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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-227-92 THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE DN: OP-STAT.GPA REPORT Meeting General Purpose and Administration Committee File 11 �2�5, 3:5z--i 7 N Date Monday, November 2 , 1992 R e s 4 1---(-, -- �e-� By-Lawfi RePOrt It ----PD--2-2-7--9J:'le # --42LN-3-2- 4 Subject STATUS REPORT ON THE OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW Recommendatioris: 1. THAT Report PD-227-92 be received for information. 1. BACKGROUND 1. 1 On January 27, 1992 , Council adopted Report PD-13-92 which recommended: THAT the Planning and Development Department be instructed to undertake a comprehensive review of the land use policies contained in the Town of Newcastle Official Plan and that this task be the top priority of the Planning Department. 1.2 There are five stages to the Official Plan Review Process are as follows: a) Background Research Background research is being undertaken to identify major issues that need to be considered in subsequent phases of the preparation of the official Plan. At this time, Staff are finishing the background research and presenting the material in the form of Background Papers which are briefly discussed in Section 2 . 2 . 1 of this report. b) Issues and options In the second stage a number of major issues which were 556 REPORT NO. : PD-227-92 PAGE 2 identified in the first phase will be examined and options for future consideration will be developed. C) Goals and a Policy Framework This stage of the review process involves formulating goals and developing a policy framework. The policy framework will not be land use specific but will provide a preferred long range vision for future land uses in the Town. d) Draft Official Plan Staff will take the work completed in the first three stages along with any comments or written submissions received by the public and incorporate them into a draft document. Staff will also consider information presented in the general and area specific studies conducted for the Town. As shown by the diagram, these studies include the: Economic Development Study, Commercial Hierarchy Study, Waterfront Study, Bowmanville Main Central Area Study, and the South Courtice Employment Area Study. The draft Official Plan will be circulated for review and comment. e) Recommended Official Plan Upon receiving comments related to the draft Official Plan, Staff will revise the document and produce a recommended Official Plan. Staff will present the document to Council for adoption. After review by Council and the public, Council will consider the Official Plan for adoption. The Official Plan will be sent to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for final Provincial approval. 557 REPORT NO. : PD-227-92 PAGE 3 The work program in relation to the related studies currently underway is shown on the diagram that follows: OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW PROCESS General Area Specific Studies Studies Economic BACKGROUND Development RESEARCH Waterfront Commercial Bowmanville Hierarchy ISSUES AND Main Central OPTIONS Area South Courtice Employment GOALS AND A Area POLICY FRAMEWORK DRAFT OFFICIAL PLAN --f - RECOMMENDED OFFICIAL PLAN Due to the phenomenal amount of time involved in background research and data collection, plus limited available staff time as a result of many other ongoing planning works, this first phase of the Official Plan Review is about 4 months behind schedule. Although REPORT NO. : PD-227-92 PAGE 4 staff is still targeting for completion of the last phase of a recommended new Official Plan before summer of 1994, this may be unrealistic with the current staff resources and workload priorities. As of the writing of this Report, the Background Papers are being put together for distribution on or before November 14, 1992. Although the complete report is not quite ready, executive summaries for each of the papers are attached to this report. Copy of complete Background Report will be made available to members of Council as soon as possible. Complimentary copies of all Background Report will be forwarded to other government agencies, citizen groups and be made available to all branches of the local libraries. In order to recover part of the printing and material cost, the following fees have been established: a) complete set of all background papers with binder - $25. 00 b) single background paper - no charge C) additional background paper, each - $2 . 00 2. WORK COMPLETED TO DATE 2 . 1 The highlights of the work completed thus far are discussed below. 2 . 2 . 1 Background Discussion Papers There are 14 background papers in total, which examine the relevant legislation, the existing situation in the Town and identify key issues to be explored. The 14 papers are: cultural heritage, natural environment, land use and 559 REPORT NO. : PD-227-92 PAGE 5 settlement, demographic trends and forecasts, economic development, agriculture and forestry, mineral aggregates, central area and commercial areas, industrial areas, housing, parks recreation and open space, institutional community and government uses, transportation, and utilities. 2 . 2 . 2 Public Attitude Questionnaire Staff have prepared a questionnaire which will be distributed to every household within the Town of Newcastle in November. This questionnaire will ask residents about their views and opinions on various planning matters. It will be mailed out during the early part of November and can be returned in the prepaid postage stamped envelope. A copy of the draft questionnaire is attached to this report. 2 . 2 . 3 Mailing List A mailing list has been started for the Official Plan Review Process. Anyone on the mailing list will be notified of meetings and events related to the Official Plan. 2 . 2 .4 Official Plan Review Newsletter Anyone on the mailing list, or anyone who is interested in the Official Plan Review, can receive a copy of the newsletter. It will be distributed in public places and multiple copies will be sent to citizen groups. The newsletter is sent out periodically and lets everyone know what is going on with the Review. Copy of the first newsletter will be available prior to the Information Open House. 560 REPORT NO. : PD-227-92 PAGE 6 2 . 2 . 5 Public Information Centres Public Information Centres are being planned between November 16th and 19th and will be advertised in the local newspapers. These Centres are being set up specifically to let the public know what the Town of Newcastle is doing for its Official Plan Review. The public will be able to look at various displays and pick up various planning information materials. Planning Staff will also be on hand to answer questions regarding the Official Plan Review Process. Public Information Centres have been schedules between November 16th and 19th between 3 : 00 and 8: 30 p.m. at the following locations: Nov. 16 - Newcastle Village Community Hall Nov. 17 - Orono Town Hall Nov. 18 - Bowmanville Recreation Complex Nov. 19 - Dr. Emily Stowe Public School Courtice 3. CONCLUSION The Town of Newcastle Planning and Development Department is currently finishing the first of a five stage Official Plan Review Process. The Background Papers will be available the week of November 11, 1992 from the Planning Department and will be presented at the Public Information Centres during the week of November 16th. Staff will use the information obtained in the first stage to begin the second stage work - Issues and Options. 