HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 21, 2004Statutory Public Information Meeting
Agenda
Pursuant to Section 12(1) of
the Development Charges Act, 1997
Monday, June 21, 2004
7:30 P.M.
Introductory Remarks - Mayor Ryan
This meeting is being held in order to enable the public to understand the content
of the proposed Development Charges By-law and to allow the public to make
representations relating to the proposed By-law.
A representative of C.N. Watson and Associates Limited will provide an overview
of the proposed Development Charges Study and By-law.
Representations from the public relating to the proposed Development Charges
By-law will be heard.
Closing Remarks - Mayor Ryan
All comments will be considered prior to the preparation of the final draft of the
Development Charges By-law which is expected to be considered by the Council
of the City of Pickering at its meeting scheduled for Monday, July 26, 2004. Any
further comments or questions about the proposed Development Charges Study
and By-law should be referred to Mr. Gil Paterson, Director, Corporate Services
and Treasurer
5. Adjournment
THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING WILL FOLLOW THE ADJOURNMENT OF THIS
STATUTORY PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING. SEE THE COUNCIL AGENDA ON
THE NEXT PAGE.
btaylor:Agenda re Development Charges
Council Meeting
Agenda
Monday, June 21, 2004
(I) INVOCATION
Mayor Ryan will call the meeting to order and lead Council in the saying of the
Invocation.
(11) ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Regular Meeting of June 7, 2004
Special Meeting of June 14, 2004
(111) PRESENTATIONS
The Pickering Lions Club will honour long-term member Sylvia Soltys with a
dedication to Herizon House in her honour.
(IV) RESOLUTIONS
PAGE
To adopt the Executive Committee Report EC 2004-11 dated
June 14, 2004.
1-5
To consider Planning & Development Report PD 25-04
concerning Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Request
for Council Endorsement and Representation for: Duffins and
Carruthers Watershed Resource Group.
6-35
To consider Planning & Development Report PD 28-04
concerning Toward a Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt: Greenbelt
Task Force Discussion Paper; A Framework for Consultation;
May 2004.
36-87
To consider Operations & Emergency Services Report OES 12-
04 concerning Anti-whistling By-law, Altona Road,
Scarborough/Pickering Townline Road.
88-94
To consider Operations & Emergency Services Report OES 19-
04 concerning Supply and Delivery of 4-Ton Truck.
To be circulated under separate cover
Council Meeting
Agenda
Monday, June 21, 2004
To consider Operations & Emergency Services Report OES 20-
04 concerning Supply and Delivery of One 16' Cut Rotary
Mower.
To be circulated under separate cover
To consider Operations & Emergency Services Report OES 21-
04 concerning Supply and Delivery of Four Wheel Drive
Articulating Tractor.
To be circulated under separate cover
Proclamation:
"Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalius Awareness Month"-June, 2004
(v) BY-LAWS
By-law Number 6341/04
Being a by-law to appoint By-law Enforcement Officers for certain
purposes (Parking Regulation - 1915 Denmar Road.)
By-law Number 6342/04
Being a by-law to prohibit the sounding of train whistles at Altona Road,
and Scarborough-Pickering Townline Road crossings of the Canadian
Pacific Railway line, Belleville Subdivision.
By-law Number 6343/04
Being a by-law to dedicate Block 34, Plan 40M-1987, Pickering, as
public highway.
{vi)
(w~)
(v~)
OTHER BUSINESS
CONFIRMATION BY-LAW
ADJOURNMENT
95-97
98
99
100-102
-2-
RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL
DATE
MOVED BY
SECONDED BY
That the Executive Committee Report dated June 14, 2004, be adopted.
CARRIED:
MAYOR
Appendix I
Executive Committee Report
EC 2004-11
That the Executive Committee of the City of Pickering having met on June 14, 2004,
presents its eleventh report to Council and recommends:
OPERATIONS & EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT OES 17-04
TENDER NO. T 1-2004
TENDER FOR PLAYGROUND CONSTRUCTION
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
RFP 1-2004, PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
That Report OES 17-04 regarding playground construction and playground
equipment, be received; and
That Tender No. T 1-2004 submitted by Serve Construction Limited for park
and playground construction, in the amount of $63,459.25 (7% G.S.T. extra),
be accepted; and
That Request for Proposal RFP 1-2004 submitted by Recreation Playsystems
(a division of RTS Plastics Inc.) for the supply and installation of playground
equipment in various parks in the amount of $97,387.61 (7% G.S.T. extra), be
accepted; and
That the total project cost of $250,000.00 (construction $63,459.25, play
equipment $97,387.61, safety surfacing $23,000.00, other project costs
$65,000.00 and contingency $1,153.14) which includes the above tendered
amount and RFP amount as identified in this report be approved; and
5. That staff at the City of Picketing be given the authority to give effect thereto.
OPERATIONS & EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT OES 18-04
MUSEUM PROGRAM CENTRE
1. That Report OES 18-04 regarding the Museum Program Centre, be received;
and
2. That Council formally requests that the Ministry of Transportation make
arrangements for the donation of the farmhouse at No. 3810 Balsam Road,
Part Lot 5, Concession 6 to the Pickering Museum Village; and
4
Appendix I
Executive Committee Report
EC 2004-11
That Council request that the Ministry consider a financial contribution in
support of the City of Pickering undertaking the relocation and preservation of
this heritage structure; and
That staff be authorized to enter into an appropriate acquisition agreement
respecting the building; and
That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be given the authority to
give effect thereto.
CORPORATE SERVICES REPORT CS 18-04
2004~2005 PROPERTY AND LIABILITY INSURANCE PROGRAM
That Report CS 18-04 of the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer
concerning 2004/2005 Property and Liability Insurance Program, be received;
and
That the City of Pickering renew effective June 15, 2004, its property, liability
and other coverages through the Frank Cowan Company for the period July
1, 2004 to July 1, 2005 inclusive on terms and conditions acceptable to the
Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer; and
That the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer, as part of the Risk
Management Program, be authorized to continue the Reimbursable
Deductible Program through the Insurance Adjuster and the Frank Cowan
Company and further, that the Director be authorized to settle any claims
including any adjusting and legal fees within the total deductible limit where it
is in the City's interest to do so; and
That the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer be authorized to purchase
additional insurance, make changes to deductibles and existing coverages,
and alter terms and conditions as becomes desirable or necessary in order to
protect the assets of the City and it's elected officials and staff; and
That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be given authority to give
effect thereto.
-5-
; 04
Appendix I
Executive Committee Report
EC 2004-11
CORPORATE SERVICES REPORT CS 13-04
MUNICIPAL PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT PROGRAM
PROVINCIALLY MANDATED PUBLIC REPORTING OF
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
That Report CS 13-04 from the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer,
concerning Municipal Performance Measurement Program - Provincially
Mandated Public Reporting of Performance Measures, be received for
information.
CORPORATE SERVICES REPORT CS 15-04
DEVELOPMENT CHARGES RESERVE FUND
-STATEMENT OF THE TREASURER FOR 2003
That Report CS 15-04 of the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer
respecting the Development Charges Reserve Fund (G/L 4227 and 4229) be
received by Council for information.
CORPORATE SERVICES REPORT CS 17-04
SECTION 357/358/354 OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT
-ADJUSTMENT TO TAXES
That Report CS 17-04 of the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer,
concerning Section 357/358/354 of the Municipal Act - Adjustment to Taxes,
be received; and
That the write-offs of taxes as provided under Section 357/358/354 of the
Municipal Act, 2001 be approved; and
The appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the
necessary action to give effect hereto.
-6-
Appendix I
Executive Committee Report
EC 2004-11
CORPORATE SERVICES REPORT CS 19-04
RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP ORGRAM
-PAW JOINT ANIMAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
1. That Report CS 19-04 regarding the Responsible Pet Ownership Program
proposed by the PAW Joint Animal Services Committee, be received; and
2. That the Council of the City of Pickering hereby endorses the Responsible
Pet Ownership Program and other promotional initiatives as set out in the
PAW Animal Services Business Plan dated Ma7, 2004.
HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT HR 01-04
BENEFITS CONSULTING SERVICES
MOSEY & MOSEY BENEFITS CONSULTANTS
That Report HR 01-04 be received by Council and that the revised fee structure
proposed by Mosey & Mosey Benefits Consultants, be approved.
7
RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL
DATE
MOVED BY
SECONDED BY
That Council ENDORSE the Goals, Membership, Organization and terms of
Reference of the Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG),
as the implementation team for the Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek and
Carruthers Creek; and that TRCA invite a First Nations representative to join
the DCWRG; and
2. That Council APPOINT David Pickles, City Councillor - Ward 3, to serve as
the City of Pickering representative on the Duffins Carruthers Watershed
Resource Group, and Mayor Ryan as the alternate.
CARRIED:
MAYOR
PICKERING
REPORT TO 0 0 ?
COUNCIL
Report Number: PD 25-04
Date: jUne 9, 2004
From:
Nell Carroll
Director, Planning & Development
Subject:
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Request for Council Endorsement and Representation for:
Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group
Recommendation:
That Council ENDORSE the Goals, Membership, Organization and Terms of
Reference of the Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG), as
the implementation team for the Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek and
Carruthers Creek; and that TRCA invite a First Nations representative to join the
DCWRG; and,
That Council APPOINT David Pickles, City Councillor - Ward 3, to serve as the
City of Pickering representative on the Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource
Group, and Mayor Ryan as the alternate.
Executive Summary: The 'state-of-the-art' Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek
and Carruthers Creek was adopted by TRCA and other municipalities in 2003, with
the support of Pickering City Council. An implementation strategy was to be
established following consultation with City staff and other partners. The Toronto
and Region Conservation Authority is now proposing the Duffins Carruthers
Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG) as the implementation team for the
Watershed Plan, working with the proposed Goals, Membership, Organization and
Terms of Reference. Staff is recommending that City Council endorse the goals,
membership, organization and terms of reference of the DCWRG as the advisory
group to TRCA on implementation of the Watershed Plan and appoint a member of
Council to serve on the Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group.
Financial implications: No funding support from the City is proposed to administer
the Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group. Funding participation may be
requested at a later time for specific implementation measures, which would be subject
to Council approval for each such measure.
008
Repor[ PD 25-04 Date: June 9, 2004
Subject: TRCA Request for Council Endorsement and Representation for: Page 2
Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group
1.0
2.0
Council supported A Watershed Plan for Duffins C, reek and Carruthers
Creek, in 2003.
On June t6, 2003, Pickering City Council passed Resolution #96/03, Item #1 to:
· receive the draft report A Watershed Plan For Duffins Creek and Carruthers
Creek;
· support, in principle, the vision, management philosophy and ten integral
management actions in the plan; and,
· authorize City staff to work with TRCA staff on a terms of reference for an
implementation team for the watershed plan.
Council Resolution #96/03, Item #I and the vision, management philosophy and
ten integral management actions are attached to Report PD 25-04 (see
Attachments #1 & #2).
The final report - A Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek was
released in August 2003 and distributed to Council and staff at that time.
TRCA consulted with City staff about an implementation team for the
Watershed Plan and is now requesting Council's endorsement of the
Goals, Membership, Organization and Terms of Reference of the Duffins
Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG).
Since release of the final report, TRCA staff have consulted with Pickering
Planning & Development staff, other area and regional municipal staff, and other
watershed partners on a suitable terms of reference for an implementation team
for the Watershed Plan.
In February 2004, the Province released a White Paper on Watershed Based
Source Protection Planning. The types of protections proposed for the Duffins Creek
and Carruthers Creek watersheds set out in the Watershed Plan are
complementary to the Province's proposals for watershed based source
protection. Discussions are ongoing to include the Toronto and Region,
Credit Valley and Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authorities in a joint
watershed region and develop watershed source protection plans for each
watershed. Accordingly, TRCA concluded that the implementation team for the
Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek should also take on an
advisory role to TRCA on the development of a source protection plan for the
Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds. The terrns of reference for the
implementation team has accordingly been expanded to incorporate this
additionai role.
Repod PD 25-04 Date: June 9, 2004
Subject: TRCA Request for Council Endorsement and Representation for: Page 3
Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group
3.0
On April 16, 2004, as a result of consultation with municipal staff and other
stakeholders, the Watershed Management Advisory Board of TRCA
recommended establishment of the Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource
Group (DCWRG) to assist TRCA in the implementation of A Watershed Plan For
Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek. The Board adopted the series of TRCA
staff recommendations contained in the Implementation Framework for A
Watershed Plan For Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek and the Goals,
Membership, Organization and Terms of Reference of the Duffins Carruthers
Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG), which are attached to Report PD 25-04
(see Attachment #3).
The recommended Goals, Membership, Organization and Terms of
Reference of the DCWRG are appropriate.
It is proposed that the DCWRG be composed of representatives of federal and
provincial agencies, local and regional municipalities, other interested
stakeholder organizations and watershed residents.
The .qoal of the DCWRG is to work towards advocacy and networking, funding
and resources, communication and interface, stewardship and outreach,
education and science transfer, and applied research/experimental design in
order to implement A Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek.
DCWRG membership is to include two members of TRCA, the TRCA watershed
specialist, Councillors from the seven local and regional municipalities,
representatives of the federal and provincial governments, the golf course and
aggregate industries, and six residents or non-government organization members to
fulfill specific functions. The Urban Development Institute asked to be consulted
at such time as specific implementation measures may be under consideration.
In addition, TRCA staff welcomed the City staff suggestion to include
First Nations representation on the DCWRG and requested the City to provide
First Nations contacts. Staff will forward the contact at the Mississaugas of
Scugog Island First Nation to TRCA staff.
Municipal representatives should represent wards that falll within the Duffins or
Carruthers Creek watersheds (i.e.? Wards 2 or 3, in Picketing). The term of the
appointment will be from this summer' unti! the end of the Council term in
November 2006.
Report PD 25-04 Date: June 9, 2004
Subject: TRCA Request for Council Endorsement and Representation for: Page 4 ·
Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group
Since the DCWRG is expected to meet only several times each year, the role of
municipal representatives will be to inform, influence, and maintain
communication between the City and the DCWRG on priorities and programs
that support the watershed strategy. Another member of Council could also be
appointed as an alternate to the appointed Council repres, entative. Support from
City staff would be requested as specific implementation measures are
considered (i.e., Oak Ridges Moraine official plan amendment, trail planning,
etc.)
DCWRG members are to appoint a Chair and/or Vice-Chair. The first meeting of
the DCWRG is planned early in July. It is anticipated that the six citizen
non-government representatives would be selected for the specific functions
following the first meeting of the Council and stakeholder representatives on the
DCWRG. Council may wish to recommend citizen or non-governmental
organization candidates for these functional roles (e.g., a representative of a
hamlet ratepayers association, a farmer, a resident of a rural heritage
community, or a member of a community association with demonstrated
environmental interest).
The DCWRG is to continue implementing existing watershed workplans with
local partners, coordinate watershed actions and report on a semi-annual basis
on projects and progress to the Watershed Management Advisory Board of
TRCA. Administrative and technical support, and funding of the DCWRG, is to
be provided by TRCA. Although no funding will be requested to support the
DCWRG, funding and other support for specific implementation measures is
encouraged by TRCA and will be addressed as each implementation measure is
proposed. Examples of ongoing watershed measures include trail works, source
protection plans, and input to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
Some of the functions proposed for the DCWRG apply' generally to the two
watersheds over the long term, while some are of particular strategic importance
to the City of Pickering at this time, including:
to work with the City of Pickering to apply the watershed plan in its planning
activities;
to continue to seek opportunities for official plan amendments in support of
the policy changes required for full endorsement of the watershed plan;
to continue discussions with Transport Canada to ensure implementation is in
line with the Green Space Master Plan;
to advise the GTAA and Transport Canada on watershed plan directions
feasted tc the proposed airpo~; and,
to work with the Province respecting Seaton planning to apply watershed plan
tra~egies,
Report PD 25-04 Date: June 9, 2004
Subject: TRCA Request for Council Endorsement and Representation for' Page 5
Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group
4.0
It is recommended that Councii endorse the Goais, iviembership, Organization
and Terms of Reference of the Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group
(DCWRG) as the implementation team for the Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek
Carruthers Creek and that a First Nations representative; be invited to join the
DCWRG.
Council should appoint a member of Council to s, erve on the Duffins
Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG) and another member of
Council as an alternate representative.
In order to ensure local municipal representation in the implementation of the
Watershed Plan for both matters affecting the general health of the two
watersheds and matters currently of strategic significance to Picketing, it is
recommended that Council appoint a member of Council to the Duffins
Carruthers Watershed Resource Group and another member of Council as an
alternate representative.
It is suggested that David Pickles, City Councillor - Ward 3, be appointed as he
was Council's representative on the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek
Watershed Task Forces. Councillor Pickles has indicated an interest in
continuing his involvement as the City representative on the DCWRG.
It is further suggested that Mayor Ryan be appointed as the alternate
representative of Council on the DCWRG, which complements his role as
Council's representative on the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
Mayor Ryan has indicated his interest in this role.
612
Report PD 25-04 Date: June 9, 2004
Subject: TRCA Request for Council Endorsement and Representation for · Page 6
Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group
Attachments:
Council Resolution #96/03, Item #t, adopted June 16, 2003
Vision, Management Philosophy and Ten Integral Management Actions of
A Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek:
Implementation Framework - A Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek and
Carruthers Creek, and, Goals, Membership, Organization and Terms of
Reference for the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek Watershed Resource
Group, 2004- 2006
Prepared By:
Steve Gaunt, MCIP, RPP
Planner II
Approved / Endorsed By:
Neil Ca rrofl~--bo~P4"RP P
Director, Pla~-"~ing & Development
Catherine Rose
Manager, Policy
SG:jf
Attachments
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy
Division Head, Municipal Property & Engineering
Recommended for the consideration of
Pickering City Council
Thoma~d, Ou~nn, Ch~efi~dm~m~tive Officer
June i7, 2003
TO:
FRO~I:
SUBJECT:
ADM N S: RATION DEP,, M .NT
o DWtSION
MEMORANDUM
Nell Carroll, Director, Planning & Development
Bruce Taylor, City Clerk
Referrals from the Council Meeting of June 16, 200:3
ul
CiTY OF PICKERING
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
Please be advised that the Council of the City of Pickering passed Resolution #96103, Item #1
at the Council Meeting of June 16, 2003, as follows:
That Council RECEIVE the draft report "A Watershed Plan For Duf'fins Creek and
Carruthers Creek" of the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek Watershed Task
Forces; and
That Council SUPPORT IN PRINCIPLE the vision, management philosophy and ten
integral management actions set out in "A Watershed Plan For Duffins and
Carruthers Creek", provided the TRCA adopts the technical amendments to the
Watershed Plan identified in Appendix ~ of Report Number PD 25-03; and
That Council AUTHORIZE City staff to work with staff of the Toronto and Region
Conservation Authority, the Region of Durham and other municipalities, agencies,
residents and stakeholders, as appropriate, to provide input to a terms of reference
for an implementation team to be formed in the fall of 2003 that would, among other
things, review, clarify and recommend precise indicators, measures and targets for
the objectives of the Watershed Plan; and that the terms of reference be brought
back for consideration by City Council.
A WATERSHED PLAN
AUGUST~ 2003
i
!
!
!
I
!
!
!
!
I
015
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Thc Dufiins and Carruthcrs Creek watersheds lic to the east of~bronto and drain into the north
shore of Lake Ontario. These two river systems connect communities across Durham Region
and York Region including the City of Pickering, the Towns of Ajax, Markham and Whitchurch-
Stouffvillc, and the Township of Uxbridge. They are among the heah:hiest of watersheds in the
Greater Toronto Region, yet they are also exhibiting signs of stress fi'om land use activities.
