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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 9, 20251 Planning and Development Committee Meeting Minutes Electronic Meeting June 09, 2025 - 07:00 PM Chair: Councillor Cook Present: Mayor K. Ashe Councillor M. Brenner Councillor S. Butt Councillor L. Cook Councillor D. Pickles Councillor L. Robinson Regrets: Councillor M. Nagy Also Present: M. Carpino - Chief Administrative Officer K. Bentley - Director, City Development & CBO P. Bigioni - Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor F. Jadoon - Director, Economic Development & Strategic Projects S. Cassel - City Clerk N. Surti - Division Head, Development Review & Urban Design C. Rose - Chief Planner D. Jacobs - Manager, Policy & Geomatics I. Lima - Principal Planner, Development Review B. Weiler - Principal Planner, Policy L. Crawford – Planner II R. Perera - Deputy Clerk 1. Call to Order/Roll Call The City Clerk certified that all Members of the Committee were present and participating electronically, save and except for Councillor Nagy. Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 09, 2025 2 2. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 3. Delegations 3.1 Mike Pettigrew, Partner, The Biglieri Group Ltd. and Sam Stone, Sal Stone, 9004807 Canada Inc. (Stonepay) Re: Report PLN 14-25 Zoning By-law Amendment A 06/24 Draft Plan of Condominium CP-2024-05 9004807 Canada Inc. (Stonepay) 1635 Palmer’s Sawmill Road (Refer to Item 4.3) M. Pettigrew, Partner, The Biglieri Group Ltd. and S. Stone, Sal Stone, 9004807 Canada Inc. (Stonepay), appeared before the Committee via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 14-25. Through the aid of a PDF presentation, M. Pettigrew provided details regarding the subject lands, planning policy framework, the purpose of the draft plan of condominium and the zoning by-law amendment. M. Pettigrew further provided a summary of how questions raised by Members of Council during the March 3, 2025 Statutory Public Meeting were addressed. A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and M. Pettigrew regarding: • where the green space was located on the subject lands; • whether the number of units had decreased; and, • the common elements of the proposed development. 3.2 Adam Layton, Associate Principal, Goldberg Group and Will Maria, Transportation Planning Lead, GHD Report PLN 15-25 Official Plan Amendment OPA 23-004/P Zoning By-law Amendment A 10/23 1334281 Ontario Limited 720 Granite Court Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 09, 2025 3 (Refer to Item 4.4) A. Layton, Associate Principal, Goldberg Group and W. Maria, Transportation Planning Lead, GHD, appeared before the Committee via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 15-25. Through the aid of a PDF presentation, A. Layton provided information regarding the subject lands, the revisions made to the original submission which include a reduction in the height and unit count, reconfiguration of the unit types, and minor amendments to the site plan. A. Layton further spoke about the proposed landscape plan, ground floor plan, analysis of the traffic intersection operations, and conceptual designs of the proposed development. A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and A. Layton regarding: • traffic details regarding the dual left hand turn lane located at Bayly Road and Whites Road; • whether the retail space could include a convenience store; • details regarding the parking ratios and amenities; and, • details regarding the green space areas on site. 3.3 Craig Bamford, Pickering Resident Report PLN 16-25 Pickering Official Plan Review Project Update and Completed Growth Management Strategy (Refer to Item 4.2) C. Bamford, Pickering Resident, appeared before the Committee via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 16-25. C. Bamford spoke about Lands for a Livable Ontario, who were a group of multidisciplinary Ontario residents who conducted research and created a Report on creating affordable housing in Ontario. C. Bamford displayed a YouTube introductory video on the Report. C. Bamford concluded their delegation by stating that development in northeast Pickering would not provide affordable housing. 3.4 Nick Zamora, Greenwood Community Association and Elise Zamora, Pickering Resident PLN 13-25 Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Update (Refer to Item 4.1) Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 09, 2025 4 See Agenda Item 3.5. 3.5 Nick Zamora, Greenwood Community Association and Elise Zamora, Pickering Resident Report PLN 16-25 Pickering Official Plan Review Project Update and Completed Growth Management Strategy (Refer to Item 4.2) N. Zamora, Greenwood Community Association and E. Zamora, Pickering Resident appeared before the Committee via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 13-25 and PLN 16-25. Through the aid of a PDF presentation, N. Zamora stated that they advocated for growth that was sustainable, noting that northeast Pickering should remain agricultural. E. Zamora said that the secondary plan was being promoted without public support and that it was guided by developers as opposed to planning guidelines. N. Zamora spoke about a public engagement model implemented by the City of Hamilton as a municipal best practice. E. Zamora listed several impacts made to the Greenwood community including the creation of another competitive community, loss of their postal code, demolition of the Greenwood Community Centre, and the removal of "Heritage" from the new Pickering Heritage & Community Centre's name. They noted that they were looking for true engagement from the community which was both authentic and collaborative, and the importance of being transparent and seeing ideas of residents in City plans. A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee, N. Zamora, and E. Zamora regarding: • whether they were participating in public engagement opportunities; • clarification that the new Pickering Heritage & Community Centre would offer more amenities than the existing Greenwood Community Centre; • how many people were attending the Greenwood Community Association meetings; • why they believe the plan was developer led; and, • clarification that the naming rights agreement for the Pickering Heritage & Community Centre was referred back to staff to reconsider the keeping of "Heritage" in its name. Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 09, 2025 5 3.6 James Blair, Pickering Resident Report PLN 13-25 Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Update (Refer to Item 4.1) J. Blair, Pickering Resident, appeared before the Committee via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 13-25. Through the aid of a PDF presentation, J. Blair expressed concern regarding the agricultural assessment impact study and stated that farmers in Pickering were not consulted by the City as to the type of support they would require. J. Blair asked where the matrix of steps for the official plan review was and the current status of the process. J. Blair expressed concern regarding the lack of information regarding agriculture in the staff report and stated that the concern was that action being taken in northeast Pickering could spread to all of Pickering. 3.7 Abdullah Mir, Pickering Resident Report PLN 16-25 Pickering Official Plan Review Project Update and Completed Growth Management Strategy (Refer to Item 4.2) A. Mir, Pickering Resident, appeared before the Committee via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 16-25. A. Mir noted that they were a part of Stop Sprawl Durham and represented over 2,000 Durham Region residents. A. Mir stated that development was bad for northeast Pickering for three reasons including the creation of urban sprawl, development on the watershed resulting in flooding in Ajax and Pickering, and the development being unnecessary due to the City already having enough land to meet population targets. A. Mir stated that the decisions made today would impact future generations and expressed the need to explore alternative solutions such as building along the transit corridor and Seaton. 3.8 Eric Liebscher, Pickering Resident Report PLN 15-25 Official Plan Amendment OPA 23-004/P Zoning By-law Amendment A 10/23 1334281 Ontario Limited 720 Granite Court (Refer to Item 4.4) E. Liebscher, Pickering Resident, appered before the Committee via electronic Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 09, 2025 6 connection to speak to Report PLN 15-25. E. Liebscher stated that the number of parking spaces have increased which indicated that the number of cars would increase and expressed concern regarding traffic during rush hours in the subject lands. E. Liebscher stated that while the number of units had decreased the number of residents would remain the same due to the unit styles. E. Liebscher stated that the proposed development would remove the retail space in the subject lands. E. Liebsche listed traffic concerns stating that the traffic patterns would change which could cause more traffic issues in the area. E. Liebscher noted that the new buildings would not be supported by the existing infrastructure. 3.9 Rakesh Gupta and Mohit Gupta, Pickering Landowners Report PLN 13-25 Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Update (Refer to Item 4.1) R. Gupta and M. Gupta, Pickering Landowners, appeared before the Committee via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 13-25. Through the aid of a PDF Presentation, M. Gupta noted that they owned lands in the subject area and listed several requests such as the creation of a landowner steering committee, the circulation of all draft maps and cost schedules to landowners, exploration of a land swap option prior to moving to expropriation, and emphasizing fair costs, buildability, and deadlock remedies. M. Gupta stated that their request was for transparency and a level playing field for small landowners. A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee, R. Gupta and M. Gupta regarding: • whether they had spoken with City planners; and, • whether they would be open to having a meeting with City staff. 3.11 James Grundy, Greenwood Community Association Report PLN 13-25 Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Update (Refer to Item 4.1) See Agenda Item 3.12. 3.12 James Grundy, Greenwood Community Association Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 09, 2025 7 Report PLN 16-25 Pickering Official Plan Review Project Update and Completed Growth Management Strategy (Refer to Item 4.2) J. Grundy, Greenwood Community Association, appeared before the Committee via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 13-25 and PLN 16-25. J. Grundy stated that they were a member of the Greenwood Community Association and that the plan called for a minimum of 45,000 new residents and did not include a maximum population number. J. Grundy expressed the need to look at the City's current financial situation when considering whether we should move forward with northeast Pickering. J. Grundy added that the high-level debt would have an impact on the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and that capital projects would need to be deferred or reduced. J. Grundy noted agreement with the pause to the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library as there were not enough Development Charges (DCs) to fund the project. J. Grundy stated that need to keep a close eye of Durham Region tax bills as this would affect taxpayers and asked who would be responsible to absorb the cost of delayed build out of infrastructure. J. Grundy stated that Pickering was not in a financial situation to fund the building of northeast Pickering without placing the burden on Pickering and Durham Region taxpayers. J. Grundy noted the need to take a financial analysis prior to undertaking the project. A brief question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and J. Grundy regarding: • whether J. Grundy was aware that only the swimming pools in the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex were being refurbished and that the developers would be responsible for building most of the infrastructure in northeast Pickering; and, • why J. Grundy was in support of a phased approach. 