HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-017-14 clarington REPORT
PLANNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Date: March 17, 2014 Resolution#:604-If 1/-/ By-law#:
Report#: PSD-017-14 File#: PLN 1.1.5.2
Subject: PROVINCIAL POLICY STATEMENT (2014)
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report PSD-017-14 be received for information.
Submitted by: Reviewed by:
Da id WCrome, MCIP, RPP Franklin Wu,
Director of Planning Services Chief Administrative Officer
NG/COS/df
12 March 2014
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379
REPORT NO.: PSD-017-14 PAGE 2
1. PURPOSE
1.1 The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) 2014 was released on February 24, 2014. The
transition window for applying the new policies is very short with an "in-effect" date of
April 30th, 2014. The purpose of this report is to highlight the new policy changes that
may be of interest or concern to Clarington and examine what is required for
implementation.
2. BACKGROUND
2.1 The PPS 2014 builds on the policies of the Provincial Policy Statement 2005. It is
intended to provide direction to municipalities on land use matters of provincial interest
and all decisions under the Planning Act are to "be consistent" with the PPS. Policy
Statements are issued under Section 3 of the Planning Act and are approved by the
Lieutenant Governor in Council. It is important to note that the PPS is applicable across
the entire province. (Clarington is also affected by specific provincial plans like the Oak
Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, the Greenbelt Plan and the Growth Plan for the
Greater Golden Horseshoe.)
2.2 The PPS 2014 provides more direction on how it is intended to work in coordination with
other provincial plans and legislation. It states that these other documents should
generally take precedence over the PPS.The chart below shows how the PPS relates to
other planning documents in Ontario.
Planning Act Other Provincial Acts
Provincial Policy Statement
Durham Region Official Plan Oak Ridges Moraine
Conservation Plan
Clarington Official Plan Greenbelt Plan
Zoning By-laws A Growth Plan for the Greater
84-63 and 2005-109 Golden Horseshoe
2.3 The current PPS 2005 came into effect on March 1St, 2005. A review of PPS 2005
commenced in March 2010. As part of the five year review process, a draft was
circulated by the Province to all municipalities and organizations on September 24th
2012 for their comments. On November 12, 2012 Clarington Council endorsed
REPORT NO.: PSD-017-14 PAGE 3
comments on the proposed policies of the draft PPS and they were sent to the Province
(Report PSD-050-12).
3. THE PROVINCIAL POLICY STATEMENT OVERVIEW
3.1 The main direction of PPS 2014 is to require that municipal plans are consistent with the
policies for the wise management of land in the Province including:
• Support for intensification and more compact, transit supportive land use patterns;
• Protection of employment lands;
• Redevelopment of brownfield; and
• Promotion and development of clean energy sources and conservation for improved
air quality.
While many of these changes refine or expand on PPS 2005, there are a few new
features which are listed below. MMAH has also provided a table on the key changes by
policy area which can be found in Attachment 1 to Report PSD-017-14. Given that
Clarington has been subject to the Growth Plan and the Greenbelt Plan, many of the
policy directions are similar.
3.2 The key changes to the PPS that are applicable to Clarington include:
Rural
A new set of policies was added for the "Rural" areas to support healthy, integrated and
viable rural areas. This section is intended to help areas with less population density
and smaller centres with the interpretation of the policies such as allowing for rounding
out of settlement areas on individual services and permitting on farm diversified uses.
Natural Heritage System
The new policies require identification of the natural heritage systems in local Official
Plans, including the corridors that are intended to support the native plants and animals.
PPS 2014 also recognizes that this system may be different in settlement areas, rural
areas and prime agricultural areas.
There is also a stronger requirement to rehabilitate prime agricultural lands formerly
used as quarries back to their original state. In addition, aggregate recycling facilities
are being promoted for use at existing quarries to support increased conservation.
Economy
Policies are included in PPS 2014 which are intended to strengthen the economy.
These policies include:
• Allowing for a greater range of economic uses on farms, such as farm tourism and
home-based businesses;
REPORT NO.: PSD-017-14 PAGE 4
• Support the efficient movement of goods by protecting existing and planned
transportation corridors and the employment areas near them;
• Giving municipalities the ability to plan beyond the 20 year timeframe for
employment areas, infrastructure, and public service facilities;
• Providing better protection for employment areas from uses on nearby lands that
could limit employment growth;
• Strengthen the protection for major industrial, port and rail yard lands to help ensure
their continued operation and possible expansion; and
• Require consideration of life cycle-costs of infrastructure (e.g. through asset
management planning).
Active Transportation
There is a strong emphasis on the importance of active transportation (e.g. cycling,
walking) and transit to support healthy active communities. The application of
transportation demand management practices is encouraged in the review of new
development proposals. In addition, public facilities are encouraged to locate at
community hubs to make them more easily accessible by transit, walking or cycling.
Climate Change
This policy requires consideration of potential impacts of climate change (e.g.
flooding due to severe weather events or forest fires due to increases in seasonal
temperatures). The policies also support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
and other impacts to the environment by encouraging green infrastructure (e.g.
permeable surfaces) and strengthening stormwater management requirements. These
practices are strongly encouraged to be incorporated into municipal official plans.