Although the "footprint" of the proposed Pickering Airport and the Seaton land development
was not available during the time this Plan was written, we do know tihese two watersheds will
face pressure from this future urban growth, road widenings, and construction. The
Management Actions contained within the Watershed Plan and its associated technical reports
provide a watershed perspective and clear direction for these undertakings. However, these
watersheds also hold the potential for innovative management associated with their extensive
public land holdings and position relative to the protection afforded by the newly enacted Oak
Ridges Moraine Act (2001).
This Watershed Plan is a blueprint for action. The Plan includes a brief summary of current
watershed conditions and identifies the issues to be addressed and the opportunities that exist.
It sets out a vision for the future, a management philosophy, and a framework of management
strategies induding watershed management goals, objectives, and the required actions. It out-
lines a set of effective implementation mechanisms, and provides guidance for implementation
priorities at a subwatershed scale and areas within the watershed where: initial implementation
activities should focus.
!
!
This Watershed Plan comes from a commitment by Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA)
in its 1989 Greenspace Strategy to guide the preparation of a watershed management strategy for
each of the nine watersheds in its jurisdiction. Building upon commitments made in the
Greenspace Strategy, and with over 45 years experience in protecting and restoring the environ-
mental health of one of the most rapidly expanding city regions in the world, TRCA has defined
a new vision for its work, The Living City:
The Living City Vision
The qualis¥ of life on Earth is being determined in the rapidly expanding ci~, regions. Our
vision isj~br a nc~ kind of communit)5 The Living Cit)5 where human settlement can flourish
.Forever as parr of nature's beauty and diversi~j.
Thc Living City is a way of living in cig, regions that promotes a healthy coexistence between
economy and nature. In a Living CitT, the ecosystem is seen as the foundation for the City
Region. Nature is protected and enhanced for irs abiliB' to sustain the health of irs important
functions in the regional ecosystem; a system in which all living things are interdependent and
exist i~ a delicate balance.
C, 16
Thc Living Cip/vision has three objectives: healthy rivers and shorelines, regional biodiversity,
and sustainable communities. In support of Thc Living City.,' vision and building upon the experi-
ence: gained from previous watershed planning initiatives, TRCA has advanced its communi~;-
based process and technical approaches in the development of this Watershed Plan.
TWO TASK FORCES AND ONE PLAN
TRCA continued its very successful model for empowering watershed stakeholders and formed
two Watershed Task Forces in 2000. Membership of the two Task Forces included elected
municipal representatives, watershed residents, and representatives from key stakeholder groups
and agencies.
The Task Forces were charged with the responsibility of developing this Watershed Management
Plan. Despite their difference in size, the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds are
diverse and contrasting landscapes that share many of the same opportunities and challenges.
Therefore, the Task Forces prepared one management plan for the two watersheds.
VISION
The DUffins and Carruthcrs Creek Watersheds Task Forces hold the following vision for the
future of these watersheds:
The Vision
Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds will be healthy, 4ynamic, and sustainable
watersheds that continue to have clean, safe water. These watersheds will haw functioning
wetlands and be diverse with self-sustaining communities of native plants, fis~) and wildlife,
where natural and human heritage features are protected and valued. 2~esidents will recognize
the watersheds as essential community resources that enhance their quality of life. All
stakeholders will participate in the stewardship of the watersheds and growth and development
will reflect this vision and the importance of protecting and enhancing this pr. iceless legacy.
MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY
The vision for thc Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds is supported by a management
pl~ilosophy that promotes five key elements.
Nez Gair~
* Improve upon existing features and functions throughout the watersheds.
' Use thc uniauc opportunities provided by extznsivz Public land holdings in the waterslmds.
[
!
!
Environment First
~ Manage the watersheds as a "svst,'m ' considerin~ the environmental tqanction first.
~ Protect and enhance the natural fcature~ and functions as a first step in a hierarchy of' other
management approaches.
· Emphasize prevention over rcmediation, recognizing that prevention is more cost efficient than
remediation.
Balance Land Use
· These watersheds, adjacent to one of the largest cities in Canada, must support a combination
of natural, urban and agricultural land uses and systems.
· Apply the principles of Smart Growth.
· Recognize through land use actions, the concept of balance, thus ensuring integrity, of water-
shed functions.
Human Health and Safety
· Recognize linkages between human health and the health of the environment.
· Minimize risk to human health and safety.
Everyone Counts - Ownership, Commitment and Follow Through
· Demonstrate sustainable living and sustainable community design.
· Build upon existing leadership, stewardship, and good decision making practices.
· Strengthen existing and develop new parmerships.
· Make the appropriate lifestyle choices, change behaviours, and encourage innovation in
thoughts, words, and actions.
TECHNICAL FOUNDATION FOR TI-IE PLAN
State-of-the-art watershed management today not only addresses a broader range of issues than
previous initiatives, but also considers the interrelationships among these issues. Issues are corn
sidered in both the current and future planning context, in order ro take a more proactive
approach to management. Given the rich information base existing within the Duffins and
Carruthers Creek watersheds, and the extensive experience of TRCA and its partners with water-
shed planning~ the Task Forces were able not only to employ, but advance, stare-or-the-art
methodologies for watershed planning.
To understand key functions and issues operating within thc watersheds, thc Task Forces and the
technical support ream defined and evaluated three land use scenarios in terms of thc effects they
would impose on watershed health. The three scenarios included: existing land use. future land
use (az, per the approved Officia! Plans), and future land use with enhanced natural cover. These
scenarios reflected the primary drivers of change expected in the watersheds, including urban
growth and opportunities foi: natural area protection. The results of the evaluation enabled thc
Task ~orce~' tc benchmark tbt: watersheds' rcmonsc along a continuum.
Kecognizing that thc watershed ecosystem is a complex network of interrelated fkarures and func-
tions, rte task forces reduced thc watershed ecosystems to a set of simpler component systems in
order ro understand ti~c response to each of the three land usc scenarios. Sm.dies were undertak-
en withip the fbllowing technical areas:
surface water quantity;
groundwater quanti~ and quality;
surface water quality;
aquatic habitat and species;
terrestrial habitat and species;
human heritage; and
public use - outdoor recreation.
An innovative aspect of this work was the degree to which the findings of each technical study
component were integrated and interpreted from the perspective of other interrelated compo-
nents. A watershed response model guided the integration and interpretation ,of results arising
from each individual technical component study. For example, increases in vegetative cover pre-
dicted changes in groundwater levels and stream baseflow, which in turn predicted an effect on
the aquatic community composition in certain stream reaches. Details of this approach and each
of the technical component studies are summarized in the Technical Analysis and Integration
Process Summary Report (TRCA, 2003) and in the full set of supporting technical reports.
These reports build upon information previously published in the Duffins and Carruthers Creek
State of the Watershed Reports (TRCA, 2002).
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
The Task Forces have. recommended that the most effective approach for managing the Duffins
and Carruthers Creek watersheds involves achievement of an enhanced natural heritage system,
together with the application of best management practices in all aspects of land use activities.
The concept of an enhanced natural heritage system at a watershed scale is described in the
"Future Land Use (as per Official Plans) with Enhanced Natural Heritage Cover" scenario.
Implementation of this management approach will involve a review and realization of opportuni-
ties for achieving an enhanced natural heritage system at sub~vatershed and site scales.
The seiecnon of this approach was based on the following considerations:
its consistency with the Task Forces' Management Philosophy;
its effectiveness for meeting multiple watershed management benefits;
irs ability ro provicie the foundation for a sustainable watershed;
irs feasibilin,; and
ir:: consistency with other provincial and i~:dcrat basin management object/yes
[
!
!
GOALS~ OBjECTiV~¢~ AND BASELINE REiPOtLT CARD
A set of eight goals and 25 objectives make up the overall management srrate~7 of this Watershed
Plan (Table E-! ). A rating has been assigned to each goal and objective, based on an evaluation
of the state of current watershed conditions in relation to the management direction provided by
the specific goal and objectives. These ratings form a baseline "Waters.ted Report Card" from
which the effectiveness of implementing the Watershed Plan can be measured. Details of the rat-
ing analysis are documented in the Ratings Report for the 2003 Duffins and Carruthers Creek
Watersheds Report Card (TRCA, 2003).
!
!
MO.NITOKING AND REPORTING
A formal, coordinated multi-agency monitoring program is not intended to be the sole form of
watershed monitoring in the Duffins and Carruthers Creek watersheds. Many of the recommen-
dations tabled in Chapter Six of this Plan are in fact initiatives that require frequent performance
assessments. These performance assessments are considered to be elements of watershed moni-
toring. It is also recognized that observations of stream and terrestrial .ecosystem health by resi-
dents, stakeholders, and non-government organizations are important metrics of the effectiveness
of this Watershed Plan.
Periodic reviews of this Watershed Plan are an integral component of TRCA's watershed manage-
ment process and allow for: systematic improvements to the plan, the incorporation of new scien-
tific understandings of the watersheds, and emerging initiatives such as "sustainability". At the
same time, the original assumptions of the Watershed Plan can, if necessary, be adjusted. Timing
of major reviews should be coordinated with the preparation of a Watershed Report Card, in
advance of major land use changes in the watershed.
TEN INTEGI~AL MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
The Task Forces recommended a detailed set of management activities for the achievement of
each objective. A number of these actions are common, in that they contribute toward the fulfill-
menr of numerous objectives. Certain benefits are considered especially important because they
can happen well beyond their site of application. These particular management actions are so
important that they are integral to the overall health of the watersheds and should be afforded
top priority for implementation. The Integral Management Actions are:
1. Protect existing meadows, wetlands, and forests identified in the enhanced terrestrial natural
heritage system and secure lands to be restored.
2. Actively restore areas within the enhanced natural heritage system, which contribute multiple
' watershed benefits, and allow passive restoration to occur in the remaining areas.
3. Provide stormwater quantity and quality controls for new and existing development, includ-
ing transportation corridors.
Manage land uses and water withdrawals to maintain or enhance infi trafion patterns,
groundwater pathways, and resultant baseflows.
Eliminate the remaining point source of pollution (i.e. Stouffville Water Pollution Control
Plant) and manage non-point sources of pollution, in particular stormwater runoff and infi_t-
tration fi'om urban land uses, transportation corridors, and rural contributions.
6. Enforce stringent erosion and sediment controls for construction and infrastructure mainte-
nance activities.
7. Protect and restore natural streams and stream processes by managing runoff and sediment
loss at source, protecting valley and stream corridors, and naturalizing altered streams.
8. Remove and/or mitigate human-built barriers to fish passage and sediment transport, includ-
ing on-line ponds, where recomnaended by the Fisheries Management Plan.
9. Maintain self-sustaining, resident/migratory fish and wildlifk populations as barometers of a
healthy natural heritage system.
1.0. Identi~, and raise awareness of' past and present hun;an infitmnces op, tine watersheds and the
strong link bem,een human heritage, watershed, recreation, and human and environmental
health.
i
!
i
i
MULTIPLE BENEFITS OF NATURAL COVER
The prorectior~ and enhancement of terrestrial narurai heritage cover through the achievement of
the enhanced natural heritage system is central to the Task Forces' management approach.
Technical analysis of the watersheds' response to the "Future Land Use (as per the Official Plans
with Enhanced Natural Heritage System" scenario repeatedly demonstrated the multiple water-
shed benefits that can be realized by achieving an enhanced natural heritage system. In addition
to benefits associated with terrestrial habitat and species objectives, a natural heritage system
would contribute to the management of hydrological, hydrogeological, water quality, aquatic
resource, recreation, and human heritage concerns.
At a watershed scale, the protection of a viable natural heritage system will provide the founda-
tion for a sustainable watershed. By protecting the ability of natural systems to carry out water-
shed functions, there will be less need for costly maintenance of infrastructure, less risk with
unproven techno}ogical solutions to watershed management, and cost savings in raking a preven-
tative approach rather than a reliance on remedial or "end-of-the-pipe" solutions. In addition,
choices made at the community and site scales within the watershed wili contribute to overall
watershed sustainability.
021
i
I
I
IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK
A Tool Kit of Implementation Mechanisms
Common to many watershed plans in Ontario, the key implementation mechanisms include: pol-
icy and planning, regulations and permits, stewardship and regeneration activities, land acquisi-
tion/securement, and education and ~iwareness.
Both the province, under the Oak Ridges Moraine Act (2001) and Conservation Plan (2002),
and Justice O'Connor in his Part Two Report of the Walkerron Inquiry (2002) have endorsed
the important role municipal land use planning and other government permitting processes play
in implementing a watershed plan. The Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Task Forces have also
recognized the importance of developing a model policy framework to assist in the transition
between the watershed plan and its implementation through these other' planning and policy
tools. Initial work has been completed in developing model policy framework; further work is a
priority implementation activity.
GIS-based mapping has been prepared for each watershed to idcntiO~ the areas targeted fbr active
stewardship, regeneration, land acquisition and securement.
Subwatershed Scale Direction
A more detailed identification of key management considerations and actions has been provided
at the subwarershed level For this purpose, the Dnffins Creek watershed was divided into six
~ra~nagc area:; including: West Duffin.~: Creek., East Dt¢~]n:: Zrzek, Ganatseldagor: ~,r~el% Urfe
O22
Creek, Millers Creek, and the Lower Duffins ~' ~
~re~k. The Carruthers Creek Watershed makes up
the seventh area. pportnmues have been illustrated on a map for each subwatershed.
O ' '
Communiu¢ Action Sites
The task forces have identified six sites within the watersheds as potential "Community Action
Sites". Sites were selected ro demonstrate the implementation of many aspects of the Watershed
plan; the expected interest, enthusiasm, and support of implementation partners; and the feasibili-
ty of design and implementation at the site level. Community Action Sites have been successful
in other watersheds as a means of fhcilitating the transition from plan to ground level action and
in providing a sense of early accomplishment for partners implementing the plan.
Roles and Responsibilities
Implementation of the Watershed Plan requires the involvement of everyone, including residents,
businesses, schools, and all levels of government. Specific recommendations are provided as to a
role for each partner.
TOWARD FULFILLMENT OF NEW
PROVINCIAL DIRECTIONS
The release of this report could not come at a better time as it complements recent recommenda-
tions of the Walkerton Inquiry, the Oalc Ridges Moraine Act and Conservation Plan, and the
proposed North Pickering Land Exchange and its principles for development of the Searon lands.
These decisions, combined with planning for the extensive federal government land holdings for
a proposed regional airport in the Duffins watershed, suggest that we are at a point in time when
critical decisions concerning the protection and enhancement of these areas need to be made.
~ Walkerton Inquiry Call for Source Protection
The Walkerton Inquiry's Part T~vo Report, A Strategy for Safe Drinking Water, was released
by the Ontario Government in May 2002 and contains 93 recommendations for improved
public policy and programs that will ensure the safer5, of Ontario's drinking water supply.
The report focuses considerable attention on the importance of protecting drinldng water
sources as the first step in a multi-barrier approach to dri~tldng water supply management.
Specifical135 the report calls for the preparation of watershed-based source protection plans
and outlines the role of conservation authorities in this effort.
Drinldng water sources within the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek wat:ersheds include
both lake-based (urban portions of the City of Pickering and the Town of Ajax) and ground-
water-based supplies. The regiona'~ municipalities of Peel, ¥0rk, and Durham have been
assembling inr%rmation ro address components of groundwater source protection, and TRCA
is committed re a program of coordinating the integration ,.)f al! oq rhi~: inS:)rmad,.}~ x~,dthin ~r.
integrated watershed management and source protection plan.
The preparation of source protection plans for watersheds that are predominantly served by
Lake Ontario may require a slighdy different approach than areas infiuenced mostly by local
sources. )&hough the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds aft%ct the nearshore
Lake Ontario environment, contaminant sources also arise from upstream in the Great Lakes
Basin and from "imported" sources, such as atmospheric deposition.
Toronto and Region Conservation is wortdng with Conservation Ontario and its representa-
tives on the Provincial Advisory Commirtee that has been established to recommend a frame-
work for the preparation of Source Protection Plans in Ontario.
~Oak Ridges Moraine Act and Conservation Plan
,After a six month moratorium that froze development on the Oak Ridges Moraine, and dur-
ing which time a strategy was developed and public consultation undertaken, (Bill 122, The
Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act) was passed in the Ontario Legislature and received
Royal Assent on December 14, 2001. On April 22, 2002 the Oak Ridges Moraine
Conservation Plan was approved and filed as a Ministers Regulation (O. Reg. 140/02). The
purpose of the Plan is to provide land use and resource management planning direction to
ensure the protection and ecological and hydrological integrity of the Oak Ridges Moraine.
The Conservation Plan provides for four land use designations. The first two are Natural
Core Areas and Natural Linkage Areas, where very limited new land uses are being permit-
ted. The Countryside .Areas are largely identified for agricultural, rural, recreational, and
resource areas and, finally, the Settlement Areas are restricted to existing urban or settlement
area boundaries.
Municipalities are directed in the plan to recognize these land use designations, setbacks, and"
further study requirements in their Official Plans and zoning by-laws within set timeframes.
In addition, it requires that detailed water management studies (i.e., watershed plans, water
budgets, and conservation plans) be completed and their results be incorporated, into mm~ic-
ipal Official Plans before any major development proposals may be approved.
In summary, the Conservation Pla~ was written and designed to be implemented by munici-
pal governments. Many of the requirements of the Plan involve tasks or studies that conser-
vation authorities have traditionally undertaken for their member municipalities.
Prior to the enactment of the Oak Ridges Moraine Act and Plan, the nine conservation
authorities with watersheds on the Oak Ridges Moraine fbrmed a coalition ro advocate for
tm protectior., of th,-: Moraine TbS~ C;onservario. r, Aufi~orifie~.: .Morair~.e Coa!itior: l-~as pre-
pared a proposal to be submitted to irs member municipalities outlining the aspects of the
Conservation Plan, which could be delivered by conservation authorities. The preparation of
watershed plans like this one, water budgets, and mapping of' environmental feature:; are
among the items being proposed by the coalition.
WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE
DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHEDS
This Watershed Plan will be successful if it remains a living document, one that is revisited and
implemented when and where appropriate. We will know that we have made a difference if we
strive to meet multiple objectives during implementation and continue to further understanding
of the technical work that supports management strategies and their direction.
What is Success?
As we move forward and evolve with the times and the places that are unique to these two water-
sheds we should be able to look back and say that we have:
· protected and enhanced the natural systems and sustainability of communities within the
Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds;
· strengthened foundations for managing the watersheds using a formal monitoring and report-
ing system in place;
· improved water quality in Carruthers Creek and Du£fins Creek for improved habitats and the
provision of safe drinking water;
· increased our knowledge of human and natural heritage resources in these watersheds and
developed educational and outreach programs that support and apply this new knowledge base
in the two watersheds and beyond~
· provided opportunities for watershed residents and stakeholders to have a greater say in how
these watersheds are used and managed;
· expanded our knowledge and refined our planning and management practices to sustain these
river systems;
· built on existing and established new watershed partnerships that reflect the importance of the
Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek xvatersheds in the Regional Municipalities of Durham and
York and beyond; and
° encouraged private landowners to manage and exercise good stewardship of their lands to pro-
mote watershed sustainabili~.
Good decision malting is based on sound science and an accurate, reliable knowledge base. This
Watershed Plan identifies a series of actions that are based on sound science. These actions have
emerged as a result of detailed analysis and consultation. For practical purposes, these manage-
ment strategies are to be initiated and monitored over the next five years. Many of these actions
will be completed during this time. For those actions that require implementation over a longer
rime period, significant progress will be made during the next five years and a foundation estab-
lished for continued action.
