HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD 12-08
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REPORT TO
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
Report Number: PO 12-08
Date: April 7, 2008
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27
From:
Neil Carroll
Director, Planning & Development
Subject:
Comments on Rouge Park Alliance Draft Final
Little Rouge Corridor Management Plan and
Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan
File: 0-8100-007
Recommendation:
1. That Council request the Rouge Park Alliance to revise the Little Rouge Corridor
Management Plan and Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan, to
acknowledge that a future Environmental Assessment will detail the
cross-section, design and alignment for 14th Avenue through the Park; and
2. Further, that a copy of Report PO 12-08 be forwarded to Rouge Park Alliance,
the Regional Municipalities of Durham and York, and the Town of Markham.
Executive Summary: The Bob Hunter Memorial Park is located in Markham,
adjacent to the Little Rouge River, and forms part of the Rouge Park. A location map is
provided as Attachment #1. The Draft Final Bob Hunter Memorial Park Plan
recommends a road design for the section of the 14th Avenue - Fifth Concession Road
within the Park that may compromise its function as a Type B arterial road.
Staff concurs that the design of a road should be sensitive to its context. However, the
appropriate process for identifying the precise corridor location and design is the
environmental assessment process. Thus, the Bob Hunter Park Plan and Little Rouge
Corridor Management Plan should be revised to reflect that the precise road corridor .
location and design will be identified through the environmental assessment process.
Financial Implications: None
Sustainability Implications: Sustainable development integrates environmental,
social and economic objectives. It challenges proponents to find creative solutions to
what may appear as competing objectives, rather than simply choosing one objective
over the other. A road design that is sensitive to the Bob Hunter Memorial Park and
Little Rouge Corridor while respecting the arterial road function of the proposed
14th Avenue - Fifth Concession Road can be found through the environmental
assessment process.
Report PO 12-08
April 7, 2008
Subject: Comments on Rouge Park Alliance Draft Final
Little Rouge Corridor Management Plan and
:2 8 Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan
Page 2
Background:
The Rouge Park Alliance has released the Draft Final Little Rouge Corridor
Management Plan and Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan and has requested
their review and endorsement by member organizations, which includes the City of
Pickering and the Region of Durham (see Letter, Attachment #2). Comments on these
Plans are requested by March 31, 2008.
On March 11, 2008, the Planning Committee of the Region of Durham adopted the
recommendations of Commissioner's Report No. 2008-P-22 regarding these two Plans
(see Report, Attachment #3). The recommendations request revisions to the Plans to
acknowledge that the alignment and design of 14th Avenue arterial road will be
determined by a future Environmental Assessment.
City staff's findings and reasoning are the same as those set out in Regional Report
No. 2008-P-22. With the exception of the proposed realignment, cross-section and
design for 14th Avenue (in York Region), which is to connect to the Fifth Concession
Road in Durham (Pickering), City staff generally agrees with the other
recommendations contained in the two Plans.
The Bob Hunter Park Plan illustrates a potential alignment and design for 14th Avenue
through the Park that is intended to protect wildlife and accommodate hikers and
cyclists within the Park. The Plan proposes:
. a two-lane rural cross-section on a 20 metre right-of-way;
. multi-use trails on both sides of the road; and,
. traffic calming measures such as reduced speed limits, several curves in the
realignment and speed bumps.
Although wildlife protection and accommodation of cyclists and hikers need to be
considered, the proposed alignment, cross-section, right-of-way and road design would
compromise the intended function of 14th Avenue as a higher-order, four-lane arterial
road.
The Region of York, Region of Durham and City of Pickering's respective Official Plans
and the Region of Durham Transportation Master Plan provide for a Type B, four-lane
arterial road on 14 th Avenue and on the Fifth Concession Road with the detailed
alignment and design to be determined through an Environmental Assessment. The
Central Pickering Development Plan also shows this essential road connection between
Seaton and York Region.
Accordingly, it is recommended that Pickering City Council request the Rouge Park
Alliance to revise the Little Rouge Corridor Management Plan and Bob Hunter Memorial
Park Area Master Plan to acknowledge that a future Environmental Assessment will
detail the cross-section, design and alignment for 14th Avenue through the Rouge Park,
and that copies of Report PO 12-08 be forwarded to the Regions of York and Durham,
the Town of Markham and the Rouge Park Alliance.
