HomeMy WebLinkAboutP-36-80 a � 81 I 11
� s
CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT D.N.SMITH,M.C.I.P.,Director
HAMPTON,ONTARIO LOB 1.10 TEL. (416)263-2231
REPORT TO THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF MARCH 3, 1980
REPORT NO: P-36-80
SUBJECT: Provincial Secretary for Social Development
Regarding Group Homes
Correspondence of December 21, 1979.
Proposed Durham Regional Official Plan
Amendment 80-1/D - Regarding Concentration
of Group Homes
Files: 80-1/D and Planning 11.1.5
BACKGROUND:
The above mentioned correspondence was received by Town Council
on January 14, 1980 and referred to the Planning and Development
Department for a report to Committee.
The above-mentioned proposed Regional Official Plan Amendment
was received by the Planning and Development Department on February 5,
1980 and includes a request that the Town comment on the proposed
amendment.
COMMENTS:
The basis of the Region's amendment is a request from the
Provincial Secretary for Social Development that municipalities include
within their official plans a statement which would
(i) provide a definition for Group Homes;
(ii) establish Group Homes as a permitted use in all
residential designations;
(Iii) prevent undue coticeuLraLloiis of Croup llotnes In
specific areas by requiring reasonable distance
separation between facilities contained in the
zoning by-law; and
(iv) provide for the continuation of any existing
Group Homes not meeting the requirements of
the zoning by-law.
. . . . . 2/
i
I
2 - Report No. P-36-80
These issues were considered by the Durham Regional Planning
Department resulting in Commissioner's Report No. 80-7. Said
report concluded that with the exception of item (iii) above, the
concerns were adequately dealt with through the Durham Regional
Official Plan and existing Provincial Statutes. In that regard,
the proposed amendment 80-1/D would add the following to Section
8.1.2.1.
"(c) It is the intention of this Plan to prevent
undue concentrations of Group Homes within
Residential Areas. The Council of the respective
area municipality may incorporate standards
requiring a minimum distance separation between
these facilities in the respective restricted
area (zoning) by-law."
The philosophy behind Group Homes is to provide a "homelike"
atmosphere and "family style" environment for various groups including
orphans, the aged, mentally and physically handicapped, psychiatric
cases and persons displaying delinquent behaviour. This approach to
dealing with such groups is considered of great importance and benefit
to the successful adjustment of these persons.
The subject amendment while supplementing current Official Plan
policies, affords individual municipalities an opportunity to prevent
concentrations of Group Homes. Presumably, this is intended to ensure
a relatively even distribution of group homes among area municipalities,
while at the same time ensuring that the residential character of an
area is not undermined by excessive concentrations of group homes. In
that regard, we concur with Regional Planning staff's evaluation and
have no objection to the proposed amendment.
In order to implement the existing and proposed provisions
of the Durham Regional Official Plan, in respect of Group Homes, it
will be necessary to amend the Tom's various restricted area (zoning)
by-laws to include Group Homes as a permitted use within all residential
zones, this does not present any major problems, and to establish an
appropriate standard for regulating the minimum distance separation
between such uses. While it may appear difficult to establish a standard
for separation, in the absence of a data base for defining what a
"reasonable" standard would be, it is possible to determine a formula
for separation using existing levels of service as a basis. This
assumes that present service levels in Durham Region are adequate and
would involve the application of the Regional average of 0.8 beds/1,000
persons to the ultimate population for various settlement areas. This
establishes a maximum number of beds for a given area. This figure is
then divided by the average facility size to determine a maximum number
of group homes for that area, which are then evenly distributed throughout
that area.
