To: Development Services Committee Item: Date of Report: DS March 21, 2012

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1 ~ ~OShaWa Report To: Development Services Committee Item: Date of Report: DS March 21, 2012 From: Subject: 1.0 PURPOSE Commissioner, Development Services File: Proposed City-initiated Amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan to Facilitate Future Development in a Portion of the Northwood Industrial Park South of Conlin Road West between the OshawalWhitby border and the Oshawa Creek Date of Meeting: March 26, 2012 PUBLIC REPORT The purpose of this report is to obtain Council authorization to initiate an amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan related to a portion of the Northwood Industrial Park that is intended to introduce Industrial and Open Space and Recreation land use designations in this area of the City. The amendment would also amend the Environmental Management and Transportation schedules of the Oshawa Official Plan. Advancing these amendments for the Northwood Industrial Park is intended to advance economic development and job creation in this area of the City. The area is. wellpositioned to attract and accommodate future industrial development in the City given its proximity to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT)/Durham College main campus, the Oshawa Municipal Airport and the futwe extension of Highway 407. The Northwood Industrial Park is located between Taunton Road West and Highway 407 between the Oshawa Creek and the Oshawa-Whitby boundary. The portion of the Northwood Industrial Park immediately south of Conlin Road West has been designated as a Special Study Area since The proposed changes to the land use designations would apply to the Special StudyArea. Attachment No. 1 is a map showing that portion of the Northwood Industrial Park that is subject to this report ("subject lands") and the existing zoning in the area. Attachment No.2 is a copy of the Northwood Industrial Park Concept Plan approved by Council in 1992 as a guideline for development in the area. Attachment No.3 is a portion of Schedule "A" (Land Use) from the Oshawa Official Plan showing how Special Study Area "A" (including a Deferred Area) is proposed to be redesignated to Industrial and Open Space and Recreation. Attachment No.4 is a portion of Schedule "A" (Land Use) from the Oshawa Official Plan showing the land use designations that would apply in the Northwood Industrial Park in the event the proposed Official Plan Amendment was approved

2 Report to the Development Item: ' Services Committee (Continued) Meeting Date: March 26, 2012 Attachment No. 5 is a portion of Schedule "0" (Environmental Management) from the Oshawa Official Plan showing proposed new Hazard Lands and Environmentally Sensitive Areas in part of the Northwood Industrial Park. Attachment No.6 is a portion of Schedule "8" (Transportation) from the Oshawa Official Plan showing the proposed changes to the transportation network. 2.0 RECOMMENDATION That the Development Services Committee recommend to City Council: That, pursuant to Report DS dated March 21, 2012, the Development Services Department be authorized to initiate the public process under the Planning Act for Council to consider a proposed amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan related to a portion of the. Northwood Industrial Park located south of Conlin Road West between the OshawalWhitby boundary and the Oshawa Creek. 3.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In order to advance industrial development in the vicinity of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology/Durham College main campus, the Oshawa Municipal Airport and the future extension of Highway 407, this report recommends that the Development Services Department be authorized to initiate the public process under the Planning Act for Council to.consider a proposed amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan for lands forming part of the Northwood Industrial Park. 4.0 INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES 4.1 Public ~ In the event the recommendation is approved by the Development Services Committee and Council, a public meeting on the proposed changes to the Oshawa Official Plan will be advertised and held pursuant to the,planning Act. ~ Notice of any public meeting would be published in both the Oshawa This Week and Oshawa Express newspapers. 4.2 Other Departments and Agencies ~ In the event the recommendation is approved by the Development Services Committee and Council, other departments and agencies will be circulated the proposed amendment for review and comment as part of the process associated with potentially amending the Oshawa Official Plan. 36

3 Report to the Development Item: Services Committee (Continued) Meeting Date: March 26, Auditor General ~ The Auditor General has no comment on reports of this nature. 5.0 ANALYSIS 5.1 Background ~ The subject lands (i.e., lands to which the proposed Official Plan Amendment will apply) are shaded on Attachment No.1 and are part of the Northwood Industrial Park. ~ In 1992, Council approved the Northwood Industrial Park Concept Plan (see Attachment No.2). ~ On February 21, 1994 City Council adopted Official Plan Amendment No. 33 (OPA 33) that put in place the current Industrial, Open Space and Recreation and Special Study Area "A" designations in that part of the Northwood Industrial Park located south of Conlin Road West. ~ On November 30, 1995 the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) approved OPA 33, subject to certain modifications and a deferral requested by the Margaree. Group on behalf of Skip Ambrose. The MMAH deferred the proposed Special Study Area "A" designation for a portion of Mr. Ambrose's lands located on the east side of Thornton Road North, north of a future east-west Type "C" Arterial Road (see Attachment No.3). ~ A large portion of the area south of Conlin Road West and north of a future proposed east-west Type "C" Arterial Road is designated as Special Study Area "A" in the Oshawa Official Plan (see Attachment No.3). The lands comprising this designation are approximately hectares (409.5 ac.) in size, with an additional 8.2 hectares (20.3 ac.) corresponding to the Deferred Area within Special Study Area "A". ~ It is now appropriate to resolve the land use designations in Special Study Area "A" and to initiate an amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan that puts in place appropriate land use and road designations to advance development in this area. ~ An amendment to the Durham Regional Official Plan is also required in order to reflect the proposed transportation network changes in the event that the proposed amendment is approved.. ~ Newland use designations are the first step to achieve development in this part of the Northwood Industrial Park. Other outstanding issues that must be resolved include addressing stormwater management to the satisfaction of the City and the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) and servicing to the satisfaction of the Region. It is estimated that funding in the amount of $50,000 will be needed to update and complete the stormwater management study to the satisfaction of the City and CLOCA. 37