Report PO 12-08
April 7, 2008
Subject: Comments on Rouge Park Alliance Draft Final
Little Rouge Corridor Management Plan and
Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan
Page 3
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Attachments:
1. Map showing location of lands subject to the Little Rouge Corridor Management
Plan and Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan (map is from Regional
Planning Commissioner's Report No. 2008-P-22).
2. Letter from Rouge Park Alliance requesting review and endorsement of the Little
Rouge Corridor Management Plan and Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master
Plan.
3. Report No. 2008-P-22 of the Region of Durham Commissioner of Planning Re:
Rouge Park Alliance - Little Rouge Corridor Management Plan and the Bob
Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan (text only).
Prepared By:
Approved/Endorsed By:
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Steve Gaunt, MCIP, RPP
Senior Planner
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Catherine Rose, MCIP, RPP
Manager, Policy
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Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering Ci Co
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Attachment 1: Map of Subject L~mds in RiOUg~ P~fi~
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December 7, 2007
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Ms Debi Wilcox
Clerk, City of Pickering
One The Esplanade
Pickering, ON
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Dear Ms Wilcox:
Re: Rouge Park Alliance Release of the Draft Final
Little Rouge Corridor Management Plan & Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan
for Review and Endorsement by March 31,2008
The Rouge Park Alliance is pleased to release the final draft of the Little Rouge Corridor Management
Plan and the Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan to its member organizations for review and
their endorsement by March 31,2008.
The Rouge Park Alliance established a Steering Committee to guide the preparation of the Little
Rouge Corridor Management Plan, as mandated by the Rouge Park Alliance in the Rouge North
Management Plan. ENVision-The Hough Group was retained as the prime consultant and draft
versions of the management plan were prepared with significant public and stakeholder involvement.
Extensive review and consultation took place at the Steering Committee and with key stakeholders
among Rouge Park Alliance member organizations.
During the preparation of the Little Rouge Corridor Management Plan, the Bob Hunter Memorial Park
Area was added to Rouge Park by the Ontario Government, and funds were provided for Rouge Park
Alliance staff to oversee a master plan for this area which would fit into the Little Rouge Corridor
Management Plan context. The same consultant team was retained to ensure continuity and
integration. It is a more detailed plan with many exciting ecological restoration and visitor experience
opportunities.
The Rouge Park Alliance has also directed staff to develop a management plan for the Little Rouge
East lands that is consistent with the guiding principles in the Little Rouge Corridor Management Plan
and the Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master plan. This plan will involve consultation with partners
and stakeholders to ensure the integration of all three plans.
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Implementation of these plans will lead Rouge Park's growth and development over the next decade;"']
while remaining true to the spirit of the original Rouge Park Management Plan. (l994).JfJFHo,Lige.park'j
~Iliance will i~itiate discussions with individual partners and others in tr..~0~:~(futureji'(ci~~~i~~',Eb~-:~~':.,.C:"] L' ,1-)
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The Rouge Park Alliance welcomes your review and anticipates your endorsement of both the Little
Rouge Corridor Management Plan and the Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan so we can
quickly move forward with their ecological restoration and visitor experience initiatives. .
If you have any questions on these plans, please contact Carolyn Woodland at 416-661-6600,
extension 5214.
Please forward your response to Gord Weeden, Chair, Rouge Park Alliance, 50 Bloomington Road West,
Aurora, ON, L4G 3G8, by March 31,2008.
Sincerely,
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Gord Weeden
Chair
Rouge Park Alliance
Ca I n Woodland
Chair
Little Rouge Corridor Steering Committee
Enclosures (Plans & CD)
cc: Councillor Jennifer O'Connell, City of Pickering (no enclosures)
Tom Melymuk, City of Pickering (no enclosures)
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The Regional Municipality of Durham
To: The Planning Committee
From: Commissioner of Planning
Report No.: 2008-P-22
Date: March 11, 2008
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SUBJECT:
I'
Rouge Park Alliance - Little Rouge Corridor Management Plan and the Bob Hunter
Memorial Park Area Master Plan, File A01-50-02
Standing Committee Correspondence No. 2008-06 from Gord Weeden, Chair, Rouge
Park Alliance, dated December 7, 2007
RECOMMENDA TIONS:
a) THAT the Rouge Park Alliance be requested to revise the Little Rouge
Corridor Management Plan and Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan,
by clearly acknowledging that a future Environmental Assessment
undertaking will detail the cross-section, design and alignment for 14th
Avenue through the Park; and
b ) THAT a copy of Commissioner's Report No. 2008-P-22 be forwarded to the
Rouge Park Alliance, the City of Pickering, and the Regional Municipality of
York.
