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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD 06-11 Report To Planning & Development Committee PICKERING Report Number: PD 06-11 Date: March 7, 2011 18 From: Neil Carroll Director, Planning & Development Subject: Status Update for Environment & Countryside Conformity Amendment Pickering Official Plan Review File: D-2000-013 Recommendation: 1. That Report PD 06-11 of the Director, Planning & Development, providing a status update on the Pickering Official Plan Review Program and of the Environment & Countryside Conformity Amendment, be received for information and; 2. Further, that the consultant's report entitled Natural Environment and Countryside Policy Review, dated February 11, 2011 (distributed under separate cover), and the scheduled Consultant Presentation by Elizabeth Howson of Macauley, Shiomi, Howson Ltd. be received for information. Executive Summary: Report PD 06-11 provides a status update for the Official Plan Review Program as a whole and for the Environment & Countryside Conformity Amendment Study (ECCA). The Official Plan Review is being undertaken as a series of topics. To date, the amendment to implement 'Complete applications/pre-consultation' provisions of Bill 51 and to plan for Duffin Heights Neighbourhood have been completed. The Central Pickering Development Plan Conformity Amendment, including the Neighbourhood Development Plans for Seaton and the Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment are underway and anticipated to be completed later this year. The Growth Plan Conformity Amendment, although delayed by the appeals to the Region's conformity amendment, has been progressing through a series of open houses with stakeholders, agencies and the public. The remaining elements of the Official Plan Review, including an amendment to implement other Bill 51 revisions and creating an underlying vision for the Official Plan based on sustainable development principles will be examined in the context of the City's corporate initiative on placemaking and guidelines being developed for Seaton (later this year). In addition, other components dealing with general matters (transportation, heritage etc.) will also be addressed. Report PD 06-11 March 7, 2011 Subject: Status Update for Environment & Countryside Conformity Amendment, Pickering Official Plan Review Page 2 19 With respect to the Environment & Countryside Conformity Amendment, the consultant's Policy Review has now been completed. Copies of the Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review are to be distributed to Committee members under separate cover and also placed on the City's website. The Executive Summary is attached to Report PD 06-11 (see Attachment #3). It makes preliminary recommendations for Pickering Official Plan policy revisions to bring about conformity with various Provincial, Regional and other initiatives, including, but not limited to the Greenbelt Plan, the.Provincial Policy Statement, the Central Pickering Development Plan for the Agricultural Assembly, flood plain mapping as well as addressing Watershed Studies, the Urban Forest Strategy and local food policy. This Policy Review is being released for comment to agencies, other stakeholders and the public. Subsequently a preliminary draft amendment will be prepared for agency, stakeholder and Council review. Following Council's concurrence, staff will initiate the formal amendment process under the Planning Act. It is anticipated that this component of the Official Plan Review will be completed by late 2011 or early 2012. Financial Implications: Consideration of this status update report has no financial implications. Sustainability Implications: Approval of an Environment & Countryside Conformity Amendment will bring the City of Pickering Official Plan into conformity with the more sustainable policy initiatives for the natural environment of senior Governments, the Region of Durham, Conservation Authorities and the City of Pickering. This will strengthen Pickering's ability to sustain a healthy natural environment integrated with sustainable social and economic objectives in the City of Pickering. Background: 1.0 Pickering Official Plan Review 1.1 The Official Plan Review continues to move forward The last status report on the Pickering Official Plan Review was considered by Council on July 12, 2010 (see text of Report PD 21-10, Attachment #1). Since July 2010, the status of the Official Plan Review Program workplan components has progressed as follows: Report PD 06-11 March 7, 2011 Subject: Status Update for Environment & Countryside Conformity Amendment, Pickering Official Plan Review Page 3 Q • implementation of Provincial Policy revisions remains half-complete. While the (Bill 51) Complete Applications Amendment 17 is in force, revisions to implement the remaining Bill 51 development control powers are planned later in 2011 • provision of the infrastructure and approval of development applications to implement Duffin Heights Neighboorhood Amendment 18 is now underway • Neighbourhood Planning Review for Seaton (Central Pickering Development Plan) is nearing completion • preparation of Pickering's Growth Plan Conformity Amendment, although delayed by the recent appeals to the Region of Durham's Growth Plan Conformity Amendment, Official Plan Amendment #128 (ROPA 128), is proceeding • development of a comprehensive vision for sustainable development is being integrated with sustainable placemaking and sustainability work for Seaton; and • the background policy review for the ECCA is about half-complete and on track to allow completion of the preliminary draft Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment in summer of 2011. This will permit initiation of the formal process for Council adoption of the amendment late in 2011 or 2012. 2.0 The Environment & Countryside Conformity Amendment 2.1 The Pickering Official Plan must conform to Provincial & Regional plans and policies The Request for Proposals (RFP-6-2010) was released in April 2010 to seek consultants to review policies and prepare a preliminary draft amendment to the. Pickering Official Plan to update environment and countryside policies, as part of the Official Plan Review. RFP-6-2010 listed the policy initiatives of other governments and agencies for which policy revisions to the Pickering Official Plan (POP) are mandatory and other initiatives that also merit revised policies, including: • Provincial Greenbelt Plan (GP) It is mandatory, that the POP be revised to conform to the GP; • Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), 2005 It is mandatory that the POP be revised to conform to the PPS; • Durham Regional Official Plan (DROP) -Amendment 114 (in force) and Amendment 128 (appealed to the. OMB) It is mandatory that the POP be revised to conform to DROP, as amended to date. City staff will monitor the resolution of the appeals to ROPA 128 in order to implement any provisions that address environment and countryside issues as soon as they come into force; Report PD 06-11 March 7,.2011 Subject: Status Update for Environment & Countryside Conformity . . . Amendment, Pickering Official Plan Review Page 4 21 • Provincial Clean Waters Act and related water resource guide, Provincial Endangered Species Act & Federal Species at Risk Act It is mandatory that the POP be revised to conform to these initiatives; • Provincial/Conservation Authorities floodplain mapping, policies and special policy area guides, and Generic Regulations It is mandatory that these initiatives be implemented in the POP; • Conservation Authorities' initiatives, including Terrestrial Natural Heritage Strategy (TRCA), Woodlands Protection strategy (TRCA), watershed studies for Duffins and Carruthers Creeks (TRCA), Rouge River (TRCA), Lynde Creek (CLOCA) and the City of Pickering Frenchman's Bay Storm water Master Plan These are all important initiatives that should be evaluated and responded to by appropriate POP policy revisions; and, • City of Pickering Urban Forest Study This is an important environmental initiative that should be reflected by appropriate POP policy revisions, once considered by City Council. Report PD 21-10, in addition to providing an update on the Official Plan Review, also recommended that Council authorize the engagement of Macaulay, Shiomi Howson Ltd. and Natural Resource Solutions Inc. (MSH/NRSI) to undertake the consulting component for the Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment. Elizabeth Howson is the lead consultant. Following Council's selection of MSH/NRSI on July 12, 2010, a project initiation meeting was held and a final workplan and schedule was adopted in August 2010 (see Attachment,#2). The Work Program