HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLN 14-24Report to Council
Report Number: PLN 14-24
Date: May 27, 2024
From: Kyle Bentley
Director, City Development & CBO
Subject: Special Council Meeting for the Pickering’s Official Plan Review - File: D-2000-018
Recommendation:
1. That Report PLN 14-24, including the Pickering Official Plan Review Background Paper provided as Attachment 1, and Workplan and Timeline provided as Attachment 2, be
received for information;
2. That staff be authorized to continue with the Official Plan Review, in keeping with the Workplan and Timeline;
3. That any comments received at the Special Council Meeting be referred to staff for consideration as part of the review process;
4. That a copy of Report PLN 14-24, and Council’s decision, be forwarded to the Region of
Durham Planning and Economic Development Department; and
5. That all interested parties and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision.
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is threefold:
• to host a statutory public meeting, under Section 26 of the Planning Act, on Pickering’s Official Plan Review;
• to present details about the Official Plan Review process, including a proposed workplan, timeline, and community engagement strategy; and
• to seek Council authorization to continue with the Official Plan Review, in keeping with the
Workplan and Timeline outlined in this report.
On March 25, 2024, Council approved staff recommendations of Report PLN 05-24 to call a Special Meeting of Council to begin the review of the Pickering Official Plan. Report PLN 14-24 provides a timeline, workplan, and details regarding the community engagement strategy for the review.
A Background Paper (see Attachment 1) has been prepared to inform Council, the public, and
other stakeholders of recent changes to: Provincial legislation, policy, and plans; the Official Plan for the Regional Municipality of Durham; and Pickering initiatives. The paper also provides information regarding Pickering’s recent growth trends and introduces elements that will be considered and reviewed during the Pickering Forward process.
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Subject: Special Council Meeting for the Pickering’s Official Plan Review Page 2
Subject to Council’s authorization, City staff will prepare and release discussion papers, and start community engagement, including hosting public open houses, in the fall of 2024 and
winter of 2025.
Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan: The recommendations in this report respond
to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priorities of Advance Innovation & Responsible Planning to
Support a Connected, Well-Serviced Community; Lead & Advocate for Environmental
Stewardship, Innovation & Resiliency; and Foster an Engaged & Informed Community.
Financial Implications: The approved 2024 Current Budget for the City Development
Department, Planning & Design section includes $500,000.00 for consulting and professional assistance for the Pickering Official Plan Review process.
Discussion: The purpose of this report is threefold:
• to host a statutory public meeting for the City of Pickering Official Plan Review, under Section 26 of the Planning Act, (as resolved at Council’s March 25, 2024 meeting, following consideration of Report PLN 05-24);
• present details about the Official Plan Review process, including a proposed workplan, timeline, and community engagement strategy; and
• to seek Council authorization to continue with the Official Plan Review.
1. What is the Pickering Official Plan?
An Official Plan is the Municipality’s primary, long range, comprehensive planning document, that provides the framework for land use decision-making in the City. It represents Council's vision, guided by community involvement, for growth and change within the City.
The current Pickering Official Plan (the Plan) was approved in 1997 and was last reviewed in 2007. The Plan was originally approved with a planning horizon of twenty years (to 2016). The Plan replaced the previous official plan, known as the Pickering District Plan.
The review in 2007 resulted in amendments that contained detailed policies for specific
growth areas in the City and extended the planning horizon to the year 2031 for the City Centre and the Seaton Community.
2. Why does the Official Plan need to be reviewed?
The Planning Act, Section 26(1), requires that an Official Plan be reviewed every five years (or ten years after the approval of a new Official Plan) to ensure that it:
• conforms to provincial plans
• has regard for matters of provincial interest
• is consistent with provincial policy statements
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Additionally, there has been significant growth within Pickering since the Plan was approved. A comprehensive Official Plan Review will allow greater opportunity to
engage the community and stakeholders on important topics, to ensure the vision and
goals of the Plan are still relevant and meeting the needs of current and future residents.
3. How is the Public being notified?
Notice of the Special Council Meeting was advertised through the Toronto Star, on two
separate occasions, April 15, 2024, and April 22, 2024, in accordance with the Planning
Act requirements. The notice was also posted on the City’s website, and through the City’s social media. Additionally, the notice was sent to all prescribed agencies and interested parties on April 15, 2024.
The notice advised the public that this report was available on May 17, 2024, on the
Official Plan Review project webpage, www.Pickering.ca/PickeringForward.
Staff did not receive any comments at the time of finalizing this report.
4. The City has created an Official Plan Review Tagline and Imagery
To create project recognition throughout the length of the project, staff has designed the following project tagline and imagery in connection with the Official Plan Review. This
tagline and imagery will be used, in whole or in part, on all promotional and other
materials in the project moving forward.
5. Official Plan Review Workplan and Timeline
An Official Plan Review is a large undertaking, consisting of a wide variety of components. Staff have prepared a timeline and workplan to guide the process. The
anticipated timeline for the process is approximately two years, with a targeted
completion date within the first quarter of 2026. However, this date may be subject to change, depending on input received through the engagement process, and further unforeseen Provincial changes to the planning process. Staff may be required to react to one or more of these unknowns throughout the review process.
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The targeted two-year workplan has been divided into four phases, and are categorized as follows:
• Phase 1: Background Research – Includes identifying changes that have occurred at the Provincial, Regional, and local level that may impact the Pickering Official Plan; creating discussion papers and multiple opportunities to engage with the public and stakeholders on specific topics at this initial stage.
• Phase 2: Policy Drafting – Includes consideration of results of research conducted and comments received through community engagement with the public and stakeholders; creation of new policies that:
• respond to stakeholder comments
• are required to ensure conformity and consistency with Provincial and Regional policies
• incorporate best practices
A first draft of the proposed changes to the Official Plan would be released for public review and comment.
• Phase 3: Policy Recommendations – Includes reviewing public comments received from the first draft of the proposed changes to the Official Plan and
incorporating revisions where appropriate. A second draft of proposed changes will be released; and a statutory public meeting on the recommended changes will be held; and will then be considered by Committee and Council. Staff will subsequently prepare a final draft Official Plan and bring to Council for approval.
• Phase 4: Final Approval and Implementation – Includes Council adoption of the Official Plan, Regional approval (if required), and consideration of revisions to documents or processes that may be necessary to implement the Plan.
A visual representation of the proposed phases and an anticipated timeline for the
Official Plan Review process can be found in Attachment 2.
One of the key elements of community engagement and education regarding the Official Plan Review will include the release of discussion papers throughout Phase 1. The discussion papers will create a springboard for staff to have focused interactions with the public and stakeholders on a variety of topics contained in the Official Plan, and are
anticipated to include the following:
• Community Vision and Priorities
• Growth Management, Urban Structure, and Urban Design
• Natural Heritage, Hazards, and Sustainability
• Housing and Affordability
• Community Structure (includes Parks, Transportation, Cultural Heritage, etc.)
• Agriculture and Rural Areas
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6. How will the Community be Involved?
