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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-017-08 Clw,:-!lJglon REPORT PLANNING SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING Date: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE ~€Sd u.\ion ~Ei fA - 1(;( \ - d$ Monday, February 25, 2008 Meeting: Report #: PSD-017-08 File #: PLN 37.3 By-law #: Subject: NEWCASTLE VILLAGE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PSD-017-08 be received; 2. THAT the proposed Newcastle Village Community Improvement Plan contained in Attachment 1 be received and that staff consider the comments received in writing or at the Public Meeting prior to finalizing the Plan; and 3. THAT any interested party or delegation be advised of Council's decision. Submitted by: Reviewed bY:O ~~ ~ Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer a a . Crome, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director of Planning Services IUFLlDJC/df 12 February 2008 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 REPORT NO.: PSD-017-08 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 On January 29th, 2007 Council approved the preparation of a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for Newcastle Village and a study area By-law 2007-015. The terms of reference for the study called for a community focus group which was formed in March of 2007 and has guided the study since that time. 1.2 The community has been kept informed of the study progress. Over 3000 information newsletters were distributed within and adjacent to the study area in October and a public open house was held on October 30th, 2007. Comments received during the progress of the CIP support the recommendations put forward. 1.3 The Business Development Manager of the Clarington Board of Trade has been intimately involved in the preparation of this Community Improvement Plan and will continue to be involved in its implementation. 1.4 The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is no longer the approval authority for community improvement plans. The Ministry still provides consultation on CIPs and retains the right to appeal. Bill 130 amended the Ontario Planning Act by repealing Section 28(8), which had indicated that the Ministry was the approval authority. Local Councils that have the appropriate policies in their official plans are the approval authority for CIPs that only involve actionslfunding by the local municipality. 1.5 Currently the Region of Durham is working on policies for its Official Plan. Once the Region has implemented its Official Plan policies and if the Newcastle Village CIP is eligible for Regional programs it would have to be approved by the Region. 2.0 PUBLIC MEETING 2.1 In accordance with the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, appropriate notice of the Public Meeting was given through advertisements placed in the January 30th, February 6th, and February 13th editions of the Orono Times and the Clarington This Week. A copy of the draft Community Improvement Plan was circulated to the commenting agencies and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in mid January. 3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN 3.1 Outline The Community Improvement Plan defines why Newcastle Village was studied for a CIP, identifies the area that was studied, and provides a recommended boundary for the CIP project area. The Plan lists the priorities that the Community Focus Group has identified .for improvements and provides information about the community such as its historical context, land use, architectural character and environmental amenities. Economic factors, building conditions, land use restrictions, and the significance of REPORT NO.: PSD-017-08 PAGE 3 enhancing the civic presence of Clarington are noted as issues. Problems and deficiencies are identified and include such items as: . heritage street lighting . traffic calming . off street parking . signage . development charge levies . encouragement for economic development . commercial building accessibility . website development . energy efficiency . safety and secu rity The proposed CIP makes a number of recommendations and provides for incentives such as grant programs to address the issues that have been noted. 3.2 Priorities The Community Focus Group has identified the following list of priorities for the Community Improvement Plan: Short Term Priorities . Incentives for infill or renovation projects . Incentives for fa9ade improvements . Heritage street lighting to extend along King Avenue East to Arthur Street and down Mill Street from King Avenue to Robert Street . Prominent entrance features . Incentives for building signage Long Term Priorities . Incentives for new business development . Directional signage to downtown . Guidelines for streetscape improvement . Guidelines for signage styles . Guidelines for infill or renovation 3.3 Summarv of Recommendations The proposed CIP recommendations include the following: 1. Providing Municipal assistance to property owners with the development of design ideas/concepts. REPORT NO.: PSD-017-08 PAGE 4 Municipal staff could provide assistance addressing such matters as: . Alternative design ideas and solutions . Visualizations of design concepts . Urban design and architectural control requirements . Technical matters such as shadow impact analysis, choice of colours, materials, finishes and textures 2. Developing Guidelines for Signage and Renovation Projects The proposed CIP provides photographic examples that can be used as guidelines for signage and renovation projects. The proposed design assistance provided by municipal staff will assist merchants with understanding how their alterations will appear within the street context. The CIP proposes the preparation of guidelines for infills and streetscape improvements to encourage further development of Newcastle's historic architectural appeal and is an opportunity for continued community engagement. 3. Facilitation of Key Development Projects It is proposed that the Municipality assist developers by expediting the development review process for projects within the CIP area. The CIP also proposes that consideration be given to the provision of T-bar signs in the review of Sign By-law 97-187. 4. Promotion and Marketing Initiatives The CIP proposes the preparation of a brochure to identify walking and cycling trails and natural areas. Additional community promotion is proposed through the development of a website and other marketing tools. Newcastle BIA and Chamber of Commerce are encouraged to pursue these proposals in cooperation with the Municipality. 5. Grant Programs to encourage good redevelopment The Newcastle Village Community Improvement Plan proposes grant programs for site plan control application fees, infill projects, building fa98de improvements, building code improvements, and signage. Grants would be limited through the municipal budget process. 6. Development Charges relief for key types of projects that would rejuvenate the CIP area The proposed CIP includes two recommendations in regards to the Municipality's Development Charges By-law 2005-108. The first recommendation suggests a development charges credit program be provided for the construction of new mixed-use buildings in the CIP area. The credit would apply only to the residential component of the building. The second recommendation is for the expansion of the existing revitalization area identified in the current By-law so that it matches the existing .BIA boundary. Signage changes, and guidelines for signage, renovation projects, and streetscape improvements also work as incentives to business and property owners. REPORT NO.: PSD-017-08 PAGE 5 7. Capital Improvements - Public Amenity Areas The CIP proposes that the Municipality may consider assisting in the installation of public art, street furniture, bicycle parking, and entry gateway features on a case by case basis as funding is available. 8. Capita/Improvements - Signs Signage for community, events, plus additional directional and business identification have been identified for future consideration. 9. Capital Improvements - Extending the Area of Heritage Street Lights The installation of heritage style street lighting has been identified by the Community Focus Group as a priority, however, any expenditures will be subject to Council approval during the annual budget review. This would be a significant cost and at this time, there is no identified source of funding. 10. Ongoing /mplementation Guided by Community Liaison Group The CIP proposes to have an ongoing liaison with the community to guide implementation through a community liaison group. 4.0 CONCLUSIONS 4.1 The Newcastle Village Community Improvement Plan identified a series of recommendations for implementation by the Municipality and/or stakeholder groups over time. The CIP will enable the Municipality to offer incentives for specific types of improvements within the area. Council approved $20,000.00 for grants in the 2008 budget. In addition, a number of actions, including future capital projects, are recommended to be undertaken by the Municipality over time. 4.2 The Planning Act requires that a Public Meeting be scheduled to consider a Community Improvement Plan. The purpose of this report is to facilitate the public consideration of the proposed Newcastle Village Community Improvement Plan. Attachment: Attachment 1 - Newcastle Village Community Improvement Plan (distributed under separate cover) Interested parties to be notified of Council's decision Cathy Abraham Dave Clark Carl D. Good Rod McArthur Gabrielle Bell Gail Rickard George Rickard Gord Lee J. Arthur Wynn Myno Van Dyke Randall St. Denis Rob Kloosterman Suzanne McCrimmon Tenzin Gyaltson Theresa Vanhaverbeke Valentine Lovekin