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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-283-86 REPORT #2 TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT File # Res. # - � � By-Law # MEETING: Council DATE: Monday, November 24, 1986 REPORT #: PD-283-86 FILE #: SUBJECT: TOWN OF NEWCASTLE OFFICIAL PLAN COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT POLICIES RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended to Council that: 1. THAT Report PD-283-86 be received; and * 2. THAT the attached amendment to the Newcastle Official Plan, in respect of community improvements, be approved and forwarded to the Regional Municipality of Durham for approval and subsequent submission to the Minister of Municipal Affairs; and 3. THAT the Regional Municipality of Durham be advised that, in view of the January 31, 1987 deadline for approval of Community Improvement Policies in order to be eligible for funding in 1987, the Town requests their assistance in expediting Regional and Ministry approval of the subject policies. BACKGROUND AND COMMENTS: As Members of Council will recall , Staff were directed to prepare the necessary amendment to the Newcastle Official Plan to permit the Town to take advantage of Provincial funding available through the P.R.I .D.E. Program. In accordance with that direction, Staff have hastily finalized the background documents and draft amendment for submission to the Region of Durham for their approval . Staff note that the subject amendments have not been . . .2 REPORT NO.: PD-283-86 Page 2 circulated nor has the Town obtained any public input into these policies. Accordingly, Staff note that approval of these policies, by the Region and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, by the January 31, 1987 deadline is somewhat optimistic. Nevertheless, if every effort is made to expedite the necessary approvals, it may be possible. Accordingly, Staff are recommending Council approve the attached amendment to the Newcastle Official Plan and forward same to the Region for approval . Respectfully s d, i T.T. Edwards, M.C.I .P. arry ots qf Director of Planning Chief Admi i�trative Officer TTE*j i p *Attach. November 12, 1986 COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT AND THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE For the purpose of discussion , community improvement may be defined as encompassing all those activities, both public and private, which maintain , restore, rehabilitate and redevelop the existing physical environment to accommodate the social and economic priorities within the community. While community improvement is, by no means, a new phenomenon, the importance of the activities in terms of policies, programs and projects, at the municipal and provincial level , has increased dramatically in response to, and as a result of, today's economic conditions. Given past projections of slow-growth, unsure monetary performance, and limited forecast growth in the housing, manufacturing and resource industries; public attention was focused on job creation initiatives and on the maintenance of an attractive climate for private investment. At the same time, there has been an increased demand for public services to be provided to overcome deficiencies in the public infra-structure. Community Improvement addresses both of these issues; utilizing resources made available through a number of Government Programs. The Planning Act R.S.O. 1983 provides new and comprehensive legislation regarding Community Improvement, which enables municipalities to obtain funding, designate areas for improvement, acquire land, utilize private and government sources of funding for land owners through loans and grants, and enter into agreements with senior levels of government and private interests for the purpose of implementing redevelopment plans. Prior to funding being granted, or areas being designated for improvement, the local municipality must, in its Official Plans, have policies dealing with community improvement and areas designated within the Official Plan for community improvement before eligibility for the various programs will be considered. The purpose of this report , therefore , is to identify, in the Official Plan , areas worthy of consideration as Community Improvement areas and provide policy to govern the establishment, identification, priorization and implementation of community improvement. _ 1 _ 2 Attached is the actual amendment to the Official Plan for the Town of Newcastle which establishes Community Improvement Policies in the Official Plan, the criteria for the selection of Community Improvement Areas, the Background Report which is a detailed inventory of opportunities and deficiencies in the Town of Newcastle, and the available Provincial funding programs and their requirements for participation and eligibility, and the schedules and maps which are attached to the Background Report. i i I I - 3 - AMENDMENT NO. TO THE OFFICIAL PLAN FOR THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PURPOSE The purpose of this amendment is to add to the Official Plan of the Town of Newcastle policies in respect of community improvement and to delineate, within the Official Plan, Community Improvement Areas. BASIS This amendment has been prepared in consideration of the requirements of Sect ion 28 of the Planning Act, 1983, which requires that, prior to designation of any part of the municipality as community improvement project area, appropriate Official Plan policies shall be in effect. The provision of policies in respect of community improvement are intended to encourage the examination of existing Town facilities and services to permit the identification of existing deficiencies and required improvements as well as encourage the rehabilitation and redevelopment of designated improvement areas. ACTUAL AMENDMENT (1 ) Section 2 of the Official Plan of the Town of Newcastle, entitled "Strategic Planning" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following new Subsection 2.3. 2.3 2.3. 1 GOAL i To provide for those activities, of both the public and private sector, which lead to the maintenance, rehabilitation and redevelopment of the existing physical environment of the Town and to encourage efficient residential , commercial and industrial areas to redevelop in a comprehensive manner. i I - 4 - 2.3.2 OBJECTIVES (a) To encourage the rehabilitation of the existing housing stock and new i nfi 1 1 development to prescribed minimum property standards. (b) To maximize efficiencies in the use of existing public services and facilities; (c) To improve the public infra-structure where deficiencies or deteriorating conditions exist in municipal , soci al , recreation and physical facilities in order to maintain the quality of the community; (d) To provide guidance to Council in the priorizing of municipal spending with respect to community improvement; and (e) To encourage and assist in the co-ordination of private sector efforts to rehabilitate and/or redevelop properties in a manner which would have a positive impact on the community. 