. . . . . 3/
3 - Report No. P-36-80
The application of this formula to the 'Town's Urban Areas, as
shown in Table 1, results in an average separation of 1.5 kilometers
(0.9 miles) between group homes located within urban settlement are4p. "
In the case of hamlets, group homes should be limited to a maximum
of one facility per hamlet and possibly, restricted within hamlets of
less than 100 dwelling units. This would permit group homes to
continue in Hampton and Newtonville and to be established in Orono
and ultimately Enniskillen, while encouraging them to locate within
those areas capable of providing a higher level of residentially
related services . Staff suggest that prior to adopting such standards,
that a draft amendment to affected zoning by-laws be drawn up and
circulated to appropriate agencies for comment.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning and Development Committee recommend to
Council the following:
1) That report P-36-80 be received; and that
2) Staff be authorized to prepare the necessary by-law
amendments to be circulated to appropriate agencies
for comment and report back to the Planning and
Development Committee at the earliest possible
opportunity; and that
3) The Region of Durham be advised that the Town of
Newcastle has no objection to proposed Amendment
80-1/D to the Durham Regional Official Plan; and
that
4) The Provincial Secretary for Social Development be
advised that the Town of Newcastle supports the
principle of Group Homes and shall incorporate
appropriate provisions within the Town's existing
zoning by-laws and the District Plan presently
being prepared.
Respectfully Submitted,
1
D.N. Smith, M.C.I.P.
Director of Planning
TTE:lf
February 20, 1980
TABLE 1
EXAMPLE - BOWMANVILLE
Ultimate Population. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42,500 persons
Regional Average. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.8 beds/1,000 persons
Maximum No. Beds/Bowmanville. . . . . . . . . 34 beds
Average Regional Facility Size. . . . . . . 5 beds
Maximum No. Facilities/Bowmanville. . . 7 facilities
Per Capita Ratio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 facility/6,000 persons
Bowmanville Average Density. . . . . . . . . . 50 persons/gross hectare
Average. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 facility/120 hectares (1,200,000 sq.m)
Separation Between Facilities = 2( farea )
V Tr
= 2( l 200400 )
= 2(618)
= 1,236 metres
1,236 metres (4,055 ft.) = 1.2 kin (0. 75 miles)
Note: r = radius of circle having an area equal to the
service area for 1 facility.
Separation = 2r = distance between centres of service areas.
Courtice - 1 facility/6,000 persons
3.2 facilities (3)
Avg. density -- 37 persons/gross hectare
1 facility/162 hectares (1,620,000 sq. metres)
Separation = 1,435 metres
Newcastle Village - 1 facility/6,000 persons
1.6 facilities (2)
Avg. density 27 persons/gross hectare
1 facility/222 hectares (2,220,000 sq. metres)
separation = 1,680 metres
Average Separation Urban Areas = 1,450 metres
Rounded = 1,500 metres
(1.5 kilometres)
Pi le: 80-1
/.
DURHAM _ - � ��� .,� •� . �� �
.January 1.6, 19SO
The Regional
Municipality
of Durham
Dlenartment Mr. J.M. Mcllroy erk
Town of Newc
Box 623 Municipa fices
105 Consumers Dr.
Whitby, Ontario 40 Te rance Street
Canada,LIN 6A3 Bo nville, Ontario
(416)668-7731
L1 3A6
DR. M. R. MICHAEL, M.c.I.P. Dear Mr. McIlroy:
Commissioner of Planning
Re: Official Plan Amendment regarding
Section 8. 1 . 2.1 of the Durham
Regional Official Plan
File 80-1/D
.Enclosed please find a copy of Commissioner' s Report
No. 80--7 to which a proposed official plan amendment is
attached pertaining to the issue of the concentration of
group homes in residential areas .
Please review the proposal and provide us with any
comments you may have within 60 days of this request .
If you are unable to respond within this time limit
please advise, in writing, as to the reason for the
delay. If we do not receive a response within 60 days
we will assume you have no comments to make.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to
contact this Department.