56 � REPORT NO. : PD-227-92 PAGE 7 Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation to the Committee Franklin Wu, M.C. I.P. Lawrence E. Kgt�eff Director of Planning Chief Administ-r ative and Development Officer / TH*DC*FW*df *Attach 27 October 1992 562 SUMMARY OF PHASE 1 BACKGROUND PAPERS BACKGROUND PAPER 1 - CULTURAL HERITAGE Background Paper 1 provides a history of the Town of Newcastle, as well as an inventory of known heritage resources from the period of occupation by First Nations people, and the period of intensive settlement through the 19th and early 20th Centuries. The key enabling legislation for heritage preservation in Ontario descends from the province, as discussed below: • The Ontario Heritage Act grants municipal Councils a number of powers related to heritage preservation, including the designation of properties of historic significance, and the designation of Heritage Conservation Districts. Owners of designated properties may receive grants from the provincial government to assist in the rehabilitation of the property. Councils may also establish a Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC), which is responsible for advising and assisting the Council in matters pertaining to heritage preservation. The Town of Newcastle LACAC was established in 1977. • The Municipal Act permits the establishment of Business Improvement Areas as a means of preserving and promoting historic business cores as viable places for shopping and business. Three BIA's have been established within the Town of Newcastle - for the historic core of downtown Bowmanville, for the Newcastle Village commercial core, and for downtown Orono. • The Planning Act permits municipal Councils to incorporate community improvement policies, including the designation of community improvement areas, into the municipal Official Plan. Upon adoption of a community improvement plan for designated areas, the municipality becomes eligible for financial assistance from the provincial government to facilitate rehabilitation work. The Town of Newcastle Official Plan was recently amended to incorporate community improvement policies. This Amendment is currently before the Minister of Municipal Affairs for approval. • Both the 1976 and the 1991 Durham Regional Official Plan provide a general framework for addressing heritage preservation. The Town of Newcastle Official Plan contains heritage preservation policies for Bowmanville and Newcastle Village, as well as policies for preserving the historic character of hamlets. The Plan does not contain any heritage preservation policies for Courtice or for the rural areas of the Town. 563 2 BACKGROUND PAPER 2 - NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Background Paper 2 provides an outline of legislation and provincial initiatives which affect how natural environment issues are addressed in the land use planning process. The Paper also provides a brief inventory of the Town's abiotic (physical) and biotic (biological) environments, and attempts to explain natural environment functions and how these functions are affected by man's activities. The major highlights of the Paper are given below: • Legislation such as the Fisheries Act and the Endangered Species Act provide important tools for protecting wildlife habitat. • The provincial government has issued Policy Statements on Flood Plain Planning and Wetlands pursuant to Section 3 of the Planning Act. All municipalities are required to have regard for these Policy Statements in land use planning. • A number of recent initiatives by the provincial government, such as Royal Commission on the Future of the Toronto Waterfront (Crombie Commission) and the Commission on Planning and Development Reform (Sewell Commission), have explored how environmental concerns can be integrated into the land use planning process. • The Town of Newcastle is made up of five distinct physiographic regions: the Lake Ontario shoreline, a clay plain (bed of glacial Lake Iroquois), a sand plain (Lake Iroquois shoreline), a till plain (south slope of the Oak Ridges Moraine), and a kame moraine (Oak Ridges Moraine). • Forests, wetlands and streams provide important habitat, breeding areas and movement corridors for wildlife. It is important to preserve and enhance large areas of habitat and movement corridors to maintain healthy and diverse wildlife populations. • There are two Earth Science Areas of Natui al and Scientific Interest (ANSIs) in the Town of Newcastle: Bowmanville Quarry and Stephens Gulch. There are also five Life Science ANSIs in the Town: Soper Valley, Clarke Swamp, Bond Head Bluffs, Newcastle Marsh and Newtonville Marsh. • Water on and in the earth's surface organizes itself into drainage systems or watersheds. The Town of Newcastle is divided into fourteen master watersheds of varying sizes. How land is used within each of these watersheds fundamentally affects the functioning of the watershed ecosystem and therefore the integrity of the natural environment. • The Oak Ridges Moraine and the Lake Iroquois Shoreline, because of the nature of their subsurface deposits, function as groundwater recharge areas for streams systems in the Town and beyond. • How stormwater flow is handled in developed areas affects the biophysical functioning of stream systems. Excessive runoff and reduced infiltration into the ground results in extensive flooding and reduces the habitat quality of the stream system. 