2.3.3 COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT AREA CRITERIA (i ) The delineation of the Community Improvement Areas shown on Map B has been based upon the following criteria. (a) A significant portion of the housing and/or building stock is in need of rehabilitation or redevelopment. (b) Deficiencies exist in municipal services such as sanitary sewers, watermains, storm sewers, or water supply and waste disposal facilities. (c) Deficiencies exist in roads or streetscapes including sidewalks, street lighting, storm drainage. - 5 - (d) Deficiencies exist in social or recreational facilities. (e) Deficiencies exist in traffic circulation or parking facilities. (ii ) It is the intention of this policy that the Town shall designate, by by-law, within the areas delineated for community improvement by Map 6, specific community improvement project areas. (iii ) The Town shall prepare community improvement plans for the individual community improvement project areas. These community improvement plans shall serve as the basis for community improvement upon their approval . (iv) Community improvement plans shall be prepared and implemented in accordance with the following guidelines. (a) Prior to commencing any community improvement project, the Town shall be satisfied that it can adequately finance the municipal share of any cost associated with such improvements. i (b) The improvements which will most substantially address deficiencies of sanitary sewers, watermai ns, roads, sidewalks, street lighting, stormwater drainage and/or community facilities shall be undertaken as a first priority. i (c) Improvements which will address existing facilities and services which have deteriorated or are in a state of repair below municipal standards shall be undertaken as a second priority. I i - 6 - 2.3.4 IMPLEMENTATION The policies of this section shall be implemented by the Town as follows: (a) Designation, by by-law, of community improvement project areas; (b) Preparation of community improvement plans which shall be adopted by by-law; (c) Application for Provincial or Federal grants or loans to assist in funding of community improvement projects; (d) Participation in Provincial and Federal Government Programs intended to assist private sector, maintenance, rehabilitation and redevelopment of property and buildings; (e) Enforcement of the Town' s Maintenance and Occupancy Standards By-law and Zoning By-law restrictions; (f) Municipal support of Business Improvement Area organizations in their efforts to maintain their commercial viability. (2) The Official Plan of the Town of Newcastle is hereby further amended by adding thereto a new Map B delineating Community Improvement Areas. (3) Implementation and Interpretation - The provisions set forth in the Official Plan of the Town of Newcastle in respect of implementation and interpretation shall apply in respect of this amendment. I 7 APPENDIX I CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT AREAS Criteria usd to select community improvement areas are included in the Town of Newcastle Official Plan. Upon approval of these areas by Council , a community improvement plan would be prepared. The initial stage of delimiting the community improvement areas will be aided through reference to the Background Report and the following description of each criteria. The general criterion applied in the selection of community improvement areas requires that an area has potential for improvement, redevelopment, renovation and/or rehabilitation. Each criteria used, indicates an i ni tati ve where municipal efforts can be applied. Further, those efforts should result in the efficient use of existing and additional public investment and the encouragement of increased public investment to effectively improve and rehabilitate an area. The specific criteria are not equally applicable to residential , ; commercial , or industrial areas. The description of each criteria presented below, therefore, indicates the relative applicability to each type of landuse. 1 ) CONDITIONS OF THE EXISTING BUILDING/HOUSING STOCK In older residential areas, the existing housing stock may be of an age where exceptional levels of upkeep, and therefore expense, are required to maintain -the buildings in a good state of repair. A windshield survey is likely the best method for determining the number of homes in need of repair. Conditions such as peeling paint, wooden trim and porches which are deteriorating, broken windows, and crumbling brickwork are good indicators. Existing housing stock reports may also be used in this regard. 1 Community improvement projects in these areas should attempt to I preserve the character' of the neighbourhood by encouraging rehabilitation where applicable, and spot clearance where extreme deterioration exists. i i - 8 - 2) PARKS AND OPEN SPACE AND/OR COMMUNITY FACILITIES A lack of adequate park and open space or community facilities is a criteria applicable to residential areas and commercial areas. The need for parks can be determined through recreational studies and surveys prepared for the Town. In addition, open space standards can be applied to the current inventory of recreational facilities. Appropriate additional facilities should be examined for inclusion in Community Improvement Policies. 3) BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREAS The prescence and effectiveness of Business Improvement Areas directly impacts the commercial viability of the downtown commercial areas in Newcastle. The potential for further designation and an examination of the current status of Business Improvement Areas within the Town will provide an excellent indicator of a commercial areas worthiness for inclusion. 4) DEFICIENCIES IN THE PHYSICAL INFRA-STRUCTURE y An obvious disincentive to new investment in our area is the lack of, or inadequate provision of roads, watermains, water sources, sewermains, and stormwater drainage facilities. Deficiencies in any of these areas lead i to high maintenance costs, property damage, and a negative amenity feature in the area. The provision of streetscape amenities is likewise important. Street lighting, proper curbs, sidewalks , can have a positive amenity feature on the streets they are provided for. 5) CONFLICTING LAND USES This criteria is primarily applicable to residential areas where commercial or industrial uses may also exist. They may adversely influence the amenity of an area by virtue of their built form, open storage, heat, noise and light pollution , traffic and parking problems, and generally, unsafe conditions. Landuse conflict areas identified by Staff would be confirmed as such by adjacent land owners. Reasonable solutions put forth by residents should have priority in Community Improvement Planning. i - 9 - 6 ) TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND STREETSCAPE FEATURES Road system deficiencies have impacts on commercial and residential areas, which include air pollution, noise and congestion. In commercial areas this can lead to a loss of business. In residential areas this can lead to safety problems and a loss of ambience that the area is a people place. A lack of on and off street parking, the prescence of traffic control devices, lighting and effective signage all have impacts on the viability of commercial areas and the perception of residential and commercial areas as safe. Areas requiring improvements can be identified from road need studies, parking studies, and commercial impact analysis. 7) OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT AND INFILLING Vacant lots, under-utilized areas and potential infilling sites are important opportunity features in a community improvement area. These sites indicate areas of potential for private investment to follow public upgrading and improvement. Detailed analyses of potential i nfil li ng areas should be undertaken in the Community Improvement Plan, general areas with the potential for i nfi l l i ng have been inventoried through existing plans. 