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Home My WebLink AboutPSD-077-04 . ClYl-ilJglon REPORT PLANNING SERVICES Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: Monday, June 21, 2004 4'f:;. ; f:I t; {lI!- $cA-"C">'f By-law #: Report #: PSD-077 -04 File #: PLN 1.1.9 Subject: THE GREENBELT PROTECTION ACT, 2004 RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: THAT report PSD-077-04 be received for information. ~ i Submitted by: " o'a' J. Crome, MCIP, R.P.P. Director of Planning Services 8(- . R. db' .\.ot.....C. .~-tl (J, eVlewe y: ' \.~ VL Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer FUDJC/df 14 June 2004 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE. ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 REPORT NO.: PSD-Q77-Q4 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 The Province introduced The Greenbelt Protection Act (Bill 27) in December of 2003. The Act had second reading on April 28, 2004 after review by Committee. It is anticipated to come into force shortly. In the meantime, a Minister's Zoning Order was put in place as an interim measure to place a moratorium on urban uses in rural areas. The Province appointed a Greenbelt Task Force and the task force has met 13 times over the past 6 months. In March and April they have consulted with municipal leaders. Further consultation with stakeholder groups, the planning profession and development industry has been ongoing. In May 2004 a Discussion Paper entitled "Toward a Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt" was released for comments, which are due July 15, 2004. 1 .2 Staff have attended some of the focused discussions on the different topics outlined in the discussion paper, such as agriculture, environment, and natural resources. There have been other sessions that have focused on other topics. 2.0 COMMENTS 2.1 Staff have received and reviewed the discussion paper; however an in-depth analysis of how it would affect the Municipality of Clarington and our land use planning policies can not be determined at this time due to the generality of the discussion paper. Staff have concerns which we will be providing in written form to the Province by the deadline. 2.2. Staff have major concerns (outlined below) with the lack of detail in the discussion paper to address the overall planning framework for the GTA area. In addition, it is unclear how the provisions of the Greenbelt Protection Act would be more effective than the existing policy framework of Regional and Local Official Plans. Lake Iroauois Shoreline - The Lake Iroquois Shoreline area is the location of the most threatened natural heritage features, particularly in Durham. In Clarington there are a number of provincially-significant wetland complexes, groundwater recharge and discharge areas, and aggregate resources. The urban areas of Courtice and Bowmanville are both encroaching into the Lake Iroquois Shoreline area. The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan puts increasing pressure on the limited aggregate resources If a Greenbelt is enacted by the Province, it should include the major environmental features and corridor connections along the Lake Iroquois Shoreline Urban Seoarators - The Durham Regional Official Plan establishes a growth framework for Durham which includes three urban separators between major urban conglomerations: the Rouge Valley between Toronto and Pickering Area; the area between Ajax and Whitby and the area between Courtice and Bowmanville. These areas provide a green corridor of open spaces and farmlands to act as the "lungs of the Region" in the midst of urban growth and to provide for some distinct identity between communities. Any Greenbelt Plan should provide for major north-south corridors which connect Lake Ontario to the Oak Ridges Moraine, creating green infrastructure needed to protect the quality of life in a fast growing region. REPORT NO.: PSD-Q77-Q4 PAGE 3 Leao-froaaina Outside the GTA - While constraining growth in the GTA within the existing urban boundaries, appears desirable, it may cause leap-fragging of growth to areas just outside the boundary such as Simcoe Country, Port Hope, etc. This does not meet the principles of smart growth or growth management and needs to be addressed as part of the implementation of this Act. Growth Strateav - While the Greenbelt Protection Act clearly articulates where growth is undesirable it has not (other than by density increases) addressed where growth is appropriate and how the infrastructure for such growth will be paid for. Municioal Costs This legislation is being put in place by the provincial government and yet it will be the local governments that have to defend the policies during OMB cases. Compensation to the local government(s) or other reforms are necessary to limit the exposure that local municipalities are being burdened with. Aariculture - The Greenbelt Protection Act addresses the preservation of agricultural lands, however, it acknowledges land protection is only one aspect of creating the conditions for agriculture to thrive. It does not address how the implementation tools mentioned (such as land trusts, conservation easements, financial incentives, supportive infrastructure investment) are going to work. The agricultural community is particularly concerned with how the viability of agriculture will be maintained and enhanced. 2.3 Staff have not prepared detailed comments at this point in time but will be prior to the July 15th due date. The detailed comments will be circulated to Council as a memo when they are completed. Attachments: Attachment 1 - Presentation Towards a Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt Interested parties to be advised of Council's decision: @ Ontario Building Strong Communities :---..