3.10 Helen Brenner, Pickering Resident Report PLN 16-25 Pickering Official Plan Review Project Update and Completed Growth Management Strategy (Refer to Item 4.2) H. Brenner, Pickering Resident, appeared before the Committee via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 16-25. H. Brenner expressed concerns about Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 09, 2025 8 how the Pickering lands were added to the urban boundary and provided details regarding the process which included information regarding Envision Durham process, the creation of a secondary plan for Pickering, and a Minister's Zoning Order submitted by Dorsay Developments. H. Brenner questioned the cost of the infrastructure to the taxpayers and its impact to climate and infrastructure, stating that responsible planning demanded accountability. Moved by Councillor Brenner Seconded by Councillor Robinson That the Committee take a short recess. Carried The Committee recessed at 8:48 p.m. and reconvened at 9:00 p.m. 4. Planning & Development Reports Moved by Councillor Brenner Seconded by Councillor Robinson That the order of the agenda be changed to hear Item 4.4, Report, PLN 15-25 as the next item of business. Carried 4.4 Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 15-25 Official Plan Amendment OPA 23-004/P Zoning By-law Amendment A 10/23 1334281 Ontario Limited 720 Granite Court Discussion and a question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and staff regarding: • concerns of impact to the transportation of goods through Granite Court; • the application being detrimental to the business community and the need to support businesses; • the proposed development not keeping with the community and the creation of a community that would be isolated; • concern regarding the creation of a residential complex in the middle of an Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 09, 2025 9 industrial area; • the application not providing any details regarding affordable housing; • clarification that staff supported the application; • what form of residential or other land use could staff conceive as being appropriate for the subject lands; • previous development applications that were submitted for the subject lands; • impact of the application being converted to more of an industrial development; • concern that the traffic study provided was flawed; • issues of safety as emergency vehicles would be trapped due to traffic concerns and the proposal cutting off escape roots during emergency situations; • lack of revisions made to the revised application; and, • concern that the proposal would bring high intensification into an area that was not optimal to handle such intensification. Moved by Councillor Brenner Seconded by Councillor Robinson 1. That Official Plan Amendment OPA 23-004/P and Zoning By-law Amendment Application A 10/23, submitted by 1334281 Ontario Limited, for lands located at 720 Granite Court, be refused; and, 2. That should Official Plan Amendment OPA 23-004/P (OPA 23-004/P) and Zoning By-law Amendment Application A 10/23 (ZBA A 10/23), submitted by 1334281 Ontario Limited, for land located at 720 Granite Court, be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), that Council authorize City staff, its outside legal counsel and outside experts in the fields of planning, transportation, environmental, urban design and other specialties, as may be required, to present and defend Council’s position on OPA 23-004/P and A 10/23 at the OLT. Carried Unanimously on a Recorded Vote 4.1 Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 13-25 Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Update P. Lowes, Principal, SGL Planning & Design Inc., appeared before the Committee via electronic connection to speak to PLN 13-25. P. Lowes stated that they were retained by the City as the project managers for the northeast Pickering secondary Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 09, 2025 10 plan. P. Lowes spoke to the intent of the project being to accommodate long-term growth up to 2051. P. Lowes further spoke to the project outcome and the different phases of the project adding that they were currently at phase two. P. Lowes summarized the public input received to date on the three land use concepts and outlined the three land use concepts based on environment, transit, and neighbourhood and the common land use elements between the three concepts. P. Lowes further listed the evaluation criteria, the different land use designations, and next steps in the project. A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and P. Lowes regarding: • how much of the land was natural heritage areas; • how the public reacted to each of the concepts; • clarification regarding the concept of a standalone new community; • mitigation measures for potential flooding; • the number of public engagement sessions conducted to date and future public engagement sessions; • clarification that residents still had the opportunity to provide their feedback; • whether consideration was given to how to incorporate agricultural lands; • whether there would be any protections provided to the agriculture lands; • how the lands that abut agricultural lands would be positioned; • how the transit proposed by the Province and the high-rise development abutting Brooklyn would be positioned; • whether the Town of Whitby had provided comments on northeast Pickering; • impact to the existing transportation network; • clarification that public and Committee comments would be taken into consideration; • clarification that next steps in the process would include a statutory public meeting; • clarification on the scope of the work of the secondary plan; • how a phased approach would look in a secondary plan; • concerns regarding the hamlet of Greenwood being erased; • ensuring that the hamlet was not overrun by traffic; and, • what would happen should