Yours very truly,
f
f «
L. Kotseff, M>C.I .P.
Manager
Strategic Planning Branch
:LF
Enclosure
cc Don Smith, Planning Director
W
OURHAM
Planning Department
Commissioner' s Report to Planning Committee
Report No. 80-7
Date: January 15, 1914
SUBJECT
CORRESPONDENCE #925 (P-120-79) DATED OCTOBER 1, 1979
FROM THE HONOURABLE MARGARET BIRCH, PROVINCIAL SECRETARY FOR
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
RE: STATUS REPORT ON RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE PROVINCIAL GROUP
HOMES REPORT AND PLANNING GUIDELINES FOR GROUP HOMES
CORRESPONDENCE #6 (P-80-4) DATED DECEMBER 21, 1979
FROM THE HONOURABLE MARGARET BIRCH, PROVINCIAL SECRETARY FOR
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
RE: GROUP HOMES: A RESOURCE GUIDE TO PROVINCIAL PROGRAMS FOR
RESIDENTIAL CARE
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. THAT the Planning Committee authorize staff to advertise in
appropriate newspapers that the Planning Committee and
Regional Council will be considering an amendment to the
Durham Regional Official Plan in accordance with Appendix I
to Commissioner' s Report No. 80-7; and
2. THAT Commissioner ' s Report No. 80-7 be forwarded to the
following for information:
a) the Provincial Secretary for' Social Development;
b) the respective area municipal Councils; and
c) the Social Planning Advisory Group of Durham Region
( Inc. ) .
BACKGROUND
1. On March 30, 1978, the Provincial Cabinet Committee
established the Interministerial Working Group on Group Homes
with the responsibility to develop and make recommendations
concerning the definition of "group homes", municipal
by-laws, licensing and standards, and to collect and analyze
information on the present distribution of group homes by
size, type and location.
2. On June 16, 1978, the report "GROUP HOMES Report of the
Interministerial Working Group" was submitted to the
Honourable Margaret Birch, Secretary for the Cabinet
Committee on Social Development. A reference copy of this
report is available in the Planning Department.
Commissioner' s ,Report No. 80-7 Page 2
- 3. In September 1978, the "GROUP HOMES Report of the
Interministerial Working Group" was sent by the
Provincial Secretary for Social . Development to Ontario
municipalities to solicit support for this concept of
community living. Announcement was made of provincial
Policy to encourage municipalities to amend their official
plans and zoning by-laws to permit group homes in all
residential areas .
4. On October 1, 1979, the Provincial Secretary for Social
Development forwarded a status report relating to the
recommendations contained in the group homes report to
the Region of Durham for information. In addition, a
copy of the "Planning Guidelines for Group Homes" was
included with a request that the Region of Durham review
such guidelines and provide comments by the end of
November (refer to correspondence attached) . Reference
copies of these reports are availabe in the Planning
Department.
5. On November 19, 1979, the Provincial Secretary for Social
Development informed the Region of Durham that the
deadline for comments on the Planning Guidelines was
extended to December 21, 1979.
6. On December 21, 1979, the Provincial Secretary for Social
v Development forwarded a resource guide to provincial programs
for residential care, which include group homes, for
information. A reference copy of the report is available in
the Planning Department.
7. Traditional settings for cases including orphans, the aged,
psychiatric cases, mentally retarded, physically handicapped
or persons displaying delinquent behaviour, are under
continuing pressure to give way wherever possible to a more
"homelike" atmosphere "family style" environment. There are
fourteen government programs currently providing group home
living opportunities for both children and adults. Any
particular group home may be affected by more than one
government program, depending on the varying support services
required by the group home residents .
8. Table 1 illustrates the number, location, type and bed
capacity of group homes in Durham Region as of July 31, 1979,
and identifies the administrating agency and the relevant
control legislation applicable to each type of service.
Furthermore, it presents the information by settlement area.
In 1979, the Region had .80 beds per 1, 000 population as
compared to . 43 for the Province of Ontario (19771978) .
Twenty-three (or 53 . 5% ) of the group homes in Durham Region
provide adult services under the Ministry of Health ' s Homes
for Special Care Act. The remaining 20 (or 46 . 5% ) group
homes are for children' s services under the Ministry of
Community and Social Services .