4 Report to the Development Item: DS Services Committee (Continued) -4- Meeting Date:. March 26, 2012 ~ Should the proposed amendment ultimately be approved, staff will prepare a subsequent report to advance stormwater management and servicing issues. 5.2 Durham Regional Official Plan and Oshawa Official Plan Land Use Designations in Official Plans '~ In the Durham Regional Official Plan the subject lands are designated Employment Area and Major Open Space Area. ~ In the City of Oshawa Official Plan the subject lands are designated Special Study Area "A" with a small Deferred Area located within Special Study Area "A" (see Attachment No.3). This Deferred Area technically retains a Residential designation. ~ Section of the Oshawa Official Plan deals specifically with Special Study Area "A" and the City's intent to support industrial development for this area: " Special Study Area "A" Special Study Area "A" generally comprises part of the northern portion of the Northwood Industrial Park. The City supports, in principle, future industrial development in Special Study Area "A", subject to appropriate environmental and servicing considerations. However, further study is required to enable the City to determine and specifically designate various land uses, including Industrial and Open Space and Recreation land uses. These studies shall address, among' other issues, environmental issues, stormwater management issues including water quality considerations and the preferred alignment of Stevenson Road North through the northern portion of the Northwood Industrial Park." Environmental Management in the Oshawa Official Plan ~ In the Oshawa Official Plan certain parts of the subject lands are identified as Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Hazard Lands on Schedule "0", Environmental Management (see Attachment No.5). ~ Environmentally Sensitive Areas generally refer to natural landscapes containing lands or waters of inherent biological or physical sensitivity, such as areas containing aquifer recharges, headwaters, unique plants, wildlife, breeding or over-watering habitats, vital ecological functions, rare or endangered species,. or other combinations of habitat and landform which could be essential for scientific research or conservation education. ~ Hazard Lands generally refer to lands having physical characteristics such as poor drainage, swamps, organic soils, flood and erosion susceptibility, steep slopes, instability or any other physical conditions which could cause property damage, loss of life or damage to the environment if developed upon. 38

5 Report to the Development Item: Services Committee (Continued) Meeting Date: March 26, Transportation Network in Official Plans ~ 80th the Regional and the City Official Plans designate a hierarchy of roads consisting of Provincial Highways and Type "A", "8" and "C" Arterial Roads. In the Oshawa Official Plan this hierarchy further extends to Collector Roads and Local Roads. ~ In the Durham Regional Official Plan, Stevenson Road North is designated as a future Type "8" Arterial Road that curves westerly, north of Taunton Road West to intersect with Conlin Road West at a location approximate to where Thornton Road North currently intersects with Conlin Road West. ' ~ The City Official Plan shows: Stevenson Road North running straight between Taunton Road West and Conlin Road West, designated as a Type "8" Arterial Road; and A proposed connection of Thornton Road North and Stevenson Road North, near Conlin Road West, designated as a Type "8" Arterial Road. ~ The general function of a Type "8" Arterial Road is to carry moderate volumes of traffic, including moderate volumes of truck traffic. ~ The typical right-of-way width for a Type "8" Arterial Road is 30 metres to 36 metres (98 ft. to 118 ft.) ~ Thornton Road North between Taunton Road West and Conlin Road West is designated as a Type "C" Arterial Road in the Oshawa Official Plan. This segment of Thornton Road North is not shown as an arterial road in the Durham Regional Official Plan. ~. The general function of a Type "C" Arterial Road is to carry lower volumes of traffic including lower levels of truck traffic when compared to higher order roads such as a Type "A" or Type "8" Arterial Road. ~ The typical right-of-way width for a Type "C" Arterial Road is 26 metres to 30 metres (85 ft. to 1 00 ft.) 5.3 Proposed Land Use, Environmental Management and Transportation Network Amendment Proposed Amendment ~ It is now appropriate for the City to initiate an amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan that will put in place appropriate land use and road designations for the subject lands that will advance future development. The proposed amendment would: (a) Replace the Special Study Area "A" designation, including the Deferred Area located within Special. Study Area "A", in the Oshawa OffiCial Plan with appropriate 39