Staff are developing a preliminary community engagement strategy, to be implemented
throughout the Official Plan Review process. This strategy will be finalized with the
assistance of a consultant, that will use their public engagement expertise to identify additional outreach opportunities, and provide other valuable insight, to ensure the strategy is as encompassing as possible, within the resources available.
The Engagement Strategy will be designed to:
• identify the purpose of the Official Plan Review
• identify how feedback received will be used to develop policies
• ensure the public and stakeholders are involved early and throughout the project
• utilize a variety of communication methods to ensure the widest audience possible
• inform all stakeholders with regular updates
There are several engagement methods that may be implemented to reach the widest
number of residents and stakeholders, representing different demographics and interest groups. In support of this goal, staff will implement the following methods:
• project website (Pickering.ca/PickeringForward), that will include all related documents, key project dates, regular updates, and will be the main source used to
provide feedback on engagement
• public information centres
• social media announcements
• online surveys
While the engagement strategy is intended to provide ample opportunities for stakeholders to participate, staff recognize the importance of being flexible to hold
additional consultation activities with the community, as may be required.
7. Key Guiding Principles
To assist the Official Plan Review process, staff has identified three guiding principles that will help shape the discussion papers and community engagement, and inform the workplan and timeline, as follows:
• Implement Provincial and Regional Policies: Clearly identify Provincial and Regional policies that are required to be incorporated into the Official Plan. This includes Provincial documents (Planning Act, Provincial Policy/Planning Statement, Growth Plan, etc.) and the Durham Region Official Plan. This will give the public an awareness of what is compulsory, and shape opportunities to create Pickering
specific solutions and policies when implementing the required changes.
• Encourage Community Engagement at Multiple Stages throughout the process: Identify multiple opportunities and methods for community engagement. The process will ensure meaningful two-way communication (receiving community
input and reporting back on the feedback), and open dialog during the Official Plan Review process.
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• Making the Official Plan User Friendly: Seek input from the public and
stakeholders to understand how the Official Plan can be structured to be as user
friendly as possible. The Official Plan document is intended to be developed to include the use of plain language, where possible, and to use visuals to improve the understanding of the policy concepts and intent in the Official Plan.
8. Official Plan Review Background Paper
Staff have prepared a Background Paper to provide additional information to Council,
the public and stakeholders. The background paper identifies:
• the Planning Hierarchy in Ontario and recent changes to Provincial Plans and policies
• Pickering initiatives that have been completed in recent years, or are currently underway that are of particular relevance to land use planning
• Pickering’s recent growth trends and the City’s projected growth to 2051
The purpose of the Background Paper is to introduce the key topics, initiatives, and
trends that are expected to inform the review and/or changes required through the Official Plan Review process.
9. Anticipated Scope of Review
Substantial changes have occurred to the Ontario Planning Act, the Provincial Policy
Statement, and the Provincial Plans since the Pickering Official Plan was last reviewed
and updated. The Region of Durham has also recently adopted a new Official Plan, “Envision Durham”.
While no final determination has been made yet, based on staff’s initial review of the changes to Provincial and Regional Planning documents, and a preliminary scan of new
and emerging best practices, it is anticipated that the review process may result in the
repeal of the existing Pickering Official Plan and replacement with a new Official Plan.
10. Consultants will assist the City with this review
The Official Plan Review will primarily be undertaken by existing City staff, using existing resources. External consulting assistance will be sought for specific aspects of
the project that require specialized skills and experience, including a retail market study,
growth management review, including the impact on employment lands, and public engagement (as noted earlier in the report).
The Retail Market Study is currently on-going and will inform the Official Plan on the location and type of retail uses that are required in specific areas, based on where
current and future needs exist in Pickering. It is anticipated a related report will be
coming to Council in fall 2024.
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A report to award the Growth Management Review request for proposal is included on the regular May 27, 2024, Council Meeting agenda. A report to award the Community
Engagement Facilitation request for proposal will follow on the June 10, 2024, Planning
& Development Committee agenda.
11. Conclusion
This report and the Special Council Meeting fulfill the requirements of the Planning Act to initiate a statutory review of the Pickering Official Plan. The report also provides
information of the Official Plan Review process, including the anticipated timeline, high
level workplan, and details regarding the community engagement strategy.
The Background Paper outlines the recent changes to Provincial legislation, policy, and plans, the Region of Durham Official Plan, and Pickering initiatives, and recent growth, housing, and demographic trends.
To minimize delays in the review process, staff has advanced the background research
work indicated in the workplan. Next steps include the creation of discussion papers and finalizing the community engagement strategy.
Staff recommend that Council authorize staff to continue with the Official Plan Review, in keeping with the attached Workplan and Timeline.
Attachments:
1. Pickering Official Plan Background Paper
2. Official Plan Review Workplan and Timeline
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Subject: Special Council Meeting for the Pickering’s Official Plan Review Page 8
Prepared By:
Original Signed By
Brandon Weiler, MCIP, RPP
Principal Planner, Policy
Original Signed By
Déan Jacobs, MCIP, RPP Manager, Policy & Geomatics
Approved/Endorsed By:
Original Signed By
Catherine Rose, MCIP, RPP
Chief Planner
Original Signed By
Kyle Bentley, P. Eng. Director, City Development & CBO
BW:ld
Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council
Original Signed By
Marisa Carpino, M.A. Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment 1 to Report PLN 14-24
Pickering Official Plan Background Paper
Background Paper
Pickering Official Plan Review
May 2024
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Table of Contents
Land Acknowledgement 4
Introduction 5
1.0 The City of Pickering 6
2.0 What is an Official Plan 7
2.1 The City of Pickering Official Plan 7
3.0 Why Are We Reviewing the Official Plan 8
3.1 The Province Requires Us To 8
3.2 We Want to Hear What Residents Need 8
4.0 Pickering is Growing 9
5.0 Land Use Planning in Ontario 10
5.1 The Planning Act 10
5.2 Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 11
5.3 A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe 12
5.4 Proposed Provincial Planning Statement 13
5.5 The Greenbelt Plan 14
5.6 Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan 15
5.7 Ontario Heritage Act 15
5.8 Federal Lands and Minister Zoning Order’s 102/72 & 19/74 16
6.0 Region of Durham Official Plan 17
7.0 City of Pickering Initiatives 18
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7.1 Corporate Strategic Plan, 2023 18
7.2 Pickering Housing & Action Plan, 2022 19
7.3 Integrated Transportation Master Plan, 2021 19
7.4 Integrated Sustainable Design Standards, 2022 20
7.5 Pickering Econmic Development Strategy, 2022 20
7.6 Retail Market Study, Ongoing 21
7.7 Recreation and Parks Master Plan, Ongoing 21
7.8 Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Process, Ongoing 22
8.0 Next Steps 23
9.0 Elements for a Successful Pickering 24
9.1 Where We Grow 24
9.2 What We Protect and Enhance 26
9.3 Sustainable Planning and Climate Change 26
9.4 Rural Areas 27
9.5 Economic Development 28
9.6 Parks 29
9.7 Transportation 30
9.8 Housing and Affordability 31
10.0 Community Engagement 32
11.0 We Want to Hear From You! 33
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Land Acknowledgement
The City of Pickering resides on land within the Treaty and traditional territory of the Mississaugas
of Scugog Island First Nation and Williams Treaties signatories of the Mississauga and Chippewa
Nations. Pickering is also home to many Indigenous persons and communities who represent
other diverse, distinct, and autonomous Indigenous nations. This acknowledgement reminds us
of our responsibilities to our relationships with the First Peoples of Canada, and to the ancestral
lands on which we learn, share, work, and live.