Periodic reviews of this Watershed Plan are an integral component of TRCA's watershed manage-
ment process allowing for systematic improvements to the Plan, and the incorporation of new sci~
entific understandings of the watersheds and emerging initiatives, such as "sustainability". At the
same time, the original assumptions of the Watershed Plan, if necessary, can be adjusted. Timing
of major reviews should be coordinated with the release of Watershed Report Cards, or advanced,
if unanticipated major changes in land use occur.
Many individuals and groups have collaborated to develop this strategy. Many more will be
involved in its implementation. But its success hinges on the vigour with which each partner
pursues the vision, management philosophy, and accompanying management strategies. Two
healthy, dynamic and sustainable watersheds are attainable for Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek.
O26
TO:
FROIVh
RE:
Chair and Members of the Watershed Management Advisory Board
Meeting #2/04, April 16, 2004
Adele Freeman, Acting Director, Watershed Management Division
IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK A WATERSHED PLAN FOR DUFFINS
CREEK AND CARRUTHERS CREE~
KEY ISSUE
Approval to proceed with the implementation of A Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek and
Carruthers Creek.
RECOMMENDATION
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS TO THE AUTHORITY THAT one member of the Watershed
Management Advisory Board and one member of the Sustainable Communities
Board be appointed to the Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group
(DCWRG) to represent the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA);
THAT TRCA staffwork closely with municipal staff to assist in preparing their staff
reports to council in support of the implementation framework;
THAT other watershed residents and stewards be asked to consider opportunities to
implement the watershed plan, as part of, or in addition to, their existing programs;
THAT staff continue to consult with federal and provincial agencies, local and regional
municipalities and watershed residents to assign individuals to the DCWRG as Outlined
in the implementation model;
THAT staff work closely with municipal and regional councils and staff to build capaCity
within the local areas for the implementation of the watershed plan and to assist with the
recruitment of local residents and organizations for involvement;
THAT staff work with currently active local watershed residents and organizations to
create opportunities for further involvement and for consideration of opportunities to
implement the watershed plan, as part of, or in addition to, their existing activities and
programs;
THAT a report be submitted to the Authority identifying the proposed membership,
including the TRCA representation for formal approval;
THAT as defined by their Terms of Reference, the DCWRG report back twice a
year to the Watershed Management Advisory Board regarding the progress of
implementing the watershed plan;
AND FURTHER THAT the municipal clerks within the study area be so advised
for the information of their council.
027
BACKGROUND
At Authority Meeting #5/03, held on June 27, 2003, the Authority received A Watershed Plan for
Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek and adopted the plan as part of their plan input and review
process. At that time, staff requested the opportunity to consult with the watershed
municipalities to finalize a Terms of Reference for an "Implementation 'ream" and report back.
Unlike other watersheds in the TRCA's jurisdiction, a significant portion of the lands within these
two watersheds are in public ownership, are considered healthy as defined by the Remedial
Action Plan (RAP) Area of Concern (ACC) and other standards, and have identifiable local
efforts underway in the various reaches. Based on these unique attributes, it
was determined that a new implementation model may be warranted.
In moving forward to implement the plan, TRCA retained Sue Cumming of Cumming and
Company to carry out independent stakeholder interviews to discuss various ways to put in
place an effective implementation strategy. Through the discussions, a number of potential
scenarios were developed, and through over thirty stakeholder interviews and a full day
workshop session, the DCWRG model was developed.
The DCWRG is a strategic group of community_based watershed partners who will work with
TRCA towards resourcing the plan implementation through priority setting, advocacy,
stewardship and outreach, applied research and experimental management, and education and
science transfer. Membership of the DCWRG is intended to be representative of many
stakeholders and partners at the government and non_government levels, with opportunities
for residents and organizations to be involved in leading a particular function or in participating
through a project or ongoing activity. The DCWRG will work with local and regional
municipalities and watershed residents and organizations to build community capacity through
the creation of linkages with local initiatives and the recruitment of individuals and organizations
to assist with the implementation of the watershed plan.
In February 2004, the provincial government released a White Paper on Watershed Based
Source Protection Planning which includes the proposed actions to protect the quality of
Ontario's drinking water supplies. TRCA, through Conservation Ontario, has been actively
advocating a watershed_based approach to drinking water source protection. Mr. Justice
Dennis O'Connor led the Walkerton Commission of Inquiry. In the Part 2 report of this inquiry,
released May 2002, Justice O'Connor recommended that a watershed resource based sOurce
protection program be established as a part of a multi_barrier approach to drinking water safety.
The province, in consultation with Conservation Ontario, is establishing Watershed Regions for
the purposes of timely and efficient delivery of source water protection plans. Although
discussions are ongoing, it appears that the Credit Valley, Toronto and Region, and Central
Lake Ontario Conservation Authority's will be included as one Watershed Region for
administrative purposes. With this Watershed Region, source water protection plans will be
developed on a watershed basis.
O28
The DCWRG will be requested to serve as an advisory group to TRCA in the development of a
source protection plan for the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds.
The term of the DCWRG will coincide with the municipal council term, and as such will
commence in spring, 2004 and continue to November, 2006. The DCWRG is comprised of a
group of individuals from the federal and provincial governments, local and regional
municipalities, local watershed residents and organizations who will coliaborate on the following
6 key functions:
Advocacy and Networking
To build profile, advocate for, and seek commitment for, the implementation of the watershed
plan.
Fundinq and Resources
To facilitate ways and means of funding and resourcing the plan implementation.
Communication and Interface
To build awareness and keep all people informed about progress in Watershed Plan
implementation.
Stewardship and Outreach
To build capacity for implementation.
Education & Science Transfer
To educate and interpret scientific content of Watershed Management.
Applied Research / Experimental Research
To advance and promote the use of scientific knowledge of the watersheds and monitor results.
DETAILS OF WORK TO BE DONE
Watershed municipalities will be taking reports forward to councils for appointments to the
Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group. Functional team members will be established
in consultation with watershed municipalities.
FINANCIAL DETAILS
Provisions for these activities are provided through annual budget allocations.
Report prepared by: Gary Bowen, extension 5385
For Information contact: Gary Bowen, extension 5385
Date: April 7, 2004
Attachments: 1
Attachment 1
,329
DUFFINS CREEK AND CARRUTHERS CREEK
WATERSHED RESOURCE gROUP
2004 _ 2006
Goals, Membership, Organization and
Terms of Reference
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
April 2004
0 3 0
DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS
WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP
TERMS OF REFERENCE, GOALS, MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION
1.0
AUTHORITY DIRECTION
In October 2000, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) launched a new vision
The Living City, a new kind of community where human settlement can flourish fore~'~r
as part of nature's beauty and diversity. The Living City is a broad vision that can be
achieved with the help of our partners and the community. The aim is to build a
foundation of healthy rivers and shorelines, regional biodiversity and sustainable
communities.
in support of The Living City vision and building upon the experience gained from
previous watershed planning initiatives, TRCA advanced its community_based process
and technical approaches in the development of A Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek
and Carruthers Creek.
At Authority Meeting #5/03, held on June 27, 2003, the Authority received A Watershed
Plan for Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek and adopted the plan as part of TRCA/:Es
plan input and review process. At that time, staff requested the opportunity to go back
out and consult with the watershed municipalities and key stakeholders to finalize a
Terms of Reference for an Implementation Team and report back to the Authority. The
Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG), as defined in this Terms of
Reference, is a result of that consultation.
2.0
3.0
GOAL
The goal of the Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group is to work towards
advocacy and networking, funding and resources, communication and interface,
stewardship and outreach, education and science transfer and applied
research/experimental design towards the implementation of A Watershed Plan for
Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek. The DCWRG will work with local and regional
municipalities and watershed residents and organizations to build community capacity
through support, direction and two_way communication with existing local driven
initiatives, and through the recruitment of other individuals and organizations to assist
with the implementation of the watershed plan.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership on the DCWRG is intended to be representative of the many stakeholders
and partners at the government and non_government levels, with opportunities for
residents and organizations to be involved in leading a particular function or in
participating through a project or ongoin9 activity.
031
The composition of the group includes the following representation and consist of approximately
20 members under the following two headings:
Functional Team Members
Advocacy and Networking
Funding and Resources
Stewardship and Outreach
Communication and Interface
Education and Science Transfer
Applied Research
Partner Representatives
TRCA _ Chair of the Authority, Ex Officio
_ A member of the Sustainability Communities Board
_ A member of the Watershed Management Advisory Board
_ The Duffins and Carruthers Creek Watershed Specialist
_ Regional Municipality of York
_ Town of Whitchurch_Stouffville
Town of Markham
_ Regional Municipality of Durham
_ Township of Uxbridge
_ City of Pickering
_ Town of Ajax
_ Federal Government
_ Provincial Government
_ Golf Course Industry
_ Aggregate Producers
3.1
Locally Driven Initiatives
Many local initiatives are recognized within the study area and the'individuals
leading these groups have been consulted regarding the structure of the DCWRG.
Rather than ask these group members to redirect their energy and resources
towards the DCWRG, they will continue with their work plans and be supported in
their efforts through the Functional Team Roles as outlined above. TRCA staff
and DCWRG will coordinate watershed actions with locally driven initiatives to
create opportunities for further involvement for mutual benefit.
The DCWRG will work with local and regional municipalities and watershed
residents and organizations to build community capacity through the creation of
linkages with local initiatives and the recruitment of individuals and organizations
to assist with the implementation of the watershed plan.
3.2
3.3
3.4
,,Appointment of Representatives
TRCA staff will request representation for the Authority members. Through the
ongoing consultative process, individuals have, and will continue to be,
approached regarding their roles as part of the Functional Team or Partner
representation.
3.2.1. Re.qional and Local Municipal Representatives
The regional and local municipalities will be requested by the TRCA to confirm the
participation of a council member to the Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource
Group. A municipality may appoint a current Authority member. The appointed
member should represent an electoral ward within the Duffins or Carruthers
watersheds.
3.2.2. Federal and Provincial Representatives
Letters of invitation will be sent to the federal government (Environment Canada,
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada) and the provincial government
(Ministries of Environment, Natural Resources and Agricultural and Rural Affairs)
requesting appointment of representatives.
3.2.3 A~qre.qate Producers
TRCA will request the Aggregate Producers Association of Ontario to appoint a
representative to the Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group.
3.2.4. Golf Course Industry
TRCA will request the golf course industry to appoint a representative to the
Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group.
3.2.5. Watershed Residents and Non Government Agencies
TRCA, in consultation with member municipalities, 'will identify candidates for the
functional team members to be ratified by the Authority.
Term of Appointment
The Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group roles, responsibilities and
representation will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. A formal review will take
place after a two_year term in 2006.
Selection of Chair and Vice-Chair
The Chair and/or Vice_Chair will be elected by the Duffins Carruthers Watershed
Resource Group members. The Authority may appoint an interim chair until such
time that an election can be held. The TRCA staff representative on the DCWRG
will not be eligible to be Chair or Vice Chair.
3.5 Reporting Relationship
A DCWRG representative will report, at least on a semi_annual basis, on projects
and progress to the Watershed Management Advisory Board of TRCA.
4.0
¢33
RESOURCES AVAILABLE
4.!
TRCA Support
The TRCA will provide administrative and technical staff support, for the DCWRG
as determined by the Duffins and Carruthers Creek Watershed Specialist and
budgets approved by the Authority.
4.2
Other Resources
Funding may be available for projects and activities based on available TRCA
funding. Watershed municipalities and partners will be encouraged to secure
other resources and partnerships for watershed projects and activities whenever
possible. In_kind or other support for projects and activities will be welcome from
businesses, industries, other government agencies, private foundations,
educational institutions and others in accordance with TRCA policies. In kind or
other support will be coordinated with the assistance of The Conservation'
Foundation of Greater Toronto, where appropriate.
5.0
COMPENSATION
DCWRG members will be eligible for travel expenses in accordance to the TRCA Travel
Expenses policy.
6.0
RULES OF CONDUCT
The DCWRG will adhere to the TRCA/Es Rules of Conduct.
7.0
RESPONSIBILITIES
7.1 Functional Areas
The DCWRG is a strategic group of watershed partners who work towards
implementing the watershed plan. They are the driving force in the model and are
comprised of partner representatives and six Functional Team Members under the
following headings:
7.1.1
Advocacy and Networkinq
Key Function:
To build profile, advocate for, and seek
commitment for, the implementation of the
watershed plan.
Sample Activities:
Keep the long term view and big picture at the forefront;
Keep it a priority; Seek full endorsement and support
politically; Develop a Marketing Strategy.
7.1.2
Fundinq and Resources
Key Function:
To facilitate ways and means of funding and
resourcing the plan implementation.
Sample Activities:
Explore opportunities to facilitate grants; Where desirable
coordinate applications for funding; Identify and overcome
barriers to resources; Develop and implement a resource
plan.
7.1.3
Communication and Interface
Key Function:
To build awareness and keep all people informed
about progress in watershed plan implementation.
Sample Activities:
Link people to activities and projects; Coordinate who's
doing what, where (web, map, or directory); Develop and
imp!ement a communications plan.
7.1.4
Stewardship and Outreach
Key Function:
To build capacity for implementation.
Sample Activities:
Cultivate and acknowledge local champions; Engage
potential new players; Outreach to environmental advisory
committees.
Education and Science Transfer
Key Function:
To educate and interpret scientific content
of watershed management.
Sample Activities:
Transfer latest knowledge about how watersheds
work; Move information between municipalities and
stakeholders; Elevate scientific knowledge through
seminars and workshops.
7.1.6
Applied Research / Experimental ResearCh
Key Function:
To advance and promote the use of
scientific knowledge of the watersheds and
monitor results.
Sample Activities:
identify demonstration projects; Monitor results;
Encourage senior governments, universities and
colleges to study the watersheds.
7.2 Ensure that the implementation of A Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek and
Carruthers Creek meets the requirements of the Oak Ridges Moraine
Conservation Plan;
7.3 Serve as required as an advisory group to TRCA in the development of a source
protection plan for th~, Duffir~,~ Creek and Carruthers Creek;
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
7.10
7.11
7.12
7.13
Work with the Town of Ajax and the TRCA to develop the planning area known
locally as A9 in accordance with the integrated resource management directions
outlined in the watershed plan;
Continue to work with the City of Pickering to apply A Watershed Plan for Duffins
Creek and Carruthers Creek in its municipal planning activities;
Continue to seek opportunities for Official Plan Amendments in support of the
policy changes required for full endorsement of the watershed plan;
Continue ongoing discussions with Transport Canada staff at the Pickering Lands
Site to ensure implementation is in line with the Green Space Master Plan;
Advise the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) and Transport Canada on
the directions in the watershed plan studies relating to the proposed airport in the
Pickering lands;
Work with the Province of Ontario on planning for future development of the
Seaton Lands to ensure that the watershed plan goals, objectives and
recommendations are considered;
Support The Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto and their delivery of
The Living City Campaign including healthy rivers and shorelines, regional
biodiversity, business excellence and sustainable communities;
Act as a united voice for addressing issues relevant to the municipal, provincial
and federal governments;
Provide a framework for meaningful community involvement in watershed
management;
Build capacity within the general community to deliver watershed management
products and services.
O36
RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL
DATE
MOVED BY
SECONDED BY
1. That Pickering Council RECEIVE, and ENDORSE as its comments Report
PD 28-04 on the Discussion Paper entitled Toward a Golden Horseshoe
Greenbelt prepared by the Greenbelt Task Force, dated May 2004, EBR
Registry Number: PF04E0002;
That Pickering Council ADVISE the Chair and members of the Greenbelt
Task Force, that:
(a) Picketing Council supports the concept of a permanent greenbelt in the
Golden Horseshoe; and
(b) the Task Force incorporate the results of Phase 2 of the City of
Pickering's Growth Management Study and the comments provided in
this Report in completing its final recommendations; and
(c) the Task Force coordinate its work with the Province's work on a Growth
Management Study for the Golden Horseshoe as well as other pertinent
provincial initiatives such as the Planning Act reform work prior to
making its final recommendations to the Province.
That the City Clerk FORWARD a copy of Report PD 28-04 to the Chair and
members of the Greenbelt Task Force; the Minister of Municipal Affairs and
Housing; the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal; the Manager-Planning
Policy, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing; the Region of Durham; and
Wayne Arthurs, MPP, Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge.
CARRIED:
MAYOR
REPORT TO
COUNCIL
Report Number: PD 28-04
Date: June 15, 2004
From:
Neil Carroll
Director, Planning & Development
Subject:
Toward a Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt:
Greenbelt Task Force Discussion Paper; A Framework for Consultation;
May 2004
Recommendation:
That Pickering Council RECEIVE, and ENDORSE as its comments
Report PD 28-04 on the Discussion Paper entitled Toward a Golden Horseshoe
Greenbelt prepared by the Greenbelt Task Force, dated May 2004,
EBR Registry Number: PF04E0002;
That Pickering Council ADVISE the Chair and members of the Greenbelt Task
Force, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Pickering Council supports the concept of a permanent greenbelt in the
Golden Horseshoe;
the Task Force incorporate the results of Phase 2 of the City of
Pickering's Growth Management Study and the comments provid ed in this
Report in completing its final recommendations; and
the Task Force coordinate its work with the Province's work on a
Growth Management Study for the Golden Horseshoe as well as other
pertinent provincial initiatives such as the Planning Act reform work prior to
making its final recommendations to the Province.
That the City Clerk FORWARD a copy of Report PD 28~04 to the Chair and
members of the Greenbelt Task Force; the Minister of Municipal Affairs and
Housing; the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal; the Manager-Planning
Policy, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing; the Region of Durham; and
Wayne Arthurs, MPP, Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge.
Executive Summary: The Provincially-appointed Greenbelt Task Fc~rce has
released its discussion paper Toward a Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt for con sultation.
The greenbelt study area includes lands under the jurisdiction of: the Greater Toronto
Area regions of Durham, York, Halton and Peel; the cities of Hamilton and Toronto; the
tender fruit and grape lands as designated in the Region of Niagara Official Plan; the
Niagara Escarpment Pian; and the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Pian~
038
Report PD 28-04
Subject: Discussion Paper- Greenbelt Task Force
June 15, 2004
Page 2
The City supports the concept of a permanent greenbelt for the Golden Horseshoe.
Despite this support, Council should advise the Task Force not to determine the precise
boundary and extent of a greenbelt without first considering the results of growth
management strategies that are being prepared for the Golden Horseshoe, or portions
of this area.
Accordingly, before finalizing its report to the Minister, it is recommended that the Task
Force consider and where appropriate incorporate the results of municipal planning
studies, including the City of Pickering's recently completed Growth Management Study.
This Report contains various other comments, concerns and suggestions made by staff
with respect to the Task Force's discussion paper, which Council should also endorse
and forward to the Task Force as input to the greenbelt study.
Financial Implications: Not Applicable.
Background:
1.0
The Greenbelt Task Force is consultinq on a tiqht timetable by requesting
comments on the Discussion Paper by July 13, 2004.
In February 2004, John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing,
appointed a 13-member Greenbelt Task Force (Task Force) chaired by
Rob Maclsaac to recommend how the Province can most effectively establish a
permanent Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt.
This initiative follows the Province's introduction of Bill 27, the proposed
Greenbelt Protection Act, 2004. The Act, if passed, would create a proposed
Greenbelt Study Area. Inside the study area, a one-year moratorium would
prevent changes from rural to urban uses. The moratorium would expire in
December 2004. At the time of writing this Report, the Bill had received second
reading and is under review by the Standing Committee on General
Government, which had also heard delegations on the matter. The
Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy made a presentation before the
Committee. The Division Head proposed that the Committee consider an
amendment, which would allow municipalities that have initiated comprehensive
growth management studies prior to the introduction of the Bill the ability to
complete and implement the results of such studies.