includes 13 tasks: Task 1 - Project Initiation Tasks 2 to 4 - Background Review and Analysis of Environmental/Natural Heritage, Countryside and Mapping Policies/Issues Tasks 5 to 7 - Review of draft policy review/analysis with Steering Committee/Agency staff and preparation of final policy review Task 8 - Consultation with Council & public on final policy review Task 9 - Review of Council/public input Task 10 - Steering Committee/Agency staff review of final policy review Report PD 06-11 March 7, 2011 Subject: Status Update for Environment & Countryside Conformity Amendment, Pickering Official Plan Review Page 5 r 22 Task 11 - Preparation of preliminary draft environment and countryside conformity amendment Task 12 - Agency Review of preliminary draft environment and countryside conformity amendment and Council approval to initiate the formal amendment Task 13 - Formal public review of the draft environment and countryside conformity amendment 2.2 The consulting team has completed the Policy Review An initial agency/steering committee meeting (Task 1) was held in September and the consulting team prepared a preliminary background review of natural environment and countryside policies and mapping (Tasks 2 to 4) in October. .Tasks 5 to 7 were completed by the following steps. Following staff review and edit, revisions to the background review were completed in November, circulated to the agencies (Region of Durham Planning Department, TRCA, CLOCA) and discussed at two workshops held on November 16th (Countryside policies) and November 25th (Natural Environment policies and mapping) to obtain comments and advice. Written comments respecting the merits of a systems approach to policy (all features are connected by corridors and links to form one natural heritage system) versus a features approach (features can be isolated). Accurate mapping of natural heritage features was provided by TRCA, CLOCA and Region of Durham Planning staff. A further meeting with MNR staff, with particular interests in wetland and species mapping, was held in January 2011. The consultants have now finalized the revised Natural Heritage and Countryside Policy Review which reflects and/or responds to the comments from City Planning staff and staff of CLOCA, TRCA and the Region of Durham Planning Department. 2.3 The findings of the Policy Review will be presented to Planning & Development Committee by the consultants In order to keep Council members informed of the progress on this project, Report PD 06-11 is provided to Planning & Development and a presentation by the lead consultant has been arranged to present the findings of the Natural Environment and Countryside Policy Review to date. Staff and Ms. Howson will be present to respond to any questions or concerns that Committee members may wish to raise. J Report PD 06-11 March 7, 2011 Subject: Status Update for Environment & Countryside Conformity Amendment, Pickering Official Plan Review Page 6. . 23 2.4 A Public Consultation Meeting is scheduled for March 24th to present the findings of the Policy Review to the public Following consideration of Report PD 06-11 by Planning & Development Committee, the public will be invited to provide comments at a public meeting scheduled for March 24, 2011. Consideration of the Policy Review by Planning & Development Committee and consultation with the public fulfils Task 8. 2.5 The consulting team anticipates completing a preliminary draft amendment and a draft rationale report by the summer of 2011 Following review of Council and public input (Task 9), the agencies will be given an opportunity to review and comment on the findings of the Policy Review (Task 10). Then, the consultants, with staff input, will prepare a draft preliminary official plan amendment which will include maps and schedules (Task 11). Agency review of the draft preliminary official plan amendment will then be facilitated and appropriate revisions to the amendment prepared (Task 12). 2.6 Council will then be requested to authorize staff to commence the formal Official Plan Amendment process under the Planning Act In addition to the draft preliminary official plan amendment, as the last project deliverable by the consultants, the consultants will prepare a draft Information Report to set out the rationale for the revised environment and countryside policies contained in the draft preliminary ECCA. 2.7 Staff will then initiate the formal amendment process for the Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment Staff will then initiate the amendment process under the Planning Act by advertising and holding an Open House and Statutory Public Meeting in June or September 2011. Following an opportunity for formal comment by the public, landowners, agencies and City Departments, a recommendation report will be prepared by staff to recommend adoption of a revised draft amendment by Planning & Development Committee and Council. Once adopted as an amendment to the City of Pickering Official Plan by Pickering City Council, the amendment will be forwarded to Regional Council for approval. Report PD 06-11 March 7, 2011 Subject: Status Update for Environment & Countryside Conformity Amendment, Pickering Official Plan Review Page 7 24 Attachments: 1. Text of Report PD-21-10 - Status Update on the Official Plan Review Program. and Request for Proposals for an Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment 2. Figure 1: Environment & Countryside Policy Study - Work Program & Schedule 3. Executive Summary of the Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review - February 11, 2011 Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: Steve Gaunt, MCIP, RPP Neil Carro , RPP . Principal Planner - Policy Director, fing & Development Catherine Rose, MCIP, P Manager, Policy SG:jf Copy: Chief Administrative Officer Recommended for the consideration of Pickering i C III n Z2~ 201 Tony Prevedel, P. Eng. Chief Administrative Officer I i Report To ATTACHMEMT# J To _ i REPORT#Pl) t7t~- i~ Planning & Development PICKERING Committee Report Number: PD 21-10 . 25 Date: July 5, 2010 From: Neil Carroll Director, Planning & Development Subject: Pickering Official Plan Review Status Update; and, Request for Proposals for an Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment Filer D-2000-013 Recommendation: 1. That Report PD 21-10 of the Director, Planning & Development, providing a status update on the Pickering Official Plan Review Program and advising of the release of Request for Proposal RFP-6-2010 to engage consultants to undertake the Environment. and Countryside Conformity Amendment for the Official Plan Review Program, be received for information. Executive Summary: In September 2007, Council endorsed a workplan for the review of the City's Official Plan. One of the elements of the workplan was to undertake an Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment. Among other matters, this amendment would. implement the Provincial Greenbelt Plan, new regulations respecting flood protection, the Regional Official Plan changes for environmental; rural and agricultural policies, several watershed strategies, Agricultural Preserve policies in the Central Pickering Development Plan, and the introduction of local food and other. policies by Pickering. Request for Proposal RFP-6-2010 was released calling for proposals by consultants to undertake an Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment as part of the City's . Official Plan Review. The closing date was June 10, 2010. The submission will be reviewed by an Evaluation Committee consisting of City staff, and evaluated according to the criteria in the Request for Proposal. A recommendation will be made in an Addendum Report directly to Council on July 12, 2010. A copy of RFP-6-2010 is attached (see Attachment #1). The Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment is a key workplan component of the Official Plan Review Program. With respect to the status of the other components in the workplan, the Bill 51 implementation is half complete, Duffin Heights Neighbourhood planning is complete, Central Pickering planning for Seaton is underway as a separate process and the sustainability amendment will be underway later this year. Completion of the Growth Plan implementation, now underway, will be delayed until the Regional Growth Plan conformity amendment is approved. The wrap-up general Official Plan review amendment will be undertaken in 2011. Report PD 21-10 ;Ve gACHMW# L- To July 5, 2010 AEPORT# PD-40 -6-- Subject: Request for Proposal RFP-6-2010 Page 2 26 Financial implications: Although there are no financial implications to receiving this report as information, acceptance of a proposal to undertake the Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment by Council at the July 12, 2010 meeting.will commit the City to pay the costs of the selected proposal. Monies have been budgeted in the 2010 City budget for this purpose: Sustainability Implications: Revision and updating of environment and countryside policies in the official plan will provide the authority to apply much more sustainable natural heritage, environmental and countryside policies throughout the City of Pickering. Background: 1.0 Significant Progress has been made on the Official Plan Review Program since its commencement in 2007 After initiating the Official Plan Review at the Special Council Meeting in May 2007, Council endorsed a final workplan for the Official Plan Review in September 2007 and also asked for further information on a strategy for community engagement, including a First Nations engagement strategy. The Final Workplan included: • a Housekeeping and Provincial General Policy Implementation Amendment (Provincial Policy Statement and Bill 51 Conformity) • a Duffin Heights Neighbourhood Amendment an Environment and Countryside Policy Amendment • a Central Pickering Implementation Amendment • a Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan Amendment • an Urban Matters Amendment (growth plan, sustainable downtown, Regional population, employment, commercial and transportation policies issues) • a general Official Plan Amendment (to address remaining issues, including any outstanding Council resolutions) In February and April 2008, presentations respecting an engagement strategy including a community advisory committee and a strategy for engagement with First Nations were discussed with the Planning & Development Committee. At the time, staff anticipated that a final .community and First Nations engagement strategy for the Official Plan Review would be forwarded for endorsement by Council later in the year. Although significant progress on the Official Plan Review has been made, progress has been somewhat delayed due to the need to address other pressing matters (including the environmental assessments for the Highway #7 widening, Highway #407 extension and Durham Transit Strategy). In addition, the increasing importance of the Sustainability Vision has led to a need for a different emphasis for parts of the Official Plan Review. ATTACHMENT# TO July 5, 2010 Report PD 21-10 VOW PO Subject: Request for Proposal RFP-6-2010 Page 3 What became evident,to staff,. as work progressed on the different components, is that each amendment was quite focused (either geographically or in terms of the topic), and with a few exceptions, unrelated to the others. The requirement for mandatory compliance with Provincial laws and plans leaves limited scope for creative and meaningful input from a community advisory committee or First Nations into a number of the Official Plan Review workplan components. For example, the task. of rewriting the Pickering Official Plan policy to conform to the Greenbelt Plan is very much a technical function. Thus, upon reflection, staff concluded that establishment of community advisory committee would not be beneficial to moving the Official Plan Review forward. Instead, each workplan component is being undertaken using specific consultation strategies, designed to fit that component. Also, since the original intent to come back with a First Nations consultation strategy, a new opportunity has arisen through work on Seaton. As part of the preparation of the Master Environmental Servicing Plan, the Regional Environmental Assessment for infrastructure and the City's Neighbourhood Planning Review for Seaton, the Ontario Realty Corporation is developing a special protocol for consultation with First Nations. It is anticipated that the same protocol may be used for other work plan components of our Official Plan Review. The current status of the Official Plan Review Program reflects major progress on some of the components of the workplan. Table 1 below'summarizes the status of the Final Workplan components of the Official Plan Review. A more detailed description is provided in Appendix-1. Table 1 Status of Workplan Components of the Official Plan Review Original :TApplications mpleted Underway Pending Component Housekeeping & ill 51 Complete • Bill 51 Provincial Policy Development Implementation Amendment 17 Control Powers • Housekeeping • Provincial Policy Informational Statement Revisions Implementation and • Housekeeping Policy Revision . Duffin Heights • Duffin Heights Neighbourhood Amendment 18 Central Pickering • Seaton Development Plan Neighbourhood Planning Review for urban area and Repot PD 21-10 ATTACHMEI # -T® July 6, 2010 REPORTO Subject: Request for Proposal RFP-6-2010 Page 4 28 Original Completed Underway Pending Component Central Pickering • Agricultural Development Plan Preserve (part of (continued) Environment & Countryside Amendment Environment and • Request for Countryside . Proposals issued Conformity Amendment Sustainable Vision • Sustainable. Vision and • Policy Revisions to implement Sustainable Guidelines and Measuring Sustainabilit ...Growth Plan • Growth. Strategy Program Other Urban Transportation Matters and • Commercial Policy Other Components • General Official Plan Review and • Unresolved Issues 2.0 Request for Proposal RFP-6-2010 is seeking consultant proposals to undertake an Environment and. Countryside Conformity Amendment 2.1 Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment The Pickering Official Plan natural heritage, other environment and countryside policies must be updated to reflect current conditions, conform to Provincial and Region of Durham policies, respond to Conservation Authority initiatives and introduce City initiatives. This provides the opportunity for Pickering policies to align with the new and much more sustainable Provincial policies introduced recently. D 21-10 To July 5, 2010 Report P REPO # PD-42- Subject: Request for Proposal RFP-6-2010 Page 5 29 The list of environmental and countryside initiatives includes, among others, new regulations respecting flood protection administered by Conservation Authorities, the. Provincial Greenbelt Plan, the Durham Region revisions to its Official Plan for environmental, rural and agricultural policies, several watershed strategies, Agricultural Preserve policies in the Provincial Central Pickering Development Plan and the introduction of local food and other policies by Pickering. The revisions will include both policy and mapping/schedule changes. The Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment work will be commenced in the summer 2010 by consultants selected.through the RFP-6-2010 process and be completed by mid-year in 2011. Once the amendment is prepared, the formal official plan amendment process will commence. 21 Request for Proposal No. RFP-6-2010 On May 1.8, 2010, the notice for.RFP-6-2010 was released to invite consultants to submit proposals to undertake an Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment for the Pickering Official Plan. Review. The notice was faxed to a list of consultants (see Attachment #2), posted on the City website and advertised in Novae Res Urbis (see Attachment #3). The closing date to submit a proposal was before 2:00 pm (local time) on Thursday, June. 10, 2010. The RFP process ensures a fair process to bidders and ensures the City's financial and corporate interests are fulfilled. The RFP also describes the study components and the list of environment and countryside initiatives that have"to be analyzed and reflected in policy revisions. During the evaluation process, the consultants may also be asked to demonstrate how they can balance not only environmental values but also economic and social objectives of the City of Pickering. The scope of services to be provided is broken into four components. Component 1 requires: 1) a document review and agency consultation to scope the policy initiatives that require mandatory policy revisions and those which are permissive; and, 2) to obtain the viewpoints of the key agency stakeholders on these matters. A summary. report and public consultation will be required. Component 2 includes a detailed evaluation of options to address each of the initiatives for environment/natural heritage and countryside policies, and to include the maps and schedules necessary to implement the policies. The deliverables for component 2 are:.a report, a focus group workshop for strategic stakeholders and a public meeting to obtain input from. the general public. Report PD 21-10 ATTACHMENT# T® July 5, 2010 Subject: Request for Proposal RFP-6-2010 Page 6 30 Component 3 includes the preparation of a report recommending preliminary policy directions for the initiatives, a focus group workshop for strategic stakeholders and a public meeting for the general public. The findings are to be presented to the Planning & Development Committee for endorsement of the policy directions. Component 4 includes the preparation of a draft official plan amendment (including policies, maps and schedules) and a draft information report to explain the reasoning for the recommended policies. Completion of the four components of the Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment is expected by late summer of 2011. At that point, staff will initiate the formal process to obtain approval of the amendment. The process requires an open house, a statutory public meeting at Planning & Development Committee, a staff report to Planning & Development Committee to recommend formal adoption of the Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment to the Pickering Official Plan by City Council and approval by the Region of Durham. Typical timelines for the approval process for an amendment are approximately eight months. The consultants will also be required to attend the open house, statutory public meeting, a Planning & Development Committee meeting and other meetings as assigned. 