City of Pickering Indigenous Day 2022
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Introduction
The City of Pickering is beginning a multi-year process of reviewing its Official Plan. This project,
known as “Pickering Forward”, will help shape the growth of Pickering to 2051.
This Background Paper provides information to Council, residents, businesses, and landowners
on the land use planning process in Ontario, including Provincial legislation, policy, and plans and
the Region of Durham Official Plan. The paper also provides information on current and recently
approved Pickering initiatives, including the Corporate Strategic Plan, Pickering Housing
Strategy & Action Plan, Recreation and Parks Master Plan, etc. Finally, the paper provides a
high-level introduction to key topics that will be further explored through the Official Plan
Review process. This information will inform future discussion papers and community engagement
throughout the Pickering Forward process.
It is essential to highlight that the planning landscape in Ontario has changed rapidly in the last
couple of years, and there are more significant changes expected. These changes may result in
information contained within this Background Paper or future discussion papers being outdated as
the Official Plan Review process moves forward. Given the changing nature of the current
planning landscape, the City will seek to ensure that any changes to legislation during the
Pickering Forward process are communicated to residents.
The key topics and Provincial planning requirements (that are mandated) will be discussed in
more detail throughout the Official Plan Review. The Special Council Meeting on May 27, 2024,
represents the first of numerous opportunities for the public to engage and discuss what matters
most to the community and how the future of Pickering should be shaped!
Contact us to share your ideas and learn more:
PickeringForward@Pickering.ca
Pickering.ca/PickeringForward
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1.0 The City of Pickering
The City of Pickering is located in the Regional Municipality of Durham, east of the City of Toronto,
along the northern shore of Lake Ontario. The City of Pickering is strategically located where
Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet (Figure 1).
Pickering has an area of 231 square kilometres, with an urban area in the south and rural areas
in the north. The urban area includes the South Pickering Urban Area and Seaton. The rural area
includes 8 hamlets and the majority is within the Ontario Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine.
Figure 1: Map of the City of Pickering within the Region of Durham
Pickering had a population of 99,186 residents and 33,425 households in 2021 (Statistics
Canada). Pickering also had 39,310 jobs reported in 2021 (Envision Durham). By the year 2051,
Pickering’s population, the number of households, and jobs are anticipated to more than double.
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2.0 What is an Official Plan
An Official Plan is the City’s long range, comprehensive planning document, that guides land use
decision-making in the City. It represents Council’s vision, guided by community involvement,
for growth and change within the City. It sets a policy framework for the physical, social,
environmental, and economic development of the City, while ensuring growth occurs responsibly,
and resources are used efficiently and sustainably. An Official Plan deals with issues such as:
•Where new housing, industry, offices and shops will be located.
•What services will be needed, such as roads, watermains, sewers, parks and schools.
•Where open spaces will be located and how to protect the natural environment.
•When, and in what order, parts of the community will grow.
•Where, and how, the City will invest in community improvement initiatives.
2.1 The City of Pickering Official Plan
The current Pickering Official Plan was approved
in 1997, with a planning horizon of twenty years (to
2016). It replaced the previous official plan, known
as the Pickering District Plan. The current plan was
last comprehensively reviewed in 2007.
The review in 2007 resulted in amendments that
contained detailed policies for specific strategic
growth areas in the City, and extended the planning
horizon to the year 2031 for the City Centre and the
Seaton Community.
Additional amendments have been initiated on
specific topics, such as the Integrated Sustainable
Design Standards, to implement Council priorities.
Amendments within specific areas of Pickering,
such as the Kingston Road Corridor and Brock
Mixed Node Intensification Area, have also been
initiated, as required, to maintain conformity with
Provincial legislation and plans.
Although amendments were approved to keep the
Plan up to date, a comprehensive review of the Plan
is required. A more detailed and holistic review will ensure the vision of the Plan meets the needs
of current and future residents to a planning horizon of 2051.
City of Pickering Official PlanFigure 1: Map of the City of Pickering within the Region of Durham
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3.0 Why Are We Reviewing the Official Plan
3.1 The Province Requires Us To
The Planning Act, Section 26(1), requires that an Official Plan be reviewed every five years (or
ten years after the approval of a new Official Plan) to, among other things, ensure that it conforms
to provincial plans, has regard for matters of provincial interest, and is consistent with provincial
policy statements.
Section 26 of the Planning Act outlines the requirements for updating an Official Plan. To initiate
an Official Plan review, the Planning Act requires that a special meeting of Council, open to the
public, be held to discuss revisions that may be required as part of the Official Plan review.
A Special Council Meeting to initiate a review of the Official Plan is scheduled for: May 27, 2024,
at 5:00PM.
3.2 We Want to Hear What Residents Need
The Official Plan currently includes the following vision for Pickering that was established when it
was approved in 1997:
“To build Pickering in a manner that meets the evolving needs of its people, that sustains healthy
urban and rural settings, and that creates a unique community interconnected with all other places
and people.”
Numerous changes both within
and around Pickering since 1997
make it appropriate for the City to
revisit and reevaluate the vision
for its future.
The Official Plan Review will
allow staff to engage with the
community to understand if the
current vision is still relevant or
what goals should be reflected in
the vision.
This process will allow the
community to have the ability to
help refine or shape a new vision
that moves Pickering Forward to
2051. Pop-up Engagement at City of Pickering Artfest 2022
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4.0 Pickering is Growing
The City of Pickering is anticipated to grow at a rate that will exceed any other period in its history!
Historically, Pickering’s greatest period of growth was between 1960 and 2000, when many of the
existing lower density neighbourhoods were developed. Of all the homes in Pickering, approxi-
mately 71% of dwellings were built between 1960 and 2000, while 22.5% of were built since 2001.
The number of new homes has increased in recent years with higher density development in the
City Centre, moderate infill and replacement housing in established neighbourhoods, and new
greenfield development areas, like the Duffin Heights Neightbourhood and the Seaton Community.
Since 1997, Pickering has seen low to moderate population growth, averaging 1.1% growth from
2006-2021. In 2021, the population of Pickering was 99,186. This placed Pickering as the fifth
largest municipality in Durham Region, and the smallest of the five urban lakefront municipalities.
