June 2009, Pickering Council passed Resolution #178/09 and adopted staff
recommendations that the Seaton NHSMP and MTP be supported as a detailed
guide to achieve a sustainable Seaton NHS consistent with the objectives of the
CPDP, and that the Seaton NHS remain in public ownership and its
implementation costs not be borne by existing Pickering taxpayers.
Council also requested the Ministers of Municipal Affairs.and Housing and
Energy and Infrastructure to expand the range of uses permissible within the
NHS to include recreational uses such as parks and playfields in those lands that
buffer the key natural heritage features. However, based on recent
conversations with Provincial staff, a policy change is not anticipated.
In undertaking the Neighbourhood Planning Review, the City's consulting team
will be considering the recommendation of this Study, as well as the Council
comments on that Study.
4.5 As a requirement of the CPDP, the Ontario Realty Corporation (OCR)
retained a consulting team led by Hemson Consulting in 2006 to prepare
the Highway 407 (Seaton Lands) Economic Development Study
The Study, finalized in April 2007, represents the consultants advice to the
Province, as the owners of the Employment Lands, on the following matters and:
the types of businesses that will be attracted to the area; marketing and servicing
strategies; and a land use concept and phasing plan to maximize the economic
value of the lands. A copy of this Report is available on the City's website.
One of the recommendations of the Study is that the Province take an active role
in marketing the lands in conjunction with the City and Region. During 2009,
ORC identified approximately 80 hectares, located between the two interchanges
at Sideline 22 and 26.for which ORC will be preparing a plan of subdivision.
Report PD 07-10 April 6, 2010
Subject: Seaton Updates Page 10
49
In undertaking the Neighbourhood Planning Review; the City's consulting team
will be considering the recommendation of this Study, as well as the staff
comments on that Study.
4.6 Although not a requirement of the CPDP, the Province retained a
consulting team led by Morrison Environmental to undertake a Wetlands
Water Balance Evaluation
This Study, finalized in March 2008, monitored eight representative wetlands
over a three-year period, and resulted in a model for managing wetlands
elsewhere in Seaton. This technical Report is input to the MESP. A copy of the
Executive Summary is on the City's website.
5.0 Landowner - Led Studies
5.1 As a required study under the CPDP, the landowners retained a consulting
team led by Sernas Associates in 2007 to undertake a Master _
Environmental Servicing Plan (MESP)
The MESP will address a number of matters of City interest that are interrelated
with Neighbourhood Planning. These matters include: local road locations,
cross sections, and crossings of the NHS; the stormwater management system
including facilities; major community facilities and municipal services; major utility
locations; and phasing recommendations for infrastructure.
During 2009, a significant amount of field work was undertaken to complete
additional groundwater and wetland monitoring, to augment the information from
the Provincial Wetland Water Balance Evaluation. In addition, the scope of the
MESP work was expanded to include collection of baseline environmental
conditions for the expanded study area of the Regional EA.
During 2010, several meetings have taken place between the Sernas-led
consulting team, City staff, consultants for the City's Neighbourhood Planning
Review, the Regional EA staff and consultants, the Provincial SIP consultants,
other agencies and service providers on a number of issues related to the
MESP. Information was exchanged on the approach to stormwater
management, the location and size of major community facilities including
schools, and detailed road locations and crossings of the NHS. Discussions
continue.
To assist Sernas in completing the MESP, an Oversight Committee was
established, consisting of various stakeholders including City staff to provide
input on the results of the analyses at key milestones. Two Oversight Committee
meetings have been held to date. A third meeting scheduled for early April 2010
to discuss the work done to date, and seek consensus on information being
presented at the next the Public Information Centre (PIC). Sernas anticipates
scheduling the PIC later this spring and subsequently releasing the draft MESP
for comment over the summer.
Report PD 07-10 April 6, 2010
Subject: Seaton Updates Page 11
In addition, the City is continuing to pursue landowner funding to cover the cost
of the technical assistance to review the MESP, specifically the stormwater
maragement and municipal infrastructure components. It should be noted that
preliminary information is suggesting an extensive stormwater management
system, including over 70 stormwater facilities as.well as a number of mitigation
measures to maintain water balance and/or drainage to natural features, and to
reduce in-stream erosion potential.
5.2 The landowners have retained IBI to undertake Fiscal Impact Analyses of
the development of Seaton on both the Region and the City
Although both these studies commenced in 2005, work has been concentrated
at the Regional level, developing and refining assumptions to be used in the
fiscal impact model. Little work has taken place at the local level. The results of
the Neighbourhood Planning Review will be a critical input to the modeling for
the City. The City has Watson Associates assisting us on the review of IBI's
work.
6.0 Next Steps
Staff will continue to update Council on the Neighbourhood Planning Review,
and other related Seaton implementation studies on a regular basis.
Report PD 07-10 April 6, 2010
Subject: Seaton Updates Page 12 51
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
J
Grant McGregor, MCI , RPP Neil Carr P, RPP
Principal Planner - Policy Director, P anning & Development
611 AX,
R
Catherine Rose, MCiP, RPP Thomas E. M lym , P-,R- PP
Manager, Policy Director, Office of Sustainability
GM:CR:Id
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer
Director, Operations & Emergency Services
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering Ci Co cil
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as J. Qu' , RD MA, CMM III
Chief Administrative Officer
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