the public not agree with one of the concepts. Discussion and a question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and staff regarding: Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 09, 2025 11 • the determination of a population of a municipality being a top down process; • whether the current official plan identified Greenwood; • Land Over Landing having their general annual meeting on that same day as the next public meeting and how their feedback could be received; • what the Greenwood Community Centre would be replaced with; • preventative measures that would be taken to mitigate any flooding risks; • whether staff would consider a phased approach for northeast Pickering; • the need for policies on transitioning from agricultural lands to urban development lands; • the need for clarification on design guidelines; • the need for policies and controls of footprint size on massing; • how the high frequency railway and the transitway corridor would fit together within northeast Pickering; • the need to build out Seaton prior to building northeast Pickering; • concern regarding the fragmentation of ecological corridors and irreversible agricultural land transformation; • concerns that economic concerns have overpowered community input; • Envision Durham coming into effect in 2024 and the Province announcing in January 2025 that the Region would not have any planning responsibilities; and, • clarification that consultation with indigenous groups had been done. Moved by Councillor Pickles Seconded by Councillor Butt 1. That the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Land Use Concepts and Preferred Land Use Plan report, prepared by SGL Planning & Design Inc., (SGL) dated May 2025, provided as Appendix I to Report PLN 13-25, be received, and forwarded to the public, agencies, landowners, and others engaged in the process, for comment; and, 2. That SGL and City Staff review the comments received on the SGL Report, and prepare a Proposed Plan for consideration at a Statutory Public Meeting to be held in the fall 2025. Voters Yes No Abstain Conflict Absent Mayor Ashe X Councillor Brenner X Councillor Butt X Councillor Cook X Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 09, 2025 12 Councillor Nagy X Councillor Pickles X Councillor Robinson X Results 5 1 0 0 1 Carried on a Recorded Vote (5 to 1) 4.2 Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 16-25 Pickering Official Plan Review Project Update and Completed Growth Management Strategy Moved by Councillor Butt Seconded by Councillor Brenner That due to the remaining items of business on the agenda, the meeting be extended to allow the Committee to continue to meet beyond 11:00 p.m. Carried J. Cook, Managing Partner, Planning & Land Economics, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd, appeared before the Committee via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 16-25. Through the aid of a PDF presentation, J. Cook noted the purpose of the study was to comprehensively assess the City's long-term population, housing, and employment growth outlook, identify residential intensification opportunities, and evaluate urban led needs up to 2051. J. Cook further spoke to the planning context, key findings of the forecast, community area land needs, Seaton employment area land needs, and policy recommendations. A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and J. Cook regarding: • employment and residential development projections for the subject lands; • whether the Study considered infrastructure needs; • whether the Study could incorporate the growth in the non-residential area; and, • whether consultation would be conducted with the Region's agricultural advisory committee. A brief question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 09, 2025 13 and staff regarding: • how staff would consult with the Region's Agricultural Advisory Committee; and, • clarification that the City was also being dictated by the Province to build more homes. Moved by Councillor Butt Seconded by Councillor Pickles 1. That Report PLN 16-25, regarding the Pickering Official Plan Review, be received; 2. That the City of Pickering Growth Management Strategy Final Report, prepared by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. in association with WSP, dated May 28, 2025, provided as Attachment 1 to Report PLN 16-25, be received, and that staff be directed to implement the growth projections contained therein, through the Pickering Official Plan Review (Pickering Forward); 3. That staff consider the comments received from Phase 1 (Background & Research) of the Official Plan Review, and the key outcomes and recommendations in the City of Pickering Growth Management Strategy Final Report, in preparation of Phase 2 (Policy Drafting) of the Pickering Official Plan Review process; and, 4. That a copy of the City of Pickering Growth Management Strategy Final Report be made available to interested parties through the project website. Voters Yes No Abstain Conflict Absent Mayor Ashe X Councillor Brenner X Councillor Butt X Councillor Cook X Councillor Nagy X Councillor Pickles X Councillor Robinson X Results 5 1 0 0 1 Carried on a Recorded Vote (5 to 1) Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes June 09, 2025 14 4.3 Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 14-25 Zoning By-law Amendment A 06/24 Draft Plan of Condominium CP-2024-05 9004807 Canada Inc. (Stonepay) 1635 Palmer’s Sawmill Road Moved by Councillor Pickles Seconded by Councillor Butt That Zoning By-law Amendment Application A 06/24, submitted by 9004807 Canada Inc. (Stonepay), to permit a condominium development containing 85 townhouse units, be approved, and that the draft Zoning By-law Amendment, as set out in Appendix I to Report PLN 14-25, be finalized and forwarded to Council for enactment. Carried 5. Member Updates on Committees There were no updates from Members on Committees. 6. Adjournment Moved by Councillor Butt Seconded by Councillor Pickles That the meeting be adjourned. Carried The meeting adjourned at 11:22 p.m.