46
i
Commissioner's Report No. 80-•7
REREPORT Page 3
4 ,
In the attached correspondences the Provincial S
Social Development has
the Status Report on forwarded several documents
for
:domes Report, Group he Re co in the ProviincialRGroun�
for Residential CapeHomes: Resource Guide to Provincial Pro
The Provincial Secretary and the Planning
g Guidelines for Group grams
Region review the Planning for Social Development P Homes .
correspondence and guidelines contained in the
that the
comments with respect to the any comments to the Secretary.
follows; planning guidelines are o Staff
Provided as
1• Introduction
i
i
The purpose of the plannin g
Proposed by the Provincial Secretary guidelines for group homes, as
is to assist municipalities in formally Social Development,
homes as a permitted use in all and
y recognizing group
zoned areas, in the respective
residentially designated a
by-law respectively. pective official
Plan and zoning � •
In conjunction with the
and licensing establishment of provincial standards
I
attempt to ensureuthatents, the Planning
w and managed according roup homes are developed, are an
g to acceptable standards . maintained,
2• Official plans
The Provincial
Secretary y for Social Development su
include within their respective officgs that
a statement which would:
ial plan
i) provide a definition for
ii) establish grow group homes;
residential designations;
as a permitted use
prevent undue concentrations in all i
areas by requirin °f group homes in specific
between facilities containedein1then�onseparation
iv) provide for the continuation of an
not meeting the requirements of the zoning by-law; and
Y existing group homes
The above four issues were examined as they g by-law.
Durham Regional Official Plan and the existing to the
Of the former Planning Areas within the Region Staff has the foliowin ing °ff�cial plans
g comments: g °f Durham.
i) Since the definition for
incorporated in the MunicipalPActmes has recently
Opinion that if , staff is of thPbeen
homes within then munalit,.
Provincial definition,
redefine group
undertaken in the zoning his should be
g by-law. `
The Durham Regional Of
to homes" a residential ficial Plan
as already recognizes
use in Section
47
Commissioner' s Report No. 80-7 Page 4
iii) The suggestion that a policy to prevent an undue
concentration of group homes be incorporated in the
official plan has some merit and in this respect staff
is recommending that the Durham Regional Official Plan
be amended by adding the following to Section 8 .1 .2.1.
"c) It is the intention of this Plan to prevent undue
concentrations of group homes within Residential
Areas . The Council of the respective area
municipality may incorporate standards requiring a
minimum. distance separation between these facilities
in the respective restricted area (zoning) by-law. "
iv) It is also suggested in the planning guidelines that a
policy be included in the official plan that would
provide for the continuation of existing group homes .
The continuation, expansion or enlargement of existing
uses- may be permitted by the respective area municipal
Council in accordance with Section 16 .6 .5 of the Durham
Regional Official Plan.
v) Staff has reviewed the provisions of the existing
official plans of the former planning areas within the
Region of Durham and there are no provisions regarding
group homes specifically. Nevertheless, the provisions
i of the Durham Regional Official Plan are the governing
provisions since the policies of this Plan supercede all
existing official plans in the Region of Durham.
3. Zoning By-laws
As mentioned previously, municipalities may wish to redefine
group homes . In addition, it should be noted that the
Municipal Act has recently been amended giving municipalities
the power to register group homes . Area municipalities are
encouraged to enact or provide more detailed provisions in
their by-laws related to group homes .
Dr. M. Michael, M.C.I . .
BD/VC/LK Commissioner of Planning
Attachments : Appendix I
Table I
Corres. #925 & #6
48
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE DURHAM REGIONAL OFFICIAL PLAN
Purpose: ' The purpose of this Amendment to the Durham Regional
Official Plan is to prevent an undue concentration of
group homes .
Basis: The Provincial Secretariat for Social Development has
reviewed the issue of group homes and has prepared
planning guidelines for the development of group homes.
This amendment is in accordance with these guidelines.
