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CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT D.N. SMITH, M.C.I.P.,Director
HAMPTON, ONTARIO LOB 1 JO TEL. (416)263-2231
REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING
OF JANUARY 25, 1982.
REPORT NO. : PD-8-82
Subject: 1. Proposed Amendment No. 54 to the Official Plan for
the Regional Municipality of Durham Planning Area.
2. Proposed Amendment No. 12 to the Official Plan for
the former Town of Whitby Planning Area.
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that:-
1. This report be received by the Committee; and
2. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing be advised
that the Council of the Town of Newcastle believes that
Amendments 54 and 12 as outlined above, are premature
pending further development of existing Urban Areas
located within the Regional Municipality of Durham,
which are designated for development by the provincially
approved Official Plan for said Region.
Background:
The purpose of Amendment No. 54 to the Durham Region Official
Plan is to recognize Brooklin as a Small Urban Area accomodating a
population of approximately 10,500 persons. Development within the
Brooklin Small Urban Area would be on the basis of "Full Municipal
Services". Amendment 12 to the Official Plan for the former Town of
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Report No. : PD-8-82 . . . . .2
Whitby Planning Area has been prepared to provide the detailed
policies and land use designations that would permit Brooklin to
develop in accordance with the proposed Regional Official Plan
designation. Copies of the subject amendments are available for review
at the Planning Department offices in Hampton.
Comment:
Staff have reviewed the proposed amendments related to the
Brooklin Area and feel that, although the approved Regional Plan
j recognizes Brooklin as a "growth area" the proposed amendments are
premature. Staff beleive that the development of those areas
presently designated and serviced should be considered as a first
priority.
As previously voiced by staff, during a review of the pro-
posed community of Seaton, the need for designating further growth
areas, such as the Brooklin Small Urban Area, is questionable at
this time. Especially in view of present growth trends, local
housing demand and the potential of the existing designated communities,
in Durham, to accept further development.
We again note that the Province, Region and local municipalities
have made substantial commitments to the development of existing urban
areas, particularly through participation in the Ontario Housing Action
Program and the installation of hard services. Services which, in many
cases, have yet to be fully utilized owing to the present housing market
and low levels of building activity.
It is our staff opinion that these commitments, once made,
should not be ignored or undermined by the designation of new development
Report No. : PD-8-82 . . . .3
areas regardless of the attractiveness of those growth options in
relation to existing designated centres. As such staff are concerned
that the extension of development commitments beyond those presently
contained and implied by the Durham Regional Official Plan may have
financial implications to the Region, vis a vis their present servicing
commitments, and growth implications to presently designated urban
areas. It is for these reasons that staff suggest that the subject
amendments to the Durham Regional Official Plan and the Whitby Official.
Plan are premature until such time as existing designated urban areas
have been substantially developed.
Respectfully subm tted,
T. T. Edwards, M.C.I.P.
FA/TTE:cc Deputy Director of Planning.
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