Between February and May, the Task Force held pre-consultation sessions with
municipal and other stakeholders. The Mayor and senior City staff made several
presentations to the Task Force focusing on support for the concept of a
greenbelt, the importance of growth management studies to assist in determinin§
the iocatior, of a greenbelt, and the regiona! greenspace network identified in the
City's Growth Management Study.
Report PD 28-04
Subject: Discussion Paper- Greenbelt Task Force
June 15, 2004
Page 3
2.0
2.1
in mid May 2004, the Task Force released its discussion paper entitled
Toward a Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt (see Attachment #I - Task Force
Discussion Paper). The Discussion Paper articulates a vision and goals for the
greenbelt. The Task Force established a framework for stakeholder and public
consultation that considered five "layers". The layers are:
· environmental protection;
· agricultural protection, including tender fruit and
Holland Marsh;
· transportation and infrastructure;
· natural resources, particularly mineral resources; and
· culture, tourism and recreation opportunities.
grape lands, and the
In addition, two overarching themes include:
· Ontario's growth management and other related initiatives as the context for
development of a permanent Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt; and
· implementation and administration approaches, models and tools for
establishing and administering a greenbelt.
During May and June, the Task Force has been holding stakeholder and public
sessions in the Golden Horseshoe area. City staff has attended the various
stakeholder sessions. The Culture, Tourism and Recreation stakeholder session
was held at the Pickering Recreation Complex on June 15, 2004.
This Report to Council is the City's formal opportunity to express its comments
on the Discussion Paper. The Province requests comments by July 13, 2004.
Discussion Paper Commentary
The commentary in the Task Force's Discussion Paper misrepresents the
status of the Rouge Duffins Agricultural Assembly.
We understand that staff from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
prepared the commentary in the Discussion Paper. The commentary references
the 'Rouge Duffins Agricultural Preserve' on two occasions (on Pages 1 1 and 14)
in a manner that improperly implies the lands are publicly owned, and that they
currently hold similar Provincial status as the Niagara Escarpment and the
Oak Ridges Moraine. This is incorrect. The majority of these lands are now
privately owned, having been sold by the Province within the last few ye ars. The
lands are not provincially significant.
( 40
Report PD 28-04
Subject: Discussion Paper- Greenbelt Task Force
June 15, 2004
Page 4
3.0
3.1
Pickering, through its Growth Management Study, has concluded that the
southerly portion of these lands (abutting the City of Toronto) warrants designation
as an urban area, and that the northerly portion of these lands (abutting the
Town of Markham) warrants a countryside designation. The countryside portion
could be considered as a local enhancement to the Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt.
The Task Force should ensure future documents correct this error.
Discussion
A permanent greenbelt in the Golden Horseshoe is supported as one part of
an implementation strategy for the related Provincial growth management
initiative.
3.2
The concept of a permanent greenbelt for the Golden Horseshoe is supported.
However, the establishment of a greenbelt, on its own, is not an appropriate way
to manage growth.
A permanent greenbelt for the Golden Horseshoe should be viewed as one part
of an implementation strategy to assist with growth management in the
Golden Horseshoe. In this regard, the Province is developing both a
growth management plan and transportation strategy for the Golden Horseshoe.
The completion of these initiatives is expected after the Task Force has reported
back to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on establishing a
permanent Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt.
The proposed boundaries of the greenbelt should be reconciled with the results
of the Provincial growth management review. Therefore, the Task Force should
have access to the results of the growth management study for the
Golden Horseshoe, and other provincial initiatives, prior to making its final
recommendations to the Province. It is recommended that the Task Force
request access to, and the Province make available, the results of the
growth management and related initiatives ahead of the Task Force delivering its
final recommendations to the Minister.
The permanent greenbelt should include Provincially-significant lands, and
regional and local planning initiatives should identify local enhancements.
The Task Force is proposing a systems approach for environmental protection in
the greenbelt. Staff agrees that such a system should include
Provincially-significant and/or major natural heritage and hydrological features
and functions. Connections between these major features are appropriate
provided such connections are provincially significant. For example, in this ares,
the Oak Ridges Moraine is connected to Lake Ontario through the Rouge Park.
Staff also supports augmentin9 these connections through pubiiciy owr~ed parks
and publicly owned open space lands where appropriate,
Report PD 28-04
Subject: Discussion Paper- Greenbelt Task Force
June 15, 2004
Page 5
3.3
Regional and local planning initiatives could identify' enhancements to the
greenbelt through their local initiatives. To this end, Phase 2 of the City's
Growth Management Study identifies a regional greenspace system that can
contribute significantly to a greenbelt linkage between the Moraine and
Lake Ontario (see Attachment #2 - Figure 41: Regional Greenspace Map, from
Pickering's Growth Management Study, Phase 2 Report).
This greenspace linkage would connect the Rouge River and Duffins Creek
watersheds and be at least 4 kilometres wide north of Finch Avenue.
It is recommended that the Task Force only identify provincially-significant lands, ·
features or functions as part of the Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt, and allow local
municipalities the opportunity to enhance and augment the greenbelt through
local growth management and other planning initiatives.
The Task Force's approach to 'agriculture' may be inconsistent with its
approach to 'culture, tourism and recreational' opportunities. This could be
improved by distinguishing Countryside lands from Agricultural lands.
Before considering land for development, the Task Force is proposing that a
comprehensive review would be required to demonstrate that existing
urban-designated areas lack a sufficient supply of available land through
intensification and redevelopment. Staff supports this approach. It is exactly the
approach used by the City in undertaking its Growth Management Study.
However, the Task Force's approach to the range of uses permitted within
agricultural areas requires clarification. Under the Agricultural Protection section,
agriculture-related uses would be restricted to 'settlement areas or designated
areas'. Yet, under the Culture, Recreation and Tourism section, a wide range of
amenities and activities including agri-tourism and culinary tourism would be
permitted in the greenbelt.
The Task Force should allow for a distinction between "agricultural areas" and
"countryside" areas. The City made a similar suggestion when commenting on
the Review of the Durham Regional Official Plan. In that comment, it was
suggested that the non-urban lands south of the Oak Ridges Moraine (at least in
western Durham) be considered as countryside, and lands north of the Moraine
be retained as the agricultural areas.
This would be consistent with the City's Growth Management Study, which
identified a countryside area around the Hamlet of Whitevale, extendin~g west to
Markham's countryside area. in the City's Study, a broader range of seasonal
and year-round countryside uses, beyond traditional agriculture, have been
recommended including: fetal! agricultura~ operations; farm markets;
agri-tourism; ar~ other' simiia~' uses that can e,qhance t~e profitability of small
farming operations. The Task Force should consider a broader range of uses
ir~ctudir~9 wind ar, d solai farR',s, arid iorestry.
Report PD 28-04
Subject: Discussion Paper- Greenbelt Task Force
June 15, 2004
Page 6
3.4
3.5
It is recommended that the Task Force establish separate agricultural and
countryside areas. It is also recommended that a broad range of cultural,
tourism, recreational, and other agriculturally-related secondary and accessory
uses be permitted within the countryside. Local planning controls should then be
used to determine if further restrictions are required in light of the local context.
The Task Force's proposal for a legislated Greenbelt Protection Plan is
unnecessary, usurps local and regional planning responsibilities, and
could be established and defined in the Provincial Policy Statement.
The Task Force proposes an approach to administering and implementing the
greenbelt through legislation. A Greenbelt Protection Plan would incorporate the
Niagara Escarpment Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, and
other lands deemed necessary to fulfill the objectives of the greenbelt.
Municipalities would implement this Plan through their respective planning
documents.
Although the City understands the Province's desire to protect provincially
significant greenbelt areas, a Provincial Greenbelt Plan for the Golden Horseshoe
would usurp local and regional planning responsibilities for land use matters.
City staff has already commented to the Task Force that 'one-size does not fit
all', and that the diversity of the suggested greenbelt features differs substantially
across the Golden Horseshoe and the potential variety of lands serve different
purposes (primarily recreational in some areas, agricultural in others).
Strengthening the Provincial Policy Statement (and the Planning Act if
necessary) would suffice. Local and regional Official Plans would then also
implement the greenbelt. There is no need for a Provincial Greenbelt Plan, or a
Commission to implement this Plan.
It is recommended the Task Force propose an appropriate revision to the
Provincial Policy Statement as the Provincial mechanism for implementing a
greenbelt for the Golden Horseshoe.
Staff also has a number of other comments for consideration by the Task
Force before it finalizes its recommendations to the Minster of Municipal
Affairs and Housing.
These comments are provided in Appendix i. It is recommended that Council
request the Greenbelt Task Force to consider and incorporate all of the
comments raised in Report PD 28-04, prior to finalizing its recommendations to
the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Report PD 28-04
Subject: Discussion Paper- Greenbelt Task Force
June t5, 20040 4 3
Page 7
4.0 Next Steps
The Province has advised that a subsequent consultation session will be held in
the fall. However, at this time there are no details available on the content,
format, or timing of that consultation.
Staff will continue to monitor the work of the Task Force and keep Council
advised.
APPENDIX:
I Staff Comments on "Proposed Approaches" in Greenbelt Discussion Paper
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Greenbelt Discussion Paper
2. Regional Greenspace Map
Prepared By:
Grant McGr~go-r, MCIP~-I~PP
Principal Planner-Policy
Approved / Endorsed By:
Neil Carr~~,P
Director, Plahrrir~ & Development
Manager, Policy
GM:Id
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy
Recommended for the consideratior~ of
Picketing City Council
~.~-, , ?~,.~,
Thomas j.
APPENDIX I TO
REPORT NUMBER PD 28-04
COMMENTS ON "PROPOSED APPROACHES"
IN THE
GREENBELT DISCUSSION PAPER
O45
Greenbelt Task Force
Discussion Paper
DiSCUSsion ProPoSed Pickering Response
TOpic Approaches
Environmental
Protection
Scale of The province, in
Environmental consultation with key
Protection stakeholders, should define.
within the a system of natural and
Greenbelt hydrological features and
functions.
This system should include:
· provincially significant Agree. Protection of provincially
and/or major natural significant natural heritage and
heritage and hydrological hydrological features in a permanent
features and functions greenbelt appropriate.
(e.g., Oak Ridges Moraine,
Niagara Escarpment,
Rouge Valley); and
· connections between Agree in part. Connections between
these major features and major features appropriate provided
functions, including public such connections are provincially
park/open space lands significant (e.g. Oak Ridges
and stream/river valley Moraine). Municipalities may
linkages to major water augment connections through public
bodies such as the Great parks/open space lands where
Lakes and Lake Simcoe. appropriate.
And this system could
include:
· regionally significant Disagree. Protection of regionally
features and functions significant features and functions
(e.g., portions of the more appropriate in local and
Iroquois shoreline.) regional official plans.
Priority of The system of natural
Environmental heritage and hydrological
Protection features and functions within
the greenbelt will have a
hierarchy of environmental
)rotection:
· sensitive areas, as Agree with proposed approach.
i L defined by the province in However, the types of permitted
J I consultatiOn with key uses within the sensitive areas more
! ! stakeholders, where only appropriately detaii~d in local official
I very limited uses (e.g., plans.
conservation, existing
agriculture) would be
Permitted: and
Page
DiScussion= !Proposed :Pickering ReSponse
'Topic APproaches
,~ less sensitive areas where Same comment as above.
I a variety of compatible l
f uses, consistent with the
objectives of the greenbelt,
would be permitted.
Protection of
Agricultural
Lands
Economic Land-use planning alone is
Viability insufficient to ensure that
agricultural lands within the
greenbelt will be farmed.
There is an array of issues
adversely affecting
agriculture across the
province that need to be
addressed in a holistic way.
The task force recommends Agree with provincial task force on
that a provincial task force agriculture.
on agriculture be created
immediately to develop
agricultural policies that will
ensure a viable agricultural
industry across the
greenbelt and the rest of
Ontario.
This task force should Municipal representation on a
comprise a broadly based provincial task force on agriculture
group of stakeholders and would also be appropriate.
be led by the Ministry of
Agriculture and Food, with
membership from the
Ministries of Finance,
Municipal Affairs and
Housing, Natural Resources,
Environment, Consumer and
Business Services, federal
departments and others as
required.
This task force should provide Report date of October 2004 overly
'an interim report to address optimistic. Greenbelt Task Force
greenbelt issues by October should consider delaying its
~ ~ 2004. recommendations ~2n agricultural
Issues until the interim report has
been released.
Page
DiSCusSiOn prOposed Picketing RespOnse
TOpic ApproaChes
Context for Agricultural lands should be Agree with proposed approach.
Protection protected within the context However, the Task Force does not
i of a provincial growth have the Provincial growth
management plan to reduce management plan yet; a/so, it should
the pressure on prime be noted that the Pickering Official
agricultural lands. P/an a/ready has policies promoting
· Growth should be focused ; compact urban form and maximizing
around centres and along efficient use of infrastructure, land
corridors to intensify and services.
development.
· Infill, intensification and
redevelopment, including
brownfields, should be
supported within urban
boundaries.
Land-use Before prime agricultural Agree with this approach. The City's
Polices lands may be considered for Growth Management Study is
development, a consistent with this approach.
comprehensive review
should be required to
demonstrate that existing
urban designated areas lack
sufficient supply of land
available through
intensification and
redevelopment.
Lot creation should be Disagree. There is no need to
eliminated for residential establish such a restrictive po/icy
infill on agricultural lands, across the entire Go/den Horseshoe
Clearer direction or refined as it fails to recognize local
definitions should further circumstances. Through greenbelt
restrict lot creation for all or p/an, continue to permit one
some uses (e.g., retirement, retirement lot from a farmer's total
agricultural-related, surplus farm-related /and ho/dings.
farm dwellings, and Regional and local plans can be
severances for a farm parcel more restrictive where appropriate.
or farm-splits).
Land-use policies should be Agree with protecting agricultural
supportive of agriculture and /and in the greenbelt provided
should be consistent across regional differences are addressed.
the greenbelt, including Unique specialty crop areas such as
areas within Oak Ridges the Holland Marsh warrant special
I Moraine Conservation Plan 9rotection.
I and the Niagara
t Escarpment Plan. Another approach is to harmonize
the agricultural poficies in upper and
single tier Official Plans within the
t Golden Horseshoe area. Local
mun/c/l wo
policies into more detailed official
p/an policies and designations to
reflect local circumstances.
Page 3
' "'--;-1_~,_, ~..,~DisCuSsi°n ! proposed Picketing Response
J Secondary agricultural uses Agree with clarifying secondary
and agriculture-related uses agricultural uses and agricultural-
should be clarified to ensure related uses. However, the types of
that they meet the needs of uses are more appropriately detailed
agriculture but do not erode in local official plans and zoning
the viability of the prime by-laws.
agricultural areas.
A range of approaches Disagree. City staff has indicated
should strengthen that 'one-size does not fit afl'. The
protections for prime proposed approaches appear too
agricultural lands by: restrictive and do not provide
· tightening the definition, flexibility in its implementation at the
scale and range of local level. For example, the
secondary and approaches to protecting tender fruit
agricultural-related land and grape lands differ significantly
uses for good tender fruit from protecting parcels of lower
and good grape lands; agricultural potential adjacent to
· directing selected Urban Areas. Further, the City's
agricultural-related uses Growth Management Study has
to settlement areas and proposed countryside uses beyond
designated areas; and traditional agriculture. These uses
· exploring innovative include retail agricultural operations,
support mechanisms and agri-tourism and non-agricultural
incentives for limiting countryside uses.
secondary uses of prime
agricultural lands.
The type and location (or Agree with clarifying the type and
both) of nonresidential uses location of nonresidential uses in
for which prime agricultural agricultural areas. However, these
areas could be redesignated types of policies are more
or converted will be limited to appropriate in local official plans in
ensure that the uses meet recognition of local circumstances.
the needs of the agricultural
community and do not erode
the viability of the prime
agricultural areas. Where
possible, these uses should
be directed to settlement
areas.
I Other Other agricultural lands that Agree with proposed approach.
Agricultural should be permanently However, before other agricultural
Lands protected in the greenbelt lands are permanently protected, the
are prime agricultural lands orovince must consider municipal
I (Class I, o
,., 3) having growth management studies!
continuous area sufficiently currently underway in the Golden
large to support the integrity Horseshoe. The City's Growth
of the agricultural economy Management Study establishes a
and rural landscape. Countryside area in the north-west
I part of the study area including lands
1 I surrounding the Hamlet of Whitevale.
Page 4
DiSCuSsionTOpic Proposed Pickering ReSponse
In making this determination I, Suggest the Task Force identify the
, the province should have Countryside separate from the
regard for: Agricultural areas.
· fragmentation;
· urban/suburban
encroachments;
· loss of agricultural support
mechanisms;
· the province's growth
management initiative; and
· rural economic development.
Complementary A permanent greenbelt Agree with proposed approach.
Initiatives should support the However, adequate provincial and
protection of the agricultural federal funding is needed to support
land base through land-use these programs.
policy mechanisms and
complementary infrastructure
and economic development
initiatives such as:
· research and education
programs;
· promotion and marketing
initiatives; and
· supporting infrastructure
necessary for agriculture
(e.g., roads, water, power,
gas, drainage).
Taxation and The province should assess Agree provided the impact of
Financial Tools potential changes to assessment changes is not borne
taxation policies and other only at the municipal level', federal
financial tools to support and provincial rebafes are preferred.
agriculture, such as:
· reviewing the property
assessment system as it
applies to the valuing of
farmland; and
· easements and land
trusts.
Transportation If it is consistent with the Agree.
and Greenbelt Task Force vision
Infrastructure and goals, the province's
growth management plan and
the coordination of provincial,
regional and municipal
infrastructure planning, then
,infrastructure (includin(]
highways, water, sewer,
power, alternative energy
facilities,
telecommunications/cell
towers, waste/recycling
facilities, etc.) would be
permitted in the greenbelt.
Page5
Discussiont proposed Pickering Response
Locate infrastructure only in
~ areas where there is a
demonstrated need. I
The province should review
the way in which need for
infrastructure is assessed,
to ensure proposed
infrastructure reinforces
growth management and
greenbelt objectives.
The province should also Need is typically demonstrated
review the environmental through the EA process.
assessment process to
ensure that the The EA process usually considers
consideration of alternatives relevant po/icy documents.
reflects emerging
technologies, innovative Agree with proposed approach to
designs, and an appropriate ensure that emerging technologies
balance of roads and transit, are considered through the EA
process.
Natural Given the importance of the Agree.
Resources availability of aggregates
close to market, as identified
in the Provincial Policy
Statement, high potential
aggregate areas should be
a consideration for inclusion
in the greenbelt and should
(be) protected from
incompatible land use.
Aggregate extraction in the Agree.
greenbelt should be
subjected to a more rigorous
approach to rehabilitation.
Depleted mineral aggregate
operations should more
aggressively be brought into
uses that would support or
enhance the objectives of
i greenbelt protection.
J, , The Province should clarify. Ao_ree
appropriate provincial an~l
official plan policies
surrounding new licenses
for aggregate extraction.
Page 6
Discussi°n I I Proposed PickeringReSponse
TOpic
The Province should review Agree. It should be noted that
i the licensing process to Official Plan Amendment applications
facilitate new supply and for new aggregate operations are
ensure the integrity of currently circulated to the Ministry of
hydrogeological and Municipal Affairs and Housing for
ecological systems, provincial review.
features and functions,
taking into account the
requirement to rehabilitate.
Culture, The greenbelt should be a Agree. However, responsibility for
Recreation and publicly valued and implementing and funding marketing
Tourism important venue for cultural initiatives need to be clarified.
heritage and related
activities, recreation and
tourism in the Golden
Horseshoe. This should be
accomplished through
promotion and marketing
initiatives to support
community economic
development.