Actual The. Durham Regional Official Plan is hereby amended by
Amendment: adding the following to Section 8 .1 .2 .1 :
"c) It is the intention of this Plan to prevent undue
concentrations of group homes within Residential
Areas . The Council of the respective area
municipality may incorporate standards requiring a
minimum distance separation between these facilities
in -the respective restricted area (zoning) by-law. "
Implementation:
The provisions set forth in the Durham Regional Official
Plan, as amended, regarding the implementation of the
Plan shall apply in regard to this Amendment.
Interpretation:
The provisions set forth in the Durham Regional Official
Plan, as amended, regarding the interpretation of the
Plan shall apply in regard to this Amendment.
49
I
et
TABLE 1 GROUP HOMES IN DURHAM REGION BY AREA MUNICIPALITY AS OF JULY 31, 1979
NOTE: The data is arranged in sets of two numbers which are divided
by a slash (/) , the first represents the number of group homes
and, the second denotes the bed capacity.
GROUP 1101-IES BY TYPE, ADMINISTRATING AGENCY AND BY CONTROL LEGISLATION
Children's Services
Ministry Of Community Soc ai Sery ces Adult Services
Children's Child Children's Homes for Provincia Ministry o Ministr o -A-E-80-lute Total Services
Boarding Welfare Mental Retarded Courts Y Percent
. Homes Act health Persons Act Correctional health Number of
Area Act Area Homes or Special Regional
Centres Act Act _ Care Act Total
Ajax - 3/16 _ _
Pickering 0/0 3/16 7.0/7.4
t Village - 2/12 - -
Brock 2/11 2/13 2/12 - - 2/12 4.7/5.5
Beaverton - - 1/6 - _ - 1/2 7/38 16.3/17.5
Cannington 1/6 2/13 1/6 - _ - 1/6 2.3/2.8
Sunderland 1/5 - - - _ 1/2 5/27 11.5/12.4
Newcastle - 1/6 - - 1/5 2.3/2.3
Bowmanville - - _ _ 3/16 4/22 9.3/20.1
CD 11ampton - _ _ _ 2/10 2/10 4.7/4.6
Newtonville 1/6 - - - 1/6 1/6 2.3/2.8
Oshawa 1/8 1/8 2/15 1/7 1/7 - - 1/6 2_3/2.8
Pickering - - - _ 6/25 12/70 27.9/32.3
Brougham - - - - - 1/6 1/6 2.3/2.8
Scugog - - _ - - - 1/6 1/6 2.3/2.8
Port Perry - _ - _ - - 1/6 1/6 2,3/2.8
Uxbridge - 3/21 - - 1/6 1/6 2.3/2.8
Uxbridge - 1/6 - _ _ 1/3 4/24 9.3/11.1
Goodwood - 1/9 - - 1/3 2/9 4.7/4.1
Zephyr - 1/6 _ - - - 1/9 2.3/4.1
Whitby - 1/6 - _ - - 1/6 2.3/2.8
Whitby - - _ _ - - 10/29 11/35 25.6/16/1
Brooklin - 1/6 - _ _ _ 10/29 0/29 22,3/2384
REGION 3/19 11/70 4/27 1/7 1/7 0/0 23/87 3/217 100/100
Source: Ministry of Community and Social Services
and Durham Regional Planning Department,
November 5, 1979.
IV
MOM
Provincial 416/965-6502 1 St Floor
aw"on'T oil,
Secretary for
_41
Social Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1A2
Development
AP ARTS ENT T
)ILE
October 1 , 1979
My Municipal Colleague :
You will recall last September I sent you
a report on group homes and asked for your support
for this concept of community living. Since that
time , activities have been undertaken by the
provincial government and certain municipalities to
implement that policy .
Within the provincial government , the
Secretariat for Social Development now has
coordinating responsibility for all matters relating
to group homes . To bring you up to date on G.
provincial activities , I have attached for your
information a status roport on each of the
recommends nions containad in thu group home report .
As well , I will be sending you descriptions V the
full range of provincial programs which cover group
homes .
