HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD 28-10
Report To
Planning & Development Committee
PICKERING Report Number: PD 28-10
Date: September 7, 2010
From: Neil Carroll
Director, Planning & Development
Subject: Growth Strategy Program
Pickering Official Pan Review
File: D-2000-012
Recommendation:
1. That Report PD 28-10 of the Director, Planning & Development respecting the
status of the Pickering Growth Strategy Program, be received for information; and
2. Further, that Report PD 28-10 be forwarded to the Region of Durham and the
Ministries of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Energy and Infrastructure.
Executive Summary: The purpose of this Report is to provide City Council with an
update on the status of the Pickering Growth Strategy Program. A component of the
City's Official Plan Review and Provincial Growth Plan conformity work, the Growth
Strategy Program intends to establish a policy framework directing residential
intensification and employment growth to appropriate places within the City. As part of
the Growth Strategy Program's continuing consultation process to engage the public,
development industry and commenting agencies, a second public open house was held
on June 22, 2010, in the Civic Complex.
The City is proceeding with its Growth Plan Strategy Program, working toward a
possible third open house later in 2010 or early 2011, and amendments to the City's
Official Plan for consideration by the public and Council in 2011.
Adopted by Regional Council on June 3, 2009, the Region of Durham's Growth Plan
Conformity Amendment 128 is awaiting Provincial approval. While monitoring the
approval of Amendment 128, staff recommends that this Report be forwarded to the
Region of Durham and the Ministries of Municipal Affairs and.Housing, and Energy and
Infrastructure, informing the Region and Province of the City's continuing work on its
Growth Strategy Program. for consideration by Council in 2011.
Financial Implications: No direct implications from reporting on the status of the
Growth Strategy Program.
Report PD 28-10 September 7, 2010
Subject: Pickering Growth Strategy Page 2 33
Sustainability Implications: The Pickering Growth Strategy Program supports the
City's economic, environmental and social lenses by utilizing land more efficiently within
the built-up areas of the City in order to accommodate significant population and
employment growth.
1.0 Background:
1.1 The Province's Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe is being
implemented through the City's Growth Strategy Program
The Places to Grow Act requires the City's Official Plan to conform to the policies
of the Growth Plan. The City's Growth Strategy Program, a component of the
City's Official Plan Review, was initiated in 2009 and intends to establish a policy
framework directing residential intensification and employment growth to
appropriate places in the City. Consultants were retained to assist City staff
leading the Growth Strategy Program. Young+Wright/1131 Group Architects were
retained to assist in demonstrating possible recommended densities. Watson &
Associates Economists Ltd. were retained by the City to assist in investigating
and evaluating the characteristics of Pickering's future housing demand.
1.2 Report PD 11-10 dated May 3, 2010, reported on the first round of open
houses held February 17 and 18, 2010
Public consultation engaging the public, development industry and commenting
agencies, was initiated with a first round of open houses in February 2010. A
separate open house was held for grade 11 students from Dunbarton High
School at the Library Auditorium. Report PD 11-10 reported that the comments
received at the open houses were supportive of intensification in the Downtown
and Kingston Road areas. Comments included the need for improved public
transit and recreation facilities, intensification related infrastructure improvements
and ensuring a transition between existing low density residential and future
intensification areas.
1.3 On May 18, 2010, the development community was consulted on the market
potential for residential intensification in Pickering
To assist in the evaluation of the market potential for residential intensification
development in Pickering, the City's consultant, Watson & Associates held a
workshop for the Pickering development community which was also attended by
City Planning & Development, Office of Sustainability and Corporate Services
staff. The workshop explored the issues of residential intensification supply,
market potential, and enabling financial tools.
Report PD 28-10 September 7, 2010
Subject: Pickering Growth Strategy Page 3
34
1.4 The second round of Pickering's Growth Strategy Program public
consultation process was held on June 22, 2010
A second public open house was held on June 22, 2010, in the Civic Complex.
Exhibit boards displaying the proposed areas of intensification (see Attachment
#1), architectural renderings and conceptual site plans as well as preliminary
findings from the housing and demographic study and possible intensification
strategic directions were presented. A draft demonstration concept for the
downtown including diagrams demonstrating built form, open space and
pedestrian connections, vehicular circulation and public transportation were also
available at the open house (see Attachments #2 & #3).
Young+Wright identified possible strategic directions that will inform the Growth
Strategy Program and assist in the development of policy. The strategic
directions addressed matters such as the continuing promotion of office and
cultural arts development in the Town Centre, encouraging a pedestrian friendly
environment, increasing transit usage, establishing urban open spaces, limiting
the impact of intensification on established residential areas, and directing the
greatest intensification to the downtown, the south side of Kingston Road corridor
as well as key intersections and future transit stops.
