HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD 12-11
Cery Report To
Planning & Development Committee
PICKERING Report Number: PD 12-11
Date: April 11, 2011
119
From: Neil Carroll
Director, Planning & Development
Subject: Downtown Intensification Program
Proposed Work Plan to Confirm and Implement a Council Vision for
Downtown Pickering
File: D-2000-014
Recommendation:
1. That Report PD 12-11 of the Director, Planning & Development, outlining a
Downtown Intensification Program to confirm and implement a Council vision for
Downtown Pickering, be received for information;
2. That Council authorize staff to proceed with the Work Plan for the Downtown
Intensification Program attached as Appendix II to Report PD 12-11, and
3. Further, that Council authorize staff to prepare terms of reference and issue
request for proposals for required studies, and report back to Council regarding the
hiring of consultants in accordance with the City's purchasing policy.
Executive Summary: A number of major infrastructure and development initiatives
are underway in Pickering's Downtown which have raised the City's profile in Durham
Region and the Greater Toronto Area. These include the construction of a, new office
tower/parking structure on the north side of Highway 401, a new GO terminal building
and proposed parking structure on the south side of Highway 401, and a pedestrian
bridge spanning Highway 401 linking the GO station with the office tower. These
initiatives will act as a catalyst for attracting additional development that will help
transform the Downtown into the vibrant urban centre as envisioned in the Official Plan
and the Provincial Growth Plan. This report outlines a Downtown Intensification
Program to direct new development in the Downtown.
The Program is based on the principles of sustainable placemaking, and involves City
staff from across the corporation. The main components of the Program are ensuring
the appropriate land use framework is in place, working with senior levels of
government and utilities to ensure required infrastructure is in place, and working with
downtown landowners and potential investors to attract desirable development. The
land use framework component of the Program will feed into the more comprehensive
Growth Strategy Program work currently underway.
Report PD 12-11 April 11, 2011
Subject: Proposed Work Program to Confirm and
120 Implement a Council Vision for Downtown Pickering Page 2
It is recommended that Council authorize staff to undertake the work plan for the
Downtown Intensification Program as outlined in Appendix II and to issue terms of
reference for required studies.
Financial Implications: Appendix II proposes a work plan that provides for .
consultants to be retained to undertake various technical studies to support the
Downtown Intensification Program. The number and scope of required studies will be
confirmed as work proceeds. The 2011 budget, as recommended by Committee,
provides for an upset limit of $250,000 in the Planning & Development Professional &
Consulting line item (Account 2611.2393.0000) for studies related to the land use
framework component of the work plan. The budget provides for 50% of the $250,000
to be funded by the City and 50% to be funded by benefitting landowners.
It is recommended that Council authorize staff to prepare terms of reference and issue
requests for proposals for required studies, and report back to Council regarding the
hiring of consultants in accordance with the City's purchasing policy.
Sustainability Implications: The development and implementation of a vision for
Downtown Pickering will be based on the principles of sustainable placemaking - the
transformation of the municipality from a suburban community to a sustainable city. The
vision for Downtown will include a more compact and liveable community, where priority
is placed on pedestrians rather than cars, new energy sources are encouraged and
infrastructure is efficiently used, and where cultural and natural heritage resources are
protected.
1.0 Background:
1.1 Recent Infrastructure and Development Projects in Downtown Pickering
have raised Pickering's profile
A number of major infrastructure and development initiatives are underway in
Pickering's Downtown which have raised the City's profile in Durham Region and
the Greater Toronto Area.
Among these initiatives are:
• improvements to the GO Transit system, including a new terminal building
on the south side of Highway 401, a new parking structure on the north
side of Highway 401, and a pedestrian bridge linking the two sites
• a proposed GO parking structure on the south side of Highway 401
• plans for a 'transit hub' for Durham Region Transit buses at the north end
of the pedestrian bridge on Pickering Parkway
• funding for early phases of the Kingston Road Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
system
I
Report PD 12-11 April 11, 2011
Subject: Proposed Work Program to Confirm and 121
Implement a Council Vision for Downtown Pickering Page 3
Recent development activity includes:
• a 10-storey office tower on Pickering Parkway, currently nearing
completion; this building connects directly to the pedestrian bridge and
north GO parking structure
• an application for a new financial office building at the intersection of
Liverpool Road and Pickering Parkway
• construction of a 6-storey retirement facility at Glengrove Road and
Kingston Road
• ongoing discussions with the landowner at the Valley Farm Road /
Kingston Road intersection for high density mixed use development
• ongoing discussions with landowners south of Highway 401, who have
also expressed interest in developing their lands; preliminary design work
has been undertaken to this end
• work has also been undertaken to advance the development of a
performing arts centre in the Downtown
These initiatives will act as a catalyst for attracting additional development that
will help transform the Downtown into the vibrant urban centre envisioned in the
Official Plan and in the Provincial Growth Plan. This report outlines a Downtown
Intensification Program to ensure that the City is prepared to receive and attract
this future development.