8) IMPROVEMENTS TO STREETSCAPE Residential and commercial areas can be enhanced simply by the prescence of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, streetl ighti ng, and street furniture. (The opposite, however, is also true) . Opportunity areas exist where there is the potential to replace curbs, resurface roads, plant trees along boulevards, develop planters, parkettes, street furniture, remove overhead wires, etc. Investments of this nature boost civic pride and beautify an improvement area. Candidate areas have been found in present inventories, specific sites should be detailed in Community Improvement Plans. i 10 - APPENDIX 2 BACKGROUND REPORT FOR THE SELECTION OF COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT AREAS IN THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE GENERAL The Town of Newcastle was created on January 1, 1974 by the amalgamation of the former Town of Bowmanvil le, the former Village of Newcastle, and the former Townships of Clarke and Darlington, through the Regional Municipality of Durham Act, 1973. The Town' s location is in the eastern most portion of the Region of Durham, bounded on the west by the City of Oshawa, bounded on the north by the Township of Scugog, on the east by Hope Township, and the south by Lake Ontario. The Town covers an area of 576 km2 in size of which 95% is held under rural designation. The agriculturally designated lands account for 46.5 of all lands in the Town. Conversely urban areas account for 3.9% of the land. The 1985 assessed population for the Town of Newcastle totalled 32,712, which represented a 5.5% increase from 1976. Since 1976 the trend in the Town of Newcastle has seen a reduction in the age group under nineteen and an increase in the seniors population. The long range forecast for the Town of Newcastle is that the decreasing birth rate, and attractiveness of the area for retirement homes and mature families will have a stabilizing effect on the population with small periods of growth. However, since 19895, the Town has been experiencing rapid growth which is expected to result in an increase of 10% in the assessed population for 1986. The Town of Newcastle is divided into the Bowmanville and Courtice Urban Areas, the Village of Newcastle and fourteen (14) hamlets scattered throughout the rural areas of former-Darlington and Clarke. Major access to the Town is provided by Highway #401 east and west, Highway #2 east and west, and Highway 35/115 and Regional Road #57 north and south. Major CNR i and CPR rights-of-way are located in the southern portion of the Town. A smaller CPR right-of-way is located in the northern portion of the Town. i The Town supports a smal 1 i ndustri al communi ty wi t major Regi onal employers being St. Mary' s Cement, Goodyear Tire Co. , and Ontario Hydro. In addition, there are some 1700 active farming operations within the Town. Town history dates back to the eighteenth century with many hamlets being settled in the 1800's. Residential Clusters and Nodes are also located in the rural countryside and the housing stock of the Town is quite old with many areas utilizing frame construction. Most areas are still on private services and many roads are still built to a rural designation and level of service. PLANNING LEGISLATION Under Sections 28 through 32 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1983, a municipality may undertake community improvement. F urther Regional powers have been given in the Durham Regional Official Plan to incorporate j Occupancy and Maintenance By-laws, for the location of community and cultural facilities and lastly, to incorporate provisions enabling the use of the "Holding" symbol in a zoning by-law. i Specific sections of the Regional Plan have encouraged the development of Heritage Conservation Districts, the preservation, improvement and rehabilitation of older residential areas in the Town and i the beautification improvement and/or redevelopment of the Region ' s Main Central Areas. The Town of Newcastle has an adopted Property Standards By-law (82-63) which applies to all property in the Town and is administered on a complaint basis. There are some 27 separate criteria evaluated within the By-law and several specific requirements for each criteria which cover all aspects of the yard, structure, and general building conditions of a property. It can be used as an extremely effective tool in Community I Improvement. i - 12 - By developing community improvement policy and designating community improvement areas, the Town will incorporate all of the provisions in the Regional Official Plan which encourage community improvement, and all other legislation which applies to the development of historical areas, maintains property standards, etc. What follows is a detailed inventory based on the criteria for the selection of Community Improvement Areas. A summary matrix which examines the deficiency and opportunity areas within the Town' s communities is provided. From the matrix a prio rization of areas can be found. The areas chosen for Community Improvement are delineated on Schedule "A". SERVICE DEFICIENCIES 1. ROADS Of the 743.8 kilometres of municipal roads in the Town of Newcastle (exluding highway links) , a total of 239.5 kilometres of road were identified as deficient by the Roads Needs Study undertaken for the Public Works Department in 1984. All of the deficient areas were identified as such in the now - 1 year time period. The report also identified seven bridges which require replacement or repair and three railroad crossing signals which require immediate upgrading. The total system adequacy which is based upon the total road kilometres minus the identified road sections was rated at 67.8% in the immediate repair time period. Schedule "B" indicates those Regional and Municipal roads which require immediate repair. There are five (5) types of road deficiency listed in the study: structural adequacy, surface type, surface width, safe speed condition, level of service. The most common deficiency type is structural adequacy which usually prescribes the road being reconstructed to standards for either the urban or rural area served. A majority of the sections in the urban areas of Hampton, bowmanville, and Newcastle Village require reconstruction of the road with storm sewers. In smaller areas, resurfacing is the major concern with 13 - virtually all roads in the Hamlets of Newtonville , Haydon , Burketon Station and some of the roads in Orono and Newcastle Village requiring major repair. In Bowmanville, portions of the road between Highway No. 401 and Highway No. 2, between Bowmanville Creek and Liberty Street in the Central Area, require replacement to design standards. The 4.7 km. of roads requiring repair will cost an estimated $1,669,000 in 1984 constant dollars. In Hampton , fifteen ( 15) sections of road require replacement totalling same 3.2 km. to be reconstructed with storm sewers at a cost of $1,290,000. 2. SANITARY AND WATE RMAI NS The Regional Department of Works Sewer Deficiency Study detailed those sewer and watermains in Bowmanville, Newcastle Village and Orono which require repair, extension, or construction. Schedule "C" contains all those sections which require replacement or upgrading. In addition, areas subject to watersource contamination, such as the Hamlet of Newtonville, have been marked on the schedule in accordance with the Report to the Ministry of the Environment, September, 1984. The Hamlet Development Plans for Haydon, Burketon Station, and Tyrone mention possible instances of well water contamination, however, no information as to the extent of this has been found. 