2.3 An Addendum Report will be prepared for the July 12, 2010 Council Meeting, recommending which proposal should be accepted Since the evaluation process to select the best proposal cannot be completed in time to recommend a consultant for the July 5, 2010 meeting of the Planning & Development Committee, staff are providing the background and purpose of the RFP in Report PD 21-10, and will forward a recommendation respecting selection of the best proposal directly to Council on July 12, 2010. Report PD 21-10 has been reviewed by the Manager, Supply & Services, who concurs with the contents. The Addendum Report will be a joint report from the Director, Planning & Development and the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer. Appendix Appendix I Detailed Status. of the Workplan Components of the Official Plan Review Program Report PD 21-10 14TV4EHMENU ' July 5, 2010 EP® # PO . Subject: Request for Proposal RFP-6-2010 Page 7 31 Attachments: 1. RFP-6-2010 2. List of Consulting Firms 3. Advertisement for RFP-6-2010 Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: Steve Gaunt, MCIP, RPP . Neil Car IP, RP Principal Planner, Policy Director, anning & Development Catherine Rose, MCIP, PP Manager, Policy SG:ld Copy: Chief Administrative Officer Recommended for the consideration of Pickering Counc 92, Zo(O Tony P evedel, P.Eng. Chief Administrative Officer ATTACHMENT#~-TO a 3 0 0 0= REPORT# PD 9 ZZ 0 j 32 G~J T 3 T ~ 4r.~.,, H O N " ~ Z ~7«. Z O a O V C T 2 N ~ 2 W ~ I Q N 1E d -0 : Eo v ~ V 3 u ® rn ~ a n ~ w a c s c O O a O = V p • y r ~ N r ~ >y H V • N LIJ d1 C O C ~ C z o g Z ~ I O ~ V N E > E v N O V gyp. = Q Q Q 0• A ~ C ~ ~ p j N N C y O C 5.9 N d N? M C K n¢ N= Q d d t E o v o 0 3 C Y Y Y 0 c m m m' ~ E - E O 0 v 8 v V J C °a W ~ G U„ 'di ~ ~ O C O v .d. V D N V O~ v~ V a ATTACHMEI U-2 TO REP 0RT# PD City of Pickering Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review 33 EXECUTIVE 'SUMMARY Context The City of Pickering is undertaking an Official Plan Review. The Review is being undertaken as a series of topic oriented reviews. The Natural Environment and Countryside Policy Study is one of the City's reviews. The need for the review reflects the fact that, since the adoption of the Official Plan in 1996, a significant number of new initiatives have been undertaken by the Province, the Region of Durham, the City and other agencies including the Conservation Authorities which relate to the natural environment and countryside areas. Study Purpose The Study will review and update natural heritage and other environment and countryside policies in the Pickering Official Plan to reflect current conditions based on available background information; conform to revised Provincial and Region of Durham policies; respond to Conservation Authority initiatives as appropriate; and introduce new City initiatives. The objective is to produce a Natural Environment and Countryside Conformity Amendment for a healthy and sustainable natural environment and countryside, but this objective must also be balanced with economic and social objectives to achieve a balanced approach to planning the future of the City of Pickering. It should also be noted that specific policies to address sustainability and Growth Plan conformity will be dealt with through other components of the City's Official Plan Review. Study Area The Study applies to all lands in the City, with the exception of the lands in the Central Pickering Development Plan area east of Duffins Creek (Seaton) which will be addressed through a concurrent, on-going study being carried out by the City in conjunction with the Region, the Province and landowners. What is the process being followed for the Study? The Study Work Program includes the following key components: • Background Review and Analysis A review of all relevant documentation and mapping, together with related background research will form the basis for consideration of proposed directions and options for potential changes to the City's policies. I Background Report February 2011 Fv~~r~~enovl69v1~f 119 REPOITU City of Pickering 34 Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review • Agency and Public Review input will be sought from Planning and Development Committee, agencies and the public with respect to the results of the initial background review. • Policy Directions Based on the background review and input, a draft preliminary Official Plan- amendment will be prepared, together with the rationale for the major policy amendments. • Agency and Public Review Input will be sought from agencies and the public with respect to the draft preliminary Official Plan amendments. A revised draft amendment responding to the input and a draft information Report (i.e. policy rationale report) will be prepared as the final deliverables of the Study process. Planning and Development Committee agreement will be requested to use the preliminary draft amendment to initiate the legal approval process for the Natural Environment and Countryside Official, Plan Amendment, Following completion of the Environmental and Countryside Conformity Amendment Study, the legal Official Plan Amendment Adoption process will be initiated. Key Issues addressed in the Background Report The Background Report is intended to provide a focus for discussion by Council, residents, landowners, agencies and other stakeholders, which will lead to the formulation of an approach to the natural environment and countryside in the City's Official Plan. In the course of discussions and evaluations related to this report, it should be recognized that there are variations on the proposed directions and options being proposed. As a consequence, the final approach on which changes to the Official Plan is made will not necessarily reflect any one of these directions or options, but may be a variation on them. This Background Report reflects the results of the Background Review and Analysis component of the Study Program. It is divided" into two sections: • Natural Environment; and • Countryside Both the Natural Environment and Countryside sections provide a detailed review of the relevant Provincial, Regional and Conservation Authority policies and guidelines, followed by the relevant sections of the Pickering Official Plan. Related recommendations or alternative policy approaches are then outlined. In addition, the Natural Environment section includes proposed changes to the Open Space System as currently identified on the schedules and maps of the Official Plan. A proposed Natural Heritage system is identified for review and consideration on Map 20 of the report (Figure 1 to the Executive Summary). ii Background Report February 2011 ATTACHMENT REPORT# PO City of Pickering Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review 3 5 I Natural Environment The Natural Environment Section of the Report provides an analysis of: Natural Heritage Policy Directions/Alternatives Analysis This review considers the multiple'policy approaches' that are reflected in the current Provincial and Regional. natural heritage policy framework and other agency initiatives. ' These approaches, while they are intended to achieve the same goal - protection of a Natural Heritage System - are very complicated and confusing. If incorporated directly into the City's Official Plan they will be extremely difficult for Council and the general public to understand, and could well lead to difficulties in interpretation by City staff, other professionals and landowners. To resolve potential issues, it is. recommended