Based on projected growth rates and the growth allocations provided by the Region of Durham,
through Envision Durham (Figure 2), Pickering is anticipated to be the fastest growing municipality
in the Region and have the second largest population in Durham Region by 2051, trailing only
Oshawa. This anticipated growth would also result in Pickering experiencing an average growth
rate of 3.3% a year.
It is not only Pickering’s population that is growing. Pickering is anticipated to significantly increase
the number of jobs within the city. Pickering has a significant amount of employment lands
available, specifically the innovation corridor in Seaton, that is expected to result in the number of
jobs almost tripling by 2051.
Figure 2: Pickering Population and Allocated Growth Population Trends.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2022. Census Profile 2021 Census of Population and Envision Durham, 2023.
Durham Regional Official Plan.
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5.0 Land Use Planning in Ontario
The responsibility for long-term planning in Ontario is shared between the Province and
municipalities, which include upper-tiers, The Region of Durham, and lower-tiers, the City of
Pickering.
Province-wide planning documents
The Province sets the ground rules and directions for land use planning through the Ontario
Planning Act and the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS). All municipal planning decisions within
Ontario must conform to or be consistent with these planning documents.
Additional Provincial plans that impact Pickering
In addition, Provincial plans provide more detailed and geographically specific policies to meet
certain objectives, such as managing growth, or protecting agricultural lands and the natural
environment. The Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, and A Place to Grow:
Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe are geographic specific plans that impact lands in
the City of Pickering.
5.1 The Planning Act
The purpose of the Planning Act is to outline the planning process, integrate matters of provincial
interest into municipal planning decisions and encourage coordination among various interests.
The Planning Act includes legislative requirements for municipalities regarding how to develop
official plans and use other implementation tools in the planning process.
Significant changes have been made to the Planning Act, specifically in the last two years, to
address the current housing crisis in Ontario. The Ontario Government commissioned the Ontario
Housing Affordability Task Force to provide recommendations on how to get more housing
built faster in the province. As a result, the Province has passed new Bills over the last four
years, including Bill 108, Bill 109 and Bill 23, which contained a number of amendments. Key
amendments include:
• Changes to the development approval process, such as reduction in approval timelines,
appeal rights, and the types of development subject to approvals, such as site plan control.
• Requiring municipalities to allow, as-of-right, a minimum of three dwelling units on a lot
through Additional Dwelling Unit permissions.
• Reductions in the amount of parkland that is required to be conveyed for new
developments, reducing requirements by half.
• Yet to be implemented changes to the definition of Employment Area (Industrial Area),
excluding Office and Institutional uses from locating in these areas.
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•Listing a number of upper-tier municipalities, including Durham Region, as “upper-tier
municipalities without planning authority” (yet to come into force).
Bill 23 also included significant changes to the Development Charges Act that significantly
reduced the amount of development fees that can be collected by municipalities on new
development.
Specific amendments to the Pickering Official Plan, including Additional Dwelling Unit permissions,
have already been approved by Council to reflect some of these changes.
Further changes to the Planning Act are still being considered as the Province has introduced Bill
185 in April 2024.
The Official Plan Review will allow staff to evaluate all previous and anticipated changes
comprehensively, and ensure the required revisions are incorporated consistently throughout
the Official Plan. This will result in new policies that provide clear guidance on the process and
requirements for development applications.
5.2 Provincial Policy Statement, 2020
The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) is issued under the Planning Act and is the primary
provincial land use planning policy document, applying across Ontario. The PPS provides policy
directions on matters of Provincial interest such as
housing, infrastructure, and natural resources. The PPS
also sets the policy foundation that all planning decisions
shall be consistent with at the local level.
The PPS has been updated multiple times since the last
Official Plan Review, including most recently in 2020. Key
changes to the PPS include the following:
•Addressing inconsistencies between the PPS and
other provincial plans.
•Softening of the language of key policies regarding
settlement area expansions and the conversion of
employment lands.
•Emphasizing planning for a changing climate and
green infrastructure.
•Additional protection for employment lands.Provincial Policy Statement, 2020
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• Increasing minimum requirements to accommodate residential growth through designated/
available land supply from 10 to 15 years, with a minimum of three years of serviced land.
• Extending the planning horizon from up to 20 years, to up to 25 years and employment
area planning beyond the 25-year horizon.
The Official Plan Review will examine all the items indicated above, as well as any other items
that may be forthcoming from the proposed Provincial Planning Statement, see section 5.4
below for additional details. The proposed Provincial Planning Statement seeks to streamline
and consolidate the PPS and the Growth Plan. Many of the proposed policies in the Provincial
Planning Statement are different to the changes identified above or represent additional significant
changes.
5.3 A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (Growth Plan) is a Provincial
plan issued under the Places to Grow Act, 2005. It provides a detailed framework for where and
how growth should be accommodated in the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH). It works together
with the Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, and the Niagara Escarpment
Plan, to address land use planning issues facing specific geographic areas in Ontario.
The Growth Plan contains population and
employment targets for upper-tier municipalities
(Region of Durham) in the GGH. The Region of
Durham Official Plan allocates those population and
employment targets to the lower-tier municipalities,
including the City of Pickering.
The Growth Plan defines strategic growth areas,
which include urban growth centres and corridors,
and greenfield areas, and requires minimum
densities for development in those areas. The Growth
Plan also sets intensification targets that require
municipalities to plan for a specific amount of growth
within a defined area, known as the built-up area.
The Growth Plan was recently updated in 2020,
changing the planning horizon from 2041 to 2051,
and new growth forecasts were included for
development to 2051.A Place to Grow: Growth Plan
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The Official Plan review will include the updated growth forecasts to 2051, which are included in
the Region of Durham Official Plan, Envision Durham, and ensure the Pickering Official Plan is
consistent with and conforms to the Growth Plan.
5.4 Proposed Provincial Planning Statement
On April 6, 2023, the Province of Ontario released the proposed Provincial Planning Statement
(Planning Statement), which integrates the PPS and Growth Plan into a singular, province-wide
policy document. The Province believes this will streamline land use planning rules, and speed
up the construction of more homes, helping achieve the goals of the Province to build 1.5 million
homes over ten years.
The proposed changes represent a major departure
from the very structured, top-down approach to land use
planning that has been in place for nearly 20 years. The
changes include:
•Eliminating minimum required densities for
Greenfield Areas or Strategic Growth Areas, with
the exception of Major Transit Station Areas.
•Removal of Municipal Comprehensive Reviews
to permit settlement area expansions and
employment land conversions at any time.
•Removal of the existing Provincial Significant
Employment Zones that appear in the Growth
Plan, which includes the Brock Employment Lands
in Pickering.
•Removal of institutional uses, and retail and
office uses that are not associated with the a
primary employment use from being permitted in
employment areas.
•Changes to land use compatibility policies that would make it easier to establish sensitive
land uses, (such as residences, daycare centres, and educational and health facilities), in
the vicinity of existing or planned industrial, manufacturing or other major facilities.
On April 10, 2024, the Province released a second draft of the proposed Planning Statement
for comments. The City’s comments on the second draft, contained in report PLN 13-24, were
endorsed by Council at a Special Meeting of Council on May 6, 2024.