As you know , the main thrust of our policy
is to encourage municipalities to make appropriate
amendments to their official plans and zoning by-laws
to permit group homes in all residential neighbourhoods .
To assist you in this eAeavour , I am enclosing the
proposed planning quiialines . 1 would ask that you
review the guidelines and provide me with any comments
you might have on them. 1 would appreciate your
comments by the end of November . I intend no discuss
the pla"ning guidelines along with other related
matters on group homes at the Provincial-Municipal
Liaison Committee later this year .
...........
Ff
r C
,l
2 - a
At this time, I would like to announce then
appointment of Mrs . Jill Hutcheon as Provincial Group
Home Coordinator . It will be her responsibility to L
coordinate the implementation of the provincial group
home policy . She will be available to assist
municipalities who would like to consider the
development and implementation of such a policy . As k
well , she will ensure that there is provincial
representation at pubij,.c meetings , if so requested
by a municipality . We have already responded to such
requests from a number of municipalities . Mrs . Hutcheon
is located in Room 1414 , Main Floor, Whitney Block,
Queen ' s Park, Toronto, Ontario. Her telephone number
is (416) 965-3655 .
As I have indicated previously, the
Government of Ontario, through several ministries , is
vitally interested in , and supportive of , this type
of community living . Therefore , I encourage you to
give consideration to +.-he development of a policy to
facilitate the establishment of group homes in all L
residential areas .
I look forward to hearing further from you
on this matter .
Yours sincerely
Margaret Birch
Provincial Secretary
6`
�
i
y|�V��UK� _�UT0�|.� HCS_K0K_CKoVy U� MCS .
l. INTRODUCTION �
,In September, 1978, the Honourable Margaret Dizcb' Provincial ,
Secretary for Social Development; announced a provincial policy �
of encouraging municipalities to amend their official plans
and zoning by-laws to permit group homes in all residential
areas.
The policy is designed to ensure that members of our community
are cared for where possible in the community in u way which �
protects both the interests of the individual and the neighbourhood .
�
Provincial-municipal cooperation in the establishment of group
�
kmnea is essential. In order to facilitate the changes a
municipality ml8bc want co make, the provincial government has
developed planning guidelines for group bones .
The purpose of these guidelines is to assist municipalities �
in recognizing group homes as u permitted use in all residentially �
deai8uoced or zoned areas in both their official plan and zoning �
by-laws . As a reoulc, municipalities will no longer need to .�
control group kumc development by requiring that each new �
U
facility be subject to an official plan amendment and re-zoning.
Taken together with the establishment of provincial standards
and licensing rcYoLomentx' the 8uLdei1oex will help cnxorc
that group homes are developed, maintained, and managed
according to accepted standards .
It should be noted that the White Paper on the Planning Act, �
released by the Minister of Housing on May 21' 1979' seta out �
the Government' s proposals for change in the local pluuoio& �
system. in discussing discriminatory zoning, the �,Fbice Paper
states Chat the restriction of occupancy of a dwelling to
"families" in Lhc normal xeuno is an unsupportable municipal
practice . It then states Chat new planning legislation will
permit municipalities to regulate the number of persons living
in a dwelling only by prescribing an occupancy scandarJ,
i.e. . mioimum space per person. The Rhice Paper also enouucuDee
municipalities co adopt official plan and zoning policies that
allow group homes as a purmiccu6 use in all residential zceax '
subject to distance separation ocundacdu .
�
The provincial coordinator for group homes will be available
to aoaWer queaKono on bow the proposed guidelines ccluto to '
cb* overall group home pnllcy. As well, Ministry of Housing
staff will respond to technical questions and concerns with \
the planning guidelines no they relate to the official plan
and zoning by-Law.
|
!
. /
The following sections provide the recommended approach
for including group homes in official plans and zoning by-laws.
It is suggested that the official plan statement and implementing
by-law be adopted by Council and submitted for approval concurrently.
2. OFFICIAL. PLAN
Established provincial policy requires that municipal official
plans not contain human services policies detailing the type,
extent and methods of provision of human services facilities.