Culture, recreation and
tourism opportunities
should respect and be
compatible with other
greenbelt priorities (e.g.,
agriculture, natural
resources and ecosystem
protection) and should
strengthen the vitality,
integrity and profile of the
greenbelt with:
· recognized and promoted
cultural sites, districts
and landscapes Agree.
important for community
identity, history and
character;
· a network of protected
public open spaces
where people can enjoy Agree.
irecreational and leisurely
pursuits. This network
includes: ~
provincial parks (e.g.
Bronte Creek);
conservation areas;
navigable waterways;
and
municipal parks and
forests;
Page 7
O52
DiscuSsion Proposed :pickering ResPonse
Topic
· to private lands with Agree.
t recreation, tourism and
conservation uses;
· a system of trails on Disagree. Provincial regulations
public and private lands, unnecessary as it would impede local
supported by a provincial implementation. Also, enforcement
regulatory framework to issues need to be addressed.
address issues such as
location and design, user
conflicts, public safety
and liability; and
· tourism destinations that
support and depend on
farms, natural areas and
rural communities.
Administration
and
Implementation
The greenbelt should be Agree with proposed approach.
implemented so as to ensure However, policy application must
permanence, integrity and also respect local circumstances.
consistency in policy
application while having
regard to regional
differences.
Implementation should be
coordinated with the
provincial growth
management initiative and:
· be initiated through Disagree. Strengthening the
legislation that creates a Provincial Poficy Statement,
Greenbelt Protection Planning Act and local and regional
Plan that knits together: Official Plans would provide a more
· the Niagara effective way of addressing the
Escarpment Plan; ~rotection of greenspace lands than
· the Oak Ridges creating a new Provincial Plan.
Moraine Conservation
Plan; and
· other lands necessary
to fulfill the objectives
[ and goals of the
I greenbelt;
I · be administered by Agree with administrating the
i J municipalities outside of greenbelt ~f the focal level and l
t the Niagara Escarpment incorporating greenbelt lands fort
Commission jurisdiction protection into local Official Plans.
and incorporated into ,
municipal official plans in
I i a consistent manner
~ ~ across the greenbelt;
Page 8
· ~j~
Discussion
Topic
IProposed i Picketing ResponSe
take advantage of j Agree.
existing administrative ,
Non-regulatory
programs and
tax incentives:
structures and tools
where possible;
have an appellate
tribunal that has the
expertise to uphold the
integrity of the plan;
assist municipalities with
implementation work;
· include fiscal measures
which fulfill the objectives
of the greenbelt,
particularly concerning
conservation and
agricultural viability;
· involve a working group to
process Greenbelt Task
Force . recommendations
through to the creation of
the greenbelt. This
working group would
include municipal staff
and other expert
stakeholders from across
the greenbelt; and
· be subject to monitoring
performance standards
and a 10-year review.
Where appropriate,
landowners in the
designated greenbelt area
should be eligible for'
special incentives for
restoration, protection and
stewardship of their
properties,
Disagree with establishing another
appellate tribunal to deal with land
use planning issues. These issues
are more appropriately dealt with at
the Ontario Municipal Board.
Agree. However, clarification is
required as to whether the task rome
is proposing that provincial staff
assist municipalities with
implementation.
Agree provided the federal and
provincial governments are
responsible for primary fiscal
measures.
Agree with involving municipal staff
in a working group.
Clarification is required as to who
will be responsible for monitoring
performance standards and
conducting a lO-year review.
Agree provided local municipalities
are not responsible for providing
special incentives. Provincial and
federal programs are aiready in
place for this purpose.
J:\Repods\Plan~2004\GM - Greenbelt Task Force Discussion Paper Chart Appendix I.doc
Page
Greenbelt Task Force
Discussion Paper
A FrameWOrk for Consultation
May 2004
Ontario
Building Strong Oommunities
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Greenbelt Protection Act, 2004 .......... 2
The Proposed Greenbelt Study Area .......2
The Greenbelt Task Force
Members ....................................................... 3
Vision and Goals .......................................... 4
Stakeholder and Public Consultations ....5
Background and Context
Central Ontario and a Golden Horseshoe
Greenbelt ...................................................... 6
Regional Planning- An Ontario
Tradition ........................................................ 7
Greenbelt Case Studies ............................. 7
Related Provincial Initiatives .................... 8
The "Layers" of a Greenbelt ..................... 9
Environmental Protection
Environmental Features ........................... 10
Studies on the Environment .................... 10
A Systems Approach to Natural
Heritage and Water Resources .............. 10
Management Tools for Environmental
Protection ................................................... 12
Proposed Approaches to Environmental
Protection ................................................... 13
Agricultural Protection
Prime Agricultural Lands ......................... 14
Specialty Crop Areas and the Niagara
Tender Fruit and Grape Lands ................. 14
The Viability of Agriculture ...................... 15
Proposed Approaches to the Protection
of Agricultural Lands ................................ I,5
Transportation and Infrastructure
The Regulatory Environment ................... 18
Transportation-Related Initiatives .......... 19
Principles .................................................... 19
Proposed Approaches to Transportation
and Infrastructure ..................................... 20
Natural Resources
Mineral Resources .................................... 21
The Regulatory Environment ................... 21
Site Rehabilitation ..................................... 22
Proposed Approaches to Future
Resource Needs ........................................ 22
Culture, Recreation and Tourism
Features, Attractions and
Opportunities .............................................. 23
Culture ......................................................... 23
Recreation .................................................. 23
Tourism ........................................................ 24
Proposed Approaches to Culture,
Recreation and Tourism ........................... 24
Administration and Implementation
The Parkway Belt West Plan .................. 25
The Niagara Escarpment Plan ................ 25
The Oak Ridges Moraine
Conservation Plan ..................................... 26
Other Jurisdictions .................................... 26
General Elements of Greenbelt
Protection ................................................... 27
Tools for Implementation ......................... 27
Proposed Approaches to Administration
and Implementation .................................. 28
Next Steps
Contact Information .................................. 30
Public Meeting Information ..................... 30
Freedom of Information ............................ 31
Glossary ..................................................... 32
May 2004
Introduction
The Greenbelt
Protection Act,
2004
In December 2003, the Government of
Ontario introduced Bill 27, the proposed
Greenbelt Protection Act, 2004, as the first
step toward establishing a permanent
greenbelt in southern Ontario. The greenbelt
would protect environmentally sensitive
lands and farmlands, and help manage and
contain urban growth.
Good planning for environmental and
agricultural protection, and sustainable
development, would result in economic
benefits to the residents of the Golden
Horseshoe. The Government of Ontario has
recognized this with the introduction of this
legislation.
If passed by the Legislature, the act would
create a proposed Greenbelt Study Area.
Inside the study area, a moratorium on
changes from rural to urban uses would allow
time for consultation with stakeholders and
the public on what the greenbelt should
entail, while protecting rural areas from
further urbanization. The moratorium will
expire in December 2004. The proposed
legislation recognizes:
· the environmental and agricultural
significance of the proposed Greenbelt
· the importance of continuing to protect
the Niagara Escarpment and the Oak
Ridges Moraine.
The Proposed
Greenbelt Study
Area
The proposed Greenbelt Study Area is a
smaller area located within the central
Ontario growth management area. The study
area includes lands under the jurisdiction of
the Greater Toronto Area regions of
Durham, York, Halton and Peel; the cities of
Toronto and Hamilton; the tender fruit and
grape lands as designated in the Region of
Niagara's official plan; the Niagara
Escarpment Plan and the Oak Ridges
Moraine Conservation Pla n.
The Golden Horseshoe's major urban areas,
as well as its hamlets, villages and towns,
are all a part ofthe study area. In countryside
areas, it includes farmlands and rural areas,
cultural and natural heritage features,
provincial and regional parks, and rivers
and river valleys. It also includes highways
and railways, transmission lines and fibre
optic cables, as well as the many other
activities and landscapes that contribute to
a vital countryside.
Ultimately, the provincial government will
decide what to propose for the greenbelt,
Study Area to the people of Ontario;
within the proposed Greenbelt Study Area.
the proposedGreenbeitStudyArea's The task force, however, will provide
importance as a source of food, water,
natural heritage systems, greenspace,
recreation and natural resources,
which enhance quality of life; anc~
recommendations to the government, and
welcomes your comments on what lands
should be included, or not included, in the
greenbelt.
2 Towar~ ~: Goi[ier~ I'Jorseshos ~reenbe~:~r' f Greenbelt Task Force Discussion Paper'
The Greenbelt Task Force
In February 2004, John Gerretsen, Minister
of Municipal Affairs and Housing,
established the 13-member Greenbelt Task
Force. The task force, whose members
represent a diverse group of stakeholders,
will develop recommendations on how the
province could most effectively establish a
permanent Golde~ Horseshoe Greenbelt.
The task force met 13 times, and consulted
with municipal leaders, in March and
April 2004. It considered many approaches
to greenbelt protection, and has outlined a
number of proposed approaches for a Golden
Horseshoe Greenbelt in this discussion
paper.
Members
Robert Maclsaac, Cha r, Mayor of the City of Burlington
a'~.Scarborough
Jim Faught, ExecUtive Director, Ontario Nature ..............
MarY£ou Gatt, Regional Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Natalie Helferty, Ecologist, Natural Heritage Consulting
Carol Hochu, President, Aggregate Producers Association of Ontario
Deborah $chulte, Humber Watershed Alliance
Alan C. Veale, former Director (Commissioner) Planning and Development,
Regional Municipality of Niagara
Donald J. P. Ziraldo, Co-Founder and President, Inniskillin Wines
May 2004
The Greenbelt Task Force developed the following vision and goals statements in
its initial meetings. These statements were used as a guide during the task force's
pre-consultation discussions, and to test proposed recommendations.
VISION
The Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt will be a permanent and sustainable legacy for
current and future generations. The greenbelt will enhance our urban and rural areas
· protects and enhances env ronmental y .sensitive lands and natural heritage systems;
· recogn zes the rog on's soCia, natura and economc needs;
· conserves for sustainable use the region'S significant natural resources; and
· continues to provide high-quality and compatible recreational and tourism
opportunities.
GOALS
The greenbelt wilt enhance quality of life by Serving an array of functions across
the Golden Horseshoe region, including:
· providing greenspace between, and links'to, open space within the reg Oh'S
growing urban areas;
· prot tingTsustaining and~:t-~'~ ecological features and functions of the
natural environment;
· p--~eserving ~'iablme'~'griCultural and as a contin'~uing commercial source of food
and employment by recogn z ng the critical importance of the agriculture sector's
prosperity to the regional economy;
· sustaining the region's countryside and rural communities;
· conserving and making available'r~"~iural resources critical for a thriving economy; and
· ensuring that infrastructure investment achieves the environmenta I, social and
economic aims of the greenbelt.
4, Tewar¢ ~ Goidet; Horseshoe; Greenbelt, Greenbelt ~asl~ Force Discussion Pape:'
Stakeholder
and Public
Consultations
Before delivering its final recommenda-
tions, the task force wants to hear a
broad range of views on the issues and
proposed approaches in this discussion
paper.
In May and June 2004, the task force will
host public meetings and stakeholder work-
shops across the 6olden Horseshoe. A
meeting schedule and more information on
how you can participate is outlined in "Next
Steps," the last section of this discussion
paper.
The task force will consider views and
ideas expressed at these meetings, as well
as written submissions, in crafting its final
recommendations. The. government expects
to propose a definitive approach to a green-
belt based on task force recommendations
this fall. The public will have a chance to
comment on the proposed approach before
the government takes action.
May 2004
Baci §roun# and Context
Central Ontario
and the Golden
Horseshoe
Greenbelt
Central Ontario is experiencing strong
population growth that is expected to
continue into the future. The population,
estimated at 7.5 million in 2001, is forecast
to grow to 11 million by 2031 (Ministry of
Finance). Central Ontario's population growth
will likely be 80 per cent of the province's
overall population growth during this period.
Population growth and economic growth
provide more choices about where to live
and work. They also generate investment,
income, tax revenue and innovation.
Property values rise. Growth also provides
opportunities to revitalize underused lands
and achieve social objectives.
But when rapid growth is not accompanied
by long-term planning on a regional scale,
inefficient development patterns can result.
These patterns include increased air and
water pollution, loss of greenspace and
agricultural land, inefficient infrastructure
investment, and fewer transportation
options and an over-reliance on the private
automobile resulting in traffic congestion.
Studies have shown that if current trends
persist in central Ontario, in the next
30 years, travelling in rush hour will take
45 per cent longer than it does now. In
addition, development will consume another
1,069 square kilometers of mainly prime
agricultural land, an area nearly twice the
size of the City of Toronto.
Greenbelt Greenbglt Task Force Discussior~ Paper
Regional
Planning - An
Ontario Tradition
There is a solid tradition of land-use plan-
ning in Ontario. In central Ontario, growth
management and the concept of a regional
structure and land-use plan to guide growth
for the region date back to the late 1960s.
Some of the major exercises for the Greater
Toronto Area include: Toronto Centred Region
Plan / Central Ontario Lakeshore Urban
Complex (Design for Development), 1970 &
1974; Shaping Growth in the GTA/GTA Vision,
1992; and Report of the GTA Task Force
(Golden Report), 1996.
This history has resulted in growth and
development that some would argue has
been quite well-managed. Compared to
many American jurisdictions, this region
has achieved higher densities, greater transit
usage, and more vibrant downtowns. It has
also maintained healthier environmental
and social conditions.
However, residents of central Ontario are
experiencing increased traffic congestion
and longer commutes, increasinglythreatened
water quality, escalating costs to maintain
infrastructure, and loss of agricultural
lands, greenspace, and natural heritage
features. These challenges undermining
quality of life also threaten the region's
economic competitiveness and its ability to
attract wealth-generating industries.
Ontario also has some of the world's most
sophisticated greenbelt models in the
Nia~fara Escarpment Plan, the Parkwav Belt
West Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine
¢,onservation Plan and the Ottaw~ National
Capital Commission greenbeK
We must make critical decisions about land
use in Ontario. As our province continues to
grow, steps must be taken to protect
natural systems, heritage features and
greenspace; the environmental quality of
our air, water and soil; agricultural lands and
viable rural communities; and recreational
opportunities to ensure that our communities
remain strong, healthy, prosperous and livable.
Greenbelt Case
Studies
Many growing metropolitan areas have
established greenbelts to protect
greenspace, agricultural lands, recreational
opportunities, cultural and natural heritage
features, and resources.
6reenbelts are composed of land located
around urban centres or along urban growth
corridors that is protected by various
restrictions on development. Most green-
belts have been established to preserve
environmentally sensitive areas, valuable
resources such as farmland, forests and
mineral resources, and the unique charac-
ter of rural areas.
A greenbelt can be a tool in curtailing urban
encroachment and protecting the environ-
ment, productive agricultural areas and
greenspace; and improving quality of life for
urban and rural populations. A greenbelt can
be a key component of a growth management
strategv that directs urban development
into existing or designated urban areas,
increasing the efficiency of the region's
existing infrastructure and services.
in addition to growth management consid-
erations, the protection of a greenbelt can
provide othe.~ significant benefits. A green.
t)el~ may include agricultural lands and na~:ural
May 2004 7
resources, environmentally sensitive lands,
areas of natural and scientific interest,
habitats of vulnerable, threatened and
endangered species, valley and stream
corridors, and woodlands. Preserving these
lands can maintain or enhance the biodi-
versity, health, resiliency and connectivity
of the natural environment, improving the
overall health of human communities.
A greenbelt can contribute to local and
regional economic vitality by improving
environmental quality, protecting agricul-
tural lands, attracting potential employees,
providing recreational opportunities and
encouraging reinvestment. It can enhance
the quality of life of a metropolitan area and
its global competitiveness.
Related Provincial
Initiatives
There are a number of ongoing and
emerging provincial government initiatives
involving the proposed Greenbelt Study
Area that require coordination and
integ ration.
STRONG COMMUNITIES
The government is committed to building
strong communities across Ontario. A
number of initiatives are under way to
support strong communities, including a
rural development program, amendments to
the D~,,; ~
, ,,~,,,,,n~ Act~ rent reform and federaF
provincial negotiations on a "new deal" for
municipalities.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure
Renewal (PIR)is developing a growth
management plan that includes a network
of regiOnal nodes and corridors as areas to
target for intensification and transit
investment in an effort to reduce the
demand for new land.
The growth management plan will also
outline the long-term infrastructure and
service needs of our communities, which
can be costly. Some communities in central
Ontario are currently experiencing degraded
infrastructure systems, and volume-related
constraints on, for example, water and
wastewater services. These communities
cannot accommodate future growth without
major capital upgrades. Transportation
investments are also required to service
growth needs.
TRANSPORTATION
In addition to the growth management
initiative, the government is developing a
transportation strategy for the Golden
Horseshoe.
As with the growth management plan, the
transportation strategy will support improved
public transit and will identify critical invest-
ments required to support the region's long-
range infrastructure requirements to ensure
the efficient movement of people, goods and
services throughout the Golden Horseshoe.
As with other linear features, the routing of
transportation corridors is a complicated
process of attempting to link communities
while protecting sensitive areas.
8 "Fowar~ ~ Goi(ie~ Horseshoe Greenbelt ~ Greenbelt Task Force Discussion Paper
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
In mid-February 2004, the Ministry of the
Environment began consultations on how
best to deliver watershed-based source
protection as a way of securing the long-
term quality and quantity of water resources
throughout the province. Although this
initiative extends beyond the Golden
Horseshoe and the proposed Greenbelt
Study Area, it may result in policy, proce-
dures and legislative changes that could
affect the greenbelt.
HERITAGE
In April 2004, the government introduced
Bill 60, the proposed Ontario Heritage
Amendment Act, 2004, which, if passed,
would in addition to other matters give the
province and municipalities new powers to
stop demolition of heritage sites, subject to
an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board.
PLANNING REFORM
The government will be consulting on its
proposed Planning Reform initiative in the
late spring. The components of this review
include Bill 26, the proposed Strong
Communities (Planning Amendment) Act,
2004, any additional planning reforms that
may be necessary, the five-year review of
the Provincial Policy Statement, Ontario
Municipal Board Reform and implementation
tools that may be needed to achieve the
government's strong communities objectives.
The "Layers"
of a Greenbelt
T?
Gree,,nbelt Task Force considered five
layers for the proposed greenbeltthat
will provide a framework for stakeholder
and public consultations. These are:
· environmental protection;
· agricultural protection, including
tender fruit and grape lands and
the Holland Marsh;
· transportation and infrastructure;
· natural resources, particularly mineral
resources; and
· culture, tourism and recreation
opportunities.
In addition, two overarching themes include:
· Ontario's growth management and
other related initiatives as the context
for development of a permanent
Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt; and
· implementation and administration
approaches, models and tools for
establishing and administering a
greenbelt.
While each "layer" has its own section in
this discussion paper, no priority should be
implied by the order or content of the
sections. Different functions are likely to
be more or less important or relevant in
different areas of the proposed greenbelt.
May 2004
Environmental Protection
Enuironmental
Features
The task force recognizes that the
proposed Greenbelt Study Area contains
significant natural heritage features including
wetlands, kettle lakes, rare and threatened
animals, and plants and habitat. It also
features river and valley systems connecting
the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Niagara
Escarpment, an internationally recognized
area of ecological importance, to the Great
Lakes and Lake Simcoe.