3. STORMWATER DRAINAGE SEWERS For the Urban Areas of Newcastle Village, Orono, and Bowmanville, ddrainage areas were established for each individual sewer system based on an examination of the existing outfall location. Where present outfall arrangements were considered unsatisfactory, new outfall locations are proposed. Both the deficient sections and outfall areas are marked on Schedule "C". The Stormwater Drainage Study, prepared for the Town of Newcastle, was aimed at analysing both present and future requirements. The basic criteria used to evaluate sewer deficiencies is the hydraulic condition, or pipe size and slope; however, other equally important criteria are adequacy of cover to avoid frost problems, condition, type and location of manholes, condition, type and location of catchbasins, condition of inlets, and the structural adequacy. At present, there are some 27.8 km. of storm sewer in Bowmanville and a further 4.5 km. in Orono and Newcastle Village. The rest of the Urban and Rural Areas are serviced by a system of open channels, culverts, drainage ditches and swales, many of which require improvements. 14 - RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES Tile Town of Newcastle is supplied with 3539.8 hectares (8746.3 acres) of open space and parkland. Of that land, 80.7% is controlled provincially with some 2288 hectares under direct control of the conservation authorities. 3.8% of the recreational land is municipally controlled, of which only 1.3% is developed. In terms of park supply, the Town of Newcastle would seems to have an overabundance of open space and recreational land. However, the table below compares the supply of parkland by type, per thousand people, versus the Canadian Standards for park supply. TABLE 1 ( PARK TYPE CANADIAN STANDARD SUPPLY IN NEWCASTLE a people a peop e I Parkette/Totlot 0.3 to 0.4 0.08 I I Neighbourhood/Local Area 0.4 to 0.8 3.4 I Community Park 2.4 to 2.8 1.1 I I Regional Area 1.6 to 4.1 94.3 I I The apparent disparity in parkland provisions is influenced by two factors: i ) community parks such as those in Bowmanville are small in land area, compared to the "General Standards for Open Space" which recommend minimum park sizes of 12 hectares; and ii ) many park areas in the Regional category supply recreation opportunities commonly provided at the community park level . Deficiencies in the Town' s recreational land supply are therefore, more related to the type of land than the total supply of parkland and open space. The Culture and Recreation Masterplan, prepared in 1983, undertook a comprehensive set of surveys to find out what recreational needs were and were not being met through the Town' s programs and facilities. Excerpts of the survey results are provided below. 15 - I ) In a general question , people were asked what needs were not being met adequately by the Town. Significantly, 41.5% of the people had no response. However, for the remaining 58.5%, many concerns were raised. The top seven, and two lowest concerns are listed below: HIGHEST LOWEST 1. Provision of cultural services 5.0% ( 1. New facilities required 1.4% 2. Maintenance of Parks 4.5% ( 2. Decrease progams - 3. Need for New Arena 4.0% ( Competitive Nature 1.4% 4. Lack a Theatre 4.0% 5. Distance too far to participate 4.0% 6. Lack of Childrens Programs 4.0% 7. Recreational Programs too expensive 4.0% 2) When asked for suggestions for new cultural or recreational programs or facilities, five (5) key responses were evident. 1. Sports Fields 6.0% 2. Bicycle Trails 5.8% 3. Indoor Facilities 4.9% 4. Racquet Facilities 4.9% 5. Outdoor Winter Facilities 4.7% From these two general questions, general deficiencies can be found in the upkeep and provision of sports fields, the lack of bicycle trails, theatres and cultural facilities. In addition, a signficant proportion of the respondants feel the programs are too far, too costly and oriented only towards certain groups. 3 ) The Recreational Masterplan surveyed and took specific recommendations from a number of organized local groups and neighbourhood panels. From these groups, a list of specific deficiencies has been identified. ORGANIZED GROUPS RECOMMENDATIONS * Increase Staff at the Bowmanville Pools to allow greater use * Upgrade plantings and seating areas in the parks for viewing soccer and tennis, and increased seating for baseball * Consider more even subsidies for girls skating and boys ice hockey * Provide plants to replace removed trees * Upgrade and maintain existing soccer pitches and provide new facilities to allow for growth �I I 16 - ORGANIZED GROUPS RECOMMENDATIONS (Cont'd) * Upgrade and maintain baseball diamonds in the Town * Provide crafts and interest courses or other recreation programs in some of the smaller communities * Provide library, daycare, playground and senior needs space within community facilities * Provide rennovations for community hall facilities NEIGHBOURHOOD PANELS COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SOLINA * lack of maintenance * present park areas scheduled to capacity TYRONE * lack of communications with local officials; especially for service provisions for street lighting, road maintenance, fire protection , and garbage pick-up HAMPTON * need an improved community centre * improved maintenance for all sports fields * lack of maintenance of the marshland owned by the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority COURTICE * satisfied with recreational opportunities NORTH BOWMANVILLE * inadequate outdoor parks, while indoor facilities may be in oversupply * improve the co-ordination between various levels of administration SOUTH BOWMANVILLE * develop non-sport leisure programs in art, music, and dance KENDAL * lack of a community hall * lack of town services ORONO * commercial area is rundown; new parking areas are needed * lack of organization and facilities for art , music , and photography (such as the Bowmanvil le Visual Art Centre) NEWCASTLE VILLAGE * lack of local recreational programs for youth * present sports facilities are substandard NEWTONVILLE * public school facility requires improvement greater use of the community centre is needed through increased and improved recreational programs. 17 - Many of the conclusions reached in the Culture and Recreation Iviasterplan are applicable to Community Improvement Goals for Lhe Town of Newcastle. The Town appears to be oversupplied in the quantity of recreational land, particularly at the Regional level , but localized deficiencies related to park type and quality are evident. Cultural resources are not evenly distributed throughout the municipality. The local area concentrations of population in the rural areas and Hamlets wish to maintain a strong sense of identity by reinforcing and rehabilitating their supply of leisure facility resources, especially outdoor playfields and to a lesser extent to community halls. The population is generally satisfied with the available recreational resources, but overall organization and co-ordination are poor. As a result, recreational , cultural and public service facility deficiencies have been marked on Schedule "D". The standard for parkland and open space in the conclusions and recommendations of the Recreational Masterplan suggest that each Neighbourhood Area should have, at least, one sports playfield, one playground, and one passive parkette. The library and fire service deficiencies can be alleviated by greater distribution of the range of services as shown. In a brief to the Planning Department, the Fire Department said that the present five (5) fire stations provide a less than satisfactory level of service and at present, there are too few full-time firemen and insufficient equipment. The northern areas are especially prone to service shortages. It was recommended that the Town consider a larger station in Bowmanvil le, more full-time Staff, more equipment for the present stations and a number of smaller fire stations to be built in the northern