5 h4 3 BACKGROUND PAPER 3 - LAND USE AND SETTLEMENT PATTERNS Current land uses and the pattern of settlement in the Town of Newcastle is a product of many influences over time. These include the existing natural features which attracted settlement in the first place. Settlement of the area led to the original township survey undertaken in the late 18th century created a system of land ownership and roads which have served to structure growth since then. Over time transportation infrastructure has been vital to the way the Town developed beginning with the original York-Kingston Road and more recently Highway 401. Other important elements affecting land use include economic change, government policy and changing desires people with regard to where and how they choose to live. These forces have moulded the Town as we know it today. Some of the most important observations regarding the current land uses and settlement pattern are summarized as follows: • Urban development has been occurring in all three existing urban areas. Bowmanville is the largest urban community in the Town. Over the past seven years Courtice has grown from an a collection of strip residential housing to become the fastest growing urban centre reaching a population of more than 11,000. Only since 1990 has Bowmanville surpassed the level of development in Courtice. Newcastle Village experienced a surge of growth in the late eighties. • Development within urban boundaries is proceeding in all directions with sporadic leap-frogging development which lead to a patchwork of urban development. • The three existing urban areas have been developing at the following overall density: Bowmanville 16 per sons per acre Courtice 14 persons per acre Newcastle Village 11 persons per acre • At present, the three urban areas are at approximately 45 percent capacity of their 1976 planned population of approximately 78,000. • Highway 2 has been a magnet for commercial uses which are strung along this corridor. This includes the historic downtowns of Bowmanville and Newcastle Village, the Bowmanville Mall and numerous strip commercial areas • It has been the intent of the municipality to the secure valleylands in public ownership for environmental and passive recreational purposes. To date there has been limited success. Major gaps exist in every valley system. • St. Marys Cement, Ontario Hydro and Camco own major portions of the waterfront. As such, they are barriers to public access along the waterfront. In addition, these uses are incompatible with most urban land uses • Highway 401, the railway lines and the Ontario Hydro transmission corridor are barriers for access to the waterfront 4 • There have been major intrusions of urban-oriented land uses into traditional rural areas. Approximately 16,000 people live in the rural portions of the Town. It is estimated that only one in ten rural families is connected to farm activities. • Occupied rural residential lots are distributed generally as follows: Estate Residential Subdivisions 4 % Wilmot Creek Retirement Community 13 % Hamlets 24 % Other 59 % • Between 1981 and 1992 there has been approximately 300 new dwelling units built in hamlets, mostly in Burketon and Enniskillen which were identified as growth hamlets in the Official Plan. • Approximately 650 of the planned 867 units in Wilmot Creek Retirement Community have been built and occupied. • There are many strip residential developments throughout the rural landscape. This type of development requires careful consideration to determine the merits for consolidation or for infilling. 566 5 BACKGROUND PAPER 4 - DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS & FORECASTS Background Paper 4 has reviewed the recent demographic trends in the Town of Newcastle and the general context of growth in the Greater Toronto Area. It has also examined reviewed the population forecasts for the next twenty years and the anticipated distribution of growth. Some of the impacts are highlighted. The more significant findings are as follows: • Between 1986 and 1991 the Town's population increased from 34,070 to 49,479; an increase of 45 percent in five years or an average annual rate of 7.7 percent. A strong economy, escalating housing prices in the Greater Toronto Area„ employment opportunities on the periphery of Metropolitan Toronto and the movement of the last of the "baby boom" generation into freehold housing contributed to this surge in residential growth. • Courtice has been the primary growth area in the Town, attracting approximately 8,000 new residents in the five year period between 1986 and 1991. Bowmanville increased by approximately 2000 new residents. • Future population growth in Newcastle is difficult to predict given the major structural adjustment occurring in the economy. Furthermore population growth rates in the Greater Toronto will diminish towards the end of the century as natural population increases are reduced. International migration will become increasingly important as the source of growth. • Changes in the economy, intervening opportunities in Durham and provincial initiatives to intensify nodes and control sprawl may diminish the growth potential of Newcastle over the long term. However, in the short term, the Town has existing available servicing capacity and may continue to experience significant residential growth. • It is projected that the Town of Newcastle will continue to increase its share the total population for Durham Region, which until 1986 had been declining. • It is projected that Bowmanville will be the primary centre of growth area over the next twenty years given the Regional Official Plan allocations and existing available servicing infrastructure. • By 2011, it is forecasted that the Town will have between 95,000 and 110,000 residents. It is estimated that distribution of population between urban areas at 2011 will be as follows: Bowmanville 40-50,000 Courtice 24-28,000 Newcastle Village 11-13,000 Orono 2,000 • Most future growth will occur in urban areas and many of the new rural residents will have little attachment or association with the rural way of life. In 1981 almost half of the Town's residents lived in rural areas while by 2011 it is estimated that only 18 percent of residents will be living in rural areas. This has and will continue to fundamentally alter the socio-economic character of the Town. 567 6 • Average household sizes have declined from 3.8 to 3.1 persons per household between 1961 and 1986. As a result, household growth has increased faster than population growth. It is anticipated that average household sizes will continue to decline to approximately 2.7 persons by 2011. This provides the opportunity for smaller housing units although the increasing standard of living has generally led to larger accommodation. • Much of the Town's growth has been the result of first-time homeowners, most of whom are relatively young and early in family formation process. This is reflected in the relative increase of almost 3 percent in the 25-34 age co-hort. In addition the 0-14 age group remained unchanged and a 5 percent decline in the 15-24 age group was noted. It would appear that the impact of children on community facilities (eg. school system and parks and recreation facilities) will be more significant in the coming 5 year period. • This is further collaborated by the significant increase in the birth rate. The number of births increased from 415 in 1985 to 748 in 1989. this represents an increase from 12.4 per thousand in 1985 to 19.6 per thousand in 1989. • Between 1985 and 1991 elementary school enrolment and secondary school enrolment have increased by 7.7 and 3.8 percent per annum respectively. Whereas school enrolments increased at a slightly lower rate than population growth between 1985 and 1991, it is