Protecting greenspace helps to ensure the
maintenance or enhancement of a number
of important environmental benefits that
contribute to healthy communities and an
enhanced quality of life, including:
· biodiversitythrough protection and
restoration of representative natural
areas, wildlife habitat, species at risk,
and connectivity;
· ctean air and clean, abundant water;
· varied and scenic landscapes; and
· outdoor recreation opportunities,
including places to enjoy and learn
about nature and the outdoors.
Studies on the
Environment
Over the last !~ew decades, many have
advocated fo, ~, more comprehensive,
systemic approach to protecting the
environmental health of landscapes in
southern Ontario (e.g. Toronto Centred
Region; Crombie Commission; Greater
Toronto Coordinating Committee's Kanter
Report, Greenspace for AIf~.
16 Towar~ ~ Go~de~ ~lorsesi~oe' Greeni]el~, Greenbelt Task Forc~ Discussion Pape.r
More recently, various groups have articu-
lated a natural systems approach to envi-
ronmental protection for southern Ontario,
proposing the protection of significant envi-
ronmental areas through an ecological or
greenspace system (e.g., Environmental
Commissioner of Ontario's Report 2003;
Nature Conservancy of Canada's
Conservation Blueprint project; Federation
of Ontario Naturalists' paper Southern
Ontario Greenway Strategy, 2004; the
Neptis Foundation paper Greenlands
in the Central Ontario Zone, 2003). The
system would recognize the importance of
protecting and enhancing core water and
land areas and the connections or linkages
between them, including linkages to Lake
Ontario.
A Systems
Approach to
Natural Heritage
and Water
Resources
The proposed greenbelt provides an
opportunity to enhance environmental
protection in southern Ontario through a
natural systems approach.
· Natural heritage system- protecting
and enhancing the health, diversity,
abundance and connectivity of natural
heritage features and [unctions. This
includes:
- the consideration o~: a continuous
natural heritage system which involves
identifying, protecting and enhancing
core natural areas, o r areas containing]
the greatest concentrations of
significant natural heritage features,
and providing connections and
linkages between them, such as
those reflected in the Oak Ridges
Moraine Conservation Plan (0RMCP),
Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP) and
major river and valley systems; and,
the identification and protection of
individually significant natural heritage
features and functions, such as wet-
lands, Areas of Natural and Scientific
Interest (ANSIs), and significant
woodlands, throughout the study area.
Water resources system - protecting
and, where necessary, improving and
restoring a clean and abundant water
supply, including healthy functioning
aquatic ecosystems. This includes:
- a water resources system to protect
and improve the health and sustain-
ability of hydrological integrity. This
could include the identification and
protection of source areas, sensitive
headwaters, riparian corridors, etc. It
would also require integration between
the greenbelt and the broader water
resource systems being developed
through source water protection and
watershed management, such as the
0RMCP;
the identification and protection of
significant hydrological features, such
as wetlands, streams, lakes, aquifers,
recharge areas and springs, and their
associated hydrological functions; and,
a coordinated approach to assessing]
impacts of land-use change on
water quality, water quantity and
related hydrological functions,
such as watershed management anQ
lake-basin management, throughout
the stud~ arsg.
Landform conservation - protecting
the diversity and character of the natural
and open rural landscape, including
the unique and sensitive landforms of
the area. This includes:
- the development of a landform
conservation strategy to identify and
protect areas of unique, distinctive
and complex natural systems within
the proposed Greenbelt Study Area,
such as the NEP and ORMCP; and
the identification, protection and
enhancement of some of the more
unique and sensitive landform features,
such as earth science ANSIs,
distinctive geological and geomorphic
features, vistas and panoramas.
Network of open space -identifying
existing and potential public parks and
open spaces, such as Bronte Creek
Provincial Park, Rouge Park, the
Duffins-Rouge Agricultural Preserve
and conservation authority lands, that
can be maintained and secured to
support a natural system for future
generations. This could include:
- a system of public parks, open space
and trails across the proposed
Greenbelt Study Area that meet a
number of objectives, including
environmental protection, outdoor
recreation, recreational opportunities,
tourism benefits, public access and
cultural and natural heritage
appreciation within the proposed
Greenbelt Study Area; and/or
a system of natural areas, other
open areas or depleted mineral
aggregate operations where there is
ar~ opportunity to restore such areas
to ~ more natural condition.
May 2004
To ensure the long-term protection of both
the features and functions of a natural system,
compatible uses such as aggregate extrac-
tion, agriculture and recreation can co-exist
with environmental protection, provided they
do not hinder the integrity of the system.
Over the years, farmers have been stewards
of many agricultural and natural features that
co-exist with their agricultural operations.
In developing a Golden Horseshoe
Greenbelt, the task force envisions that the
suggested approaches for environmental
protection will be integrated with the
proposed approaches for: mineral aggregates;
tender fruit and grape lands, and agricul-
ture; transportation and infrastructure; and
culture, recreation and tourism opportunities
to ensure a diversity of greenbelt functions
are achieved.
Management
Tools for
Environmental
Protection
'T'he development and management of a
~' greenbelt for environmental protection
needs to be achieved through a range of
management tools used in combination
with one another.
PLANNING CONTROLS
The use of planning controls will be discussed
in greater detail in other parts of this paper.
NON-PLANNING TOOLS
Non-planning mechanisms can be used in
tandem with a land-use planning frame-
work to achieve the overall objective of
environmental protection in the greenbelt
area. These could include:
· developing a greenbelt parks and trail
strategy to identify potential sites for
future parks, and opportunities to make
greenbelt lands accessible to the public.
Continued implementation efforts in
these areas will result in additional
environmental protection and socio-
economic benefits, such as nature and
tourism. Beyond these two areas, there
are other provincial, regional and local
park and trail systems, such as Rouge
Park, that could become the "backbone"
of a more extensive parks and open
space system across the proposed
Greenbelt Study Area. It should be
noted that not all areas of publicly
owned greenlands should be accessible
to the public, since there may be
conflicts between conservation and
recreational opportunities;
developing a greenbelt acquisition
and stewardship strategy to help
guide resource allocation and provide
consistent direction for stewardship
programs within the proposed
Greenbelt Study Area. The Neptis
Foundation's Greenlands paper (2002)
recommends that a central body be
responsible for coordinating acquisition
and land stewardship initiatives in
order to pool the financial resources
and expertise of §overnment and non-
government organizations. However,
it is recognized that both the Niagara
Escarpment Plan and Oak Ridges
Moraine Plan have already established
coordinating bodies and have mecha-~
nisms in place;
I~: 'i'owar~ ~ Goide~ Horsest~o~; Greenbelt - Greenbglt Task Force Discussion Paper
requiring municipalities to pass tree
conservation bylaws to prohibit or
regulate the harm, destruction or
removal of trees, particularly in areas
where urban forest cover is rapidly
diminishing and/or where woodlands
are not managed. The proposed
Greenbelt Protection Act, 2004 allows
for a Minister's regulation to prohibit
the cutting or removal of trees in the
proposed Greenbelt Study Area; and
requiring municipalities to pass site
alteration bylaws to prohibit or regulate
the placing or dumping of fill; the removal
of topsoil, including peat; and the
alteration of the grade of land, particu-
larly where land disturbance activities
negatively impacts environmental
features and functions. The proposed
Greenbelt Protection Act, 2004 allows
for a Minister's regulation to prohibit
site alteration and the grading of land
in the proposed Greenbelt Study Area.
Proposed
Approaches to
Environmental
Protection
The task force is considering a systems
approach for environmental protection in
the greenbelt:
SCALE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRO-
TECTION WITHIN THE GREENBELT
The Province, in consultation with key
stakeholders, should define a system of
natural and hydrological features and
functions.
This system should include:
· provincially significant and/or major
natural heritage and hydrological
features and functions (e.g., Oak
Ridges Moraine, Niagara Escarpment,
Rouge Valley); and
· connections between these major
features and functions, including
public park/open space lands and
stream/river valley linkages to major
water bodies such as the Great Lakes
and Lake Simcoe.
And this system could include:
· regionally significant features and
functions (e.g., portions of the Iroquois
shoreline).
PRIORITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
The system of natural heritage and hydro-
logical features and functions within the
greenbelt will have a hierarchy of environ-
mental protection:
· sensitive areas, as defined by the
province in consultation with key
stakeholders, where only very limited
uses (e.g., conservation, existing
agriculture) would be permitted; and
less sensitive areas where a variety
of compatible uses, consistent with
the objectives of the greenbelt, would
be permitted.
May 2004 13
Agricultural ,Pro te c tio n
Ontario enjoys many social, economic
and environmental benefits from the
agricultural sector, including exports and
employment from the agricultural economy,
environmental stewardship, connectivity for
wildlife species, locally-produced food and
specialty crops, and support for a strong
rural character in communities outside of
the urbanized core.
Protecting agricultural lands within a
greenbelt is an important part of ensuring a
healthy, working agricultural sector in the
Golden Horseshoe for future generations.
(e.g., Niagara Agricultural Task Force report
Securing A Legacy for Niagara's
Agricultural Land, 2003; Christian Farmers
Federation of Ontario report Closer to the
Heart, 2002; GTA Federations of Agriculture
in the GTA Agricultural Action Plan, 2004,
and Caldwell and Weir's Ontario's Countryside
report on severance activity). Urban bound-
ary encroachments, non-farm uses, land
speculation and lot-by-lot severances have,
over time, incrementally consumed prime
agricultural lands for non-agricultural uses.
Specialty Crop
Prime Agricultural Areas and the
Lands
Southern Ontario's prime agricultural
areas are composed of Class 1, 2 and
3 soils, and are considered to be some of
the best land in the world. They are a finite
resource. Prime agricultural lands make up
only 12 per cent of Ontario's land base, and
only five per cent of Canada's total land base.
Outside of the Oak Ridges Moraine
Conservation Plan (ORMCP) area, the Niagara
Escarpment Plan (NEP) area, and the
Duffins-Rouge Agricultural Preserve, the
majority of the non-urban lands in the
proposed Greenbelt Study Area are classified
as prime agricultural lands.
The proximity of farmland to existing urban
areas and the attractiveness of level farm-
land for new development have resulted in
competition for land uses. Many in the agri-
cultural sector have identified the pressures
of lot fragmentation and urban development
on agricultural iands, and 'have pressed for
clear action to address these challenges
Niagara Tender
Fruit and Grape
Lands
Wlhile prime agricultural land is a finite
resource that should be protected
from development pressures, specialty
crop areas such as the tender fruit and
grape lands and the Holland Marsh are
unique, and represent a significantly small-
er portion of the land base.
The Niagara region supports a diverse and
strong agricultural community that includes
not only tender fruit and grape production,
but also greenhouse produce, field crops
and livestock. The tender fruit and grape
lands located in the Niagara region, and a
portion of Hamilton, however, have long
been regarded as a nationally unique agri-
cultural resource, and i~ave become a
major tourist draw and a focal point for
local and regional economic development.
14 Toward ~: Goidem~ Fiorsesho~ Greenbelt,. Greenbelt'r'ask Force Discussior, Paper
While the importance of these lands has
been recognized in local and regional land-
use planning, economic development
activities that have brought prosperity to
the region have also brought non-farm
development and other pressures associated
with urbanization.
The tender fruit and grape lands in the
proposed Greenbelt Study Area described
in Bill 27 are based on the Region of
Niagara's Official Plan designations for
"good tender fruit and good grape lands."
These regional official plan land-use desig-
nations were put in place in the 1980s. The
"good grape lands" designation to the
south of the Niagara Escarpment may need
to be reviewed and more closely defined.
The Viability of
Agriculture
preserving agricultural lands is only one
aspect of creating the conditions for
agricultural communities to thrive. The GTA
Agricultural Action Plan and l~he Niagara
Agricultural task force have identified that
many approaches and tools are necessary
to foster and support a strong, vibrant and
healthy agricultural economy. Examples of
the approaches and tools used in other
jurisdictions include land trusts, conservation
easements, financial incentives, supportive
infrastructure investment, education and
marketing, as well as land-use plans and
zoning.
The task force recognizes the importance
of ensuring the viability of agriculture, and
recognizes that land-use provisions alone
are not enough to ensure the long-term
viability of agriculture within the greenbelt.
Ensuring that prime agriculturai areas are
sufficiently stable and protected is a key
part of providing more certainty to the
agricultural sector.
Proposed
Approaches to
the Protection of
Agricultural Lands
The task force is considering the following
approach to protecting agricultural lands
in the greenbelt:
ECONOMIC VIABILITY
Land-use planning alone is insufficient to
ensure that agricultural lands within the
greenbelt will be farmed. There is an array
of issues adversely affecting agriculture
across the province that need to be
addressed in a holistic way.
The task force recommends that a provincial
task force on agriculture be created imme-
diately to develop agricultural policies that
will ensure a viable agricultural industry
across the greenbelt and the rest of Ontario.
This task force should comprise a broadly
based group of stakeholders and be led by
the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, with
membership from the Ministries of Finance,
Municipal Affairs and Housing, Natural
Resources, Environment, Consumer and
Business Services, federal departments
and others as required.
This task f~rce should provide an interim
report to address greenbelt issues by
October 2004.
May 2004 15
CONTEXT FOR PROTECTION
Agricultural /ands should be protected
within the context of a provincial growth
management p/an to reduce the pressure
on prime agricultural lands.
· Growth should be focused around
centres and along corridors to intensih/
development.
Infill, intensification and redevelopment,
including brownfields, should be
supported within urban boundaries.
LAND-USE POLICIES
Before prime agricultural /ands may be
considered for development, a comprehen-
sive review should be required to demon-
strate that existing urban-designated areas
lack sufficient supply of land available
through intensification and redevelopment.
Lot creation should be eliminated for
residential infi// on agricultural /ands.
Clearer direction or refined definitions
should further restrict lot creation for all or
some uses (e.g., retirement, agricultural-
related, surplus farm dwellings, and sever-
ances for a farm parcel or farm-splits).
Land-use policies should be supportive of
agriculture and should be consistent
across the greenbelt, including areas with-
in Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan
and the Niagara Escarpment Plan.
Secondary agricultural uses and agriculture-
related uses should be clarified to ensure
that they meet the needs of agriculture but
do not erode the viability of the prime agri-
cultural areas.
A range of approaches should strengthen
protections for prime agricultural lands by:
· tightening the definition, scale and
range of secondary and agricultural-
related land uses for good tender fruit
and good grape lands;
directing selected agricultural-related
uses to settlement areas and designated
areas; and
· exploring innovative support mecha-
nisms and incentives for limiting
secondary uses of prime agricultural
lands.
The type and location (or both) of non-
residential uses for which prime agricultural
areas could be re-designated or converted
will be limited to ensure that the uses meet
the needs of the agricultural community
and do not erode the viability of the prime
agricultural areas. Where possible, these
uses should be directed to settlement
areas.
TENDER FRUIT AND GRAPE LANDS
AND HOLLAND MARSH
The entire Holland Marsh (including the
portion outside the proposed Greenbelt
Study Area) and the tender fruit and grape
lands should be permanently protected by
restricting settlement area boundary
expansions.
In these areas, the range of land uses and
location of "limited non-residential" uses
should be restricted to those that are
absolutely necessary to support agricultural
uses in specialty crop areas.
16,, Towarr~ ~ Goi[te~ Horsesho~ Greenbelt ~. Greenbelt lask Force Discussion Paper
OTHER AGRICULTURAL LANDS
Other agricultural /ands that should be
permanently protected in the greenbelt are
prime agricultural lands (C/ass 1, 2, 3)
having contiguous area sufficiently large to
support the integrity of the agricultural
economy and rural landscape.
In making this determination, the Province
should have regard for:
· fragmentation;
· urban/suburban encroachments;
· loss of agricultural support
mechanisms;
· the province's growth management
initiative; and
· rural economic development.
COMPLEMENTARY INITIATIVES
A permanent greenbelt should support the
protection of the agricultural land base
through land-use policy mechanisms and
complementary infrastructure and economic
development initiatives such as:
· research and education programs;
· promotion and marketing initiatives;
and
· supporting infrastructure necessary
for agriculture (e.g., roads, water,
power, gas, drainage).
TAXATION AND FINANCIAL TOOLS
The Province should assess potential
changes to taxation poficies and other
financial tools to support agriculture, such as:
· reviewing the property assessment
system as it applies to the valuing
of farmland; and
· easements and land trusts.
May 2004 ,. I7
Transportation and
Infrastructure
Major infrastructure facilities that have
influenced and supported past growth
are located within the proposed Greenbelt
Study Area. These facilities will continue to
influence future growth, as well as the
forms and locations of new, connecting
infrastructure facilities.
Major water and sewer systems that serve
millions of residents; the Pearson and
Hamilton international airports; transporta-
tion arteries such as the Queen Elizabeth
Way and highways 401,403, 404, 40§, 407
and 427; major commuter and freight rail
lines; the Parkway Belt West utility corridor;
electrical generation plants and major
transmission corridors; and natural gas and
fibre-optic cable installations are located
within the Golden Horseshoe area.
The Breeze ferry, starting service from
Rochester to Toronto this spring, should
prompt discussion of an unexplored future
transportation route. In addition, the wind
turbine at Exhibition Place raises the possi-
bility of new wind farms and other alternative
energy technologies to supply the power
that new growth will demand.
The Regulatory
Environment
T here is currently a complex regulatory
environment for infrastructure.
The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS)
under the Planning Act provides policy
direction on matters of provincial interest
related to land-use planning and develop-
ment. These include policies intended to
ensure that:
natural heritage features and areas
are protected from incompatible
development;
· prime agricultural lands are protected;
· efficient, cost-effective development
and land-use patterns are employed
to develop strong communities and
provide for housing;
appropriate and adequate infrastructure
and transportation services provision
are provided across the province; and
· mineral aggregate resources are
available for extraction as close to
market as possible.
The Provincial Policy Statement is currently
undergoing a legislated five-year review.
Within the proposed Greenbelt Study Area
there are also three specific plans, the Oak
Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (0RMCP),
the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP) and the
Parkway Belt West Plan (PBWP), that pro-
vide additional and specific provincial policy
direction.
The 0RMCP and the NEP were designed
explicitly to protect and enhance significant
natural features and accordingly, they
establish high thresholds for infrastructure,
transportation and mineral aggregate
resources use. The ORMCP and the NEP
supersede other provincial legislation and
policies as well as municipal official plans
and zoning bylaws in the event of a conflict.
The PWBP provides, in part, for major infra-
structure facilities across the Greater
Toronto Area (GTA).
Municipal official plans articulate local
and/or regional interests and approaches
to managing future growth, protecting the
1~ Towar~ ~ Goi[iefl Horseshoe Greenbel~,~ Greenbelt 7ast: Force Discussion Paper
environment, and providing for infrastruc-
ture and mineral aggregate resource
extraction, in keeping with the provincial
framework.
In addition to the provincial land-use planning
framework, there are also other pieces of
legislation that apply to infrastructure,
including the Canadian Environmental
Assessment A ct, Environmental Assessment
Act, Environmental Protection Act, National
Energy Board Act, Canadian Radio-television
and Telecommunications Commission Act,
Ontario Water Resources Act, Source Water
Protection Act, Drainage Act, and the
Aggregate Resources Act.
These acts provide detailed procedures
and processes to guide decision-making on
possible locations and the development of
infrastructure facilities, as well as the manner
in which resources are extracted, to mini-
mize potential impacts on the environment.
Transportation-
Related
Initiatives
In addition to the existing provincial leg-
islative framework, there are many key
ongoing and emerging initiatives that relate
to the greenbelt and the provision of infra-
structure and resources. These include a
transportation strategy and a growth man-
agement plan.
The transportation strategy will support
improved public transit and critical invest-
ments for the region's long-range infra-
structure requirements.
As well, the Province is currently consulting
on the delivery of source water protection
planning as a way of securing quality water
sources for the long term throughout
Ontario.
