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Home My WebLink AboutPD-131-88 DN: 131-88 TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT File # 71. Res• hEETING: General Purpose and Administration Committee DATE: Monday, June 6, 1988 REPORT #: PD-131-88 FILE #: PLN 2.2 SU&JECT: REVIEW OF THE DURHAM REGIONAL OFFICIAL PLAN DISCUSSION PAPER NO. 1 - INDUSTRIAL COMPONENT OUR FILE: PLN 2.2 RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PD-131-88 be received; and 2. THAT Report PD-131-88 be forwarded to the Regional Planning Committee as the Town's comments on Discussion Paper No. 1 Industrial Component. 1. BACKGROUND: 1.1 In 1983, the Planning Act required that a review of Official Plans be undertaken every five (5) years. Accordingly, September, 1986 Regional Council directed Regional Planning Staff to begin a review of the Durham Regional Official Plan. The review would analyze the following components of the Plan: - industrial policies and designations; - rural development policies; - commercial policies, floorspace allocations and floor space; - transportation issues and policies; and - Regional structure. . . .2 REPORT 00. : PD-131-88 PAGE 2 � _______________________________________________________________________________ 1.2 Subsequently, in December, 1987, Regional Staff prepared Discussion Paper 0o. l - Industrial Component. Prior to completion of Discussion Paper 0V. l, a uoobec of meetings were held between Town and Regional Staff to discuss the relevant issues. Staff would note that these comments from the Di000aainu Paper will be considered by the Region in preparation of the revised official Plan policies for the Industrial Component. FOctbacmocev the Town will again have an opportunity to comment on the revised official PImu policies prior to final consideration by Regional Council. 2° Highlight of Discussion ' 3.1 The DiooOaaioo Paper sets forth a number of oouoIooiouo. The most significant conclusion noted is that, by the year 30I1, an additional 5v000 acres of vacant industrial lands would be occupied in Durham ! Region. This growth can be attributed to the absorption of industrial land in and nocc000diog Metro Toronto, considerably lower cost of land, proximity to the Highway 401, and the GO Transit Expansion Program. In consideration of this onuoIuaiou, it is agreed that a continual monitoring of the supply and demand of industrial lands is necessary and, in doing this, it would ensure that the Official Plan designations and policies are appropriate. To support this, the Discussion Paper has identified several options: ! i) The area municipalities be given the power to pOcobaaev develop and promote land for industrial development. | ' ii) The industrial policies would be revised to specifically define the uses in industrial designations and commercial designations. iii) Revising and editing policies where potential conflicts arise to a / specific site. iv) Finally, an examination to designate eight (8) new industrial | areas (3 in Uxbridge, 2 in Oshawa, l each in Ajax, Whitby and i Newcastle) . The area identified for Newcastle is the area bounded ! by Lambs, Bennett Road, Highway 0o. 2 and Highway 0o. 401^ � ^ ^ ^~ ' REPORT 00. : PD-I31-88 PAGE 3 ' ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. COMMENTS 3.1 Supply of Industrial Land 3.1.1 Staff agree that there will be an increase in demand for industrial lands over the next 25 years, however, a detailed examination will be required to determine the amount of lands needed within each municipality as well as their location. Staff is of the opinion that the optimal location for industrial uses in the Town of Newcastle would be along the 401 corridor. This would be in keeping with the location of industry throughout the lakeaboce municipalities. In this regard, ' the location identified by the Region, being the area bounded by Lambs Road, Bennett Road, Bigbvmxy No. 3 and Highway 401 is acceptable. 3.1.3 Although the Town appears to have sufficient supply of industrial land within the next five years, and is in a relatively better position compared to A'mo' Oshawa and Whitby in terms of supply, it is noted that the ouppll, of industrial land in the Town will become critical in five years if no industrial land is added. Notwithstanding the land previously identified, Staff is of the opinion that additional land is required to meet the Town's needs. In this regard, we feel that Special 8tod}, Area 0o. lI (laud south of 401 on both sides of Courtioe � Road) has enormous potential for industrial development and the Region should commence study of this area forthwith. In addition' the Town has received many enquiries for industrial development in this area and feel that the Region should give this matter a high priority. 3^3 Local Municipality to Purchase d Develop Industrial Land An amendment to the Region of Ducbo0 Act would authorize municipalities to purchase, develop and promote industrial laud. Staff feel that this would allow local municipalities to actively participate in industrial development, and be able to bring on serviced industrial laud at REPORT @O^ : PD-I3I-88 PAGE <� _____________________________________________________________________________ 3.2 Local Municipality to Purchase and Develop Industrial Land (Cort1d) reasonable market value. In this regard, the amendment would not only promote industrial growth and assessment, but will create a "spin off" effect into other areas of the Town's economy. There would be increase in employment, which in tozu stimulates housing and commercial/retail ooea for the uxuocipaIitv. 3.3 Industrial Land Used for Commercial Purposes 3.3~1 There is an area of concern regarding the absorption of prime | industrial Iam]a by omnmecoiaI uses. It is obvious that the lands abutting Binbeav 401 corridor are primarily for industrial uses because of their proximity to the Major Urban ozeum such as Toronto, Markham, Mississauga. Given this, it would also seem obvious that it would also be attractive for commercial uses as well. The intent of the policies in the Durham Regional Official Plan allow certain commercial uses to be permitted in industrial areas to serve the daily requirements of workers within industrial areas. This commercial use includes banks, restaurants, offices, and recreational ooeo etc. It has become apparent, however, that the intent has not been adhered to through interpretation and amendments to the planning documents. Given this, ' Staff in of the opinion that the industrial policies must be tightened so that industrial lands are protected for its intended use. 3.3.2 8looe it has become apparent that the industrial and commercial uses are closely related, it may be appropriate to have both omnpVueota of tbe Official Plan reviewed concurrently, thereby creating clear policies for each areas. In that regard, Staff is of the opinion that the policies for the Industrial Component should not be finalized until the commercial component is examined. .^ .5 REPORT N8. : ID-13I-88 PAGE 5 /~ _______________________________________________________________________________ 3^4 Site Specific Policies Section 8.4.2.7 of the Durham Regional Official DImn provides for hotels, motels and ancillary commercial uses within industrial areas on DacoeIa of land abutting Biobumav 401. While there are certain merits to this policy, Staff feel that potential problems may be created regarding compatible land ooea in situations where certain existing industrial uses will not be compatible to these commercial uses envisaged in the Official Plan. This policy therefore should be examined and perhaps site specific policies be provided to ensure that any proposed use in an industrial designated area be compatible with ' the existing industrial uses thereby affording the existing industry the opportunity to expand. 4. SUMMARY In consideration of the conclusions in Dlocoaeiou Paper 0o. I, Staff would offer no objection to the proposed revisions to the policies. Bov»avez' Staff would respectfully recommend the following be reviewed by Regional Staff: i) that an amendment to the Region of Durham Act be considered to ' provide the local municipality to purchase, develop and promote industrial Imoda. ii) that the industrial policies not be finalized until the commercial policies are reviewed. iii) that appropriate policies be formulated to prevent attrition of industrial land by umnmecoiaI uses and to protect existing industrial oaea by eliminating in compatible uses. . ..6 f t- REPORT 00. : PD-I31-88 P&Q8 6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iv) that the Region commence study immediately for Special Study Area 0o. ll to include the lands in Industrial designations. Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation to the Committee -------------------------- _______________ Franklin WO w wrence kotseff Director of Planning & Development Chief Ad trative Officer CRV+FW*jip � *Attach. ' May 30' 1988