2008 Highlights & Hot Topics

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Highlights & Hot Topics – 2008

Deciding on Growth Plans to 2031
Conforming to the Provincial Growth Plan –“Places to Grow – A growth plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe”
In my mind, we need to be accountable not only to the positive actions that move “sustainability” in Pickering forward, but also to actions that may not be viewed as “sustainable”. As much as the City of Pickering promotes and has moved the principles of “sustainability” into operations, efforts are not translating into sustainable land-use policies designed to curb urban sprawl. In this case, committing to firm urban boundaries.
The previous Council in June of 2006 endorsed expanding the urban boundary into North-East Pickering lands, and removing the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve from the Greenbelt, but were not able to move forward because at the same time the Province passed by legislation the Provincial Growth Plan – Places to Grow – A growth plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The Plan requires the municipalities to complete comprehensive growth analysis as part of the legislated conformity exercise prior to expanding any urban boundaries into what are now referred to as the “whitebelt lands”.
The Region of Durham is currently working with consultants, Urban Strategies Inc. to complete the “Growing Durham – Places to Grow Implementation Study” but to date is in conflict with the Province on how density calculations are determined creating a difference of opinion on how much urban land will be needed across the Region to accommodate anticipated population growth to the planning horizon and target of 2031.
In this years’ Annual Report from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, Gord Miller stated that he “strongly advocates for change in the way planning is done in Ontario.” The board of the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority of which I’ve been appointed, overwhelmingly supported the Commissioners statements. The Board also supported mine and Ajax Councillor Jordan’s resolution to conduct a watershed study BEFORE any urban land designation of the Carruthers Creek Headwater area - Pickering’s “whitebelt lands”. The TRCA also endorsed a statement that they believe that any designation of urban land is premature until all aspects of the Growth Plan have been addressed including environmental analysis – the Region’s plan has been silent on this point to date.
Designation of too much urban land is a disincentive to smart growth/sustainable development. We should be focusing on Downtown Pickering & Seaton - urban lands already designated. Despite all of this, in July, the majority of Council again supported urban expansion into the Carruthers Creek headwater area in North East Pickering BEFORE a watershed study would determine its sensitivity!
Some key policies to watch for in the Region’s final recommendations would be: Requiring watershed plan updates, achieving target densities in existing designated urban areas, and phasing policies before any new urban designations are allowed.
This is an on-going issue. I encourage residents to lobby against “business as usual” urban sprawl in Pickering and the entire Region and ask elected representatives to support eco-based urban planning and stay within current designated urban boundaries.
To send correspondence, register as a delegate & to be notified of upcoming meetings contact: Planning Committee Clerk, Region of Durham Debbie.Brideau@region.durham.on.ca, 1.888.372.1102
Links to see:
Region of Durham
www.region.durham.on.ca/growthplan/consultantreports.htm
Provincial Places to Grow
www.placestogrow.ca/index.php?lang=eng,

Seaton Update...
“the greenest community in Canada??”
In my last newsletter, I gave a brief history of Seaton and the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP) lands and how Pickering lost it’s planning rights to the province when the previous Council supported developing both Seaton and more than 1000 acres of the DRAP in the City’s Growth Management Study. With the guidence of award-winning urban planner, John vanNostrand, and the Planning Alliance Inc. they created and the Province legislated the current Provincial Central Pickering Development Plan (CPDP). Currently the City is obligated by legislation to implement the plan.
The Plan contains land-use designations, and detailed goals, objectives, policies and implementation strategies for Seaton. Most importantly, the Plan contains a clear vision for a sustainable urban community.
Recently staff prepard a Draft Terms of Reference for the Seaton Neighbourhood Planning Program and recommended a collaborative management approach between the City and the Seaton Landowners. An RFP will be going out shortly to hire a Consultant that must demonstrate a commitment to implementing the model of sustainable development set out in the CPDP as well as outline their specific approach to public stakeholder and First Nations consultation among other requirements.
Acquiring the appropriate Consultant is crucial to the success of Seaton to avoid “business as usual” cookie cutter sub-divisions and Big Box stores. We need innovative ideas to create attractive built environments that support a mix of uses, are transit-supportive, and are pedestrian- and bicycle friendly, interface seamlessly with the large Natural Heritage System and be financially sustainable as well.
To make Seaton the greenest urban community possible everyone needs to participate proactively to make sure it is. Report back at Council Oct 20!
To view the Terms of Reference, comment or participate contact: Pickering Planning Dept. 905.420.4617, plan&devl@city.pickering.on.ca Visit www.sustainablepickering.com/seaton/
Also see: Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing, www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page329.aspx