The Province is taking inventory of the Ioca-
tion and ownership of existing hydro trans-
mission corridors transferred to the
Province from Hydro One to explore options
for provincial and inter-regional secondary
uses such as linear transportation, transit
and infrastructure, as well as open spaces,
parks and trails, or other recreational uses.
The province has requested that municipal-
ities indicate their secondary use interests
to the province as part ofthis project.
Finally, it is important to note that the devel-
opment of a greenbelt should not weaken
the existing provisions of the Oak Ridges
Moraine Conservation Plan and the
Niagara Escarpment Plan.
Principles
The task force set the following principles
to guide its consideration of approaches
for infrastructure in the greenbelt.
1. Recognition that the greenbelt should
not be viewed as a land reserve for
future infrastructure needs;
Recognition that the.proposed
Greenbelt Study Area is also the
fastest growing region in Canada
anti a foundation for the provincial
and national economies, therefore,
infrastructure will be needed to
support this growth;
Look first to alternatives that maximize
the capacity of existing infrastructure;
Mav 2004
4. Where new infrastructure is deter-
mined to be necessary, minimize
social, economic and environmental
impacts, respect natural features,
preserve open space and seek
creative approaches to design; and
5. Control growth through planning tools.
Proposed
Approaches to
Transportation
and Infrastructure
The task force is considering the following
approach for transportation and infrastruc-
ture in the greenbelt:
If it is cons/stent with the Greenbelt Task
Force vision and goals, the Province's
growth management plan and the coordi-
nation of provincial, regional and municipal
infrastructure planning, then infrastructure
(including highways, water, sewer, power,
alternative energy facilities, telecommuni-
cations/ceil towers, waste/recycling
facilities, etc.) would be permitted in the
greenbelt.
Locate infrastructure only in areas where
there is a demonstrated need.
The Province should review the way in
which need for infrastructure is assessed,
to ensure proposed infrastructure rein-
forces growth management and greenbelt
objectives.
The Province should also review the envi-
ronmental assessment process to ensure
that the consideration of alternatives
reflects emerging technologies, innovative
designs, and an appropriate balance of
roads and transit.
21) '~ward ~ Goide~ Horseshoe Greenbelt ~. Greenbelt ~[ask Force Discussion Paper
Natural Resources
The proposed Greenbelt Study Area is
abundant with a number of important natural
resources, including forestry, water and
wildlife. While the task force has concen-
trated its discussions primarily on mineral
resources, we welcome comments on
other natural resources as well.
Mineral Resources
The most significant non-renewable
resource in the proposed Greenbelt
Study Area is aggregates, including lime-
stone, sand, gravel, clay, shale and sand-
stone. Extraction of these minerals and
other related operations are licensed under
the Aggregate Resources Act. Aggregates
are identified in the Provincial Policy
Statement as a key provincial interest for
wise use and protection over the long term.
Mineral aggregates provide essential build-
lng materials for growth. According to the
Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)
aggregate mapping and its 1992 State of the
Resource Report, there are significant
aggregate resource deposits in the Golden
Horseshoe region that directly supply the
housing and manufacturing industries.
More than 75 per cent of mineral aggregates
used in the greenbelt area come from the
Oak Ridges Moraine and Niagara
Escarpment areas. The region also contains
most of the province's shale resources, the
raw material for the brick industry.
The Regulatory
Environment
Over the past decade, the regulatory
environment for aggregate extraction
has become incrsasingi¥' sophisticated~
resulting in fewer new licenses for quar-
ries. Most existing quarries were estab-
lished in the 1950s, and are reaching the
end of their deposits.
Mineral aggregate resources are non-
renewable resources. Their proximity to
market is one of the most significant factors
in their overall cost. Since more than 90 per
cent of mineral aggregate is moved by
truck, transportation is one ofthe main factors
in the cost of the resource not only in direct
cost to the consumer, but also in its impacts
on air quality. Shipping mineral aggregates
long distances increases energy consump-
tion and greenhouse gas emissions into the
atmosphere. Proper planning for near-
market extraction can reduce negative
environmental impacts.
In recognition of the value of mineral aggre-
gate resources for current and future uses,
Section 2.2.1 of the Provincial Policy
Statement states that "Mineral resources
will be protected for long term use" and
section 2.2.3.1 provides that "As much of
the mineral aggregate resource as is realis-
tically possible will be made available to
supply mineral resource needs, as close to
markets as possible."
In the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP),
Escarpment Rural Area, mineral resource
extraction may be permitted subject to an
amendment to the NEP. The plan contains a
set of standards and criteria for evaluating
amendment applications to ensure that
such amendments are justified. They also
provide assurances that, if introduced, any
new mineral extractive operation or associ-
ated accessory use will have minimal
impact on the escarpment environment,
and the lands wilJ ultimately be rehabilitat-
ed and used in ~ manner compatible with
the surrounding iandscape.
May 2004
Within the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation
Plan (ORMCP), mineral aggregate opera-
tions are permitted throughout the ORM
except in the Natural Core Areas designated
in the plan. Proposed mineral aggregate
operations in the other three land-use
designations must demonstrate:
· the maintenance, improvement or
enhancement of the quality and
quantity of ground/surface water;
· proper site rehabilitation to
agricultural or natural purposes;
the maintenance of the health, size
and diversity of key natural heritage
features; and
· proper rehabilitation of areas with
identified landform attributes.
Site Rehabilitation
As pits and quarries reach depletion, it is
important to ensure, through rehabilita-
tion, that future uses are compatible with,
or will contribute to, the objectives of any
greenbelt protection plan.
Examples of rehabilitation for different pur-
poses include the Lafarge Fonthill Pit, now
a tender fruit orchard; an experimental
vineyard at Vineland Quarries; the Royal
Botanical Gardens; and Kerncliff conservation
area in Halton Region.
As proposals for a permanent greenbelt are
developed from the layering of the environ-
mental, agricultural, cultural, recreation
and heritage functions described in this paper,
aggregate operations can be considered a
"temporary use." These key non-renewable
resources may be identified and protected
for future use, and sites can ultimately be
returned to natural, agricultural or recre-
ational purposes -- the use that best suits
the greenbelt area in which they are situated.
Proposed
Approaches to
Natural Resources
The task force is considering the following
approach to future resource needs:
Given the importance of the availability of
aggregates close to market, as identified in
the Provincial Poficy Statement, high
potential aggregate areas should be a
consideration for inclusion in the greenbelt
and should be protected from incompatible
land use.
Aggregate extraction in the greenbelt
should be subjected to a more rigorous
approach to rehabilitation. Depleted mineral
aggregate operations should more aggres-
sively be brought into uses that would sup-
port or enhance the objectives of greenbelt
protection.
The Province should clarify appropriate
provincial and official plan poficies
surrounding new ficenses for aggregate
extraction.
The Province should review the licensing
process to facilitate new ~upply and ensure
the integrity of hydrogeological and eco-
logical systems, features and functions,
taking into account the requirement to
rehabilitate.
2~ Towar~ ~ Goi~ie~ Horsesho~ Greenbelt Greenbelt'[ask Force Discussion Paper
Culture, Recreation and Tourism
Features,
Attractions and
Opportunities
The proposed Greenbelt Study Area
contains important cultural heritage,
recreation and tourism features and
attractions.
· The area is home to the Bruce Trail,
the Oak Ridges Trail, the Royal Botanical
Gardens, internationally recognized
bird-watching areas, and the recon-
structed Iroquois Village at Crawford
Lake Conservation Area.
· The Niagara peninsula boasts Niagara
Falls, and a thriving food and wine
industry.
· The Niagara Escarpment, designated
as a World Biosphere Reserve by the
United Nations for its distinctive natural
landscape and internationally signifi-
cant ecosystem, provides opportunities
for numerous recreational activities.
· Large tracts of regional, county and
conservation authority forests have
been established on the Oak Ridges
Moraine that provide tremendous
opportunities for outdoor recreation
such as hiking and nature viewing.
The close proximity of these cultural, recre-
ational and tourism amenities contributes
to a high quality of life in the Golden
Horseshoe area. However, there are
pressures on these resources. If our urban
areas continue to expand outward, the
green spaces surrounding our urban
communities could be degraded, or could
disappear altogether. This would reduce
the available number of cultural, recreational
and tourism opportunities at a time when
more are needed to serve a rapidly growing
population.
Culture
Cultural heritage resources include build-
ings, structures, and archaeological
sites representing all periods of history and
human endeavour. In the proposed Golden
Horseshoe Greenbelt area, the people of
the First Nations farmed, hunted and traded
long before European settlers arrived. This
area was home to the early settlers, and
today, it attracts immigrants from around
the world. Establishing a greenbelt would
ensure the long-term preservation, use and
enjoyment of the Golden Horseshoe's var-
ied landscapes and diverse cultural and
heritage resources.
Recreation
Wqth its varied landscapes, a Golden
Horseshoe Greenbelt presents
opportunities to support healthy communi-
ties through year-round public access to
outdoor recreation resources. By protect-
lng and enhancing hiking trails, cycle paths,
canoe routes, skating rinks, parks and other
recreational resources, a greenbelt could
also promote a physically active lifestyle and
generate associated health benefits. It
would be a blueprint for healthy living in
Ontario.
A greenbelt also offers an opportunity to
secure and increase access to a range of
outdoor recreational activities that depend
on nature or natural settings such as fishing,
bird watching, sailing, nature appreciation,
cross-country skiing and camping.
May 2004 23
Tourism
Existing cultural, recreation and tourism
features and attractions within the
proposed Greenbelt Study Area are impor-
ta nt to Onta rig's to urism industry. Ag ri-to u dsm
and culinary tourism are growing niche
markets that would build on, reinforce, and
promote greenbelt strengths. The greenbelt
could play a vital role in promoting Ontario
as a premier four-season destination in
both the domestic and international
markets.
An integrated, system-wide planning
approach to the greenbelt would limit
development pressures and encourage
sustainable growth and compatible land
uses. This would help protect the Golden
Horseshoe's irreplaceable cultural heritage
and natural aspects - its open spaces,
farms, woods, gardens, village streetscapes,
historic structures, local museums and
archaeological sites - so that they continue
to benefit the millions who live nearby and
those who visit Ontario.
Proposed
Approaches to
Culture, Recreation
and Tourism
The task force is considering the following
approach to culture, recreation and
tourism:
The greenbelt should be a pubficly valued
and important venue for cultural heritage
and related activities, recreation and
tourism in the Golden Horseshoe. This
should be accomplished through promotion
and marketing initiatives to support
community economic development.
Culture, recreation and tourism opportunities
should respect and be compatible with
other greenbelt priorities (e.g., agriculture,
natural resources and ecosystem protection)
and should strengthen the vitality, integrity
and profile of the greenbelt with:
· recognized andpromoted cultural
sites, districts and landscapes
important for community identity,
history and character;
a network ofprotectedpublic open
spaces where people can enjoy
recreational and leisurely pursuits.
This network includes:
- provincial parks (e.g. Bronte Creek);
- conservation areas;
- navigable waterways; and
- municipal parks and forests;
· private lands with recreation, tourism
and conservation uses;
· a system of trails on public and private
lands, supported by a provincial regu-
latory framework to address issues
such as location and design, user con-
flicts, public safety and liability; and
tourism destinations that support and
depend on farms, natural areas and
rural communities.
2~ Towar[[ a Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt,-Greenbelt 7ask Force Discussion Paper
Administration and
Implementation
There are various examples of tools,
approaches and models in Ontario,
nationally and internationally on the imple-
mentation and administration of a 6olden
Horseshoe 6reenbeltthat apply and layer the
preceding approaches for protecting envi-
ronmental, agricultural, specialty and unique
crop lands, key aggregate deposits, and cul-
tural, recreation and tourism opportunities.
The proposed greenbelt will set out where
growth should not occur for the purposes of
the growth management plan now in devel-
opment. The greenbeltwill also be integrated
with the larger growth management plan
area to enhance the environment, rural
economy and quality of life for the region's
growing population.
Ontario has a long and successful history of
land-use planning initiatives on which to
build. Initiatives of regional or landscape
scale include:
The Parkway Belt
West Plan (PBWP)
Originally the Parkway Belt West Plan
Act (1978), but subsequently brought
under the Ontario Planning and
Development Act, 1994 (OPDA), this plan
created a multi-use utility corridor, urban
separator and open space system. It is
administered by staff of the Ministry of
Municipal Affairs and Housing.
The Niagara
Escarpment Plan
(NEP)
Act(1973) (NEPDA), the plan's purpose is to
protect the Niagara Escarpment and
maintain lands in its vicinity as a continuous
natural environment, and to ensure only
development compatible with the natural
environment occurs.
The Niagara Escarpment Plan is based on
mapped land-use designations and related
policies that balance environmental preser-
vation with limited forms of compatible
development It also includes urban areas, but
defers to municipal official plans for detailed
land-use planning within the urban area.
The NEP also sets out an integrated Parks
and Open Space strategy for securing and
managing public lands, and includes much
more detailed development control and
performance standards. The development
permit system was initiated in 1975.
Implementation occurs at two levels. First,
municipalities are required to amend their
official plans and bylaws where applicable
to be in conformity with the NEP. Second, in
order to implement the detailed develop-
merit control and performance standards
contained in the NEP, a Development Permit
System is used. The system uses zoning
and site plan approvals related to a permitted
use granted at one time, as part of an inte-
grated site-specific application process.
The Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP)is
administered directly by the 17-member
Niagara Escarpment Commission. The
commission is a special-purpose body
responsible to the Minister of Natural
Resources. A staff of up to 22 persons
supports the commission.
pstablished under the Niagara
[,.Escarpment' Planning and Development
May 2004,. 25
The Oak Ridges
Moraine
Conservation
Plan (ORMCP)
Established under the Oak Ridges
Moraine Conservation Act, 2001, the
plan's objectives are protecting the ecologi-
cai and hydrological integrity of the moraine,
and ensuring that only land and resource uses
that maintain, improve or restore the ecolog-
ical and hydrological functions of the
moraine are permitted.
The plan is based on four land-use designa-
tions: Natural Core, Natural Linkage,
Countryside and Settlement. The Natural Core
and Natural Linkage designations focus on
maintaining and enhancing a major natural
heritage system across the moraine.
Of note, the act does not permit land to be
removed from the Natural Core orthe Natural
Linkage designated areas. Limits of settle-
ment areas can only be expanded in the
context of a change to the plan. They are
considered fixed for at least a lO~year period,
until the next scheduled plan review.
Municipalities are required to bring their
official plans and comprehensive zoning
bylaws into conformity with the Oak Ridges
Moraine Conservation Plan. Municipalities
then implement the provisions.
Other
Jurisdictions
The task force also reviewed greenbelt
examples from other jurisdictions,
including London, England; New York/New
26 ~ '[owar~ ~, Goide~ ttorsesho~ Greenbelt ~. Greenbelt Task Force Discussion Paper
Jersey; Portland, Oregon; Napa County,
California; Ottawa; and Vancouver.
Differing social, political, economic and
environmental circumstances make it diffi-
cult to draw detailed comparisons to Ontario's
situation. However, several generalized
comments can be provided on these models.
· To varying degrees, all models focus
on protecting lands from urban growth
pressures.
· All models have an overall plan or
strategy as their basis.
The London, Oregon and Vancouver
examples all contain a component that
is directly tied into the municipal land-
use planning process. The Napa
County model is implemented through
the land-use planning system.
The New York/New Jersey focus is
more on land stewardship, technical
assistance and the provision of funding
for land securement, rather than land-
use planning.
The Ottawa greenbelt is a rare
example of a publicly-owned greenbelt;
most greenbelts do not involve govern-
ment acquisition of greenbelt lands.
· The Oregon and Vanceuver models
also contain non-regu latory programs
such as land securement and habitat
enhancement works, in addition to
land-use controls.
Regardless of the model and options chosen,
the administration and imi~lementation of a
permanent greenbelt must be coordinated
and integrated with other related provincial
initiatives, particularly growth manage-
ment, source-water protection, transporta-
tion planning and planning reform.
General Elements
of Greenbelt
Protection
Greenbelt implementation includes a variety
of building blocks, which are sometimes
used independently, but more often in combi-
nation. These elements are:
· policy options to establish the legal
basis and a framework for greenbelt
protection, include legislation that is
greenbelt-specific or enabling; legisla-
tion-based plans to control and direct
and/or guide land use, such as the
Niagara Escarpment Actand plan (NEP),
Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act,
2001 and Oak Ridges Moraine
Conservation Plan (ORMCP), Parkway
Belt West Plan under the Ontario
Planning and Development Act, 1994
(OPDA); and legislation-based policies,
such as the Provincial Policy Statement
or an area-specific provincial policy
statement under the Planning Act,
implementation models to discuss
including:
- an entirely new greenbelt entity,
which would replace existing ORM
and NEC arrangements;
- an expansion of the NEC and ORM
areas and plans to cover adjacent
new areas;
- maintenance of the current NEC and
ORM arrangements as anchors, and
the addition of new elements and
connecting links under umbrella Golden
Horseshoe Greenbelt legislation;
- a Provincial Policy Model - a geo-
graphically specific provincial policy,
which would supersede the
Provincial Policy Statement;
administrative options determine who
should implement and administer a
greenbelt. These options could include
a designated commission or agency;
a provincial ministry; municipalities; a
coordinating body; or some combination
of these; and
implementation tools to achieve the
greenbelt's stated vision and goals,
including regulatory mechanisms and
performance standards to regulate
development and activities; provincial
guidelines; and non-regulatory programs
to secure, protect or enhance land, or
to provide for public use, where
deemed appropriate.
Tools for
Implementation
Avariety of regulatory and non-regulatory
tools may be useful to further the vision and
goals of greenbelt protection. These include:
Regulatory Tools:
· Planning Actand municipal land-use
planning mechanisms including official
plans and zoning, such as Napa Valley's
Agricultural Preserve and General Plan;
· Tree conservation, site alternation and
topsoil removal bylaws under the
Municipal Act, 2001;
· the regulation of waterways by
conservation authorities;
· the Lakes and Rivers ImprovementAct,
· Niagara Escarpment Commission
development permits; and
May 2004~27
· Guidelines such as the Foodland
Guidelines, 1991 ORM Guidelines and
Ministry of the Environment compati-
bility guidelines.
Non-Regulatory Tools:
It is likely that more than 90 per cent of a
Golden Horseshoe greenbelt will be pri-
vately-owned lands where non-regulatory
programs will be an integral part of imple,
mentation. The programs must represent
greenbelt vision and goals while being
respec~ul of landowner rights and interests.
It is envisioned that greenbelt implementa-
tion may occur through a range of non-reg-
ulatory tools including:
· Public education and land stewardship
information, incentives and special
programs, possibly coordinated by a
proposed Greenbelt Trust Fund, and
conducted by:
- Ontario stewardship councils;
- conservation authorities;
- provincial and municipal
governments; and
- non-government organizations
such as the Ontario Soil and Crop
Improvement Association, Ontario
Federation of Agriculture, Ontario
Nature, Land Trusts, Nature
Conservancy of Canada and Ducks
Unlimited.
· Land securement options of privately
owned lands in cooperation with
landowners include;
- conservation easements;
- donations of land;
- bequests of land; and
21~ '~owar~ ~ Gol[ien Horsesho~ Greenbelt ~: Greenbelt Task Force Discussion Paper
- land acquisition on a "willing
buyedwilling seller" basis.
Most of the land securement options will be
eligible for the Ecological Gifts Program, a
federal income tax program.
· Provincial tax incentive programs
available now for landowners include:
- the Managed Forest Tax Incentive
Program;
- the Conservation Land Tax Incentive
Program; and
- the Farm Property Taxation Policy.