that the City consider the development of a comprehensive natural heritage systems strategy which reflects one of the following approaches, or a variation on them: • Systems-based Approach In the system-based approach, rather than protecting individual features, a system made up of natural features and areas linked. by natural corridors, is protected. • Combined Approach This approach involves the identification and protection of a system as described above. However, it also involves the identification and protection of isolated features outside the system. The current Pickering Official Plan generally reflects a Combined Approach. The Plan designates an Open Space System, but also identifies features inside and outside the System. The policies are designed to specifically address the needs of each feature. However, the Plan does not reflect current information. When the current Provincial and Regional policy framework, and the available mapping of natural heritage features and systems from the Province, Region, Conservation Authorities, and the City was reviewed, it led to a recommendation that the City consider a Systems Approach as a preferred direction for the update of the Official Plan. Map 20 of the report (Figure 1 to the Executive Summary) identifies. the recommended Natural Heritage System. it incorporates all the natural features and areas which have been identified as requiring protection. These features and areas are linked by natural corridors. Background Report February 2011 A TACHi LPJT#--,2 lU 3 1EPORTO PO 0L~- City of Pickering Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review The recommended Natural Heritage System is preferred to the Combined Approach. or some variation on the two approaches, as'it: • is robust enough to be maintained despite pressures from both urban development and agriculture; • conforms to Provincial and Regional policies; and, • provides a better balance with respect to Provincial and Regional policies encouraging intensification in urban areas and protection of agriculture in rural areas. Recommendations • Develop one common policy approach to the natural environment by working with the Province, the Region and other agencies. The Systems Approach is preferred as it is robust enough to be maintained despite pressures from both urban development and agriculture, it conforms to Provincial and Regional policies, and it provides a better balance with respect to Provincial and Regional policies for intensification in urban areas and the protection of agriculture in the rural area. In addition, based on the analysis it is possible to incorporate in the proposed System all the features which require protection. • Use the proposed Natural Heritage System on Map 20 to the report (Figure 1 to the Executive Summary) as a basis for consideration of modifications to the City's Official Plan. • Establish Official Plan policies that recognize that where development is proposed the ultimate boundary will have to be determined through more detailed studies based on a range of criteria including the inclusion of appropriate buffers in the System. Site specific development will require submission of an Environmental Study, while in a situation involving the preparation of a secondary plan for new greenfield development, a subwatershed study including a detailed evaluation of the Natural Heritage System and its precise delineation will be required. Water Policy Directions/Alternatives Analysis The analysis considers the current approach in the Official Plan to the protection of water quality and quantity. It concludes that the importance of water resources is well developed in .the Plan. However, there are some issues which should be considered in updating the policies: • Issue: Protection of Sensitive Water Features Once the source protection plan is complete in 2012, additional consideration will be required related to this issue. However, the identification of the wellhead protection iv Background Report February 2011 rve scvw®eeaee,aeen -~s~~eae FORT# City of Pickering Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review 3 7 areas for the Community of Stouffville. wells is required. In addition appropriate policy revisions to bring the Official Plan into conformity with Provincial and Regional policies in general should be developed, as well as particular policies that limit the range of uses within the wellhead protection areas and the Intake Protection Zone (IPZ) around the water treatment plant to those that do not pose a contamination risk. • Issue: High Aquifer Vulnerability In addition to those already identified in the Oak Ridges Moraine on Schedule.V to the Official Plan, in order to conform with the Regional Plan, high aquifer vulnerability areas should be identified in the City's Official Plan, together with appropriate policies for all of Pickering. • Issue: Hydrological Study Requirement The Official Plan currently establishes specific requirements for the preparation of a hydrological study adjacent to key hydrological features in the Greenbelt. Consideration should be given to establishing a consistent approach to the provision of hydrological studies in all areas of the City. This will assist in identifying any adverse impact and necessary mitigative measures. • Issue: Recognition of Additional Required Studies Section 2.3.22 of the Regional Plan requires the submission of an appropriate study where development applications would significantly impact areas of groundwater.. discharge. Similarly, Section 2.3.23 requires, with certain exceptions, a water supply study where there is an application for Permit to Take Water or where there is a potential to impact water quantity. These requirements should be reflected in the City's Official Plan. Recommendations • Designate and provide policies for sensitive water features. • Identify and provide policies for high aquifer vulnerability areas outside the Moraine. • Develop one common policy approach to key hydrologic features and required studies for adjacent lands. • Recognize the need for additional studies as a condition of complete application for areas of. groundwater discharge and water supply as required by the Regional Plan. v Background Report February 2011 ATTACHD EKT# TO EPOHT# PQ City of Pickering Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review 38 Natural and Human Made Hazards Directions/Alternatives Analysis Natural Hazards The current approach appears to prohibit development or redevelopment in areas which are not only subject to natural hazards, but which also include certain natural features. The rationale for the designation and the limits on development is not clear, and there is no specific policy direction with respect to natural hazards in conformity with the PPS and Regional Plan. This may result in misinterpretation of, and undermine the defensibility of the policies. The policy approach should be strengthened to make it consistent with Provincial policy, and to bring it into conformity with Regional policies. Two options are provided for consideration: • Identify Natural Hazard Lands as a separate designation This approach would specifically identify areas subject to natural hazards on a separate schedule to the Official Plan, the rationale for their designation and the permitted uses and other restrictions would be identified in the policies. ' The policies would also address circumstances where natural hazards have not been mapped, or where new information becomes available and provide specific direction on how such situations should be handled. This reflects the fact that flood plain mapping has not been completed for all streams, nor is all the flood and erosion mapping based on engineered lines, or completely current. • Provide specific policy direction for Natural Hazard Lands Recognizing that the mapping of natural hazards is not always current, this approach would see the establishment of specific policies for natural hazard lands which reference mapping prepared by 'the Conservation Authorities or other agencies, but does not specifically designate such lands. The most recent mapping would be provided in an appendix for information purposes. This approach recognizes the unique nature of these areas and allows for the introduction of specific policies in conformity with the PPS and Regional Plan. However, it also recognizes that the mapping may change over time and directs those to whom the policies may apply to the most current source. Special Policy Areas Revised policies for Special Policy Areas in the PPS and in ROPA 114 should be reflected in Section 10.20 of the City's Official Plan to make it consistent with Provincial policy, and to bring it into conformity with Regional policies. vi Background