2.0 Downtown Intensification Program
The Downtown Intensification Program will help make the Downtown `development
ready' and allow the City to attract and approve desirable development. It will be
based on the principles of sustainable placemaking, and will involve City staff
from across the corporation in consultation with the Region and provincial bodies
such as GO Transit/Metrolinx and the major utilities.
A work plan for the Downtown Intensification Program is outlined in Appendix II
to this Report. The three main components of the program are:
• ensuring the appropriate land use framework is in place
• working with senior levels of government and utilities to provide required
infrastructure
• working with downtown landowners and potential investors to attract
desirable development to the downtown
Report PD 12-11 April 11, 2011
Subject: Proposed Work Program to Confirm and
122 Implement a Council Vision for Downtown Pickering Page 4
2.1 Ensuring an appropriate Land Use Framework is in place
A large component of the Downtown Intensification Program involves ensuring
that the appropriate land use framework is in place. The current Downtown
boundary and policies in the Official Plan need to be updated to reflect the
identification of Downtown Pickering as an 'Urban Growth Centre' (UGC) in the
Provincial Growth Plan. The Growth Plan identifies the boundary of the UGC as
well as minimum densities required to be achieved within the UGC. In addition to
the Downtown lands north of Highway 401, the UGC boundaries include the
lands south of Highway 401 to Bayly Street, east of Liverpool Road (referred to
as Downtown South). Minimum densities of 200 persons and jobs per hectare
are prescribed by the Growth Plan within the UGC.
Work on updating the Official Plan policies has already begun as part of the
Growth Strategy Program component of the Official Plan Review. Previous
visioning work produced a Downtown Demonstration Plan (which has been
updated to reflect recent development projects) which is attached as Appendix I.
The Demonstration Plan will be used as a starting point for the development of a
downtown vision, that when finalized will be translated into Official Plan policies
and design guidelines. The work program for this component of the Downtown
Intensification Program, as outlined in Appendix II, includes;
• confirmation of the vision - i.e., the built form, uses, density and height that
is appropriate for Downtown including the completion of required technical
studies (e.g. transportation, sanitary, water and stormwater services)
• ensuring consistency with the requirements of the Growth Plan and the .
Region's conformity amendment (ROPA 128)
• public and landowner consultation
• Council adoption of Official Plan policies, design guidelines and zoning
strategy
2.2 Working with senior levels of government and utilities to provide required
infrastructure
The development of the Downtown requires not only the appropriate land use
framework but also the appropriate infrastructure. A high level of transit service
must be provided. GO rail service and the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
service on Kingston Road provide essential rapid transit alternatives to
automobile transportation and continued funding for improvements to these
services from senior levels of government is critical.
City staff are currently involved in the Region's Environmental Assessment (EA)
for the first phase of the Kingston Road BRT. The EA is being undertaken for
intersection improvements at Whites Road, Liverpool Road and Brock Road,
which are part of the Metrolinx 'Quick Win' program. City staff will actively
participate in the EA process to ensure that the Downtown vision is reflected
throughout the process.
Report PD 12-11 April 11, 2011
Subject: Proposed Work Program to Confirm and 123
Implement a Council Vision for Downtown Pickering Page 5
In addition to transit, ongoing collaboration with the Region for infrastructure
improvements is required as the Region will be instrumental in providing the road
network and servicing infrastructure required to support the Downtown. The City
has also been in discussions with the Province to secure a full Highway 401
interchange at Liverpool Road.
City staff have also initiated discussions with Veridian and will initiate same with
j
telecommunications providers to ensure that hydro and state of the art
telecommunications technology (e.g., fibre optics) are available to serve future
development. Staff will also continue to explore and promote the potential for
district heating in the Downtown.
i
2.3 Working with Downtown Landowners and Potential Investors to attract
desirable development
The third. component of the Program is to understand the needs of downtown
landowners and investors for residential and employment uses, as well as arts
and entertainment facilities, and continue to provide economic development
support for downtown investment, through:
• preparation of feasibility studies and marketing and investment packages
• staff engagement of service providers and developers to attract downtown
amenities such as hotel, entertainment and restaurant uses
3.0 Conclusion:
It is recommended that Council receive this report and authorize staff to
undertake the work plan for the Downtown Intensification Program as outlined in
Appendix II.