likely that school enrolments will exceed the rate of population growth in the next in five year period. • Between 1985 and 1991 the number of children between 0 - 18 years increased by 3,490. Those eligible for enrolment in the separate school system increased dramatically by 114 percent. The children of public school supporters increased by approximately 2200, a percentage increase was 27 percent. • Despite the major impact of predominantly young families moving to Newcastle, the proportion of the population over 65 years has increased slightly. This is primarily the result of the development of Wilmot Creek retirement community as a "lifestyle" residential area. • The Town of Newcastle is evolving from its predominantly British ethnicity and Protestant religious affiliation to a more diverse multi-cultui al community. Given the extent of growth, these changes may be occurring quite rapidly but can only be confirmed with new census data. 568 BACKGROUND PAPER 5 - ECONOMIC TRENDS & FORECASTS Background Paper 5 examines the Town of Newcastle economy within the larger global and provincial context. It also examines, in detail, the local economic base, identifies the strength, weaknesses, and opportunities for various sectors including industrial, commercial and tourism. The major points of the Background Paper are noted below. • Newcastle has only a small number of businesses engaging in trade beyond the Greater Toronto Area. The prevailing globalization of markets and free trade will expose Newcastle to increased competition. • Newcastle's economic base is tied closely to the more traditional sectors of the Ontario economy which are forecast to grow only modestly. • Newcastle is not well positioned to compete for "knowledge based industries". • The current glut of industrial and commercial space throughout the Greater Toronto Area will weaken the opportunity for Newcastle to compete for new investments. • Newcastle's strengths are found in its highway location, abundance of land, fast growing labour force base, and quality of life. • Newcastle's location on the fringe of the Greater Toronto Area is a prime weakness in local economic development. In addition, the Town suffers a lack of recognition in the business community outside the municipal boundary. • Many opportunities are available for the Town to embark on a progressive program of economic development including targeting specific industries, tourism, and improving and building a positive image of the Town as a business address. 569 8 BACKGROUND PAPER 6 - AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY Background Paper 6 discusses the existing and evolving policy framework affecting agriculture and forestry, the contribution of agriculture and forestry to the economy of the Town, and the threats facing these two activities. The major points of the Paper are noted below: • The Provincial Government's Food Land Guidelines have provided the policy framework for incorporating agricultural land needs into the land use planning process since 1978. The Guidelines identify agriculture as the highest priority use for high capability agricultural lands, and encourage non-agricultural uses to locate on lower capability land. • The Provincial Government is reviewing a number of options for protecting agricultural land, including the issuance of a Policy Statement on Food Land Preservation under Section 3 of the Planning Act. • The Durham Regional Official Plan states that agriculture and farm-related uses are generally to be the dominant land uses in rural areas. New residential lots are discouraged, although some farm-related residential severances are permitted. • Approximately 70% of the rural area of the Town is occupied by high capability (CLI Classes 1, 2 and 3) agricultural lands. • The number of farms in the Town has decreased significantly since 1981, although there has been a significant increase in average farm size. The result is that the actual area of land in agricultural production in the Town has increased slightly over the past decade. • While most agricultural land in the Town is owned by the farm operator, there is an emerging trend that more farmers are increasingly renting the land for cultivation. • Although a wide range of agricultural activity is undertaken in the Town, apple growing is still the most significant agricultural activity. • Forestry is not a large revenue generator in the Town. The Orono Nursery, owned by the Ministry of Natural Resources, provides between S million and 7 million seedlings for replanting throughout the province each year. • The consumption of land for urban development and other non-rural uses continues to be the most significant threat to the continued use of land for agriculture and forestry. Conflicts with non-farm rural residential uses pose one of the most significant threats to the viability of agricultural opei ations. 570 9 BACKGROUND PAPER 7 - MINERAL AGGREGATES Background Paper 7 presents an inventory of aggregate activities in the Town as well as containing discussion of various legislative controls and many issues related thereto. Highlights of this paper are as follows: • In Ontario, the Government has declared provincial interest with respect to aggregate resources. Although aggregates are legislated under the Aggregates Resources Act; the Environmental Protection Act, The Ontario Water Resources Act, and The Planning Act all have a part in regulating aggregate operations. • The Ministry of Natural Resources have identified areas within the Town of primary, and secondary significance for aggregate resources based upon deposit size, aggregate quality, deposit location, setting, need, existing and future supply of local aggregate resources. • Approximately half of the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Lake Iroquois Shoreline have been identified as areas of primary significance. It is estimated that over 582 million tonnes of aggregate are deposited in these locations within the Town. The remainder of the Moraine is of secondary significance. • The only location where bedrock is close enough to the surface where extraction can be deemed viable is in the Bowmanville Creek Valley, St. Marys Cement has a quarry licence over much of this area. • In the Town of Newcastle, 23 licensed aggregate pits and 1 quarry operation presently exist. Excepting St. Marys Quarry operation, all licensed sites are located either within the Oak Ridges Moraine or along the Iroquois Shoreline. There are no wayside pit permits currently issued within the Town of Newcastle, but there has been one crown aggregate permit issued. • Newcastle, being within the Greater Toronto Area, possesses both proximity to a large aggregate market, and access to Provincial Highways for transportation of the material to these markets. These elements coupled with significant aggregate deposits, encourages the establishment of aggregate operations in