Report February 2011 REPQRU P0_ City of Pickering Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review 39 However, a detailed analysis of the Special Policy Area near Brock Road and Kingston Road will be undertaken as a separate project at a later date outside the Natural Environment and Countryside conformity amendment. Human-Made Hazards The current Official Plan policies should be modified to reflect the more specific direction in the PPS, and Regional Plan with respect to man-made hazards and development adjacent to such hazards. With respect to waste disposal sites, the current policies appear to be generally consistent with the PPS and conform to the policies of the Regional Official Plan (Section 2.3.39) and would not require any significant modification. The current policies with respect to contaminated land appear to be generally consistent with the PPS and conform to the policies of the Regional Official Plan (Section 2.3.41) and would not require any significant modification. Recommendations • Provide stronger protection for lands subject to natural hazards through a designation on a separate Official Plan schedule specifically identifying such areas and related policies. • Reflect current, general PPS and Durham Region Official Plan policies for Special Policy Areas in the Official Plan including a policy to study and update the policies for the existing Special Policy Area. • Reflect current PPS and Durham Region Official Plan policies with respect to man-made hazards in the Official Plan. • Maintain existing Official Plan policies with respect to waste disposal sites and contaminated lands without any significant modification. • Carry out as a separate project at a later date outside the Natural Environment and Countryside conformity amendment, a detailed analysis of the Brock Road/Kingston Road Special Policy Area. i vii Background Report February 2011 I ATTACHMU f T6 City of Pickering Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review Countryside What is the current City policy approach to the countryside? The current Pickering Official Plan recognizes three distinct, but interrelated systems within the City: the ecological system, the urban system and the rural system. The rural system or countryside covers two thirds, of the City's land area, including lands in the Oak Ridges Moraine and Greenbelt. However it is estimated to contain less than four percent of the City's population. The focus of the City's Official Plan policy approach toward the rural area is on the desire to protect land as a valuable resource. The goals for the rural area include protecting and enhancing its cultural and natural heritage and conserving the resource base, including agricultural lands; encouraging a vibrant rural economy; promoting improved social and economic linkages with urban Pickering; and encouraging limited rural residential development, primarily in hamlets. Some growth is identified as necessary to maintain a healthy rural area, and when the Plan was adopted in 1996 it anticipated that 1,000 to 1,500 additional people and 2,000 jobs would be targeted within the rural area by 2016. Approximately half of the population growth would occur within the hamlets, with the remainder in clusters and new rural settlements. The employment opportunities were expected to occur in food production and other agricultural and related businesses, recreational uses, environmental rehabilitation and energy, home occupations and businesses, and small scale service, commercial and industrial operations such as garden centres, and landscaping and equipment services. Four types of rural settlements are identified in the Plan: Rural Hamlets, Oak Ridges Moraine Rural Hamlets, Rural Clusters and Country Residential. Rural Settlement Plans have been prepared for each of the thirteen rural settlements. The Plans identify the settlement boundaries and the permitted land uses. Each Settlement Plan also provides a description of the settlement and a population projection, although the description and projections are provided for information purposes and are not part of the formal policies of the Official Plan. The hamlets of Greenwood, Kinsale and Balsam have been identified as priority locations for growth and Section 3.19 of the Official Plan identifies the area around each of these hamlets as a "Rural Study Area" for hamlet expansion, following a hamlet expansion review. In addition to the rural settlements, this area includes the "Federal Airport Lands" (See Map 3b to this report, Schedule I to the Official Plan). There is currently one area of "High Potential Mineral Aggregate Resources" (See Map 4b to this report, Schedule III to the Official Plan). Viii Background Report February 2011 REPORT# Pp City of Pickering Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review 4 Based on the background review and analysis, the following summarizes the recommendations for potential modifications to the City's Official Plan with respect to the Countryside: Countryside --General Policy Directions Analysis The City's Official Plan generally reflects the directions in Provincial policy and the Regional Official Plan which limit the type of development permitted in the rural area; although there will have to be modifications in the policies and tighter growth provisions to more specifically reflect the directions in the Greenbelt Plan and the.Regional Official Plan. As part of the update of the Official Plan the policies of the CPDP and the Greenbelt Plan for the Agricultural Preserve must be reconciled and appropriately recognized, Recommendations • Reconcile the policies of the CPDP and the Greenbelt Plan for the Agricultural Preserve as discussed in more detail in later sections of this report. Countryside Development - Federal Airport Lands Despite the City's continued opposition to an airport, the Region of Durham supports an airport and has implemented senior government policies for a possible future airport in Pickering through the provisions inserted in the existing Pickering Official Plan when approved by the Region in 1997. Analysis The federal government is not bound by decisions or legislation passed by lower levels of government and as a result is not bound by any provincial, regional or city documents or decisions. The current Official plan does identify the site and provides policies for the airport lands. Further, the PPS requires that airports be protected and that they be buffered, protected and/or separated from sensitive land uses and uses that would cause aviation safety hazards such as radio towers or uses that attract birds. These sensitive areas in Pickering are subject to both the Federal Pickering Airport Site Zoning Regulations and the Provincial Minster's Zoning Order. Nevertheless it would be appropriate to add policies reflecting the PPS directions to the Official Plan. Recommendations • No change to the existing airport designation is recommended. ix Background Report February 2011 TACHME14T#- 70 REPORTS PD-ah City of Pickering 42 Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review • Policies should be added to reflect the Provincial Policy Statement requirement to protect airports from the introduction of new noise sensitive land uses, to prevent aviation safety hazards, and to recognize the NEF/NEP isolines by reference to the Federal Pickering Airport Site Zoning Regulations. Countryside Development - Population and Employment Growth Analysis The City will be undertaking a separate Growth Plan conformity exercise which will specifically address the population and employment numbers prepared by the Region. However, the population and employment forecasts and policies provide an important context for the review of hamlet policies and boundaries and which must be addressed as part of the Greenbelt Plan conformity exercise. There is a significant difference between the rural population forecast of 100 people in the Durham Region Official Plan, as proposed by ROPA 128 (but not yet approved and under appeal), and the current population targets in Section 2.22 of the Official Plan which anticipate 1,000 to 1,500 people. Further, the City has prepared population projections for Pickering based on development applications as of December 2008. The analysis looked at vacant and draft approved lots" within the rural settlements and projected future population growth of 1,912 people within rural settlements.' While recognizing that the forecasts in the Regional Official Plan reflect expected levels of growth and are not intended to limit the ultimate development of existing vacant lots or approved development plans, nevertheless the magnitude of the difference between the Region's forecasts (if approved) and the potential