The Official Plan Review will need to have regard for the Provincial Planning Statement, should
the Province finalize and approve it.
Proposed Provincial Planning Statement
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5.5 The Greenbelt Plan
The Greenbelt Plan is a Provincial plan issued under the Greenbelt Act, 2005. The plan
contains policies that provide direction to protect farmland, the countryside, and natural areas
in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The plan aims to provide long-term protection for important
ecosystems, natural features, and farmland from incompatible development and urban sprawl.
In 2022, the Greenbelt Plan was amended to include additional urban river valleys as part of the
Greenbelt, including parts
of the West Duffin Creek in
Pickering. The Official Plan
Review will update the current
mapping, shown in Figure 3, to
ensure urban river valleys are
mapped in accordance with the
Greenbelt Plan.
In December 2022, the
Province amended the
Greenbelt Plan to remove
lands within the Cherrywood
area to facilitate the
development of housing. In
September 2023, the Province
reversed that decision and
reintroduced the lands to the
Greenbelt Plan. Pickering did
not initiate an amendment
to the City’s Official Plan to
reflect the December 2022
change in the Greenbelt
Plan. Consequently, when the
Greenbelt Plan was further
amended in September
2023, the City’s Official Plan
remained in compliance with
the Greenbelt Plan in this
regard.Figure 3: Lands impacted by the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine plans
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5.6 Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan
The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan is issued under the Oak Ridges Moraine
Conservation Act, 2001. The purpose of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan is to provide
land use and resource management planning direction to municipalities, landowners and other
stakeholders on how to protect the Moraine’s ecological and hydrological features and functions.
The Oak Ridges Moraine is one of Ontario’s most significant landforms. The Moraine covers the
northern part of rural Pickering, stretching from east to west primarily north of Ninth Concession
Road. The Moraine and the Greenbelt Plan’s Natural Heritage System together form the
foundation of south-central Ontario’s natural heritage and green space systems. The Moraine
divides the watersheds draining south into Lake Ontario from those draining north into Georgian
Bay, Lake Simcoe and the Trent River system. Its ecological functions are critical to the region’s
continued ecological health.
The Oak Ridges Moraine Plan was updated in 2017. The Official Plan review will ensure
conformity with the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan.
5.7 Ontario Heritage Act
The Ontario Heritage Act (OHA) empowers municipalities and the Minister of Citizenship and
Multiculturalism to designate property of cultural heritage value or interest.
In Ontario, heritage designation is a municipal responsibility. The OHA requires that municipalities
maintain a list, known as the municipal register, of all designated properties and districts. Recent
changes to the OHA include:
•New process and timelines for adding properties of cultural heritage value and interest to
the municipal register;
•New criteria for defining cultural heritage and value;
•New timelines and requirements for demolition permit requests;
•New mandatory content for designating bylaws, and
•New rights of appeal to the designation of properties.
The Pickering Official Plan sets out broad goals and objectives related to significant cultural
heritage resources. The current objective of Council is to identify important heritage resources
from all time periods, so they can be appropriately conserved and integrated into the community
fabric.
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The Official Plan Review will compare the current policies against recent changes to defining
cultural heritage under the OHA to ensure the Official Plan provides correct and relevant policy
direction. This will aim to ensure the long-term protection and enhancement of Pickering’s cultural
heritage.
5.8 Federal Lands and Minister Zoning Order’s 102/72 & 19/74
In the early 1970s, the federal government expropriated approximately 7,500 hectares of land in
Pickering, Markham and Uxbridge to build a new international airport for Toronto. In Pickering,
these lands are located generally north of Highway 7, and west of Brock Road. In 1972 and 1974,
the Province enacted Minister’s Zoning Orders within Pickering on lands to the west and south of
the Federal lands. The Zoning Orders were passed to restrict land uses that may impede a future
airport. The Orders restrict land uses to agricultural uses and buildings and structures accessory
to that use, including single dwellings used in connection with the agricultural operation and home
occupations.
In 2013, the Federal
Government transferred
2,023 hectares of the
Federal Airport Lands
to the Rouge National
Urban Park, and in 2015,
committed to transferring
an additional 2,104
hectares to the park. The
Federal Government
advised that the
remainder of the lands
will be protected for
economic development,
including an airport
(Figure 4).
The Pickering Official
Plan Review will need
to have regard for the
Federal Government’s
policies and Provincial
Zoning Order’s.
Figure 4: Federal Airport lands and lands impacted by Minister’s Zoning Order’s
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6.0 Region of Durham Official Plan
On May 17, 2023, the Council of the Regional Municipality of Durham adopted a new Regional
Official Plan “Envision Durham”. Envision Durham is awaiting final approval from the Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH). Since Pickering is a lower-tier municipality, the Pickering
Official Plan is required to conform with the Regional Official Plan. Envision Durham included a
number of changes that will impact Pickering’s growth, such as:
• Updated population, household and job
allocations to 2051;
• Identification of the Pickering Protected
Major Transit Station Area (a designated
area around the Pickering GO station);
and
• An expansion of the urban boundary
in Northeast Pickering (lands generally
bound by Lakeridge Road, Sixth
Concession Road, Westney Road,
and Eighth Concession Road), which
includes a designated Regional Centre.
Through Bill 23, changes were introduced to
the Planning Act to remove planning authority
from a number of upper-tier municipalities,
including Durham Region. While approved
by legislation, these changes are not in force
currently. As such, the Region of Durham
remains the approval authority for the Pickering
Official Plan. Should these changes come into
force prior to the completion of the Official Plan Review, the Minister of Ministry of Municipal Affairs
and Housing would become the approval authority for the Pickering Official Plan. The impact this
may have on the Pickering Official Plan will be evaluated during the Official Plan Review.
Envision Durham, Durham Region Official Plan
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7.0 City of Pickering Initiatives
Pickering has undertaken a number of master plans and priority strategies in recent years. These
initiatives individually included community engagement and resulted in Council setting various
priorities for Pickering. They provide direction on specific elements or subject matters of what is
important in Pickering.
7.1 Corporate Strategic Plan, 2023
In 2023, Pickering developed the City’s first strategic plan. A Strategic Plan is a tool used by
municipalities to define common goals, a shared vision and a collective plan of action. It functions
as a platform for the allocation of resources (fiscal and human), and acts as a performance
measure, providing an opportunity for members of the public, City staff and Council to evaluate
progress and ensure that there is alignment of actions taken.
The Plan provides a blueprint for Council and Staff, who will work together, to deliver on the
strategic priorities identified in the Plan. The Vision, Values and Priorities identified in the Plan will
guide the City’s operations moving forward.