REPORT:
1. PURPOSE
1.1. The purpose of this report is to:
c Provide a historical overview of the Rouge Park and the various
documents guiding the management of the Park lands;
01 Outline the key elements of the Little Rouge Corridor (LRC) Management
Plan, and the Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan; and
lD Provide the Region's comments on the two plans.
Regional staff participation in the development of these plans was limited
given that the lands are wholly within the Region of York. As such, the
Region's review was limited to examining the impact of the two plans on
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Report No.: 2008-P-22
Page NO.2
facilitating cross-boundary transportation connections, and in particular, the
realization of the Fifth Concession Road/14th Avenue connection across the
Durham/York boundary.
2. BACKGROUND
2.1 The Rouge Park traverses the Rouge River, Petticoat Creek and Duffins
Creek watersheds (Attachment 1). In 1995, the Province established the
Rouge Park Alliance, consisting of representatives from the watershed
municipalities (including the Region of Durham and the City of Pickering) and
other stakeholders (e.g. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority), with the
mandate to ensure the protection, restoration and enhancement of the Park.
2.2 The management of the Rouge Park by the Alliance is currently guided by:
. The Rouge Park Management Plan (1994), which serves as a guide to
maintain and enhance the ecological and cultural integrity of the features
with the Park, with specific emphasis on the management of lands
southward from Steeles Avenue to Lake Ontario; and
. The Rouge North Management Plan (2001), guiding the extension of the
Park northward, from Steeles Avenue to the Oak Ridges Moraine.
2.3 From a transportation infrastructure point of view, the Rouge Park
Management Plan prohibits new roads through the Park, south of Steeles
Avenue. However, the Rouge North Management Plan recognizes the
potential for transportation infrastructure improvements north of Steeles
Avenue, and in fact provides guidelines and objectives to be considered for
such improvements. Notwithstanding this recognition, in 2002, the Alliance
adopted a resolution to discourage the use of any of the Park lands (including
lands north of Steeles Avenue) for any new infrastructure. In response to the
Alliance's resolution, in March 2003, Regional Council resolved:
"THAT the Rouge Park Alliance, be advised that the Region of Durham
supports the review and approval of municipal infrastructure projects
through the Environmental Assessment Act, as it provides a rigorous and
consistent process, which ensures that the values, goals, and objectives
for the Rouge Park, expressed in its Management Plans, and alternatives
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Report No.: 2008-P-22
Page NO.3
for location are taken into account in the approval of infrastructure
projects."
2.4 Since 2003, the Province has dedicated over 2,230 hectares (5,510 acres) of
new land for Rouge Park purposes, including the following:
. LRC lands (approximately 660 hectares or 1,630 acres), located north of
Steeles Avenue - dedicated in 2004 (see Area A in Attachment 1);
. . Bob Hunter Memorial Park lands (approximately 200 hectares or 495
acres), located west of the LRC lands and east of the CP Rail (Havelock)
line - dedicated in 2005 (see Area B in Attachment 1); and
. 2007 Provincial Land Dedication (approximately 600 hectares or 1,485
acres) located in east Markham, east of the LRC lands (see Area C in
Attachment 1).
With the addition of the above lands, Rouge Park now extends over an area
of more than 4,700 hectares (11,600 acres).
2.5 In order to guide the restoration and integration of the LRC lands and the Bop
Hunter Memorial Park lands respectively into the Park, the Alliance has
prepared and released two Plans: the Little Rouge Corridor Management
Plan; and the Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan. The Alliance is
now seeking the Region's review and endorsement of these plans, by the end
of March 2008 (Attachment 2).