for development permitted within approved rural settlements needs to be addressed. Recognizing that the City's current policies require updating, including changing the terminology from "targets" to "forecasts", potential approaches for resolving the discrepancy with respect to the population forecast which should be considered include: • Replacement of the current targets in section 2.2.2 of the City's Plan with the proposed Regional population forecast under section 7.3.3 of ROPA 128, and deletion of the population forecasts from the Rural Settlement Plans This approach would conform strictly to the Regional Plan section 7.3.3 if the section dealing with the rural population forecast is ultimately approved, and would provide strong direction on limiting development in the countryside, including the settlements. However, it would be misleading because it does not reflect the fact that development 1 City of Pickering, "Detailed 20 Year Population Projections", February 2009. X Background Report February 2011 3EPd RT-9 PV 0 y City of Pickering Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review 43 of existing vacant lots and approved development plans can proceed and is expected to result in a higher population of up to 1,912 people. • Replacement of the current targets in section 2.2.2 with the Regional population forecast, deletion of the Rural Settlement population forecasts and addition of statements with respect to vacant/approved development including specific estimates for the Rural Settlements This approach would include the proposed Regional forecast, but would also provide an indication of the. total potential population which could result if the vacant/approved development proceeds. With respect to the'City's employment forecast, potential directions include: • Retention of a rural employment forecast While the Region does not include a rural employment forecast in their Plan, there would,appear to be no reason why the City could not choose to continue to provide such a forecast in their Plan as a part of the total City forecast. However, input should be sought from the Region as to the amount of the total forecast which can be allocated to the rural area and the justification for same. • Deletion of rural employment forecast The lack of rural employment forecasts at the Regional or local level and the limited. amount of development anticipated for the countryside area may make it difficult to provide a forecast which can be justified. Policies for the Agricultural Preserve do allow some small scale employment growth opportunities, but no quantification has been undertaken. Recommendations Should the City wish to address these matters at this time with respect to the Countryside area rather than as part of the Growth Plan conformity review: • Replace the term "target" with the term "forecast" as appropriate. • Modify Section 2.22 of the Official Plan to reflect the proposed rural population forecasts in the Durham Region Official Plan, while also providing an indication of the total potential population" which could result if the vacant/approved development proceeds. • Modify the information provided within each Rural Settlement Plan to identify existing lot development potential, rather than the population forecasts, with the stipulation that these lots might.not be developed within the time frame of this Plan. X1 Background Report February 2011 A TTACHNA T# j -To s EPORT# PD. City of Pickering 44 Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review I • Delete the rural employment forecast in Section 2.23 of the Official Plan, but modify section 2.24 to enhance the potential employment opportunities. Countryside Development - Prime Agricultural Lands Analysis - Terminology The City's Official Plan does not currently identify lands designated as "Agricultural Areas" as "prime agricultural areas". However, Section 3.11 and the stringent criteria in policy 15.6 that must be met before conversion to non-agricultural uses can take place already provides strong protection for agricultural areas. Modifications to the Plan to reflect the intent of Provincial and Regional policy, therefore, require a change in terminology, not a change to the intent of the policies of the current Plan and its designations. Finally, as noted, as part of the update of the Official Plan, the policies of the CPDP and the Greenbelt Plan for the Agricultural Preserve must be reconciled and appropriately recognized. Recommendation • Modify the Official Plan to reflect the PPS, Greenbelt Plan, and Durham Region Official Plan terminology by using the words "prime agricultural lands". • Reconcile the policies of the CPDP and the Greenbelt Plan for the Agriculture Preserve as discussed in more detail below. Analysis - Permitted Uses in Agricultural Areas The list of permitted uses in Table 12 of the Official Plan is generally consistent with Provincial and Regional policies. However, some refinement of the permitted uses to reflect terminology of the PPS to ensure a consistent approach would be appropriate. With respect to permitted secondary uses, two issues have been identified: • Consistent Approach The City currently permits different secondary uses in the Oak Ridges Moraine. In particular, home industries. and bed and breakfast establishments are specifically identified in that area, although they are not permitted in Agricultural Areas in other parts of the City. A consistent approach should be followed for the City. • Other Secondary Uses Section 9A.2.6 of the Durham Region Official Plan indicates that the local municipal official plans will provide detailed policies to limit the scale and number of secondary agricultural uses, other than for home businesses (home occupations), home industries, xii Background Report February 2011 REP~E~ T ~ PD City of Pickering Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review 4 bed and breakfasts, and farm vacation uses, and include policies to address their compatibility with surrounding uses. Severances for such uses are prohibited. Section 15A of the Durham Region Official Plan defines Secondary (Agricultural) uses as "uses secondary to the principal use of the property, including but not limited to, home occupations, home industries and uses that produce value-added agricultural products from the farm operation on the property." It would appear that such uses are similar to home industries or uses which produce value-added agricultural products, but at a somewhat larger scale. The provision in the Official Plan of the opportunity to recognize such uses would be beneficial for farmers providing additional flexibility over and above that permitted by home occupation and home industry uses to work at secondary activities and generate additional income.. Consideration should be given to permitting such additional secondary uses. i With respect to the Agricultural Preserve in the CPDP, an additional clause will be necessary to recognize uses by colleges and universities for agricultural research purposes as a permitted use. The CPDP does not however, specifically refer to normal farm practices as is the case in the Greenbelt. The CPDP also has greater restrictions on the types of infrastructure that are permitted than those allowed under the Greenbelt, but does not have as many restrictions with respect to consideration of the environment when reviewing infrastructure uses. Recommendations • Modify the list of permitted uses to align the terminology with that in Provincial and Regional policies, including restrictions on non-agricultural uses. • Modify the list of permitted secondary uses to try to ensure a consistent approach throughout the City. • Permit secondary agricultural uses in addition to home businesses, home industries, bed and breakfasts and farm vacation uses subject to a zoning by-law amendment and limit them as required by Regional policy. • Permit uses by colleges and universities for agricultural research purposes in the Agricultural Preserve, but exclude reference to normal farm practices in the Agricultural Preserve of the CPDP. • Restrict infrastructure uses in the Agricultural Preserve to those permitted under the CPDP. xiii Background Report February 2011 ~i,> asH.ME-r# -M 4 6 RPM# Iron L City of Pickering Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review Analysis - Minimum Distance Separation. Formulae The current policy approach is in general, conformity with Provincial and Regional policies. However, additional clarity would be provided by cross-referencing Sections 15.6 and 15.39 in the policies for the Agricultural Area; and by referencing the applicability of the minimum distance separation formulae to lot creation as well as new land uses in Section 