4. IMPLICATIONS AND NEXT STEPS
4.1 The effective date of the PPS 2014 is April 30th, 2014. All applications must conform to
the PPS 2014 and no applications will be "grandfathered". This includes current
applications that have been submitted to the Municipality and applications before the
Ontario Municipal Board where a decision has not yet been rendered. Previously, there
was a transitional period where planning decisions were based on the policies in effect
on the date the application was submitted as opposed to on the date the decision was
made. The "in effect date" of April 30, 2014, means that any decision a municipal
council, approval authority, the Minister, or the OMB makes on a planning matter must
reflect the policies in place when the decision is made. Municipal staff will review the
PPS 2014 for potential impacts on current applications for which a decision will need to
be made on or after April 30, 2014.
4.2 Planning Services is examining how to coordinate the implementation of the PPS 2014
changes with other municipalities within the Region of Durham. However there are a
number of changes that are being taken into consideration as part of the Official Plan
review process, including:
REPORT NO.: PSD-017-14 PAGE 5
• Having available employment lands beyond the 20 year time frame;
• Updating the Natural Heritage System and including the linkage areas along the
riverine (other linkages will be identified through subwatershed studies and
Secondary Plans);
• Identification of transportation corridors;
• Introduce policies to support active transportation and public transit; and
• Create sustainable / green development design initiatives.
5. CONCLUSION
5.1 The PPS 2014 builds and strengthens the existing policy directions in the PPS 2005.
There is increased emphasis on recognizing global climate change and the need to
resist and prepare for these changes, encouraging efficient development patterns for a
healthy community and a strong economy and recognizing that natural heritage features
do not exist on their own but that the natural linkages which connect these features also
have a vital role to the improvement and functionality of these features.
5.2 Planning authorities such as the Municipality of Clarington will have to conform to the
Provincial Policy Statement 2014 and, as of April 30, 2014, ensure that all decisions on
development applications are based on the PPS 2014.
CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN — Not Applicable
Staff Contact: Nicole Granzotto, Planner II, Community Planning & Design
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Key Changes to the Provincial Policy Statement
Provincial Policy Statement, 2014: Key Changes by Policy Area
Healthy, Active Support healthy, active communities by promoting
Communities efficient development and land use patterns,
improving accessibility, and planning public streets,
spaces and facilities to be safe
• Support land use patterns /densities that promote
compact form, minimize length /number of vehicle
trips, and support transit and alternative
transportation modes
• Promote a coordinated, integrated and
comprehensive approach when dealing with
planning matters within or across municipalities
Northern and Rural Focus growth to settlement areas, but also permit
Communities some development in rural and unincorporated
areas
• Provide for flexibility to reflect local characteristics
(e.g., not specifying targets for intensification)
• Promote the use of active transportation, transit and
transit - supportive development, and provide for
connectivity among transportation modes I Policies
1.1.3.2, 1.2.1, 1.5.1, 1.6.7
• Promote coordination between municipalities and other
levels of government, agencies and boards (e.g., planning
for trails, transit and infrastructure) I Policy 1.2
• Encourage coordination of emergency management with
other planning considerations I Policy 1.2.3
• Encourage coordination and co- location of public facilities
(e.g., schools, libraries and recreational facilities)
accessible by active transportation and transit I Policy
1.6.5
• Recognize additional elements of healthy communities,
such as community design and planning for all ages
Policy 1.1.1
• Recognize institutional uses (i.e., cemeteries, places of
worship, and long -term care homes) as important
elements of communities I Policy 1.1.1
• Recognize the diversity of settlement areas and rural
areas and that some municipalities are experiencing no
growth or declining population I Various preambles and
policies in Section 1.0, such as 1.1.3.1, 1.1.4, 1.1.5
• New section of rural policies to support healthy, integrated
and viable rural areas I Policy 1.1.4
• Clarify the types of uses that may occur on rural lands
Policy 1.1.5
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• Clarify that the studies needed to support small settlement
area expansions and employment area conversions may
be less complex than those required for large projects
Definition of `Comprehensive Review', Policy 1.1.4.3
• Clarify that municipalities can determine the appropriate
locations for required intensification and redevelopment
opportunities, and that locally determined intensification
targets should be based on local conditions I Policies
1.1.3.3, 1.1.3.5
Economy and
• Maintain diversified economic base, and range and
• Enhance the protection for major industries and facilities
Employment
choice of employment lands
from new and incompatible uses that can impact their
• Preserve planned employment areas for current
ability to continue or expand I Policy 1.2.6
and future use
• Strengthen the protection of corridors for goods movement
and protect employment areas in close proximity to
corridors and facilities for goods movement I Policies
1.3.2.3, 1.6.8
• Support long -term planning for employment areas I Policy
1.3.2.4
• Promote investment -ready communities, place- making
and mixed -use areas to support economic development
Policies 1.3.1, 1.7.1
• Recognize the importance of communication
infrastructure, energy infrastructure and goods movement
as essential components of a strong economy I Policy
1.7.1
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Infrastructure