Newcastle. • The establishment or continuation of aggregate operations within a municipality may have implications for its host. Factors such as the condition of local roads, resident safety, economic impacts on the Town, and environmental considerations may be impacted upon. • On average, aggregate production levels within the Town of Newcastle are only 18.75% of the permitted annual tonnage. If the need for aggregate grows, an increase in production levels will result. • Uses permitted on an aggregate site should rely solely upon the extraction of material from those lands. If secondary processing uses continue to operate after the site resources have been depleted, these uses may compromise the rehabilitation of the licensed area. • The extraction of aggregate is currently marred by conflicts. Conflicts have arisen with respect to the preservation of the Oak Ridges Moraine which possesses much of Southern Ontario's aggregate reserves, between residents and perceived quality of life, and within the governing authority possessing legislative jurisdiction of aggregate extraction. 10 BACKGROUND PAPER S - CENTRAL AND COMMUNITY AREAS The purpose of Background Paper 8 is to review the policy framework, existing development, retail trends and issues regarding central and commercial areas within the Town. Significant highlights are listed as follows: • A retail and office space inventory indicates Bowmanville is the commercial and office focal point of the Town as witnessed by the following breakdown: Area Gross Leasable Area sq. ft. % of Total Bowmanville 509,805 47.8 Courtice 168,416 15.8 Newcastle Village 72,681 6.8 Orono 47,245 4.4 Clarke Township 139,532 13.1 Darlington Township 126,899 11.9 Totals: 1,064,578 100.0 • The following table details the floorspace distribution within the Town: Area Gi oss Leasable Area sq. ft. % of Total Retail 428,941 0.3 Personal Services 240,084 22.6 Office 298,101 28.6 Vacant 97,452 9.2 Totals: 1,064,578 100.0 The data indicates that retail floorspace comprises a significant portion of total floor area. Of interest is the high vacancy rate which is primarily attributable to the recession. • There are currently 12.12 square feet of retail floor space per capita in the Town of Newcastle. The Town suffers from an undersupply of retail space per capita when compared with Metro Toronto (28.26), Durham Region (28.01) and the GTA (27.03). 572 11 • Bowmanville's Main Central Area has developed as the commercial and community focal point for the Town of Newcastle. • Commercial development in Courtice has focused primarily along the Hwy #2 corridor. The critical population mass to support a major shopping centre in Courtice is not present. • Newcastle Village and Orono have established commercial core areas serving the local population. • The Hwy 351115 commercial strip serves as a "retail gateway" for people travelling to cottage country and should merit consideration for the feasibility of consolidation of these strip development. • Commercial intensification through development of vacant lands and redevelopment at higher densities will ensure the vibrance of Central Areas. • Future strip development along Hwy #2 must be subject to careful review . This relates primarily to Bowmanville, Courtice and Newcastle Village where such development threatens to propagate existing strips. • A comprehensive set of urban design standards needs to be developed to ensure that new development or redevelopment is harmonious with its existing counterparts. This is especially important within Central Areas which contain an inventory of historic structures. • A recent trend has witnessed the location of large retail warehouses within employment areas. The appropriateness of this retail format must be addressed by the review. 573 12 BACKGROUND PAPER 9 - INDUSTRIAL LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT Background Paper 9 summarizes the existing and evolving policy framework affecting industrial land use and development, current availability and market trends in industrial sectors, as well as a general discussion on the industrial areas in Courtice, Bowmanville, Newcastle Village and Orono. Background and issues related to St. Marys Cement Company are also discussed. Issues and opportunities of the industrial land use and sectors are also described. The major points of the paper are listed below: • There are currently 553 hectares of lands designated for industrial use in the Town of Newcastle, about one sixteenth of all lands designated in Durham Region. Only thirty two percent is currently occupied, of which, approximately fifty five percent is fully serviced with municipal water and sewer. • The 1991 Regional Council Approved Durham Regional Official Plan designates an additional 668 ha of land as "Employment Areas" for industrial use. Most of these employment areas are in South Courtice. • The employment density in the Town of Newcastle is 4.3. (4.3 employees per occupied acre), a very low density reflecting the current not-so-labour-intensive industries. • Many of the industrial users are in traditional manufacturing sectors. Restructuring of these industrial sectors is occurring on a global basis, to a more knowledge based industries. This will change the make up of existing traditional industrial areas and provide a different focus for new employment type areas. • The type of industrial uses in Courtice are rather restricted due to lack of municipal services. In order to attract higher end users in this "gateway" location, municipal services are required. • Lands abutting the Highway 401 has the potential for attracting more prestigious industrial uses but have been squandered in the past due to relaxed and outdated planning policies and zoning regulations. • In the established communities of Bowmanville and Newcastle Village, there are long standing industrial uses within residential neighbourhoods. This has resulted in incompatible land uses. • St. Marys Cement Company is a large and viable economic operation, as well as a significant contributor to our non-residential assessment base and provides meaningful employment. However, there are number of issues related to its operations and its future expansions. • Highway 401, railroads and the waterfront are in close proximity. This southerly portion of the Town is both appealing to industrial development and to recreational uses. Creating a balance between industrial development and preservation of the waterfront will be a challenge. • There is an emergence of new environmental or "green" industries. This includes among other things such uses as autowrecker yards; recycling and reclaiming operations; and composting facilities. The Town needs well balanced policies as well as to identify appropriate locations for such uses. 1� 74 13 BACKGROUND PAPER 10 - HOUSING Background Paper 10 examines the local housing market and identifies housing issues that need to be