communities. i The public library's services are located at Bowmanville with branches in Orono and Newcastle Village. The present level of service is below even minimum standards. Both books and materials acquisition were listed as major concerns, however, the northern communities have no service provided at present and this area could be remedied through facilities sharing with the public schools. What is needed are more branches, more books and an increased Staff, for the present and necessary future library facilities. I 18 - LANDUSE CONFLICTS AND NUN-COMPATIBLE USE AREAS A study of landuses and zoning designations within the Town sought to find areas where residential , commercial , and industrial 1 and uses were in very close proximity. Given the proximity of the various landuses, a number of adverse conditions contribute to landuse conflict. These influences include the size, bulk and density of the built form, open storage, yard conditions, buffering, noise, heat, air and light pollution, parking requirements, increases in the traffic volume and traffic type, conflicting transportation modes, perceived health and safety problems, degradation of services, and loss of amenity value of the Neighbourhood and Commercial Area. Schedule "E" outlines those areas where landuse conflicts are seen to exist. Below, each conflict area is described in some detail , delimiting the area itself and the conditions which contribute to this degradation and/or conflict. 1. BOWMANVILLE (CPR tracks and Scugog Street) This area is predominantly residential in zoning, with low densities involved. The second predominant use is the Environmental Protection zone which runs along the river valley and backs onto the Industrial area. The Industrial Area consists of a former factory now utilized for various industrial uses, and the Bowmanville Foundry which has two large buildings and a large storage area behind the two buildings. In addition, there is a Gas and Diesel Fuel Storage facility immediately to the north. The CPR right-of-way crosses Wellington Street at the intersection with Scugog Street at grade. The right-of-way also provides air and noise pollution as well as a potential safety hazard. The fuel depot provides high levels of truck traffic and there is an inherent danger in the storage of fuel in a residential area. 2. BOWMANVILLE (Central Area) This area is bounded by Baseline Road, Liberty Street, Wellington Street and Bowmanvi 1 le Creek, taking in the Main Commercial Area as well as the Goodyear Tire Company complex. The predominant zoning is Residential , Low Density between Baseline Road and Queen Street. There is an active i I - 19 - railway spurline running along Hunt Street North to the Goodyear Tire Company. The housing in this area is very old with a mixture of brick and frame dwellings; many of which are of historical significance and architectural value. The location of the tire company is has visual implications as well as the noise, air and light pollution which emanate from it. There are traffic problems associated with the site as well as the CPR spur line. The location of the railway line is wholly incompatible with the developed surroundings. Not only is the right-of-way a visual incompatible, but it also presents a health and safety hazard to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. There is a large vacant site immediately south of the Goodyear Tire plant; and while it is Industrially zoned, it may be better used for parkland or residential infill project purposes. The area north of Queen Street is a mix of commercial and residential uses with traffic conerns being the main problem. There are parking problems in some areas and some buffering problems between existing commercial and residential uses. 3. BOWMANVILLE (Waterfront Area, South of Highway No. 401) The area is comprised of three main types of landuse, Industrial Extraction, Environmental Protection, and Residential Shoreline. The area east of Simpson Street along the lakeshore has mixed zoning. There are no services provided for the area and much of the housing is seasonal and rundown in nature. The area north of that has a commercial marina and with residential and industrial uses along Simpson Street. The area north of that is zoned Industrial as well . West of Bowmanville Creek seasonal dwellings are located along the shoreline. Adjacent to these dwellings is a licensed gravel extraction operation. The industrial areas provide visual conflicts as well as high levels of dust , noise , air pollution , and truck traffic. Much of the wetland associated with the creeks is under Industrial i designation and mineral extraction may lead to water degradation as well as destruction of the habitat. The potential impact of expansion of the industrial uses will only concentrate higher levels of traffic, pollution and amenity loss in the residential areas. i i 4. NEWCASTLE VILLAGE The area is near the northern limit of the Village along the CPR right-of-way. This area is predominantly Residential Low Density; however, there is an active industrial activity in the area which poses problems I I - 20 - concerning the upkeep of the yard and storage facilities, the traffic problems and the effects of noise pollution from this site. 5. ORONO The conflict area contains a mixture of residential and commercial uses with an industrial use abutting them. The traffic pattern also presents a problem and a potential hazard as several side streets join an arterial road at an odd angle. This will be compounded in the future as this junction becomes a limited access. Adverse conditions come in the various forms of pollution and amenity loss associated with a highway as well as traffic conflicts visual eyesores and the effects of an industrial use in a residential area. 6. UURKETON STATION Burketon Station is a small hamlet located west of Regional Road No. 57 along Scugog Street. The area is exclusively Residential and Agricultural with approximately 43 houses in the existing community. The CPR railway right-of-way has been sited in the middle of the Hamlet dividing it in half. This section of track has been cited as noisy and a place where siding tracks are used to double up engines on trains to traverse the steep grades in the area. As a result, there is noise pollution, air pollution and a certain safety problem. As the right-of-way supports a VIA line it is more of a benefit than development constraint. In the immediate vicinity of the hamlet are extraction operations which have a number of impacts on the area. Traffic, noise and dust are the main incompatabilities in the Hamlet. BUILDING CONDITION AND HERITAGE CONSERVATION The Town of Newcastle is a mixed rural and urban area comprised of some 8,645 dwelling units. Of these units, 82.2% are single family dwellings. There are also some 1,745 farms within the Town lands, some 213 industrial units, and 944 commercial units. The majority of the residential , commercial , and industrial units are found within Bowmanville, and to a less extent, in the Village of Newcastle. The outer areas are composed of clusters and nodes of residential housing, estate lots, farms and small hamlets. There are twelve 21 - hamlets within the Town with populations ranging from 150 to 1300. These areas are almost exclusively residential with compatible commercial uses and generally agricultural areas surrounding them. Building conditions vary greatly within the Town, and a complete survey of housing stock has never been taken for many parts of the Town, including most of Bowmanville. In many of the smaller areas, especially for those hamlets with development plans detailed reports of the condition of the housing