REPORT. Mayor R. Bonnette and Members of Council. John Linhardt, Manager of Planning Policy PDS

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Meghan Bruce
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1 REPORT REPORT TO: REPORT FROM: Mayor R. Bonnette and Members of Council John Linhardt, Manager of Planning Policy DATE: November 8, 2010 REPORT NO.: RE: PDS Regional Official Plan Amendment No. 38 Proposed Draft Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Decision RECOMMENDATION: THAT Report No. PDS dated November 8, 2010, regarding the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing s proposed partial draft decision on Regional Official Plan Amendment No. 38 (ROPA No. 38) be received; AND FURTHER THAT the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing s proposed partial draft decision on ROPA No. 38 be referred to staff for a further report regarding the implications of the same and recommended course of action. AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this report, including the Ministry s proposed partial draft decision, be posted on the Town s website. BACKGROUND: ROPA No. 38 is Halton s comprehensive response to the myriad of Provincial land use policy initiatives that have emerged over the last few years such as the Provincial Policy Statement (2005), the Greenbelt Plan (2005) and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2006). More specifically, the Amendment incorporates the results of the Sustainable Halton Plan process, including the Preferred Growth Concept and Option and implements the various Regional Official Plan Review Directions approved by Regional Council on June 24, 2009 as well as various other policy matters. ROPA No. 38 was adopted by Regional Council on December 16, 2009 and forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval. In a letter dated October 27, 2010, the Ministry has provided the Region with a proposed partial draft decision on ROPA No. 38. The purpose of this report is to briefly summarize the salient matters as set out in the Ministry s proposed draft decision. Page 1 of 32

2 COMMENTS: The Ministry s proposed partial draft decision, which is generally supportive of the ROPA No. 38 policy framework as it relates to environmental protection, development phasing, Growth Plan intensification and greenfield density targets and the protection of employment lands, includes several modifications to the Regional Official Plan. The Ministry advises that the proposed modifications will improve consistency with the Provincial Policy Statement and improve conformity with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The proposed partial draft decision: supports the majority of the Urban Area and growth management policies, including the distribution of growth as set out in table 1 of ROPA 38; recognizes the Agricultural Rural Area and Regional Natural Heritage System policy framework (outside the Greenbelt Plan Area); strengthens policies to protect prime agricultural areas and ensure that agriculture as a land use is not hindered; supports harmonization of the OP with the policies of the Parkway Belt West Plan; removes specific references and mapping of Future Strategic Employment Areas, but includes alternative wording to support Regional goals in this regard; Incorporates new definitions to strengthen the Regional policy framework. The proposed partial draft decision also incorporates text and mapping modifications pertaining to future provincial transportation corridors, including the GTA West Corridor. Matters not addressed in the proposed partial draft decision, which the Ministry advises will be subject to further discussions with regional staff prior to the issuance of a final decision, include: The Regional approach to Greenbelt Plan conformity; Concerns with the Region s land budget methodology as it relates to the proposed employment land supply, specifically the use of vacancy rates and underutilization variables; withholding a decision on approximately 110 hectares of new employment land on the north side of Steeles Avenue between the Ninth Line and approximately mid concession between Tenth Line and Winston Churchill Boulevard in Halton Hills pending dialogue on the preceding bullet point and the findings related to future transportation corridors planned for this area; Page 2 of 32

3 Certain remaining natural heritage, agricultural and mineral aggregate policies; land use schedules; deferrals and referrals; EIS requirements. A copy of the Minister s proposed partial draft decision on ROPA No. 38 is attached to this report as. At this juncture, staff has identified the withholding of the decision on 110 hectares of employment lands in Halton Hills, the future transportation corridors and the elimination of the Future Strategic Employment Areas (FSEA) and related policies as issues of concern for the Town. Staff anticipates further discussions on the draft decision with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Region and the other local municipalities prior to its finalization and intends to provide a further report at a later date. RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN: The Town response to the Sustainable Halton process relates extensively to the broad vision for the community contained in the eight Strategic Directions of the Strategic Plan: Foster A Healthy Community Preserve, Protect and Enhance our Environment Foster a Prosperous Economy Preserve, Protect and Promote our Distinctive History Preserve, Protect and Enhance our Countryside Achieve Sustainable Growth Provide Sustainable Infrastructure & Services Provide Responsive, Effective Municipal Government In particular, this report relates to the following Strategic Objective: H.6 To participate fully in Region-wide initiatives to protect and promote the Town s objectives. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no immediate financial impact associated with this report. COMMUNICATIONS IMPACT: It is recommended that a copy of this report including the Ministry s proposed partial draft decision be posted on the Town s website. Page 3 of 32

4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Environmental issues were extensively considered throughout the Sustainable Halton process, including the proposed enhanced Natural Heritage System. ROPA No. 38 policies are also intended to move towards sustainability, and work towards decreasing the environmental impact of human activity, through the land use planning process. CONSULTATION: The Ministry s proposed partial draft decision has been discussed with the CAO and the Town Solicitor. It is anticipated that the proposed partial draft decision will be the subject of further discussions with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Region and the other local municipalities prior to its finalization. CONCLUSION: This report has summarized the Ministry of Municipal Affairs proposed partial draft decision on Regional Official Plan Amendment No. 38. A more detailed report regarding the implications of the proposed partial draft decision and a recommended course of action will be prepared at a later date. Respectfully submitted, John Linhardt, M(Pl), MCIP, RPP Manager of Policy Bruce MacLean, BA, MCIP, RPP Director of Planning, Development and Sustainability Dennis Y. Perlin Chief Administrative Officer Page 4 of 32

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