addressed. The major points of the Background Paper are noted below. • Household growth rates have exceeded population growth rates, indicating a trend to the formation of smaller households. Average household size decreased from 3.4 persons in 1976 to 2.9 persons in 1989 and is expected to decline further. This indicates a need for smaller dwelling units. • Economic factors such as the unemployment rate and the interest rate play an important role in determining housing demand and supply. • The total number of permits issued for new residential units in 1991 amounted to 609 representing a 5.9% increase from a year earlier. As of August 1992, 647 permits were issued for new residential units which is already more than was issued for the entire year of 1991. • There has been a significant shift in the types of housing being constructed in the Town of Newcastle. Prior to 1990, the predominant form of housing starts were single detached units. In 1991, the predominant dwelling type were semi- detached/link units comprising 39% of all dwelling units. By August 1992, townhouses and semi-detached/links comprised 33% and 27% of all starts respectively. The latter types of housing became predominant due to activity by first time homebuyers, a key component to the housing market over the past two years. • Bowmanville will be the dominant centre for future residential growth based on current development totalling 54% or 10,002 units of approved or proposed units. Courtice will host 25% or 4619 units and Newcastle Village will host 18% or 3346 units of approved or proposed residential units. Hamlets and rural areas will accommodate very few residential units at 3% or 460 units. • By August 1992, the total number of approved and proposed residential units for the Town of Newcastle amounted to 18,427 units. Of this total, approximately 6,076 of these units had received some form of approval whereas 12,351 units were in the proposal stage. • Recent years have seen a trend towards compact housing which will likely continue. Much of the approved and proposed developments is of a more dense housing form. Of all development applications, only 39% is single detached, whereas 21% of proposed units are semi-detached/link dwellings, 23% are townhouses, and 16% are apartment units. • A survey of house prices in the Spring of 1992, indicated that the average resale prices of detached bungalow, standard two-storey and standard townhouse in the Oshawa CMA were as follows: detached -$150,000; standard two-storey - $144,000; and, standard townhouse - $104,000. Prices have dropped to the lowest level since March 1988. • New housing prices in the Town of Newcastle were as follows: single-detached ($134,990 - $223,900); links/semis ($112,990 - $168,990); townhouses ($107,990 - $149,900). • Average rents for 1, 2, and 3-beds oom units were $564, $630 and $609 respectively. By the end of April 1992, the vacancy late had increased to 4.4%. 575 14 � 76 15 BACKGROUND PAPER 11 - PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE The Background Paper reviews a number of issues relating to parks, recreation and open space including examination of: the existing policy framework, relevant policy initiatives relating mainly to open space planning, as well as providing a detailed inventory of the parks, recreation and open space within the Town. This summary highlights the major points contained in the Paper. • Compared with other communities Bowmanville has most of the recreational facilities within the Town. In addition, a full complement of community and neighbourhood parks are also well established. • The Courtice recreational base is presently not as diversified. Although neighbourhood parks as well as parkettes are available. • Bondhead Park and The Glen along the Newcastle Village waterfront represent important components of the future waterfront trail network. • Orono and Hampton provide major recreational and community facilities serving a wider area. Other hamlets contain a combination of parks and/or community centres. • Four Provincial facilities and nine Conservation Areas offer active and passive recreation opportunities • Private facilities offer recreational opportunities for motorsport, skiing, golfing as well as other pursuits. • The Town's open space system consists of the Oak Ridges Moraine, Lake Iroquois Shoreline, Lake Ontario Shoreline and valleylands associated with the area's watercourses. • Changes in the Town's demographic profile will impact service delivery. Population projections indicate that pre-school and school-aged children are expected to grow at a slower rate than people 65 years of age and older. This may change the required active facilities mix. • Activity trends indicate an overall shift towards passive and/or less competitive forms of recreation. Although certain groups will still i equire active facilities, future priority must be given to developing passive facilities and satisfying the needs of seniors or retirees. • Environmental planning designations aie required to protect the Town's open space system. Three categories would protect areas according to highest sensitivity, moderate to high sensitivity and areas of lesser importance. • A policy framework for a Town open space system and trail concept should be developed. Major components would include natural environment zones, valleylands, regional recreation lands/parks and open space linkages. • A revised parks and open space hierarchy reflecting the changing needs of the Town should include major and minor open space areas, Town-wide trail system, Town Parks, major and minor community parks, neighbourhood parks, parkettes and hamlet parks. 577 16 • Environmental policies to increase top-of-bank setbacks, buffer zones adjacent to environmentally sensitive areas and tree preservation policies should be instituted. • Policies should be implemented requiring developers to dedicate parkland for medium and high density residential projects at a rate of 1 hectare per 300 dwelling units. • Where possible, the Town should enter into agreements with the school boards to utilize school properties for recreational programs. • Future recreational needs parkland development within the urban expansion areas must be assessed based on anticipated population growth. • Stormwater management facilities should be integrated into the trail system and open space areas. • Policies advocating land acquisition of sensitive areas and stewardship should be development. • Comprehensive land use policies must be developed for the Lake Ontario waterfront. These should include the provision of a waterfront trail. 