stock are available. In Bowmanville there are two areas with buildings built 100 - 150 years ago, north of King Street between Scugog Street and Liberty Street, and west of Liberty Street between Baseline and King Street. Many of the houses are reported to be in sound physical condition especially north of King Street. In many areas active restoration is taking place according to the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee. In the Central Commercial Area of Bowmanville a Study of Building Conditions prepared by George Baird in 1979 revealed that, of the 115 businesses located in the area, the exteriors of 90 and interiors of 94 were in good condition. In addition, there was a low incidence of vacant or closed stores. The lakeshore area of Bowmanville has a mixture of seasonal and permanent dwellings located along the lakeshore in strip development. Many of these buildings are in need of repair and restoration. There are no municipal services and the general quality of the area is poor. Because of the relatively recent formation of the Town of Newcastle complete inventories are not available for all housing stock, however, as specific areas are targeted for improvement, detailed accounts of all the deficient areas will be prepared and made available. i i I i i - 22 - HERITAGE CONSERVATION Under the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1980, a Council of a municipality may establish an Advisory Committee which may designate properties or areas within the municipality deemed to be of architectural or historic interest or value. The Committee may also designate heritage conservation districts. The Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee has not proposed the designation of districts within Newcastle, however, many sites have been recommended within Bowmanville, Courtice, Hampton, Orono, Newcastle Village and Tyrone. Schedule "F" shows the areas where historic sites and buildings within the Town may be found. According to the Advisory Committee in its "Tours of the Town of Newcastle" document, the Town has many excellent examples of italianate, gothic, tuscan and victorian architecture. Many of the small hamlets have retained their original housing stock and commercial buildings which were built in the 1840 's, 1850 ' s, and 1860 's. Many older industrial buildings also remain, especially some of the mills which once predominated the area. There are, therefore, several areas which could be chosen or designated as Heritage Districts. A short summary of each of the areas is outlined below. 1. ENNISKILLEN The Hamlet of Enniskillen contained some 47 homes and buildings at its peak in 1878. At the time it had a population of 150. Today, of the 31 remaining buildings, 27 were constructed prior to 1900. At its peak, the hamlet supported a school , two churches, a foundry, 'a hotel , post office, two general stores, a builder, a doctor, surgeon and vetrinarian. Many of the original structures are in sound condition and are worthy of preservation. I I 23 - 2. HAMPTON Hampton originated as a mill community on Bowmanville Creek in the 1840 's. The original Elliott Mill still stands, and many of the buildings in the hamlet are over 100 years old. Excellent buildings include the church and some of the homes along Scugog Street which have retained much of their original detail , and virtually the whole hamlet has retained its character. 3. ORONO The four block area around Main, Dixon, Church and Park Streets hold some 20 historic sites recommended for designation by the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee. Included in this group of buildings are several old homes, the Clarke Township Museum built in 1882, St. Saviours Anglican Church built in 1845, and the North American Hotel , Orono's first brick building. 4. NEWCASTLE VILLAGE The Village of Newcastle holds some 90 historical buildings spread throughout the 14 block area running from James Street to Munroe Street, ; between Beaver and Baldwin Streets. A large number of old homes and businesses including the United Church built in 1867, the Town Hall built in 1923, the Box factory site built in 1849, and the Elmhurst Hotel built in 1903 are worth preserving. There is along King Street a Business Improvement Area which strived to beautify the commercial area in the community. 5. BOWMANVILLE The area chosen in the Bowmanville Urban Area closely approximates the area selected for the Community Improvement Area. There are 163 architecturally and historically significant buildings as indicated in both The George Baird Report, 1979 and the Murray V. Jones Report, 1975. One prime area for designation is the improvement area along King Street where most of the businesses were built in the 1880 ' s and 1890 's and are of fine quality and sound condition. A partial list of some of the sites is found below. - 24 - HISTORICAL BUILUINGS 1N BOWMANVILLE CENTRAL AREA STREET BUILDING(S ) YEAR Silver Bowmanville Museum 1847 Wellington Central Public School 1889 Trebilcock House 1858 Power House 1858 Watham Cottage 1862 Octagon 1864 Lowe # 17, 23, 30 Beech # 5, 8, 9, 27, 33 Lion's Centre 1878 Dundurn Home 1853 Centre # 35, 50, 55, 64, 68, 70 ? Division # 57 - 59 1888 Church St. Paul ' s Church 1871 Scugog Vanstone 1850 Bowman Store 1840 Millers House 1830 King West # 30 - 36 Commercial Block 1914 # 46 - 82 Commercial Block @ 1880 's # 47 - 55 Commercial Block @ 1880 's # 77 - 95 Commerci al Block @ 1880 's Town Hall and Opera House 1903-4 Wellington Buildings 1894 King East Bleakley Block # 9 - 21 ? Meads House # 29 1848 # 33 - 47 Commercial Block 1875 Trinity Church 1870 Queen Bowmanville Arena 1949 School Building 1890 i Simpson Cream of Barley V.A.C. 1866 Brown Cubitt House 1860 i Carlisle Row Houses @ 1920 f Lover's Lane Alexander Fstate @ 1850 I 2.5 BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREAS AND STREETSCAPE AMENITIES The Town of Newcastle has three designated Business Improvement Areas, the Bowmanville Business Centre on King and Church Streets, the Newcastle Village Business Improvement Area, and the Orono Business Improvement Area. The Bowmanville B. I .A. was formed in 1977 by the Town of Newcastle By-law 77-33 in order to revitalize and provide amenities for the central shopping area and its patrons. In 1982 the Bowmanville B.I .A. applied for funding under the Main Street Revitalization Program to acquire land for two new parking lots on Church and Silver Streets and to provide a number of streetscape amenities. The proposed budget for improvements in the program is listed below. TABLE 3 BOWMANVILLE B. I .A. BUDGET U L ' TOWN'S in s IMPROVEMENT I COST I PROVINCIAL I SHARE I B. I.A. I Land Acquisition 1 165.0 100 I 65 Construction 72.2 - 49.7 23 I Lighting I 16 .3 16.3 Walkways Landscaping 6.9 6.9 Planters/Furniture 6.7 I 6.7 I Signs I 2.6 I 2.6 Engineering 15.8 I - 15.8 - Consulting I 1.5 I - I - I 1.5 TOTAL COST 297.0 141.9 130 5 24 5 The amenities provided were , an interlocking brick walkway between the Church Street parking lot and King Street, the plantings, planters , benches, pedestrian scale lighting fixtures, waste receptacles and signs. i - 26 - While previous budgets had utilized 25,000 to 30,000 per year for promotions and small scale improvement, the approximate $300,000 would be paid back over a ten year period with revenues generated by parking and a special levy. The Village of Newcastle B.I .A. was created in 1981 to improve the commercial viability of the approximately 27 busi ns ses located there. This area represents 90% of the business establishments in the village. The proposal presented under the M.S.R.P . has beautified King Street following its reconstruction. The budget