The Strategic Plan includes six priorities. The priorities are:
•Priority 1: Champion Economic Leadership
and Innovation
•Priority 2: Advocate for an Inclusive,
Welcoming, Safe & Healthy Community
•Priority 3: Advance Innovation &
Responsible Planning to Support a
Connected, Well-Serviced Community
•Priority 4: Lead & Advocate for
Environmental Stewardship, Innovation &
Resiliency
•Priority 5: Strengthen Existing & Build New
Partnerships
•Priority 6: Foster an Engaged & Informed
Community
The Official Plan Review will align the City’s
primary planning document with Council’s
Strategic Plan, where appropriate, to ensure the
documents support each other and Council’s
vision and priorities.City of Pickering Corporate Strategic Plan
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7.2 Pickering Housing & Action Plan, 2022
The City of Pickering’s Housing Strategy & Action Plan provides a framework for the City to
support a supply of suitable (as it relates to the size of the household), adequate (as it relates to
physical condition), and affordable (as it relates to household income) housing for all ages and
abilities.
The Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan was established to identify the City’s role and
priorities in facilitating opportunities for developing a diverse range of housing, including
affordable, age-friendly, and accessible housing in Pickering to 2031.
Since Council adopted the Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan in January 2022 there have
been significant changes to Provincial Legislation, highlighted in section 5 of this Paper. These
changes, and any further changes implemented by the Province, have a direct impact on a
number of the actions contained within the Housing Strategy & Action Plan.
The Official Plan Review will include a review of the Action Items in the Housing Strategy. The
review will provide an opportunity to revise or strengthen official plan policies to help address
housing options and affordability within Pickering.
7.3 Integrated Transportation Master Plan, 2021
Pickering’s Integrated Transportation Master Plan (ITMP)
is a long-range plan which provides a framework and
direction for transportation infrastructure needs across
the City. The ITMP is designed to help Pickering’s
transportation system meet the needs of pedestrians,
cyclists, transit riders, motorists, and goods movement
traffic. The Master Plan also presents the long-term
objectives that Pickering wishes to achieve in the
coming decades, and the supporting policies on which
infrastructure decisions are based.
The Official Plan Review will look to build upon the
goals and vision of the ITMP, ensuring the long-term
transportation needs of residents and businesses
are reflected in policies and land use decisions. It will
also provide a clear direction for how transportation
infrastructure and needs should be implemented and
integrated with the growth of Pickering to 2051.City of Pickering ITMP
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7.4 Integrated Sustainable Design Standards, 2022
The Integrated Sustainable Design Standards
(ISDS) are a tool that has been created to
advance “green building standards” in new
development in Pickering. Replacing the City’s
previous Sustainable Development Guidelines
(2007), the ISDS are intended to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, and encourage the
construction of sustainable, and climate-resilient
buildings and neighbourhoods.
The ISDS consists of two tiers of performance
criteria. Tier 1 criteria are required for all new
developments arising from Site Plans and
Subdivision applications deemed complete on
or after January 1, 2023. Tier 2 performance
criteria are optional and propose more advanced
sustainability criteria to be considered for new
developments.
The Official Plan was recently amended to
recognize the use of the new ISDS in the review
of development applications. The Official Plan
Review will continue to create a stronger planning policy basis for implementing new sustainability
and climate change best practices.
7.5 Pickering Econmic Development Strategy, 2022
The Economic Development Strategy provides a framework for fostering and attracting economic
growth within Pickering. This Strategy contains an analysis, insights, and resulting Action Plan that
highlights Pickering’s strengths and provides advice on specific employment sectors.
The plan allows the City and its stakeholders to better guide investment and activities, to facilitate
business attraction, retention and expansion, employment and mixed-use land development, and
to target potential industry sectors.
The Economic Development Strategy will inform the Official Plan Review by the creation of strong
employment policies. The Official Plan will ensure there is adequate land available to achieve the
strategy, and that the new or revised policies encourage and attract the businesses to continue to
drive industry in Pickering.
City of Pickering ISDS
21
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7.6 Retail Market Study, Ongoing
The Retail Market Study will determine the amount, type, role, and function of retail uses
throughout Pickering. The study will recommend the amount and distribution of future retail space
throughout the City, in response to expected population growth.
The Official Plan generally sets out where retail uses will be located in Pickering. In addition,
the Official Plan also sets out the scale of retail uses within specific areas, i.e. The City Centre
or predominately residential areas. The Retail Market Study will inform the Official Plan on the
location and type of retail uses that are required, based on where current and future needs are
identified.
7.7 Recreation and Parks Master Plan, Ongoing
The Recreation and Parks Master Plan will identify the parks and recreation needs for Pickering
for the next ten years, to 2034. The plan will provide direction for managing parks and recreation
programs (such as pools, ice pads, soccer fields, etc.), the efficient delivery of services, and the
development of new or the renewal of existing infrastructure to support our growing community.
The Official Plan, and Recreation and Parks Master Plan, work together to plan for the parks and
recreation needs for the community. The Official Plan identifies where growth will occur within
Pickering, in turn informing where programming, and the level of programming, will be required
within the City. Incorporating the outcomes of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan into the
Official Plan Review will ensure the areas targeted for growth are being programmed to meet the
needs of current and future residents.
West Shore Skate Park, Pickering
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7.8 Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Process, Ongoing
The City of Pickering is currently in the process of developing a Secondary Plan for the area
known as Northeast Pickering (Figure 5). The process was initiated in 2022, and covers an area
of approximately 1,600 hectares, located generally north of Sixth Concession Road, west of
Lakeridge Road, south of Eighth Concession Road, and east of Westney Road.
With greater detail than the Official Plan, the Secondary Plan will set the vision and guiding
principles for how this area should grow over the next 30 years, and establish the land use,
transportation, built form, and sustainable design framework for the area.
Northeast Pickering is identified in Envision Durham as a future urban boundary expansion area
within Pickering. The secondary plan process will continue as an independent process from the
Official Plan Review. While the planning process for the secondary plan and the Official Plan will
be undertaken as separate processes, the secondary plan, once approved, will be designed to be
incorporated within the Official Plan.
Figure 5: Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Area.
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8.0 Next Steps
There are many elements that will be considered and reviewed during the Pickering Forward
process. To facilitate community engagement and education, the Official Plan Review will include
the release of discussion papers to promote discussion on the following themes:
• Community Vision & Priorities.
• Growth Management, Urban Structure and Urban Design.
• Natural Heritage, Hazards and Sustainability.
• Housing and Affordability.
• Community Structure (includes Parks, Transportation, Cultural Heritage, etc.).
• Agriculture and Rural Areas.
The discussion papers will provide an opportunity for more detailed conversations on how the
legislative changes and Pickering initiatives discussed in this Paper impact specific topics. To start
the brainstorming activity among residents and stakeholders, section 9 of this Paper has been
included to provide a high-level introduction of the elements which will be explored through the
discussion papers and that would contribute to a successful Pickering. These elements are not
meant to be a complete list of elements for a successful Pickering, which is why residents and
stakeholders are encouraged to provide comments through Pickering Forward, to identify what is
important to them.
These future conversations will inform changes to the Pickering Official Plan that are needed to
meet the legislative requirements of the Province, and reflect the needs of the community to 2051.