578 17 BACKGROUND PAPER 12 - INSTITUTIONAL, COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT USES This background paper reviews the existing institutional, community and government use structure within the Town. The paper also examines the current policy framework for institutional uses; identifies existing institutional uses and articulates relevant issues. The following summary highlights the major findings: • Most institutional, community and government facilities in the Town are located in Bowmanville including the Administrative Centre, courthouse, main library, museum, visual art centre etc. • The Northumberland and Newcastle Board of Education operates a total of 24 schools throughout the Town with an enrolment increase of 37.3% between 1985 and 1991. The Peterborough/Victoria/Northumberland and Newcastle Separate School Board only operates 6 schools in the municipality but experienced a 108.4% student increase during the same period. Two private schools witnessed a modest 17.4% increase in enrolment. Both the public and separate boards have expansion plans for the next decade. • The Town of Newcastle contains a diverse religious population. There are a total of 41 places of worship representing 15 denominations. • Health care facilities include the recently expanded Bowmanville Memorial Hospital, three nursing home facilities and ambulance services. • The Town contains seven day care centres scattered throughout the urban and rural areas. Future need can be met by facilities within new schools. • Places of worship should be integrated into the urban fabric rather than being forced into rural areas. • Land use planning for community facilities must evolve with changes in service delivery philosophies and regulation. This includes the provision of certain social services and institutional type uses to meet the future need. 579 18 BACKGROUND PAPER 13 - TRANSPORTATION Background Paper 13 summarizes the existing transportation system within the Town of Newcastle. This includes a discussion of existing and proposed provincial, regional and local facilities as well as a discussion of jurisdiction, policy initiatives and trends. The salient points of the paper are as follows: • The Ministry of Transportation has recently announced the selection of a technically preferred route for the proposed Highway 407 and a north south connecting link between Highway 401 and the future 407. • The Ministry is proposing expansions to Highway 401. In Newcastle this will mean an expansion from six (6) to ten (10) lanes from the Newcastle - Oshawa townline to approximately Courtice Road, then an expansion from six (6) to eight (8) lanes from this point to the 35/115 interchange. • The Ministry of Transportation in conjunction with the Region of Durham have recently commenced discussions on transferring jurisdiction of Highway 2 from the Province to the Region through the whole Durham Region. • The configuration of local streets has evolved over the years from a grid system of roads, as found in the older sections of Town, to a curvilinear road pattern in new subdivisions. This has had an impact on traffic movements of vehicles and pedestrians. • The Town of Newcastle is bisected by three railway corridors totalling approximately 81 kilometres of track. Portions of the Canadian Pacific Railway line and the Canadian National Railway line bisect urban areas of Bowmanville and Newcastle Village creating issues of land use compatibility and safety. • GO Transit currently operates all-day rail service as far east as Whitby, with peak hour service to Oshawa. Go Bus service is provided to Newcastle residents only as far as Bowmanville. Service is provided along both Highway 2 and 401. • Council has initiate an examination of the technical feasibility and station requirements to facilitate full Go Rail service to Bowmanville. Currently there are four potential sites within the Bowmanville area being considered. In addition, consultants preparing a Secondary Plan for the Courtice Employment Area have identified the need for a site in this area at such time the lands are fully developed. • Currently there is no integrated Regional Public Transit system. Durham Region has established a Task Force on Public Transit to attempt to address this issue. A Regional transit system would provide an integrated fare system as well as improve intra-regional mobility within Durham's main travel corridors. • The Town of Newcastle does not provide a local public transit system, except for a Handi-transit system. The Town's massive land area and substantial separation distance between urban areas presents problem to implement public transit. • St. Marys Cement Corporation has constructed a dock extending 650 m into Lake Ontario at its location at the end of Waverly Street in Bowmanville. Recently application has been filed to expand the dock by 32 ha (79 acres). The expanded facility would permit the simultaneous handling of two maximum sized seaway bulk cargo carriers. 580 19 BACKGROUND PAPER 14 - UTILITIES This background paper reviews the various utility facilities located within the Town of Newcastle and has commented on their significance in relation to the future planning and growth management of the Town. The more significant of the findings are as follows: • There are three prominent transmission corridors located within the Town, two of which distribute power from Darlington Nuclear Generating Station and a third one runs in an east-west direction from the Oshawa Transfer Station. In addition, Ontario Hydro has one transformer and eight distribution stations scattered throughout the Town. • Three gas and oil pipelines traverse the Town in an east-west direction. They are Interprovincial Pipe Line(gas), Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc(oil) and TransCanada Pipelines (gas). • Water and sanitary services are provided to the urban areas of Bowmanville, Courtice and Newcastle Village. Water is also provided to the Hamlets of Orono and Newtonville. • Bowmanville Water Supply Plant (WSP) supplies 4.0 million imperial gallons per day (M.I.G.D.). The plant is currently being expanded to 8.0 M.I.G.D. to meet future needs and the site is of sufficient size to accommodate a maximum supply of 36.0 M.I.G.D.. In 2011, the maximum daily water need is projected to be 9.0 M.I.G.D.. Water is also provided to Bowmanville via two artesian springs off of Mackie Creek and Skinners Spring. • Sanitary service is provided to Bowmanville via the Port Darlington Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) which has a current capacity of 3.0 M.I.G.D.. Current flows of 1.86 M.I.G.D. are accommodated at the site and the site is of sufficient size to accommodate a plant with a capacity of 9.25 M.I.G.D.. In 2011, the projected maximum daily flow is 4.7 M.I.G.D.. • Water is provided to Courtice by the Oshawa WSP which currently supplies 46.14 M.I.G.D.. The site is of sufficient size to accommodate a maximum supply of 87.0 M.I.G.D.and the maximum daily water need, in the year 2011, is projected to be 72.0 M.I.G.D.. • Sanitary service is provided to Courtice via the Oshawa WPCP which has a current capacity of 15.00 M.I.G.D.. Current flows of 10.50 M.I.G.D. are accommodated at the site and the site is of sufficient size to accommodate a plant with a capacity of 30.00 M.I.G.D.. In 2011, the projected maximum daily flow is 19.4 M.I.G.D.. • Water is provided to Newcastle Village by the Newcastle WSP which supplies .79 M.I.G.D. and has a current plant capacity of 1.80 M.I.G.D.. The site is of sufficient size to accommodate a maximum supply of 3.60 M.I.G.D.and the maximum daily water need, in the year 2011, is projected to be 2.60 M.I.G.D.. • Sanitary service is provided to Newcastle Village via the Graham Creek WPCP which is operating at 155% capacity. A new WPCP is being planned at the mouth of Wilmot Creek to accommodate future growth in Newcastle Village. 