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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPDS-026-23Clarftwn Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: Special Planning and Development Committee Date of Meeting: April 24, 2023 Report Number: PDS-026-23 Submitted By: Reviewed By: Carlos Salazar, Director of Planning and Infrastructure Services Mary - Anne Dempster, CAO By-law Number: File Number: PLN 16.1 Resolution#: PD-042-23 Report Subject: Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan Recommendation: 1. That Report PDS-026-23, and any related delegations or communication items, be received for information. 2. That in accordance with Council Resolution JC-037-23, staff be authorized to single source this project; 3. That Council appoints a member of Council to the Technical Steering Committee to be established for the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan project; 4. That the budget for any additional funding required to complete the Planning legislation component of the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan, including the implementation of Bill 23, be taken from the account for the Official Plan Review; and 5. That all interested parties listed in Report PDS-026-23 and any delegations be advised of Council's decision. Municipality of Clarington Report PDS-026-23 Report Overview Page 2 On February 27, 2023, staff presented to Council Report CAO-006-23 providing an update on the proposed South Bowmanville Recreation Centre. The Report recommended that staff expedite the development of a Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan (PRC Master Plan) to understand the parks, recreation, and culture spaces and services that should be offered both now and over the long-term. The funding to complete the PRC Master Plan was approved as part of the Community Services Department budget for 2023. The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the PRC Master Plan project in preparation for project initiation, and request that a member of Council be appointed to the project's Technical Steering Committee. 1. Background Budget for the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan is approved 1.1 Council approved the resources to retain the necessary consulting services to develop the Parks, Recreation, and Culture (PRC) Master Plan as part of the Community Services operating budget for 2023. Report CAO-006-23 1.2 Council received Report CAO-006-23 on February 27, 2023, which directed that staff expedite the development of a PRC Master Plan to comprehensively assess our communities' existing and future needs for parks, recreation, and culture spaces, programs, and services in consideration of Clarington's growing population and demographic trends. Why a PRC Master Plan? 1.3 A comprehensive PRC Master Plan will ensure Council has a complete picture of the Municipality's current and long-term needs and the financial impacts to make informed decisions on the path forward, including support for future capital investments and programming. 1.4 The time has come to develop an integrated PRC Master Plan in consideration of the following: Clarington has been the fastest growing Municipality in Durham Region between 1996 and 2021. Strong population growth and diverse population demographics are expected Municipality of Clarington Report PDS-026-23 Page 3 to continue over the next 30 years to 2051 to reach our population forecast of 221,000 people, representing an increase of 110 percent; New areas of development and redevelopment will bring higher -density neighbourhoods (e.g., major transit station areas) and built forms (e.g., high-rise apartments) that have different PRC servicing needs than traditional low -density residential neighbourhoods; and Changes to the Planning and Development Charges Acts through Bill 23 reduce parkland dedication requirements, impact the Municipality's ability to plan for and achieve Clarington's parkland standards, and affect the funding of PRC facilities and services. 1.5 Topics that will be addressed as part of the PRC Master Plan project include: Parks Integrated planning for municipal -wide and community parkland and initiatives, including: o Waterfront Strategy Update, including concept plans for Bowmanville (Port Darlington), Newcastle (Bond Head), and Courtice waterfront places; o Revamping of the Energy Park/Courtice Waterfront Secondary Plan as Ontario Power Generation (OPG) headquarters is relocated to Oshawa o Camp 30 (Jury Lands) Heritage Park o Bowmanville Zoo lands park proposal o Community -wide parks land acquisition in Secondary Plans currently underway to serve future population growth; and Development of parks standards, classifications, and strategies for land acquisition in consideration of current legislation. Recreation Facilities and programming that focus on inclusion and align with the diverse and changing interests of the community (e.g., types of indoor and outdoor