City of Pickering Cultural Fusion 2023
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9.0 Elements for a Successful Pickering
Pickering is growing! It is important that the community’s vision for the future of Pickering is
reflected as the City continues to grow and change in the decades to come. The following
subsections highlight the important themes that will be reviewed and discussed through the
Official Plan Review process.
9.1 Where We Grow
Land within Pickering can generally be
classified into two categories, urban or rural.
Urban lands typically have access to municipal
water and sewers. Rural lands are located
outside of existing settlement areas and
typically have private services, septic systems
and wells.
The majority of the growth in Pickering,
including housing and employment, is located
in the urban areas, which includes the South
Pickering Urban Area and the Seaton Urban
Area (Figure 6). In addition to the two existing
urban areas, Envision Durham, identifies an
expansion to Pickering’s urban boundary
by including Northeast Pickering as a future
urban area.
The existing land use vision in the Official Plan
encourages compact urban areas in South
Pickering and in Seaton, and rural and open
space areas in west-central and northern
Pickering.
Within urban areas are Mixed-Use Areas,
Urban Residential Areas, Employment Areas, and parts of the Open Space System, which
includes natural areas, active recreation areas and marina areas.
Mixed Use Areas are where the highest concentration of activity and development in the City
is anticipated. Mixed Use Areas also include the broadest diversity of community services and
facilities. Mixed Use Areas include the City Centre, and Kingston Road Corridor which serves as
Pickering’s “main street”.
Universal City, Pickering
25
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The City Centre is one of two
Urban Growth Centres in the
Region of Durham and is also
Pickering’s Protected Major
Transit Station Area. This
area must be planned to meet
a minimum density of 200
residents and jobs per hectare
to meet the requirements of the
Provincial Growth Plan.
Urban residential areas are to
be used primarily for housing
and related uses, including
home occupations and group
homes. To ensure that these
areas provide an appropriate
degree of neighbourhood and
community services, other uses
are also permissible, including,
schools, parks, libraries,
places of worship, limited office
development, limited retailing
of goods and services, limited
employment uses, and limited
special purpose commercial
uses.
Recent changes included
in the Planning Act require
municipalities to allow up to
three dwelling units on most
residential properties. Pickering
recently approved amendments to the Official Plan to implement those permissions.
The Official Plan review, which will include a growth management study, will examine the elements
that make up Pickering’s urban area, to identify where and how growth should be accommodated
to 2051.
Figure 6: Map of Pickering Urban Areas
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9.2 What We Protect and Enhance
The Open Space System is Pickering’s “greenspace”. It is important for its role in maintaining
ecological health, including where possible, improving the ecological and hydrological integrity of
the Natural Heritage System. The Open Space System is also critical in promoting the physical,
spiritual, and mental health of Pickering’s residents.
The Open Space System includes a variety of key natural heritage and key hydrologic features
including the Rouge-Duffins Wildlife Corridor, the Lake Iroquois shoreline, the City’s significant
valleylands and stream corridors, Lake Ontario shoreline, areas of natural and scientific interest,
wetlands, and significant woodlands.
The Open Space System also includes recreational and conservation areas, and other major
blocks of land that make up the City’s natural core areas, corridors and linkages. Lands
designated as part of the Open Space System are intended to be used primarily for conservation,
restoration, environmental education, recreation, and ancillary purposes.
Protecting and enhancing these areas as Pickering grows will be essential for the well-being of the
natural heritage system and residents.
9.3 Sustainable Planning and Climate Change
Sustainability can be defined as the ability of current residents to meet current needs without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Climate change can be defined as a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns. The
effects of climate change are being felt around the world, and the pace of change is accelerating.
Harbour Entrance into Frenchman's Bay, Pickering
27
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Pickering has been a leader in promoting sustainability and has continued to promote climate
change adaptation and mitigation through the building of resilient, healthy and sustainable
communities. Pickering has been enhancing the natural environment, improving waste diversion,
integrating sustainability into long-term planning by applying Integrated Sustainable Design
Standards to new development projects, supporting urban agriculture, and is working to develop a
community climate adaptation plan.
As Pickering grows it will be important to ensure that sustainability is a precursor to future
development. The Official Plan Review will provide an opportunity to review the existing climate
change and sustainability policies and strengthen and expand the policy framework where
required.
9.4 Rural Areas
Like urban systems, rural systems involve people engaging in a variety of activities. However,
interactions between people in the rural area usually require, stem from, or are grounded in “land”
as a viable, productive and lasting resource.
Solar panel parking structure for EV charging station
Farm lands, Pickering
28
Farming, forestry, bird watching, aggregate extraction, hiking and many other rural activities all
require or use large areas of land as a resource. To exist, they all directly depend upon land, or
upon the natural systems that support and flow from the land.
Protecting land, as a finite resource, through strong Official Plan policies, is therefore of vital
importance to ensuring a healthy rural system. Pickering’s Rural System contains ‘Rural Lands’
(agricultural areas) and ‘Rural Settlements’. Rural Lands are very diverse, supporting a variety of
uses including farming, open space, and conservation areas.
9.5 Economic Development
Economic Development includes programs, policies and activities that seek to improve the
economic well-being and quality of life for a community by creating and retaining jobs for current
and future Pickering residents.
Pickering’s Economic Strategy, discussed in Section 7.5 of this Paper, anticipates growth and
helps bring assets together to support an economically, environmentally, and socially sustained
future.
Employment opportunities exist within most land use designations in Pickering. Nevertheless,
areas with significant concentrations of manufacturing, assembly and warehousing uses, and
related employment opportunities, are identified as Employment Areas (also referred to as
industrial lands).
Employment areas are classified according to their mix of uses, their operational characteristics,
their design, and their performance requirements. Three employment subcategories are
distinguished: general, prestige, and mixed employment.
Porsche Experience Construction Site, Pickering
29
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The Official Plan will encourage the retention of existing businesses, while also creating a policy
framework that stimulates economic opportunities for future business attraction and retention. This
is essential for creating local employment opportunities.
Recent changes to the definition of “Employment Area” lands in the Planning Act would restrict
Office and Institutional uses in Employment Areas. This will be reviewed during the Official Plan
Review to ensure these uses are encouraged and supported in appropriate areas of Pickering
while meeting provincial definitions.
9.6 Parks
Parks are important spaces in the lives of residents, providing recreational and social
opportunities. Since the global pandemic, open spaces and parks have played an even larger role
in meeting the physical and metal wellness needs of residents.
As outlined in section 5.1 of this report, Bill 23 has had a significant impact on the way in which
the City can acquire parkland. Specifically, the Province has changed the maximum parkland
dedication rate, which means that the City will be acquiring less parkland from applicants to serve
new developments.
This creates a challenge throughout the City, but specifically in the City Centre, and Kingston
Road Corridor. These strategic growth areas are anticipated to see significant increases in
residential development at very high densities. As these areas currently have limited existing
residential development, there is not much parkland, if any, to serve future residents. The new
parkland rates that developments are required to provide to the City through the approvals
process will result in significantly more people and less park space per resident than in
established neighbourhoods.