3. LITTLE ROUGE CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN
3.1 The Management Plan for the LRC lands provides the guiding framework for
the restoration and integration of these lands into the larger Park context. The
Plan was prepared under the direction of a study Steering Committee, with
input from concerned stakeholder groups, local residents and the general
public. VVhile Regional Staffwere not part of the Steering Committee, staff
provided input on elements of the Plan that have implications from an inter-
regional transportation point of view.
3.2 In order for the lands to function as an ecological and recreational corridor,
the LRC Management Plan recommends that active efforts be pursued to
reduce further fragmentation resulting from road widenings, realignments and
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Report No.: 2008-P-22
Page No.4
other infrastructure improvements. Accordingly, the Plan proposes mitigation
measures such as bridges/culverts for wildlife crossings, reduced travel
speeds, and facilities to accommodate hikers and cyclists. Consistent with the
previous resolution (of 2002) of the Alliance, the Plan discourages new
infrastructure through the corridor.
4. BOB HUNTER MEMORIAL PARK AREA MASTER PLAN
4.1 The Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan acts in conjunction with the
LRC Management Plan, to protect and restore diverse ecosystems, through
the establishment of natural habitat and ecological connections. The Master
Plan provides a site plan which details natural heritage features, trails and
trailheads, park signage and infrastructure requirements.
4.2 The Master Plan illustrates a potential alignment for 14th Avenue that bisects
the Park. Currently, there is a jog at 14th Avenue where it intersects Reesor
Road. The Master Plan proposes the realignment of 14th Avenue to eliminate
this jog, while improving its future intersection with the Markham By-Pass and
the CP Rail crossing. The Plan proposes a two-lane rural cross-section for
14th Avenue in a 20 metre right of way, with multi-use trails on both sides of
the road. In order to promote connectivity within the Park, traffic calming
measures such as reduced speed limits, several curves in the realignment,
and speed bumps, are also proposed.
5. COMMENTS
5.1 While the Region of Durham supports the efforts of the Alliance in the
protection and enhancement of the Park, it is important to ensure that the
Alliance's management plans do not preclude critical infrastructure projects,
which are more appropriately addressed through the provisions of the
Environmental Assessment (EA) Act.
5.2 Through the years, the Region has protected for the realignment of the Fifth
Concession Road (in Durham) to connect with 14th Avenue (in York) by:
. Designating the connection in the Regional Official Plan, as a Type B
Arterial road;
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Report No.: 2008-P-22
Page NO.5
. Confirming the need for the connection through the Transportation I'vlaster
Plan and Development Charge background studies; and
. Advocating the inclusion of the connection in the Central Pickering
Development Plan, to support the development of the Seaton Community.
5.3 The realignment of the Fifth Concession Road is currently in the Region's
Development Charges program, scheduled for implementation during the
2013-2021 timeframe. Also, the Region at York's 10-Year Capital Program
includes the potential widening and realignment of 14th Avenue in a 36 metre.
right-at-way. To this effect, York Region will soon be initiating an EA study for
14th Avenue between 9th Line and York-Durham Line.
5.4 In the absence of an EA. the Bob Hunter Memorial Park Area Master Plan is
proposing a design for 14th Avenue that is inconsistent with Durham Region's
position (i.e. that it provide an arterial connection to Fifth Concession Road in
Durham). Although it is recognized that the north-south connections for
wildlife and trails through the Park are important, and should be incorporated
into the road design in some fashion, they should not compromise the
intended function of 14th Avenue as a higher-order, four-lane arterial road.
6. CONCLUSION
6.1 Consistent with Regional Council's resolution of March 2003, the Region's
position remains that infrastructure matters should be dealt with through the
EA process. Accordingly, it is recommended that the Rouge Park Alliance be
requested to revise the LRC Management Plan and the Bob Hunter Memorial
Park Area Master Plan, by clearly acknowledging that a future Environmental
Assessment undertaking will detail the cross-section, design and alignment
for 14th Avenue through the Park.
/r(;/
A.L Georgieff, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Commissioner of Planning
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Report No.: 2008-P-22
Page NO.6
RECOMMENDED FOR PRESENTATION TO COMMITTEE
~~
Garry H. Cubitt, M.S.W.
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachments:
1.
2.
Map of Subject Lands in Rouge Park
Standing Committee Correspondence No. 2008-06
H:\ 1_2\agendas\2008\03-11-08\Liltlerouge. doc
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