15.6. Recommendations • Modify Section 3.11 of the Official Plan to cross-reference the policies of Sections 15.6 and 15.39 with respect to the minimum. distance separation formulae. • Modify Section 15.6(a) to reference the applicability of the minimum distance separation formulae to lot creation as well as new land uses. Analysis - Lot Creation and Lot Adjustment in Prime Agricultural Areas The Official Plan recognizes that lands designated as "Agricultural Areas" are intended for long- term protection for existing and future generations. Restricting lot creation and lot adjustments in prime agricultural areas implements this objective, as it reduces the opportunity to - either convert agricultural land to non-agricultural uses by severing land or reduce agricultural lots to sizes that are not suitable for agricultural operations. As the Region is . responsible. for land severances and the Regional Official Plan provides clear direction on this issue, it is appropriate for the City to continue to rely on the Regional Official Plan policies in this regard. Recommendations • No modifications to the Official Plan are required with respect to lot, creation and lot adjustment in prime agricultural areas. Countryside Development - Rural Settlements Analysis - Hamlet Boundaries Given the Regional population forecasts for the rural area of Pickering, the Regional policies which limit new development to infilling and minor rounding out, and the fact that there are vacant lands within most of the hamlets, it is difficult to rationalize any substantial expansion to the hamlet boundaries at this time with one exception. xiv Background Report February 2011 REPO RT# PD --a City of Pickering Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review 47 Recommendations • Consider minor rationalization (i.e. rounding out) to hamlet boundaries of Cherrywood, Whitevale, Green River and Greenwood, as shown on Maps 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the report. • Consider a boundary rounding out to reflect the "grandfathered" draft plan of subdivision application at the south edge of Greenwood, west of Westney Road. ' Analysis - Hamlet Development The policies established in the Pickering Official Plan provide a good basis for considering development that will enhance the existing character of the settlement areas. Subsection 12.2 (c) should be clarified to identify that the range of housing will be limited to primarily single detached housing. There is no specific reference in the policies to simplicity of form, the J predominance of residential uses or the view and vistas of the countryside as identified in the Regional Official Plan, and policies should be added to deal with these directions. Recommendations • Modify Section 12.2 of the Official Plan to reflect the provisions of Section 9B.2.4 of the Regional Official Plan. - Analysis - Other Rural Settlements The existing policies do not conform with the Regional requirements that no new country residential subdivisions or rural clusters will be permitted. Recommendations • Modify Section 2.31 of the Official Plan to clarify that no new country residential or rural cluster developments are permitted (except for those that are grandfathered). Analysis - Lot Creation on Private Services The PPS restricts individual servicing to a maximum of five lots or less unless compatible with the rural area as defined by section 1.1.4.1 of the PPS, and the Growth Plan policy indicates that new.multiple lots (more than three lots) in rural areas may be permitted in rural areas with approved zoning or designation. The Regional Official Plan reflects the provisions of the Greenbelt Plan which contains restrictive lot creation policies. The City's Official Plan will need to conform to the additional restrictions. xv Background Report February 2011 ANTAC HMENU a- TO REPORT Pa 62&-:a ~ City of Pickering 8 Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review Recommendations • Add new provisions to the Land Severance policies (section 15.26) to limit new lot creations in Rural Areas outside of the hamlets, unless the existing approved zoning allows for more and add further requirements that where lands are within the Greenbelt, that lot creation be limited to uses permitted by the Greenbelt Plan. Analysis = Partial Services The City can rely on the Regional policies in this matter or it can include policies that specify when partial servicing is permitted in order to address matters of public health and safety should such issues occur in the future within the hamlets. ' Recommendations • No modifications are necessary. Food Policy Analysis The City of Pickering has the potential to play a role in fostering a stronger agricultural community through promotion of local food. Some work on supporting local agriculture has already been undertaken as part of the Sustainable Pickering Initiative which identifies, through the Measuring Sustainability Report, that local agriculture is important not only to the local economy, but the local environment. It also identifies additional actions to support local agriculture, including participation in the Durham Region Food Charter. As is evident from the approach followed in the Region of Durham Official Plan, specific actions by the City to develop a food policy should be undertaken as a separate exercise.. However, the Official Plan can, and should provide, general policy direction to guide this initiative including specific permissions which support urban agriculture including community gardens, and farmer's markets. Recommendations • That the Official Plan provide general direction to guide the development of a food policy for the City including policies which support the overall agricultural industry and specific permissions for urban agricultural uses such as community gardens and farmer's markets. Policies should also be created that encourage agricultural uses to take advantage of their proximity to urban areas and markets. xvi Background Report February 2011 HEPORU PO L._ City of Pickering Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Review 49 Mineral Aggregate Resources Analysis. There is, only one area within Pickering which has currently been identified as an area of high potential mineral aggregate resources and that area is now within the Greenbelt Plan. However, updated mapping has recently been released by the Province which identifies very different (although equally small) locations from those currently identified as "Significant Aggregate Resource Areas", which are located in the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan areas. The existing policy in Section 10.8 is consistent with the PPS, but there are no references in Section 15.33 to the additional requirements set out in the Greenbelt Plan with respect to key natural heritage or key hydrologic features and supporting information.. The policies should be updated to reflect these directions, and the mapping should be updated to reflect the new information provided by the Province. Recommendations • Modify Sections 15.33 and 15.35 of the Official Plan to comply with the provisions of the Greenbelt Plan and Regional Official Plan with respect to mineral aggregate areas but exclude the areas located within the Agricultural Preserve of the CPDP. • Modify the Official Plan schedules to reflect new information from the Province on "Significant Aggregate Resource Areas". Wayside Pits and Quarries, Portable Asphalt Plants and Portable Concrete Plants Analysis The existing policy on wayside pits and quarries is consistent with the PPS and the Regional Official Plan. Recommendations • Maintain the existing policy in the Official Plan, Section 15.34, on wayside pits and quarries. xvii BacKground Report February 2011 ATTACHMENTL~.2--TO REPOW PD o~- / 50 3 ' o r~ 7 v ~S R L FIGURE 1 to Executive Summary Comparison of Proposed Natural Heritage System to Current Official Plan Open Space System Proposed NHS Proposed NHS - CPDP Natural Heritage 0 System-Overlay Designation Proposed NHS - Current Pickering Official r+ Plan Rouge-Duffins Wildlife Corridor 7- • j i Current Pickering Official Plan Open Space System Lake Iroquois Shoreline F. Streams e `x FederalAirportLands `r Agricultural Preserve Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Area (Not Part of Study Area) J- ~r CPDP-Seaton Lands /F (Designations Provided for Information Only. Not Part of Study Area) ti " °°"a ! CPDP - Seaton Lands/Natural Heritage System-Primary Designation (Designations provided for Information Only.' Not Part of Study Area) Q Freeways & Major Utilities f~ I = i ] ! •~r~ Pickering Municipal Boundary Rural Settlement Boundaries " a TRCA/CLOCA Boundary ~ Rail Lines it Pipe Lines 0 500 ,.000 2.000 3,1= February 2011