HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-088-00
DN, PD088-00
'!......,;/""- - "'<,
THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
REPORT
Meeting:
General Purpose and Administration Committee
File # ]:0:1 ()~
Res. #0/1- 3C(f--oo
Date:
11onday, September 18, 2000
Report #:
PD-088-00
File#:
By-law #
Subject:
CLARlNGTON'S COMMENTS ON
DURHAM REGION OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW
FIRST STEP - ISSUES
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report PD-088-00 be received;
2. THAT Report PD-088-00 be forwarded to Durham Region Planning Department for
consideration in their Plan review process.
1 BACKGROUND
The Regional Municipality of Durham is undertaking an initiative to determine whether a five-
year review of its Official Plan is warranted as required by the Planning Act. As part of this
process the Region has prepared a draft issue paper which is circulated to all stakeholders for
comments.
2 COMMENTS
To stimulate discussion on the need to review the Plan, the Region identified the following five
issues as possible areas of investigation:
1. Growth
As projected population and employment targets will not be met by 2021, there is a need
to evaluate population and employment targets and possibly urban lands designation.
2. Urban Form
Increased densities and more mixed use developments are needed along arterial roads to
better utilize transportation systems.
632
1'"-- -
,
PAGE 2
REPORT PD-088-00
3. Commercial Structure
There is a need to review the commercial structure in the Regional Official Plan to ensure
community needs for retailing are addressed.
4. Oak Ridges Moraine
A long term strategy for the protection and management of the Oak Ridges Moraine is
needed.
5. Non-Farm Rural Development
Land use conflicts between agricultural and non-agricultural uses in rural areas need to be
addressed.
It is staff s position that in addition to the above issues the following additional issues need to be
addressed through any Regional Official Plan review process being contemplated:
1. Aggregate Resources
The Region should take the lead with respect to the development of aggregate resource
policies, including area-wide rehabilitation plans, protection of regional forests,
identification of environmental and socio-cultural constraints, and effective monitoring of
aggregate activity.
2. Environment
The Region should improve policies with respect to protecting the environment and
ensuring that natural heritage features are treated equitably when crossing municipal
boundaries. In particular, natural heritage features of regional significance, such as
Ganaraska and Long Sault Forests and Black/Farewell Wetlands, should be identified for
protection. The Region should provide adequate funding to conservation authorities to
undertake watershed studies in a timely manner. No urban boundary expansions should
be contemplated prior to completion of a watershed study.
3. Transportation
The Region should promote effective and efficient transportation system, keeping in
mind the need to plan and implement designs for future public transit needs. Also and
more importantly, the Region should ensure that any future regional transit spines or
633
;."',.. - ..
REPORT PD-088-00
PAGE 3
alignments do not negatively impact the environment and promote unwanted urban
sprawl. Our specific concerns in the area of transportation include a review of Adelaide
Avenue and the proposed bypass around Mitchell's Corners.
3 CONCLUSION
Given the major changes that have occurred and the plarming initiatives that have been
undertaken since the Regional Plan was adopted, it is staffs opinion that the five-year review of
the Regional Official Plan is warranted in the near future. Initiatives such as the Greater Toronto
Services Board's Countryside Strategy and Transportation Plan (Removing Roadblocks), the
Agricultural Report for the Greater Toronto Area and the Regional Mobility Study would have a
bearing on the Regional Official Plan.
Respectfully submitted,
Reviewed by,
U v~--cQ_~C:JC-c
Franklin Wu, M.C.LP., RP.P.
Chief Administrative Officer
BN*DJC*sn
September 8, 2000
634