summary for the Newcastle Village B. I .A. is listed below in Table 4. TABLE 4 VILLAGE OF NEWCASTLE I I TOIAL B. I .A.y SHARE—i in j IMPROVEMENT i COST i PROVINCIAL I TOWN AND B. I .A. Planters, Trees 4.5 4.5 - Resurfacing Bricks 3.1 3.1 ( - Consulting .5 - Lighting 30.8 j 30.8 j -5 TOTAL COST 38.9 38.4 .5 1 The Orono B.I .A. was created in 0. Objecti ves of thi s group include streetscape improvements and off-street parking. STREETSCAPE AMENITIES Streetscape amenities is a "catch-all" term for a wide range of services which can be provided to improve a streetscape. In urban areas these can include planters, furniture, decorative paving, decorative lighting, bus shelters, parkettes, drinking fountains , etc. In rural or suburban areas the provision of safe sidewalks and lighting is the level of amenity required to improve the safety and visual impression of the streetscape. Areas marked on the individual urban area maps denote where streetscape amenities are required and what form they should take. - 27 - In genera) , the most often requested amenities in the Culture and Recreation Masterplan were sidewalks, lighting, garbage pickup, bicycle trails (or paths ) , street furniture and planters. In areas where trees have been removed new ones_ should be planted or replaced by planters or shrubs. The use of bicycle trails; (the hightest ranking new cultural or recreational program after sports fields) throughout the Town , will provide an alternative transportation route in safety through the various local areas, and provide a more human scale on the street. The provision of storm sewers and curbs is closely tied to the resurfacing of roads within the Town, and so areas will have to be priorized for the provision of streetscape services. In areas such as the Bowmanville, Newcastle and Orono B. I .A. , walkways, furniture, signs, decorative lights and planters have all enhanced the ambiance of the downtown area, and parking lots have enhanced the economic viability of the central area. Their use in areas such as Orono's business improvement area will not only foster civic pride, but also improve economic viability. PARKING PROBLEMS Most areas within the Town have adequate parking facilities. Site plan control and zoning regulations ensure that all new developments have proper parking provisions. In older areas such as the downtown Bowmanville area, there are streets where there has been a deficiency for sometime amounting to approximately 175 parking spaces. Certainly the Bowmanville B.I .A. has reduced the amount of parking required, however , in certain areas there is a substantial concern. In the downtown area there are 154 on-street spaces and 312 parking spaces in small off-street lots ranging in size from 8 to 50 spaces in each. Similar off-street parking problems exist in both the Orono and Newcastle Village Business Improvement Areas. M cc z nm La chi -u TG-) -0'1 G-) osvo 0 0 1 Z 01 Rj rM 0 V) —7 <7 ----------------------------- F, = C: cc cc = 5 _+ n ,+ 0010, 00M n 0 O , < =3 :3 (D (D M (D (D a, Qj (D 01 ------------------------------ --- -- ------- --------------- Watermains ------------------------------ Water Sources ------------------------------ * * Sewer Services Stormwater Drainage Roads ------------------------------ ----------------------------- -- = -- = ------------ Streetscape ------ ----------------------- Parkland Deficiency . . . . Upgrading Parkland ----------------------------- ---------------- Community Facility — — ---------------- — Upgrading Facility — — --- — — -- — — ------------------------------ ------------------ * Recreational Programs * * * Library Facility , -------- --------------------- Fire Protection ----------- ------------------------------ ------------------ Landuse Conflict ------------------------------ -< B.I A. ------------------------------ Building Condition ------------------------------ ----------------- Historical Potential ------------------------------ Traffic Concern ------------------------------- Infilling Potential ------------------------------ — - - — Development Constraint ---- —— --- —— —— —— —— —— —— Parking Problem —————— — — Ranking of Priority - 28 -- APPENDIX 3 AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE PRA 1. Business Improvement Area 2. Community Planning Grant Program 3. Ontario Neighbourhood Improvement Program 4. Commercial Area Improvement Program These are the four programs for which monies can be appropriated from the Provincial Government. Each is described below in terms of eligible costs, repayment, etc. BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA * business organization which manages improvement to area * 70% of businesses must agree to form area * area designated by By-law (Section 217 Municipal Act) * money available through Council on the basis of a prepared annual budget, and a project proposal * Province will provide loans for the cost of site acquisition, clearance, construction, signs, lighting, street furniture * the money received is to be repaid to the Province by a special levy on each business over a 10 year repayment period COMMUNITY PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM * eligible municipalities are from 15 - 65,000 people * eligible funding is up to 100% of the cost of approved studies * approved studies include: i ) studies which examine the built environment ii ) land components of economic development strategies or studies which examine landuse implications of economic opportunity studies iii ) planning management studies which examine ways of maximizing municipal resources and streamlining the planning and development process iv) special landuse studies to resolve local planning issues or to address matters of provincial interest i i - 29 - ONTARIO NEIGHBOURHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM * designed to assist Ontario municipalities in the revitalization of older residential areas and neighbourhoods by providing grants for improvements to municipal services and community facilities. * As a prerequisite for eligibility, every municipality must have policies relating to community improvement in its official plan. * The program is designed to improve conditions in older deteriorating, but potentially stable and predominantly residential neighbourhoods occupied by low and moderate income households to improve services public utilities, social and recreational facilities in eligible residential neighbourhoods. * Eligible neighbourhoods must meet both municipal and neighbourhood eligibility criteria. * The Province will contribute 50% of the approved eligible costs within the overall agreement amount once a completed claim form with the necessary documentation has been submitted and after the expenditures have been paid for by the municipality. * Projects must be completed within four years complying with the following rate of expenditure at 1/3 of amount by end of year 2, 2/3 by end of year 3, and the remainder by the end of year 4. * Money not spent to the requirements will be taken back by the government. * Eligible Costs Loans and Grants i ) Administration * may not exceed 15% of total project cost. * may include salaries of Staff, consulting fees, maps, document preparation costs and acquisition of data ii ) Social & Recreational * Capital costs of the Facilities construction and renovation of parks, wading pools, swimming pools, ball diamonds, skating rinks, community centres, day care centres, libraries, senior citizens centres and youth centres. * land and building costs, demolition, grading of lands, soil tests and surveys related to social and recreational projects. i - 30 - UNTARIO NEIGHBOURHOOD 1MPkOVEMENT PROGRAM Cont'd * Eligible