~ ~ elt Task Force Cons Itations May - Jun 2004 n . enbelt ~ Ontario Building Strong Communities Background . Proposed Greenb t ection Act, 2003 (Bill 27) would: · Establish the green bel tudy area · PI ce a moratorium on urban ses in rural are D cember 16, 2004 . Bill 7 r ceived second reading on A il 28, 2004, and was efe ed to Standing Committee 0 General Gover me t Order ~ember 16, 2003, as interim me sure until legislation c rldb passed · Minister has propo amendment based upo criteria for exemptions provide he Greenbelt Task Fo ce ~ Ontario Building Strong Communities It Task Force Consultations . The Task Force wa p . ted in February 2004 to advis he on he scope, content and im Ie entation ofa future gre belt . On ay 3, released the public con ulta ion discussion paper, Towaij GoA if] orseshoe Greenbelt p lic meetings have been schedu d a locations across the Golden Horsesh . Consultation ill the Task Force develop final reco ations to the government on a proPos~~proach to permanent greenbelt proteCtiO ; Vt!J,ztJi!!lw (f11 I ~ I . ~ , InJJJJI,'JJh'fJlI&' , nbelt Gresnbelt Talk Force ~ Discussion Paper. A....Mwot_~..., MII)'1<<lf. .~!?!'~ @ Ontario Building Strong Communities "The Golden Horseshoe ~belt will be a permanent and sustain ble legacy for curren d fut enerations. It will enhanc 0 urban and rural area ith a con ~ and connect d sy, tem of open spaces, tha . ~ n for a Greenbelt · Protec sad enhances environmentally se sitive lands and natural en age systems . Recogni s t region's social, natural and eco omic needs . Sustains a d n ures the region's agricultural se tor . Conserves fo ust' able use the region's signific t natural resources . Continues to provide hi - ~ity and compatible rec eational and tourism opportunities" ~ @ Ontario Building Strong Communities Goatst-Qr Greenbelt Protection · Providing greenspace B ee / nd links to open space within, the region's growing urban are . Prot ctl , sustaining and restorin the ecologl ~res and funct ons the natural environment ~ . Prese ing viable agricultural land as a co "nuing commercial source of od and employment, recognizing e critical importance of the gric Iture sector's prosperity to the regl nal economy egion's countryside and rural com · Conserving d m ing available natural resources cn ical for a thriving econo . Ensuring that infrastru U(€'-iQvestment achieves the environmental, social and eco~ims of the greenbelt ~ Ontario Building Strong Communities De · Greenbelt Protection The Task Force co. I er~everal topics, to be seen as "layers" in a propose t framework, including: . vironmental protection · gn Itural protection, and in pa " ular the ten r--fzuit and grape I nds a d the Holland Marsh. . N tura resources, particularly mineral r ources ~ . T nsp rtation and infrastructure ~ . Cu ture, tourism and recreation opportunities These la rs aye been considered in the ntext of: . Ontario gro h management initiative as the broade strategy for guiding elop nt in Southern Ontario . Other ongoin "itia" es such as Source Water Protection Planning Reform and the Gr er ronto Area Transportation Strat gy . Implementation and adm" " ion approaches, models an tools to establish and administer a Gre ~ Ontario Building Strong Communities Key k Force Recommendations EnVironment~ect!on . A system of provincially signific~-ajQr natural heritage and hydrological fea ures and functions (e.g. 0 Ridges Me one, Niagara Escarpment, Ro g Valley) and the connections etween the eas (e.g. public par ope space lands, stream/river v leys) . A hi rarch of environmental protection ined by both sensitl nd less sensl ive reas Agricu tu I Protection . Protecti n of ender fruit and grape lands and the Hol urban ex ansio s and severances . Protection larg viable agricultural communities from f rther urban encroach men ,rag ntation and loss of rural support fun ions . Stronger land-use olLcie to support agricultural operations . Creation of provincial task~o on agriculture to develop poli "es for agricultural viability (beyondJan - e issues) across the green elt and the rest of Ontario ~ Ontario Building Strong Communities Key~sk Force Recommendations Transportatio Infrastructure . Maximize the use of curr in t(ucture to meet the needs of growth and minimize the impact on green It functk>.Qs when locating and designing new infra ucture ~ Natur I ources . Protec non- enewable mineral aggregate de sits from incompati nd uses . Ensure eha ilitation supports or enhances adja nt greenbelt functions Culture, Re reation and Tourism . Recogniz and romote cultural sites, districts and land apes important for communi ident ,history and character . Protect a ne ork 0 ublic open spaces where people can joy recreational and leisurely p uits,' eluding a system of trails on publicjp 'vate land supported by a prOv~ial'1 gulatory framework . Tourism destinations th~ rt or depend on farms, natural a eas and rural communities ~ ~ ~ Ontario Building Strong Communities Key ask Force Recommendations Administration ~Implementation . Greenbelt legislation that ~~reenbelt Protection Plan that knits together the Niagara Escarpment Plan, Ocik--Rid es Moraine Conservation Plan and other lands necessary . Be admi I red by municipalities outsi of the Niag ~scarpment Commission jurisdicti n an incorporated consistently i municipal OffiCia~ . Take adv nta e of existing administrative struc res and ~'~~ \~\ tools whe e po sible .' '- "'";,/~, . Have an a pell te tribunal that has expertise to uphol integrity of he an . Assist munic aliti with implementation work . Involve a wor . g gr t.(p (including municipal staff and other stakeholde to p cess Task Force recommendations . Be subject to monitoring p year review . Coordinate with provincial growth mana ement initiative \ \ nce standards and 10- LEGEND w~t'~;iGre'IerG<llllonHo""~ , /~'''' . ,-",' ""._~_l<IktJi.li. O Stl1e-lc2.2~,OOO p.,..._-"'....""'- ..."--~............- W Ontario Building Strong Communities Timeline March / April ;ra Force meetings, shaping consultation USSI er May / Ju · Release of k Force cons It ion document entitled "Towar a Golden Horses reenbelt" · Task Force provide dvice to the governm · Inter-ministry discussion 0 Task Force advice Fall / early · Consultation on proposed govern ent direction December 2004 Pr ~ed moratorium under Bill 27 e s · Tar~~for permanent greenbelt p otection ~ Ontario Building Strong Communities t to hear from you We The discussion paper is a "lab ~he Ministry of Municipal Affairs and H using's website at ww reenlJef ntario.ca Environmental BI. f "g!1ts (EBR) Registry Number PF www.ene.qov.on.ca (pas d Lm 'I July 13, 2004) Deadline for Submissions: July E-mail: n enbelt E0002: ~ Ontario Building Strong Communities