Direct reference to group homes in the official plan, therefore,
should be limited to their designation as permitted land uses
in residential areas, with the .location of facilities being
implemented through the zoning by-law. �!
More specifically, the recommended official plan policy would :
provide a definition for group homes ;
establish group homes as a permitted use in all
residential designations;
prevent undue concentrations of group homes in
specific areas by requiring reasonab lu distance
E;
separation between facilities contained in the
zoning by-law;
provide for the continuation of any existing group
homes not meeting the requirements of the zoning by-law.
Su ested
Official Plan Stateme.�ntl t
"Group homes are permitted in all areas designated residential2
on schedule "
"For the purposes of this section, group homes are defined as a
single housekeeping unit in a residential dwelling in which three
to ten residents (excluding staff or the receiving family) live as
a family under responsible supervision consistent with the requirements
of its residents . The home is licensed or approved under provincial
statute and in compliance with municipal by-laws."
1This statement should be incorporated as part of the general residential
policy.
2This would include areas designated for low, medium and high density
reai,dootial development, and should also include rural designations
where residential development is a permitted use .
3The word "unrelated" has been deleted from the suggested official plan
statement and the zoning by-law as being unnecessary in light of the recent
decision of R. V. Bell (Barbara Greene decision) . This decision stated
that zoning should be on the basis of the type of land use, not on the
basis of the persons residin; in the land use area .
"In order to prevent an undue concentration of group homes
in specific areas of the municipality, standards requiring
a minimum distance separation between these facilities will
be incorporated in the implementing restricted area by-law. "
G
"Facilities existing on the date the zoning by-law comes into
effect but not complying with the requirements of the by-law
will be allowed to continue in operation but will not be permitted
to extend or expand without municipal approval.''
3. ZONING BY-LAW
The zoning by--law must conform to and implement the policy contained
in the official plan. To implement the policy on group homes, the
zoning by-law should:
be consistent in terms of definition;
permit group homes in every residential zone;
i
prescribe minimum separation distances between facilities. I
Suggested Zoning By-Law Provisions
Definition:
Group Home: a group home is a single housekeeping unit in a
residential dwelling in which three to ten residents
(excluding staff or receiving family) live as a family
under responsible supervision consistent with the t,
requirements of its residents. The home is licensed
or approved under provincial statute .
Permitted Uses : a ?Troup home, as defined , would be included as
a permitted use in all residential zones.
Development Standards : standards relating the size of home to the
number of residents will be contained in the
licensing requirements and should not be
included in the zoning by-law.
Standards prescribing the minimum distance
between CacilitiW could be in any one
of the following forms :
u
"The separation distances should be reasonable to accomplish the
stated aim but should not be designed to unnecessarily restrict
the establishment of group homes . The requirement could be
expressed in urban by--laws on A sliding scAle of 180 to 300 metre:;
depending upon Wo number A VoWeULM or A comparNbtu standard
distance in M' I ban or rurY s too" .
J
WA
i) A residential dwelling may be used for a group Dome provided
there is no group home or similar facility within a distance
from the building computed according, to the following table;
and depending on the approved capacity , excluding staff, in
either facility_ .
MINIIMM DISTANCE
APPROVED CAPACITY BE'IVEEN FACILITIES
OR
ii) A group home must be spaces( at least the following distance
from another similar facility, located in any residential
area depending on the number of residents, exclusive of staff,
in either the locating facility or the located facility,
whichever is the greater distance, as follows:
NUiII3ER OF LICENSED ;tU MER OF
OR APPROVED BEDS YTTRES
OR
iii) A group home must be spaced at least "Y metres from another
similar facility located in any residential area.
f,
4 . EXISTING FACILITIES
Facilities existing, on the date the by-law comes into effect
which meet provincial licensinn standards but do not comply
with the by-law definition of spacing requirements would be
allowed to continue in operation as non-conforming uses. These
facilities should, however, not be permitted to expand their
operation beyond that which existed on the date the zoning by-law
came into effect without municipal approval.
k.