• Protect existing and future transportation corridors
• Strengthen the protection for provincially planned
and do not allow incompatible uses within them
transportation corridors and promote land use
• Provide infrastructure in a coordinated, efficient_ and
compatibility for lands adjacent to planned and existing
cost - effective manner to meet projected needs
corridors I Policy 1.6.8
• Sufficient land is to be made available to meet
• Support the adaptive re -use of infrastructure and require
projected needs for a time horizon of up to 20
consideration of life -cycle cost of infrastructure (e.g.,
years, except where an alternate time period has
through asset management planning) I Policies 1.6.1,
been established by a provincial plan
1.6.3
• Planning for infrastructure /public service facilities can
extend beyond 20 years I Policy 1.1.2
Servicing (Sewage • Private services allowed for development of five Allow infill and minor "rounding out" in settlement areas on
and Water) lots or less, where sewer and water services are septic tanks and wells where sewer and water services
not provided are not provided (i.e., removes five lot limit for
• In rural areas, private services allowed for development on private servicing), and require
development of more than five lots development on private servicing to demonstrate it will not
negatively impact surface and ground water I Policies
1.6.6.4, 1.6.6.5
Climate Change In settlement areas, land use patterns are to be Require the consideration of potential impacts of climate
based on densities and a mix of land uses that change (e.g., flooding due to severe weather) to support
minimize negative impacts to air quality and climate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and
change adaptation to climate change I Policy 1.8
• Indirectly supports climate change by promoting Encourage green infrastructure (e.g., permeable surfaces)
compact built form, intensification, stormwater and strengthen stormwater management requirements
management, public transit and alternative Policies 1.6.2, 1.6.6.7
transportation, and alternative /renewable energy
Natural Heritage, I • Maintain /restore diversity /connectivity of features, I • Require identification of natural heritage systems in
Wetlands and Water and long -term ecological function /biodiversity of southern Ontario (Ecoregions 6E and 7E) I Policy 2.1.3
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natural heritage systems
• Protect significant woodlands and valleylands south
and east of the Canadian Shield
• Protect provincially significant wetlands and
significant coastal wetlands
• Protect, improve, restore sensitive surface and
ground water features and hydrological functions
Agriculture • Prime agricultural areas shall be protected for long-
term use
• Agriculture - related uses to be small scale and
directly related to the farm operation
• Refine area of protection of significant woodlands and
valleylands in southern Ontario on an ecoregion basis
Policy 2.1.5
• Protect all Great Lakes coastal wetlands in Ecoregions
5E, 6E and 7E that are not already protected as
significant coastal wetlands I Policies 2.1.4, 2.1.5
• Require identification of shoreline areas and support
consideration of cumulative impacts I Policy 2.2.1
• Ensure consideration of environmental lake capacity,
where applicable I Policy 2.2.1
• Require designation of prime agricultural areas, further
protection of agriculture from impacts of non -farm
development, and support agricultural uses in rural areas
Policies 2.3, 1.1.4.1, 1.1.5.8
• Permit more on -farm diversified uses (e.g., agri- tourism)
and provide flexibility for larger agriculture - related uses
(e.g., grain dryers) to service the broader farming
community I Policy 2.3.2, Definitions of `On -farm
Diversified Uses' and `Agriculture - related Uses'
Mineral Aggregate Protects some natural heritage features /areas from Require identification of mineral, petroleum, and mineral
Resources extraction while extraction in other features aggregate resources, where provincial information is
requires demonstration of no negative impact available I Policies 2.4.2, 2.5.1
• Permits extraction of mineral aggregate resources Support the conservation of mineral aggregate resources
in prime agricultural areas as an interim use and comprehensive rehabilitation planning I Policy
provided that rehabilitation will be carried out 2.5.2.3
• Strengthen requirements for rehabilitation of aggregate
extraction sites in specialty crop areas and further limit
extraction below the water table in specialty crop areas
Policy 2.5.4.1
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• Require mitigation of negative impacts wherever possible
as part of rehabilitation I Policy 2.5.3.1
• Promote ancillary recycling facilities at extraction sites
(e.g., pits and quarries) I Policy 2.5.2.3
Aboriginal I • No reference to Aboriginal interests I • Recognize Aboriginal interests in land use planning
Vision
Integration and • PPS shall be read in its entirety and all relevant
Implementation policies applied to each situation
• Implementation policies provide direction on the
relationship with other legislation, regulations,
policy and provincial plans
• Promote the conservation of cultural heritage and
archaeological resources, including the use of
archaeological management plans and cultural plans
Policy 2.6.4
• Encourage coordination with Aboriginal communities
Policy 1.2.2
• Recognize that implementation of the PPS shall be
consistent with the recognition and affirmation of existing
Aboriginal and treaty rights in the Constitution Act, 9982
Policy 4.3
• Provide more direction on how the policies should be
applied and how the PPS works with provincial plans,
other legislation, regulations, and policies I Policies 4.10,
4.12
• Promote coordinated, integrated planning processes (e.g.,
integrated approach to Planning Act and Environmental
Assessment Act processes) I Policy 4.11
• Recognize Ontario's diversity through reference to the
Ontario Human Rights Code and the Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedoms I Policy 4.6
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