Copies of all the exhibits were provided to Council and are available for downloading
from the City's website at http://www.cityofpickedng.com/standard/planning/index.html.
2.0 Discussion
2.1 The issue of impact from intensification on abutting residential
neighbourhoods raised by the public at the first open house was addressed
by the City's consultants
An important consideration when planning for the intensification of Pickering's
urban area is to ensure appropriate built form that does not overwhelm or
negatively impact neighbouring residential uses. The height and massing of a
new building and how it transitions into an existing community or streetscape will
determine how the building fits into the community.
An exhibit prepared by Young+Wright demonstrated how angular plane
requirements in zoning by-laws can assist in shaping the built environment in
terms of scale, height, spacing and character (see Attachment #4).
2.2 The City's downtown (urban growth centre) and corridors are well suited to
accommodate intensification
The key demographic markets for intensification are the "singles and couples,
20-34" and "older seniors, 75 plus" age groups. A preference for high density
housing also starts to emerge in the later years of the diverse "young senior,
65-74" age group.
Report PD 28-10 September 7, 2010
Subject: Pickering Growth Strategy Page 4
35
The Pickering demographic trends display prepared by Watson Associates
Economists Ltd. shows that over the 2006-2031 planning period, Pickering is
expected to experience well balanced growth in all age groups with the largest
percentage increase in population expected in the "young seniors, 65-74" and
"older seniors, 75 plus" age groups as well as a healthy percentage increase in
the "youth adult, 20 - 34" age group. This trend suggests that there will be
increased demand in the future for high density units fuelled by segments of
these age groups. Our intensification areas are well. suited to accommodate this
housing form.
2.3 The City's Growth Strategy Program is continuing despite the delay in the
Provincial approval of Regional Official Plan Amendment 128 - .
The Provincial draft decision on Regional Official Plan Amendment 128 (ROPA
128) issued on March 12, 2010, proposes a number of modifications to the
adopted policies and schedules of ROPA 128 as well as modifications to other
Region of Durham Official Plan policies and schedules that were not part of
ROPA 128. Regional and Provincial staff have met to discuss the proposed
modifications achieving agreement on many of the modifications. However,
certain key issues remain.
City of Pickering Report PD 28-10 dated May 3, 2010, outlined proposed
modifications that are significant for Pickering (see Table below). In June 2010,
the Region of Durham formally responded to the Province's draft decision.
The following table summarizes the proposed modifications having implications
for Pickering as well as the Region's response:
Proposed Provincial Region's Response
Modification Significant
to Pickering
Delete northeast Pickering Modification not accepted, alternative
expansion area modification requested. There is no basis that no
new Employment Areas or Living Areas are needed
in North East Pickering and no basis for the
removal of the expansion area in its entirety. The
Region's land budget methodology has confirmed
that certain Urban Area expansions for Living Areas
and Employment Areas in northeast Pickering are
required in order to meet the Growth Plan targets.
Allocate 35,000 jobs Modification not accepted and that the Growing
instead of 16,500 jobs to Durham allocation of 16,500 jobs to Seaton be
Seaton in accordance with maintained. The Region continues to plan for the
the Central Pickering remaining balance of jobs to be achieved post
Development Plan (CPDP) 2031.
Report PD 28-10 September 7, 2010
3u6bject: Pickering Growth Strategy Page 5
Proposed Provincial Region's Response
Modification Significant
to Pickering
Delete the additional Modification accepted since the Province has
25,000 jobs forecasted insisted that there is no flexibility in the forecasts
from the land budget provided by the Growth Plan, notwithstanding the
methodology potential demonstrated through the Growing
Durham Study.
Requiring a minimum Modification accepted subject to the inclusion of
density target across the a general policy that the Region will work with area
entire Region municipalities through their official plan conformity
exercises to develop area specific density targets to
achieve the minimum overall gross density of 50
residents and jobs combined per hectare on a
Region wide basis.
The Region is awaiting the Province's final decision on ROPA 128. City staff are
proceeding with the Program while monitoring the approval of ROPA 128 and are
working toward a third open house and amendments for consideration by the
public and Council in early 2011.
3.0 Next Steps
Staff is currently working with the project consultants to finalize design and
demographic work. Preparation of draft policy directions will be initiated. Work
resulting from these tasks will be on display at a third public open house
tentatively scheduled for December 2010 or January 2011.