5o1 20 • There are several stormwater management ponds located in Bowmanville and in Courtice. They serve to detent runoff from urban development for flood control purposes as well as to ensure the quality of water discharged downstream is of acceptable quality. • The provincial government has also established the Interim Waste Authority to conduct a site search for a long term landfill site to serve the Region of Durham for at least 20 years. The long list of candidate sites has 17 sites, three of which are located in the Town of Newcastle. The short list of candidate sites is expected to be announced by the end of November 1992, with the final candidate site to be announced in Spring 1993. • Ontario Hydro has initiated an environmental assessment study to recommend locations for new transmission facilities to reinforce the existing bulk electrical system between Sudbury and the Toronto Area. A variety of options are being considered, including one and possibly two new transmission lines along the existing north-south corridor in Darlington Township, and a third transmission line in the lakeshore corridor running east from the Darlington Generating Station. Ontario Hydro expects to have the draft Enviionmental Assessment document submitted by mid-1994. 5 ,92 DRAFT PUBLIC ATTITIIDS QIISSTIONNAIRS Q NEWCASTLE PART ONE OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW 1. The Town of Newcastle is one of the fastest growing municipality in the Greater Toronto Area. Our population growth is approximately 7.8% or 2500 persons annually. Which of the following best expresses your view on how the Town of Newcastle is managing its growth? ❑ Newcastle's growth is managed well. ❑ Newcastle's growth is not managed well. 2.a) How do you think the Town should handle urban growth? ❑ Restrict growth below the current rate? ❑ Allow growth to continue at the current rate? ❑ Encourage growth beyond the present rate? ❑ Other (please explain) 2.b) How do you think growth in rural areas should be handled? ❑ Total restriction of growth in rural areas ❑ Restrict growth to estate residential subdivisions only ❑ Restrict growth to hamlets only ❑ Restrict growth to hamlet and estate subdivisions only ❑ No restrictions on growth in rural areas 3. We would like to know how you feel about the community you live in. Please give your opinions on the following statements by indicating if you: strongly agree (SA), agree (A), disagree (D) or strongly disagree (SD) SA A D SD Newcastle is a great community to raise a family Downtowns are attractive and pleasant There is a strong sense of community where I live. There is a wide variety of housing choices available in Newcastle. There are many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and open spaces. Health and community services are keeping pace with the rate of growth. There are sufficient shopping facilities in Newcastle. My neighbourhood is a safe place to walk. 583 4. There are a wide range of issues to be considered when planning the future of the Town. Recognizing that everything cannot be done at once, please help us prioritize the following planning objectives. Indicate if you consider the following issues most important (MI), somewhat important (SI), less important (LI) or not important (NI). MI SI LI NI attracting more local employment opportunities historical and heritage preservation preservation of agricultural areas preservation of natural environment (e.g. , marshes, valleylands, Oak Ridges Moraine, etc. ) planning neighbourhoods so they are less car dependent (e.g. , day to day needs are within walking distance) providing a mix of housing types such as singles, semi-detached, townhouses, etc. , in every neighbourhood providing adequate and affordable housing for all income levels improving roads (e.g. , reconstruction, widening, street lights, etc. ) establishing a transit system installing bike and walking trails improving public access to the waterfront developing recreational facilities and parks providing better quality shopping areas preserving historical downtowns 5. Are there other issues which you feel should be an important planning priority (please state)? 6. There will be times when the ideals of protecting the environment and promoting industrial development are in conflict. If a situation such as this arises, what would be more important to you? protecting the environment promoting industrial development 'I-) R4 7. There will be situations when the goal of preserving agriculture land or allowing rural residential development will conflict. In a situation of conflict, what would be more important to you? ❑ preserving agricultural land ❑ allowing rural residential development 8. In your neighbourhood, would you accept the following: yes no doctor's office home office (e.g. , self-employed) variety store apartments above store group home separate apartment in dwelling (e.g. , basement apartment) day care centre restaurant PART TWO Please complete the following background questions. 1. a) How many years have you lived in the Town of Newcastle? b) If you moved to Newcastle within the last 20 years, please tell us where you lived previously 2. In what part of the Town of Newcastle do you live in? (see map) ❑ Bowmanville ❑ Courtice ❑ Newcastle village I OENFIELO j ENNISKILLENO ONAYOON ❑ Darlington Township DARLINGTON oTywmE i O SKARO i TOWNSHIP ❑ Orono ( OSOLINA KIABY OKENOAL OMITCHELL OHAMPTON ' I ❑ Wilmot Creek Retirement Community ! C"NEg CLARKE B I TOWNSHIP I ❑ Clarke Township I I MAPLE❑ Hamlet (please specify) I ( I COUgTN:E I BON'MANVILAE NEWTONVILLE NEWCASTLE WILMOTCREEK VILLAGE f 5 which category best describes your household? Check one only. 0 couple with no children or none living at home. 0 couple with child/children living at home 0 single parent with child/children living at home 0 one person living alone two or more unrelated persons living together other (please specify) 4. What is the geographic workplace of those adults in your household? S. What is the primary mode of travel to work? Automobile [] Walk D Car Pool E] Bicycle El Public Transit El Other Thank you for completing this survey. If you wish to provide any other comments, please use the space below or enclose on a separate sheet. Y1h