Costs Loans and Grants iii ) Relocation * moving costs and other related compensation paid to individuals, families or businesses. iv) Service & Utilities * preparation of detailed architectural design plans for the construction , repair or abandonment of water, sewer and lateral mains. * construction of new and/or paving and repairing of existing roads, streets, lanes, curbs, gutters, boulevards, sidewalks, catchbasins, street signs, street lighting, traffic light signals and garbage receptacles * acquisition and/or demolition of the lands and/or buildings, if needed for the construction of new roads, streets, lands and sidewalks. iv) Land for Housing * the acquisition and/or clearing of land for low and moderate income housing projects or infill projects where the property consists of residential building beyond the stage of economic rehabilitation * the assembly of suitable sites for housing where the existing landuse is inconsistent with the general character of the area. * total project costs are all eligible costs except administration, and at least 20% of the total project cost must be spent on either municipal services, social or recreational facilities. * all facilities constructed or repaired under the program must be acceptable in terms of neighbourhood needs and can only be used to improve lands which are municipally owned or where a long term agreement for use is in effect. f - 31 - ONTARIO NEIGHUOUkH00U IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Cont'd * In the case of land acquisition the Provincial contribution shall be on a net cost basis unless the property is bought well in advance of anticipated Provincial funding. * The list of eligible items may be expanded at the request of a municipality and with approval of the Minister. COMMERCIAL AREA IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM * designed to assist Ontario ' s municipalites to upgrade older commercial districts by providing grants and loans for municipal services, parking, aesthetic and economic improvements * as a prerequisite for eligibility every municipality must have policies relating to community improvement in its Official Plan. * the area must meet both the municipal and commercial eligibility criteria to receive funding * funding is available from the Province up to 50% of the total cost on a project. The maximum provincial contribution will be $500,000 * grant portions of funding will not exceed 33% and the remainder will be made available as a loan * completion of the project should take 4 years with the following schedule for expenditure 1/3 by the end of year 2, 2/3 by the end of year 3 and the remainder by the end of year 4. * repayment by the municipality will equal 100% of the loan portion plus accrued interest over the entire period of repayment which is a maximum of 10 years. * Eligible Costs Loan and Grant i ) Administration * may not exceed 15% of the total cost * may include municipal salaries, consulting fees, preparation of maps, data acquisition, etc. ii ) Service and Utilities * preparation of detailed architectural design * construction of new sewer and I watermains I I 32 - COMMERCIAL AREA IMPROVEMENT PROGRti14 Cont'd * Eligible Costs Loan and Grant ii ) Service and Utilities * repair or abandonment of sewer or watermains * construction of new and/or paving and repairing of existing roads, streets, lanes, sidewalks, boulevards, curbs, gutters, catchbasins, street signs, street lighting and traffic light signals * land acquisition and improvements for parkettes or tot lots Loans Only iii ) Parking * acquisition of site and resurfacing or construction of new surface parking * parking control booths and amenities associated with parking lots such as lighting and streetscape iv) Aesthetic Improvements * street furniture, decorative lighting, flag poles, banners, sidewalks , interlocking brickwork, trees, planters etc. v) Small Anchor * site acquisition and preparation Redevelopment * renovation and/or restoration of buildings. * at least 25% of the total project cost must be expended for those eligible costs that qualify by means of a loan only * a maximum 15% may be added for administration costs * moving costs and other related compensation are eligible for a grant or loan depending on the reason for the land acquisition * funds can only be used to improve lands which are municipally owned or where the municipality has a long term use agreement ,j - 33 - ONTARIO NEIGHBOURHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA * have an approved official plan with policies relating to community improvement * have a neighbourhood which complies with the eligibility criteria * have an adopted property maintenance and occupancy standards by-law applicable to the improvement area pursuant to Section 31 of the Planning Act or under Private Bill * undertake to involve the residents of the neighbourhood during the preparation of the Community Improvement Plan • have the financial and administrative capability to implement the Community Improvement Plan • be able to develop and submit within eight (8) months a Community Improvement Plan (under Section 28(4) of the Planning Act) capable of being implemented within four years of receiving approval of the Provincial funding. NEIGHBOURHOOD ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA * the area is identified as an area in need of improvement in the Community Improvement policies in the municipality's Official Plan * at least 25% of the housing stock is in need of rehabilitation * there is a deterioration or deficiency in municipal services such as water sewers, roads and sidewalks, street lighting * there is a deterioration or deficiency in public community services such as indoor recreational facilities, open space, community centres, libraries, etc. * the area is composed of predominantly low and moderate income households. (The average household income of the ON IP area is below either the average provincial household income or the average household income of the municipality * the area is at least 50 percent residential * the area will remain stable in terms of residential landuse and density as reflected in the Official Plan and Zoning By-law - 34 COMMERCIAL AREA IMPROVEMENT PLAN MUNICIPAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA * have an approved official plan with policies relating to community improvement * have a core area or commercial district which complies with commercial area eligibility criteria and an economically viable commercial area improvement project * have an adopted property maintenance and occupancy standards by-law applicable to the improvement area pursuant to Section 31 of the Planning Act or under a Private Bill * undertake to involve the public during the preparation of the Community Improvement Plan * have the financial and administrative capability to implement the Community Improvement Plan * be able to develop and submit within eight (8) months, a Community Improvement Plan capable of being implemented within four (4) years of receiving approval of Provincial funding. COMMERCIAL AREA ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA * the area is identified as an area in need of improvement in the Community Improvement policies in the municipality's Official Plan * the area is at least 50% commercial and is appropriately zoned * the area is deficient in municipal services such as water and sewer mains, streets, sidwalks and lighting * the area would benefit from improvement to the streetscape and parking * the area is defined in whole or in part as a B. I .A. under Section 217 of the Municipal Act * the area exhibits symptoms of physical , functional or economic decline. t i