Following the open house, the statutory part of the process will be initiated with
the following steps for anticipated completion by June 2011:
• Statutory open house & public meeting on draft Official Plan Amendment
• Report to Planning & Development Committee
• Council consideration/adoption of Official Plan Amendment
• submission of Official Plan Amendment to Durham Region for approval
Report PD 28-10 September 7, 2010
Subject: Pickering Growth Strategy Page 6
37
Attachments:
1. Intensification Opportunities and Constraints, Growth Strategy Program,
June 22, 2010, Open House Exhibit
2. Urban Growth Centre Demonstration Plan, Growth Strategy Program,
June 22, 2010, Open House Exhibit
3. Urban Growth Centre Demonstration Plan - Diagrams, Growth Strategy Program,
June 22, 2010, Open House Exhibit
4. Angular Plane and Transition (For High Density Options), Growth Strategy
Program, June 22, 2010, Open House Exhibit
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
1 ,
041 10
Deborah Wylie, CIP, RPP Neil Carroll, At.TV, RPP
Senior Planner - Policy Director, Planning & Development
Catherine Rose, MCIP, RPP
Manager, Policy
DW:GM:jf
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering Council
0 A'V'~Z-U-40K-Iffl /14., C~'
Tony Pr4edel, Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer
I
0 Aw rrr
IX kill",
N n O
®r _0 0 0 0 0 a OD 0
C.) z 20 C) 0
3. CL 0
y CD. 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 o y z
0
CD m m N a m m m N n 0
~L U)
W ~D
w o v o 0 00
~m m m ~
0 m
0 ° o 0
o lc o
O D m
lD N O
N O W
i ~
i ;
o~1 t I \0 P
b .y Y
^ I A tl i
d
/Yi~d
-
70 D
m
(C) 3
o ~
a~
W
00
.en\~.o o ~ twerk) Pno„\~OO\eo«neow. m . peo\~aro-oe-ra o o.m riar..e..e Coro-oa-.e - pm
w ,iu..rno mlaw-xui-tos~Pln s. seoJM^.^ ar .uE amum[ ebn me e.. oRUMexao.w]~ •m ^
w- I y m g jam. p
s
oo~
16.
IML-
cn
~ P
CD MEff
C lop
`CV nqy BR°"E ~'O~T mat 4
C O
~)A11ff Ila=3R0 `R6C9W
^1 ; CtRCI£
Z G WLE
m a, o
N
N
O ~ ~ .•YMP.PoOL u(Mll llhaP00l Rp~p
]](JIWV, F~
~RY U
T 8 ~G t5- !k • ~0 440
v z0
z
C7 4 ROSff6D
CDv
GLE~
3a i~ ~ ~ ~ ^t ~ l RMD
~fl \1 ` F yz ~
o _
t i
VN1F' ~ VMIEY PMY
_u »3
U ( - _ m 000 1p, ? p0
~ s m ~ CICIC ~
3
0o t
E o cuRO
M ~ aoril
® y a)a°nxc y PM AY a na am 1
D
r f ~
a oo RROCR 'm`° Raoa Rao
L 3
0
a
Jr,
000100011 000 1 000 o x
i lj si s °.2m g N L _ N a a N
gn o j m
C. m m m - eoi o ~ 4]
' s m ~ . R
_1 i H m ~ m D
Cl
~ Z
v -•1
wx
W
rtn\~O w n (werM) R.a.a\UDO\.e.n.o.n m Ian\zo,o-ae-,6 0o e.n vbn.a.y zo,o-o9-fie - J:~~pm
•+*z;.A•u LU..iuawro tiASlhl YW , 56 ~ A- .w[ sOerN¢ eWe•sn.m h owDC9~C•C% ~
n -i
D i rr--+-
•'br
0
(D f q , Z - f r
CD _u
-==spa-~ m - -~~4-~`` `m ~ ~ 00
3
(~e0 °
Z
~ I 1
- m
F ~ _ Sao
! S A8 az ` n ! A
® ■ at.;, y
E H H
0
n - _ o o
CD H y g m
cn
~ b b Z'
Moll
n l ,
+ V6 ?1
~icpo' h _ 9d t i . o ON
y
D
m g g R ~a of so 0
3 g
OM
~E o ~sq z
g S E 3 1 z
00 • m 9m o L.° m
m mm
f 1 v o o cD
'O z
o _
O
3 z y m m
v~ s
- s~s C p ? 0
' z a 3 .n a - s I O
a _ a iTl z o~ Z
V== Z r cn
1 a 3 - D 1 'i 7W
g O 2i D ~Q
CD - 3
z z
-ri
< to < ca O
S~. M O
w ro n D
00 0
3 o x `a A a D y w \ Z
a m 3 x d D z o D
o ` F Z
z U)
'J 3= a c 3= ~ ; ~ ~ D
N(n 3 m ' \ m
r+ ° _"s 0 g
(D \ Z
a o Ark
I
( Q
AI
`z < 9)
CD N F 0
CD s
f
c W 46
0 '
°
N /
o
0 0
3 » Cs
CD CL
I *HLiX
Y
< U1
LIM
d I n ill
~fi
o-0 s~
° 00
CD 7
v
.Jr ~ A
nH.y n ~
F
< lJ
mo w a
n N - N
II O
n to S
i M v
C U3 (p
~o
~ ~i