sports facilities); and Existing facility initiatives, such as the South Bowmanville Recreation Complex and outdoor skating trails. Culture Evolving nature of heritage from buildings to cultural heritage reflecting past, present, and future demographics; Changing role and nature of Library Services, in consideration of community needs and evolving technology; Suite of visual arts offerings (incl. the Visual Arts Centre, A Gift -of -Art) and the need for performing arts spaces; Municipality of Clarington Report PDS-026-23 • Museum and Heritage infrastructure and services; and • Tourism and economic development potential and opportunities. Trails and Active Transportation • Implement the Circle of Green, as directed by the Clarington Official Plan; and • Incorporate trails and active transportation networks identified through the Active Transportation Master Plan initiative. PRC Master Plan will build on Existing Resources Page 4 1.6 The PRC Master Plan will be guided by the Municipality's strategic and policy documents and build upon strategies and assessments that Clarington has previously completed for specific components of our parks, recreation, and culture system, including but not limited to: • Clarington's Strategic Plan; • Clarington Public Library Strategic Plan, 2015-2018; • Clarington Official Plan, 2018; • Clarington Economic Development Strategy, 2022; • Development Charges Background Study, 2020; • Outdoor Recreation Needs Assessment, 2020, Indoor Facilities Development Strategy, 2017; • Library Service Review, 2016 • Older Adult Strategy, 2015; and • Parks, Open Space and Trails Discussion Paper, 2013. 2. Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan 2.1 Staff has prepared draft terms of reference for the PRC Master Plan to outline the scope of the project to retain the necessary consulting services. Project Scope 2.2 Due to time constraints and Council direction to expedite the development of the PRC Master Plan, the intent will be to contract consulting services through single sourcing the project to a company with the required expertise and knowledge of Durham Region and Clarington. 2.3 The consultant team will initiate the process to conduct all necessary background reviews, consultation, assessment of needs and opportunities, and development of mapping, policies and frameworks to inform and create the Municipality of Clarington's PRC Master Plan. Municipality of Clarington Report PDS-026-23 Page 5 2.4 Specifically, the PRC Master Plan will include the following primary components of the Municipality's Parks, Recreation and Culture system and the connections and synergies between them: • Parks: provides the physical spaces (parkland) and natural areas that are the foundation of the system; • Recreation (Facilities, Services, Programming): activates the system for residents and visitors to use, engage in, and enjoy, and includes indoor and outdoor facilities, play equipment and infrastructure; • Culture (Facilities, Services, Programming): illuminates our communities' unique identity and heritage and includes library, heritage, visual and performing arts; and • Trails: provides the links within and between our communities to connect people to the system and encourage active transportation (the Active Transportation Master Plan will inform this component). 2.5 The PRC Master Plan project will look for opportunities for innovation and co -location between parks, recreation, and culture functions to move towards multi -use, multi- purpose spaces and experiences. 2.6 The PRC process will also develop a multi -year financial strategy to implement projects identified in the Master Plan, including those outlined in subsection 1.5. The financial strategy will also explore options for how the Municipality may develop public -private partnerships to support the implementation of the Master Plan. 2.7 Another component of the PRC project is to review and present opportunities for how to deliver services best, as the Master Plan will cover the functions of all departments. 2.8 The PRC Master Plan project will be organized into phases that focus on the following: • Phase One: Establishing Baseline Inventories and Asset Mapping; • Phase Two: Consultation and Public Engagement; • Phase Three: Assessment of Existing and Future Needs and Recommendations for Strategies, Policies and Frameworks; • Phase Four: Preparation of and Consultation on the Draft PRC Master Plan; and • Phase Five: Final Approval and Implementation of PRC Master Plan. A detailed summary of each Phase is included in Attachment 1. Municipality of Clarington Report PDS-026-23 Project Management and Technical Steering Committee Page 6 2.6 The PRC. Master Plan project will be managed by Planning and Infrastructure Services staff to oversee the work plan and liaise with the successful consultant. 2.7 A Technical Steering Committee will be established for this project. The Steering Committee will review all products and provide input throughout all project phases, support decision -making, and provide oversight of project progress. 