Proposed
Approaches to
Administration
and
Implementation
The task force is considering the following
approach to administration and implemen-
tation of the greenbelt:
The greenbelt should be implemented so as
to ensure permanence, integrity and con-
sistency in policy application while having
regard to regional differences.
Implementation should be coordinated with
the provincial growth management initia-
tive and:
· be initiated through legislation that
creates a Greenbelt Protection Plan
that knits together:
- the Niagara Escarpment Plan,
- the Oak Ridges Mor'aine
Conservation P/an, and
- other lands necessary to fulfill the
objectives and goals of the greenbelt;
be administered by municipalities out-
side of the Niagara Escarpment
Commission jurisdiction and incorpo-
rated into municipal official plans in a
consistent manner across the greenbelt;
· take advantage of existing administra-
tive structures and tools where possible;
· have an appellate tribunal that has the
expertise to uphold the integrity of the
plan;
· assist municipalities with implementa-
tion work;
· include fiscal measures which fulfill
the objectives of the greenbelt,
particularly concerning conservation
and agricultural viability;
involve a working group to process
Greenbelt Task Force recommenda-
tions through to the creation of the
greenbelt. This working group would
include municipal staff and other
expert stakeholders from across the
greenbelt; and
· be subject to monitoring performance
standards and a 10-year review.
IVon-reg~//atory programs and tax
incentives:
Where appropriate, landowners in the
designated greenbelt area should be
eligible for special incentives for restora-
tion, protection and stewardship of their
properties.
May 2004
Next Steps
Contact
Information
The greenbelt will be an im,portant factor
shaping southern 0ntarios future. We
want to hear from you.
This consultation document is available on
the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) Registry
on the Ministry of the Environment's website
at www. ene.gov, on.ca, and on the Ministry
of Municipal Affairs and Housing's website
at Www. greenbelt, ontario.ca. The discussion
paper will be posted on the EBR for 60 days
to provide the public with an opportunity to
comment in writing.
Please send written submissions to:
Greenbelt Task Force
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
14th floor, 777 Bay Street,
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2E5
To send your comments directly, please
e-mail: greenbelt@mah.gov, on.ca
Public Meeting
Information
The Greenbelt Task Force invites you to
attend one of the upcoming public
meetings in 2004 to learn more and share
your views and ideas on a greenbelt.
Date Location
May 20
King City
King City Community Centre
25 Doctors Lane
May 25 Oshawa
Durham College
Caf~ 71, Gordon Willey
Building
2000 Simooe Street North
Max/26 Hamilton
Hamilton Convention~Centre
The Wentworth Room
1 SUmmers Lane
May 31
Caledon East
Caledon Community Complex
6215 01d'Church'Road
June 10 St, Catharines
Canadian Auto Workers
Banquet Hall
124 Bunting Read
June 16 Burlington
Burlington Convention Centre
The Emerald and Queen
Victoria Halls
1120 Burloak Drive
All public meetings will begin at 7 p.m. More
information on locations and times will be
posted on the Municipal Affairs and
Housing website.
3[~ Towar~ ~. Goi[te~ I-iorsesho~ Greenbelt. Greenbelt -iask Force Discussion Paper
Freedom of
Information
The Government of Ontario is collecting this
information for the purpose of developing a
greenbelt plan. Any personal information
you provide is collected in compliance with
Section 38(2) of the Freedom of Information
and Protection of Privacy Act_ The government
may use this information to contact you
regarding your comments. Please direct
any questions about the collection of
the information to the Provincial Planning
and Environmental Services Branch at
(416) 585-6014 or by mail to the following
address:
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
14th floor, 777 Bay Street,
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2E5
May 2004 ~ 3~
G/ossary
Features: naturally occurring land, water
and biotic features that are important for
their environmental and social values.
For natural heritage features, these could
include wetlands, fish habitat, woodlands,
valleylands, habitat of endangered and
threatened species, wildlife habitat and
areas of natural and scientific interest.
For hydrological features, these could
include wetlands, kettle lakes, permanent
and intermittent streams, seepage areas
and springs.
Functions: the natural processes, products
or services that living and non-living environ-
merits provide or perform within or between
species, ecosystems and landscapes.
These include hydrological, biological,
physical and socio-economic interactions.
Hydrological Integrity: the conditions of
ecosystems in which hydrological features
and hydrological functions are unimpaired
by stresses from human activity.
Infill: development on vacant lots or under-
developed lots within a built-up area.
Open space: a more or less continuous
open tract of land largely free of buildings
and structures. These lands can be privately
or publicly owned.
Settlement area: an existing built-up area
and surrounding land which has been
designated for development in a municipal
official plan.
32 ~Owar~": ~ Goider~ Ftorsesho~ Greenl~elt Grgenbelt Task Force Discussion Papgr
Figure 41: Potential Eastern GTA Greenbelt
STOUFF~/ILLF
OAK RIDGES 'MORAINE
- , -~ ....
! AIFJ'POI~iT IL~D$
SCALE
RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL
DATE
MOVED BY
SECONDED BY
That Report OES 12-04 regarding prohibition of train locomotive whistling be
received; and
That attached draft by-law be enacted to prohibit train locomotive whistling at
two level crossings along the Canadian Pacific Railway Line, Belleville
Subdivision, specifically at mileage 191.14 (Altona Road) and at mileage
191.92 (Scarborough/Pickering Townline Road); and
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into the necessary
agreement with the Canadian Pacific Railway Company Limited to give effect
to the cessation of train whistling at the above noted level crossings; and
That a copy of this report be forwarded to the Region of Durham and the City
of Toronto for their information.
CARRIED:
MAYOR
P][CKERING
REPORT TO
COUNCIL
Report Number: OES 12-04
Date: June 14, 2004
From:
Richard W. Holborn, P.Eng.
Division Head, Municipal Property & Engineering
Subject:
Anti-whistling By-law
Altona Road, Scarborough/Pickering Townline Road
Recommendations:
That Report OES 12-04 regarding prohibition of train locomotive whistling be
received; and
The attached draft by-law be enacted to prohibit train locomotive whistling at two
level crossings along the Canadian Pacific Railway Line, Belleville Subdivision,
specifically at mileage 191.14 (Altona Road) and at mileage 191.92 (Scarborough/
Pickering Townline Road); and
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into the necessary agreement with
the Canadian Pacific Railway Company Limited to give effect to the cessation of
train whistling at the above noted level crossings; and
That a copy of this report be forwarded to the Region of Durham and the City of
Toronto for their information.
Executive Summary: In order to improve "Quality of Life" by reducing noise along the
Canadian Pacific "Belleville" Subdivision Railway Line, a by-law is being proposed, which if
passed, will prohibit train locomotive whistling at two level crossings along the Canadian
Pacific Railway Line, Belleville Subdivision. An agreement with Canadian Pacific Railway
Company Limited must be executed once the by-law is passed.
Financial implications: Third party liability insurance premiums will cost the City
approximately $500.00 annually for each crossing. The City's share of the maintenance
costs for the Scarborough/Pickering Towniine Road crossin9 has increased by
approximately $500.00, over the $3,000.00 annually which was in effect prior to the
installation of the gates. These costs are budgeted for in the Roads Current Budget 2320-
2409.
Report ORS 12-04
Subject: Anti-whistling By-law
Altona Road, Scarborough/Pickering Towniine Road
Date: June i4, 2004
Page 2
Background: The sounding of the iocomotive whistles along the Canadian Pacific
"Belleville' Subdivision Railway Line has been a major concern to the neighbouring
residential areas in the City for many years. As a direct result of these concerns and the
growth of housing developments near this railway corridor, City staff met with
representatives from Canadian Pacific Railway and Transport Canada to discuss the
merits and process of installing crossing gates at the Scarborough/Pickering Townline
Road and Rosebank Road crossings in July 2002.
Several years ago crossing gates were installed at Altona Road and most recently at
Scarborough/Pickering Townline Road. The City must pass an anti-whistling by-law to
allow for the cessation of locomotive whistling. Staff have received the Region's Report
2000 W-12 endorsing that the City of Pickering procure a formal anti-whistling prohibition
for Altona Road (Regional Road 27). Staff have been in consultation with the City of
Toronto regarding anti-whistling for Scarborough/Pickering Townline Road. The City of
Toronto and City of Pickering have only recently completed this consultation to the parties'
satisfaction.
Funding for the installation of crossing gates at the Rosebank Road level crossing has not
yet been approved at the Federal and Railway levels. The installation of gates and a by-
law to allow for the cessation of locomotive whistling at this location is being pursued by
staff.
Attached is a copy of the draft by-law, which staff are recommending that Council
approve. Once the by-law has been passed, a copy of the by-law will be forwarded to
Canadian Pacific Railway and Transport Canada for their approval to allow the cessation
of the locomotive whistling. Prior to the cessation of the locomotive whistling at these
crossings, the City must conform with all conditions of Transport Canada Railway Safety
Directorate Guideline No. 1, "Procedure and Conditions for Eliminating Whistling at Public
Crossings". The City must also have financial arrangements and an agreement in place to
cover the cost of the annual maintenance required and third party liability insurance policy
for each crossing, and to allow Canadian Pacific Railway to issue special instructions to
their employees.
Attachments:
!. Location Maps
2. Draft By-law
Report OES 12-04
Subject: Anti-whistling By-law
Altona Road, Scarborough/Pickering Townline Road
Date:
June 14, 2004~
Page 3
Prepared By:
Approved i Endorsed By:
Rich/~rd V~i I:lo'[~orn, P.Eng.
Div/sion Head, ¢
M~,.nicipal Property & Engineering
Everett
Director, Operations & Emergency Services
RH:ds
Attachments
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
City Clerk
Recommended for the consideration of
Pickering City Council
ThOmas'~ ii. Qu~i/nn, Chi~'f Ad '~ *
PROPOSED
LOCATION
ANTI-WHISTLING
CROSSING
C.P.R.
FIN
OPERATIONS & EMERGENCS' ;
S.~..,~Vu]N~iC~ALDy~F~.RTTyM~NT i REPORT TO COUNCIL
ENGINEERING DIVISION
.:i ........... ,',,~,], ..... - ~ L. OGATIOtX~ OF PROPOSED
'~ :400( Jun~ ,~
3:~MPondg~Them~ic MappJ~9~M~p~MP&E - Troffic~Attacim~*n~ fo~ R~o~2004~2004 ~Repori-~O, gw9
AVE N tJ E~
n9o
C.P.FR.
PROPOSED
L OCA TION
ANTI-WHISTL
CROSSIN(
T~UNx
FINCH
AX/E N U E
P L A (:: E
!--I--
OPERATIONS & EMERGENCY
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
MUNICIPAL PROPERTY &
ENGINEERING DIVISION
LiNE
FINCH
I
I
AVENUE
REPOR~ TO COUNuiL
~,O,.,.~. ~ I DN OF PROPOSED
&h,rTi-WHISTLING CRC)SSIh, IG
L:\MPondEttFhom~i',: Mappinp\~ap,,-~MP&~ - 7raffic~Att~cOmen~ ro' Reoort~2004\2004 ?~..Repon'-Og, aw¢
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PICKERING
BY-LAW NO. /04
Being a by-law to prohibit the sounding of
train whistles at Altona Road, and
Scarborough-Pickering Townline Road
crossings of the Canadian Pacific Railway
line, Belleville Subdivision.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 129 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, C.25 as
amended, by-laws may be passed by the councils of local municipalities for prohibiting
or regulating, with respect to noise; and
WHEREAS, Guideline Number 1 of the Railway Safety Directorate of Transport Canada
sets out the appropriate procedure for the banning of train whistling at public railway
crossings;
NOW THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PICKERING
HEREBY ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
The sounding of train whistles is hereby prohibited at the Altona Road and
Scarborough-Pickering Townline Road crossings of the Canadian Pacific
Railway line, more particularly described as Mileage 191.14 and 191.92 of the
Canadian Pacific Railway line, Belleville Subdivision
This By-Law shall come into force at the time of final approval by the Canadian
Pacific Railway line and Transpod Canada.
BY-LAW read a first, second and third time and finally passed this 28th day of June
2004.
Dave Ryan, Mayor
Bruce Taylor, City Clerk
,; 95
RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL
DATE
MOVED BY
SECONDED BY
That Mayor Ryan be authorized to make the following proclamation:
"Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" - June, 2004
CARRIED:
MAYOR
May 31, 2004
Mayor David Ryan
Corporation of the City of Pickering
One the Esplanade
Pickering, Ontario
L1V 6K7
Dear Mayor Ryan:
For over 30 years, the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario (SBHAO), a registered
charity, has been committed to making a positive difference in the lives of individuals affected by spina
bifida and/or hydrocephalus (sb/h). The Association supports those with sb/h and their families through
the challenges brought on by these serious, disabling conditions.
Spina bifida is a neural tube defect which occurs within the first four weeks of pregnancy. The spinal
column fails to develop properly, resulting in varying degrees of permanent damage to the baby's spinal
cord and nervous system. Hydrocephalus is an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
within the brain due to a blockage. The accumulation of CSF causes the ventricles in the brain to
enlarge. Hydrocephalus occurs in approximately eighty-five to ninety percent of persons with spina
bifida. It may be present at birth (congenital) but can also be acquired through head injury, brain tumour,
haemorrhage, disease (such as meningitis), the aging process and other causes which are still unknown.
Hydrocephalus and spina bifida are life long, complex conditions for which there is no curei Left
untreated they may even cause death. Living with these conditions, either separate or in combination,
presents many challenges to individuals and their families. Those affected usually have mobility
impairments, bowel and bladder dysfunction, learning disabilities, seizure disorders, medical issues and
other complications.
As June is recognized by Health Canada as Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, we are
requesting that the province of Ontario make the same declaration. We enclose a sample declaration for
your convenience.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
erryn V~. Gill
Chair, Board of Directors
Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario
555 Richmond Street West, P.O. Box 103, Suite 1006, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3B1
Phone (416) 214-1056 · (800) 387-1575 · Fax (416) 214-1446
E-maih provincial@sbhao.on.ca · www.sbhao.on.ca · Charitable Registration #10799 9310 RR0001
SAMPLE PROCLAMATION
: '97
WHEREAS
WHEREAS
WHEREAS
WHEREAS
the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario serves
people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus and their families; and
Health Canada has proclaimed June as Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Awareness Month; and
the there are many people who are not aware of the Association or that it
offers support, information and education programs and funds research
to find ways to prevent and treat these conditions; and
the Association encourages all Ontarians to learn more about these
conditions and to appreciate the challenges faced by individuals affected
by them, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED
That the Corporation of the City of Picketing hereby proclaims the month of June to be
SPINA BIFIDA AND HYDROCEPHALUS AWARENESS MONTH
in Corporation of the City of Picketing and I urge all citizens to give full consideration
and attention to the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario for their
work on behalf of those with spina bifida and hydrocephalus and their families.
Signature
Date
T;-iE CORPO~T~ON OF THE C~7¢ OF PIC×ER]NG
~¥-[.;'&W NO. ~34~./04
Being a by-law to appoint By-taw Enforcement Officers for certain
Purposes (Parking Regulation - 1915 Denmar Road.}
WHEREAS pursuant to section 15(I) of the Police Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.15, as
amended, a municipal council may appoint persons to enforce the by-laws of the
municipality; and
WHEREAS pursuant to section 15(2) of the said Act, municipal by-law enforcement
officers are peace officers for the purpose of enforcing municipal by-laws;
NOW THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF
PICKERING HEREBY ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
That the following persons be hereby appointed as municipal law enforcement
officers in and for the City of Pickering in order to ascertain whether the
provisions of By-law 2359/87 are obeyed and to enforce or carry into effect the
said By-law and are hereby authorized to enter at all reasonable times upon
lands municipally known as 1915 Denmar Road:
Steven Calhoun
Richard Torraville
Steven KUzmanovski
Bill Dimkovski
William Brulotte
Kevin Hoover
Eric Assels
Steven Mintz
Paul Smith
Amanda Reardon
Jeffrey Muzzin
Wayne Miller
Steve Kimkovski
James Haehnel
Osman Khan
Koste Hristov
Jerome Lecky
Steven Schleret
Donald Downie
The authority granted in section 1 hereto is specifically limited to that set out in
section 1, and shall not be deemed, at any time, to exceed the authority set out in
section 1.
These appointments shall expire upon the person listed in section 1ceasing to be
employees of Knights On Guard or upon Knights On Guard ceasing to be agents
for 1915 Denmar Road, or upon whichever shall occur first.
BY-LAW read a first, second and third time and finally passed this 21st day of June,
2004.
David Ryan, Mayor
Bruce Taylor, City Clerk
BY-LAW NO.
Being a by-law to prohibit the sounding of
train whistles at Altona Road, and
Scarborough-Pickering Townline Road
crossings of the Canadian Pacific Railway
line, Belleville Subdivision.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 129 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, C.25 as
amended, by-laws may be passed by the councils of local municipalities for prohibiting
or regulating, with respect to noise; and
WHEREAS, Guideline Number 1 of the Railway Safety Directorate of Transport Canada
sets out the appropriate procedure for the banning of train whistling at public railway
crossings;
NOW THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PICKERING
HEREBY ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
The sounding of train whistles is hereby prohibited at the Altona Road and
Scarborough-Pickering Townline Road crossings of the Canadian Pacific
Railway line, more particularly described as Mileage 191.14 and 191.92 of the
Canadian Pacific Railway line, Belleville Subdivision
This By-Law shall come into force at the time of final approval by the Canadian
Pacific Railway line and Transport Canada.
BY-LAW read a first, second and third time and finallY passed this 21st day of June
2004.
Dave Ryan, Mayor
Bruce Taylor, City Clerk
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
June 8,2004
To:
From:
Subject:
Bruce Taylor
City Clerk
Denise Bye
Coordinator, Property & Development Services
Request for Road Dedication By-Law
- Brydale Developments (Pickering) Inc.
- Block 34, Plan 40M-1987, Pickering (Helm Street)
File: Roadded.436
When the above-noted plan was registered, the reserve block referred to was
conveyed to the City along Helm Street. This reserve was intended to be
dedicated as public highway upon the development of adjacent lands.
As it has been determined that the road works within this plan and adjacent
lands have been constructed to standards sufficient to permit public access, a
By-law should be enacted to dedicate the reserve as public highway.
Attached hereto is a location map and a draft By-law for the consideration of City
Council at its meeting scheduled for June 21, 2004.
Denise Bye
DB:b9
Attachments
Copy:
Director, Planning & Development
Division Head, Municipal Property & Engineering
Supervisor, Development Control
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PICKERING
BY-LAW NO. 6343/0~
Being a By-law to dedicate Block 34, Plan 40M-1987,
Pickering, as public highway.
WHEREAS The Corporation of the City of Pickering is the owner of Block 34, Plan 40M-1987,
Pickering and wishes to dedicate it as public highway;
NOW THEREFORE, the Council of The Corporation of the City of Pickering HEREBY
ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
1. Block 34, Plan 40M-1987, Pickering is hereby dedicated as public highway (Helm Street).
BY-LAW read a first, second and third time and finally passed this 21st day of June, 2004.
David Ryan, Mayor
Bruce Taylor, Clerk
Roadded.436
~ GLENANNA ROAD
~ ~tS'~ .~ ~~GARDEN CRESCENT '
City of Pickering Planning & Development Depa~ment j
PROPER~ DESCRIPTION BLOCK 34~ PLAN 40~-1987, PIOKERING
-
OWNER CiTY OF PICKERING DATE JUNE 9, 2004 DRAWN BY JB
FILE No. ROADDED.436 SCALE i:5000
L
\
.,
" I