IIAppendices:
Appendix I: Demonstration Plan - Downtown Pickering (April 2011)
Appendix II: Downtown Pickering - Official Plan Amendment Work Program
Report PD 12-11 April 11, 2011
Subject: Proposed Work Program to Confirm and
124 Implement a Council Vision for Downtown Pickering Page 6
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed
/At W ao
Marg Wouters, MCIP, RPP Neil Carroll -1 , RPP
Manager, Development Review & Director, Planning & Development
Urban Design
Thomas Melymuk CIP, RPP
Director, Office of Sustainability
MW:ld
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickerin ity Coun it
Z2, 2-0
Tony Prevedel, P.Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer
Appendix I
g X25
a
ooi~ooo~oao®~ oo:# ~ ~
E
9
~.J p+
qqy ~ MOe f001! ~
W
}ooowi ia~o •mond pNy~ ~ U
W „w
Y
a1J~ 1 C
o
o~ -
c
~ , ~ \ as t1 .C
can
,m„a„ - you ~oo+om L
o L
ICU
snuwn awa ~ q
00 OESftlrt yMgs - ~ o ' yr
yuroa 4}+
_rZ
smarso~.r. rr ~vam. nru ♦ n.w,v„~ ~s .r ~..i
moo. o, -.o--.o-~~« ww +-w~-eo v~-w-~~onwo .w.W ~..w.w~omwws ~ww •a..a oa\o: o""i-.~`.i.-.v.an:.
.0 cu X L 126
C C N
Q/~~••111 E E E a)
~ a) O r .
a) a) N a) 0 ca) N
z O
N Q I I I o N
LO_ E Q~ •Q, U T-
o QN QN Qf ON
N cn
C C
L c
0 V o o L
a U U O
C C C U
Q (4 ca
w :K : N :1=
(o ca co cu ca
(n (0 (n cu co U)
C y
C o
C (6 5 O L_ (n ca
t0 C (n O N Q a) i 0
Q 0 U O `O (n (3)
= O N w O Q-~ C) a)
O O C C -0 cli o N O > -0 (n C a) CU ~ a)
r L N m O N cv 3wC N E
3 0 3 -a~ Q o0~~~0
o~ = _0) a) E
M_ Z)-0 ao~ U inoEco~o~UU~
i N
4- 0
r -0 U) C
C C t, U) (o c
2 = _O cu cu m O O N tf 'O C ca O
a J C O Q- C O C C co cc N C C N. N= N
Y +~.r O> w, w 0) C j ~ C O O w •V Q C
a) O C C O (n O C 7 > O O
L. L C
M cu ~O Q=oo (oYC6a) Ecn aZ`o( an
O U Q c •V U ate) co E .V •O U O N cB '(o N a) CD
Q QE a? > (D C °3 C cu M -0 `o ~ U~ C c o CL) a v a Q.o o o
v, E v, 0 aaa- ii o in acm
N
C
L ~
7 ~ O C
(n C ca
-0 cn
w C a)
(n d O AR 0 U) c
r - C An v o a~ rn
0 72 a)
a v =
_ rn (D C7
O Y cn C Q - U)
a) _ 0 O _O rn
E E C)
U C V C
0 c d~ H a J 0
127
c
CU a) M0) Ma)
H -0 _
m- CU- cc coaM c_a
M-0 E _ D)-o E v)-o E o)-o E
c a) cu m CU cu
0.5 .5
0) E 0 0) 0) 0)
0 0- 0 C. C o' o c~2 C 070
cva a 0 T a o a 0 W a O a O
a m
_ > •
N
G1 cn
L m cu
V N L N O
'N cn
L
V -0 V C 'U CO
0 :3 O O U N
L U v N o 0 fA -0
L) C :3
CU CU 0
L
07 m
U) r (n (n (u (n cu
N
_ • •
C • •
d
O U) _0
-0 > U) cu a) U
U) (1) 0 cu -0 C CU
0) 0)
-C cn cu 0)
0) 32
) N c
N O a
U - '7
~o~cE ~Qa~ios
E O cu 00 "0 = L a) cu -0 cu L N O
a) co
0) E E 4-- CU (D
ev 0)C: O cna wE~ cnUO a
r, 'c c o s o' Q. N 0 L o p- 0 0
= p m iii c ~ ~ p'o ~ ~ a) L --a 6)c~ c
O a)OmoU = cam cu> N M (D~ a)
E I- 3: co U (u N > L > cu > to U Cl) U
O 3 c c
W O c 0 0 U)
M (1) c
O E 0 o Cl) o cad -0 >,-c- 3
N C L C Y C C 0 O Y C 0 0
a) N cu U C U 3 a c -0 0
d o (O "0 3 0
0 W-0 W.- C a) o m a M 0 -0 U)
a) cu O o 0
- C C C a)
O cn oi vim 3 o u) 0~ E E E v~ Q-
c p v o ~.c 3 p o c U U o ~;)y-' o L° m a) cu-°
L U .0 0 U O a) CL .L N
2-0 0 N N
N o c 0- N-0 a) O (n OL 0> V c N
cu
t ~v o s a'va~ o a E.S °a U-o a cn -o -o
Y o Y a)
O Z-- 'O a) N N
C L a)
-lie N
cn -C C M 0 C C C a)
cu
U = ccu ~CL
(n
= c - O
m a) o c O o 0
O Y ~ Y cu ~ a) C:
_ c c a)
E o
~o>= o)
E c m m
E c> E c 3v E Y ~ o
V 0 rn U C) m u~ ~ a LL