2.8 At a minimum, the Technical Steering Committee will comprise staff from Planning and Infrastructure Services, Community Services, Public Works, Library and Museum and Archives, and Financial Services. 2.9 It is recommended that a member of Council be appointed to the Technical Steering Committee, as included in the Recommendations of this Report. 3. Communications and Public Engagement Considerations 3.1 Engaging with appropriate stakeholders and community groups is critical to developing a PRC Master Plan that successfully captures the needs and desires of the community. 3.2 The project will include a comprehensive Consultation Program designed to reach a diverse cross-section of perspectives (demographics and interests) and offer different avenues for involvement, such as community group engagement sessions, online surveys, and public information centres. Attachment 1 (under Phase 2) includes additional detail about the Consultation Program. 4. Financial Considerations 4.1 Funding for developing a PRC Master Plan has been approved as part of the 2023 Budget. Additional funding may be required to complete the project components required to inform the Official Plan and implement changing provincial legislation, such as Bill 23. 5. Concurrence 4.1 This report has been reviewed by the Director of Community Services, Director of Public Works, the Deputy CAO/Treasurer, and the CEO of the Library, Museums, and Archives. Municipality of Clarington Report PDS-026-23 6. Conclusion Page 7 6.1 The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan project in preparation for project initiation. 6.2 It is respectfully recommended that (i) staff moves forward with the process to retain the necessary consulting expertise to develop a PRC Master Plan, generally in accordance with the project outline herein (ii) Council appoints a member of Council to the Technical Steering Committee to be established for the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan project, and (iii) the budget for any additional funding required to complete the Planning legislation components of the PRC Master Plan be taken from the account for the Official Plan Review. Staff Contact: Sarah Allin, Planner, sallin(c clarington.net or 905-623-3379 ext. 2419. Attachments: Attachment 1 - Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan Project Scope Interested Parties: List of Interested Parties available from Department. Attachment 1 to Report PDS-026-23: Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan Project Scope Phase Component Phase One: • Background Document, Policy and Planning Review Baseline, • Inventories and Evaluation of Existing Conditions Inventory and • Demographic Analysis Asset Mapping • Value (Usage) Assessment • Financial Assessment • Trends Review • Mapping of Existing Assets (parks, facilities, trails) Phase Two: • Comprehensive Program to bring diverse perspectives together, and engage a dynamic Consultation and demographic Public • Council and Advisory Committees Engagement • Focus Groups (Staff and Library) • Key Stakeholder Consultation (e.g. external agencies such as the Region, school boards) • Community Group Engagement Sessions (e.g. youth, older adult, and family demographics, and recreation, arts, and culture organizations) • Online Public Survey • Public Information Centres (by community and demographic) Phase Three: • Needs Assessment of current and future parks and trails, facilities, and programs and Assessments, services Analysis, and • Analysis of gaps, opportunities for new spaces/facilities/program, changes or enhancements Recommendations • Identify priorities for investment: parks, trails, recreation and culture facilities, programs and services • Identify funding /subsidy opportunities, partnerships • Recommend updated parks requirements and classification system • Create road map for investment and development of lands, facilities, programs and services, including actionable short, medium, and long-term goals • Financial Strategy to manage capital and operating costs associated with implementing the Master Plan • Review of the organizational structure and staffing of the parks, recreation, and culture function and recommendations to efficiently align with Master Plan implementation Phase Component • Policy framework to support implementation and inform the Official Plan Review Phase Four: Draft • Prepare Draft Plan based on outcome of Phase Three Plan • Detailed Mapping of existing and future networks, assets • Consultation on Draft Plan (steering committee, public, Council/Library Board) • Formal PIC/Council meeting to present the Draft Plan Phase 5: Final . Revise and Finalize Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan Master Plan and . Matrix of Comments/Input Received and Explanation as to how each was addressed; and Implementation . Presentation of final PRC Plan