Rick Johnson Memorial Park, Seaton
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We need to ensure Pickering’s park system meets the physical and social needs of current and
future residents. It will be important to understand how residents interact with and value the open
space system and parks to ensure the Official Plan policies reflect the needs of residents.
As discussed in section 7.7 of the Paper, the City of Pickering is currently undertaking a review of
its Recreation and Parks Master Plan. As part of the Official Plan Review parkland policies will be
reviewed.
9.7 Transportation
As Pickering develops and intensifies, its transportation needs will change. A transportation
system that is planned and designed to accommodate sustainable growth is instrumental to
providing a high quality of life for residents. With more people living in Pickering, and more people
working in Pickering, the number of trips to, from, and within the City will increase.
Pickering’s Integrated Transportation Master Plan, as discussed in Section 7.3 of this Paper,
includes a strategy to ensure that the transportation system supports:
•Alternative modes of travel, including transit and active transportation;
•Safe transportation options;
•The creation of a complete and sustainable community; and
•Economic growth.
Pickering’s transportation system benefits from the following existing infrastructure:
•Access to two Provincial Series Highways (401and 407);
•An extensive transit network (served by Durham Region Transit and GO Transit);
•An inter-regional commuter rail line served by GO Transit via the GO Train;
•An extensive network of trails suitable for both walking and cycling; and
•The Pickering Waterfront Trail provides east-west connections to Toronto and Ajax, and is a
part of the larger Waterfront Trail, which stretches along the shore of Lake Ontario.
As Pickering grows, it is essential that we plan for a complete transportation network (all forms of
transportation) that is well-connected and inclusive of all user’s needs.
Pickering GO Station, Pickering
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9.8 Housing and Affordability
A housing crisis has been declared by both the Federal and Provincial governments. The cost
of housing has been steadily increasing in recent years, placing pressure on families to find
housing they can afford. As discussed in section 7.2 of this Paper, Pickering’s Housing & Action
Plan, 2022, provides information on the current housing profile, including housing options and
affordability.
Pickering has historically been a lower density, single
detached dwelling, community. Pickering had a total of
33,425 private dwellings in 2021 (Statistics Canada).
Single detached homes accounted for 60% of those
dwellings, followed by apartments accounting for
18%, and townhouses at 14%. It is anticipated that
apartment buildings and townhouses may increase
in unit share over the next few decades as the City
Centre, and Kingston Road Corridor, see more
intensification, and Seaton continues to develop.
In addition to housing types, the tenure of housing also
plays an important role in affordability. Rental housing
plays an important role in meeting the housing needs
of residents. The rental market can offer benefits,
such as flexibility in dwelling types, location, fewer
maintenance costs, and relief from the large, up-front
cost of a down payment required for home ownership.
The private rental market consists of the primary rental market, (often referred to as purpose-built
rental buildings), and the secondary rental market. The secondary rental market represents
self-contained units, which may not have been purposely built for the rental market, but are
currently being rented out.
The primary rental market accounts for only 1% of the housing units in Pickering. There are no
statistics on the total number of secondary rental market housing units in Pickering. There has
been very little new primary rental housing constructed in the last decade, placing further demand
on the existing units. This leads to very low vacancy rates and few options in the primary rental
market for residents that are looking for this tenure of housing.
It is essential that the Official Plan Review encourage a full range of housing options and tenures,
to provide options and affordability, for all residents.
Residential Pickering
32
10.0 Community Engagement
An important part of the Official Plan Review process will be extensive community engagement
with residents, stakeholders, the business community, and Indigenous communities to ensure the
future Official Plan appropriately addresses local needs and emerging trends.
The Special Council Meeting on May 27, 2024, will provide the first opportunity for the community
to formally engage in the Pickering Forward process. A community engagement strategy is being
created for Pickering Forward. The strategy will:
• Encourage public and stakeholder engagement early, and throughout, the process;
• Utilize a variety of in-person, and online, engagement methods to allow for the entire
community to have opportunity to learn, and provide comments; and
• Provide regular updates to the public, and other stakeholder’s to ensure the staff correctly
understood their feedback.
Additional Dwelling Units Open House, City of Pickering
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11.0 We Want to Hear From You!
This Background Paper is a starting point for the Pickering Official Plan Review, Pickering
Forward. It details the changes that impact Pickering at each level of government and the ground
rules that Pickering must follow. The Paper also highlights recent initiatives the City of Pickering
has undertaken and how those initiatives are shaping Pickering.
Discussion papers planned for the fall of 2024 and winter of 2025 will be key community
engagement opportunities to identify the needs of residents. These discussions will be critical to
creating a plan that serves residents and stakeholders in Pickering for the decades to come.
Interested community members and stakeholders are encouraged to add their names to the
contact list for the Official Plan Review by connecting with staff through the Pickering Forward
project page and e-mail listed below.
Connect with Us! We want to hear from you!
Pickering Forward Website: Pickering.ca/PickeringForward
Pickering Forward E-mail: PickeringForward@Pickering.ca
Attachment 2 to Report PLN 14-24
Official Plan Review Workplan and Timeline
Q2 2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Q3 2025 Q4 2025 Q1 2026
•Background Research
•Special Meeting of Council
•Policy Review & Analysis
•Release Background Paper
•Community Engagement Strategy
•Discussion Papers on Specific Topics:
Community Priorities & Vision
Growth Management & Urban
Structure
Natural Heritage & Sustainability
Housing & Affordability
Community Structure
Agricultural, Rural Areas & Hamlets
•Community Engagement
Phase One
Background & Research
•Draft Official Plan
Preparation
•Review Policy Analysis
and Community
Engagement Comments
•Create New Policies and
Amend Existing Policies
Release of Draft
Changes to Official Plan
for Comment
•Community
Engagement:
Receive Feedback on
Proposed Draft Pickering
Official Plan
Council Adoption of the
Official Plan
•Submit Council Adopted
Plan to Approval
Authority
•Modifications from
Approval Authority
•Notify Interested Parties
of Final Approval
Phase Two
Policy Drafting
Phase Four
Final Approval & Implementation
P1
P2
P3
Q2 2026
P4
P1 - Discussion Papers:Community Priorities & Vision Growth Management & Urban Structure
Natural Heritage & Sustainability
Housing & Affordability
Community StructureAgricultural, Rural Areas & HamletsP2 - Release of Draft Changes to Official Plan
P3 - Release Final Recommended Official Plan
Statutory Public Meeting
Recommendation Report to CouncilP4 - Council Adoption of the Official Plan
ProjectMilestones
Phase Three
Policy Recommendations
•Community Feedback:
Draft Official Plan Revisions
Release Final
Recommended Pickering
Official Plan for Comment
Statutory Public Meeting
and Presentation to
Council
Recommendation Report
to Council
•Community Engagement:
Plan Revisions Based on
Statutory Meeting
Comments and Council
Direction