`
'
|�5 . 6DDIIIO�,�[_���VF��\��0�
For xJJitionx) information or xn'`{xczx`' cw=cc :
Miuiocry of Housing
i) 0peracious and Development Cootrol- Dcauch' �
7th FInnr'
56 Wellesley Street West, .
Toronto, 0uturin, V
M7A 2K4 (416) 965-6418
li) Official Plans Branch,
|
7th Floor' `
56 Wellesley Street West, ,
�
Toronto, Ontario. `
HA 20 (416) 965-6418 .
`
iii) The Community Planning Advisory Branch in your area: �
Central Region: 2nd Floor, `
/
47 Sheppard Avenue East, '
Willondaie' Ontario.
82N 2C8 (4I6) 126-1855 \
L
�
Southwest Region: 7cb Floor, '
495 Richmond Street,
London, Ontario , |
36& 5A9 (519) 673-1611
Southeast Region: 3rd Floor ,
244 KiJram M,,t `
Ottawa, 0ocaciu.
KIN 5Y3 (613) 233-9301 /
|
Northwest Region: 435 James Street South
Thunder Day` ,Oocario |
77C 566 (807) 475-I651
Northeast Region: 1191 Lansing Avenue,
Sudbury, Ontario.
P1A \C4 (705) 560-0128
�
Ontario 1 i
1
Provincial 416/965.6502 1st Floor
Secretary for Whitney Block
Queen's Park
Social Toronto, Ontario
Development M7A 1A2
December 21, 1979
My Municipal Colleague:
A number of municipalities have requested information
on the particular programs the Provincial Government operates
as group homes. For this reason, a resource guide to the Government
of Ontario's community residential care programs, which include
group homes, has been prepared and is attached for your use.
As you know, I am strongly committed to the concept
of group home living for individuals whose needs can best be met
in the family style environment of these homes. These individuals should
have the opportunity to have their special housing needs met .-ithin
their own municipality, and I would hope that you agree with };-ie
that a residential neighbourhood setting is essential if the homes
and their residents are to become an integral part of our communities.
I am not unaware of community concerns that have been raised
in regard to group homes. As you know, a number of provincial
standards must be met before a home is approved or licensed and
as a condition of continuing operation. Of course, compliance with
municipal by-laws is a specific requirement in these standards.
The proposed planning guidelines, which were sent to you in October,
refer to the distance requirements you can introduce between group
homes. This spacing requirement should alleviate municipal and
community fears concerning concentration of group homes and
over-taxing of social and educational facilities. In order to enable
municipal governments to enforce distance requirements, an
amendment to The Municipal Act has been passed, giving municipalities
the power to register group homes. Also, the program descriptions
I am sending you today respond to the questions that have been
raised about particular types of residential care and address matters
such as supervision and rljulation of homes.
z
Mrs. Jill Hutcheon, the provincial group homes co-ordinator,
who can be reached at (416) 965-3655, would be pleased to meet
with you or your staff and answer any further questions you might
have.
N�.u�....� tydlRr�AM Note and file t
REC.�.t1;ED
"aeaRet�"''"° - ATTACHMENT TO THIS CpRRESPO"'IDENCE
Q�C � _ t IS A1�AILABLE I�'1 THE PLAN"II�IC
DEPARTME :T
f'tAtiPtt 9 �,. � 3
• - t t t. s
av f
As l
` t
You OUld9ht tieve ated tO You
in also appreciate the in Octob
.' regard to a ciatePlanning er, 1 wu
In grOUP homes n tndicationeO f es as soon e any com Wng Of gr uc nsid rati Would ask Your rnunlcipal ty's possible
P home on to you conf policy
:.., w... stn all res d n t. Which WoU1 Your sUp
lei are dPermit the estyablls
Y hrnent
ours sincerely,
r
iyar9ar t ICJ
pro yin re Birch
.' for Social�e etary
eloPment
54