6 Report to the Development Item: Services Committee (Continued) Meeting Date: March 26, 2012 Industrial and Open Spacean(j Recreation designations (see Attachment Nos. 3 and 4); (b) Delete Section which is a policy related to Special Study Area "A"; (c) Identify on Schedule "0", Environmental Management, proposed new Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Hazard Lands ~ in the subject lands (see Attachment No.5); (d) Change the road designation of Thorriton Road North between Taunton Road West and Conlin Road West from a Type "C" Arterial Road to a Type "8" Arterial Road (see Attachment No.6); (e) Change the road designation of Stevenson Road North between Taunton Road West and Conlin Road West from a Type "8" Arterial Road to a Type. "C" Arterial Road (see Attachment No.6); and, (f) Delete a proposed Type "8" Arterial Road connection between Thornton Road North and Stevenson Road North, south of Conlin Road West (see Attachment No.6) Rationale for the Proposed Land Use Amendment ~ Initiating the public process to consider the proposed amendment for the Northwood Industrial Park is recommended for the following key reasons: The proposed amendment would bring the Oshawa Official Plan into conformity with the Durham Regional Official Plan. The proposed amendment would conform to the Provincial Growth Plan and the Provincial Policy Statement. UOIT and Durham College are expected to. continue to grow, both in size and reputation. It is anticipated that industry will want to locate in proximity to UOIT and Durham College to develop synergies and relationships. The Northwood Industrial Park is in proximity to new Highway 407. Simcoe Street North will get an interchange as part of the initial construction and a future interchange is planned at Highway 407 and Thornton Road North. A. commitment has been made by the Province to complete Phase 1 of the easterly extension of Highway 407 to Harmony Road North by The area designated as Special Study Area "A" in the Oshawa Official Plan represents a "gpp" in the orderly progression of u(ban development in the City since. the areas north and south of Special Study Area "A" are generally designated for Industrial development.. 40

7 Report to the Development Item: Services Committee (Continued) Meeting Date: March 26, 2012 Development pressures from the development industry and landowners have started to arise for the subject lands within'the Northwood Industrial Park area. The proposed amendment would clarify to property owners, the development community and others, the City's long term planning in this area.. The City is planning to rebuild Conlin Road West north of the Study Area (an Environmental Assessment has already been approved) and there may be an ability to extend services to part of the subject are'a. The subject area will become more accessible and more attractive for development when Conlin Road West is reconstructed in accordance with the recent Environmental Assessment approved by Council. The proposed amendment can positively impact the locallregional economy and job growth Rationale for the Proposed Environmenta,1 Management Amendment ~ Initiating the public process to consider a proposed amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan to Hazard Lands and Environmentally Sensitive Areas is recommended for the following key reason: The environmental management part of the amendment would implement' the findings of both the Northwood Industrial Park Environmental Review and Analysis undertaken in 2002 by the City's environmental consultant Aquafor Beech and the Ministry of Natural Resources Provincially Significant wetland mapping (2005). The City is required to implement this wetland mapping in the City's planning documents in' accordance with Provincial Policy Rationale for the Proposed Transportation Network Amendment ~ Initiating the public process to consider the proposed amendment to the transportation network shown in the Official Plan is recommended for the following key reasons: The network currently reflected in the Regional and City Official Plans is dated and does not reflect recent and new information. The currently reflected network is confusing to property owners and the development community. Council's commitment to keep the Oshawa Municipal Airport open until at least 2033 significantly limits any opportunity to connect the two fragmented sections of Stevenson Road North, north and south of the airport. Consequently, the Stevenson Road NorthlThornton Road North connection reflected in the current Regional and City Official Plans cannot serve its intended purpose of linking the Stevenson Road South interchange at Highway 401 and the proposed Thornton Road North interchange at the future Highway

8 Report to the Development Item: Services Committee (Continued) Meeting Date: March 26, 2012 The currently reflected Stevenson Road NorthlThornton Road North connection would directly impact more recently identified environmentally sensitive features, incl.uding wetlands, that exist in the area and which were not documented at the time the connection was included in the Regional and City Official Plans. The currently reflected Stevenson Road NorthlThornton Road North connection would further fragment properties in the area and would detrimentally impact development proposals. Neither the City nor the Region owns the lands for the Stevenson Road NorthlThornton Road North connection and its acquisition would be expensive. Without a future Stevenson Road NorthlThornton Road North connection: (i) (ii) (iii) The role and function of Thornton Road North and Stevenson Road North between Taunton Road West and Conlin Road West are altered; Conditions along the existing section of Stevenson Road North between Taunton Road West and Conlin Road West are expected to be commensurate with the role and function of a Type "C" Arterial Road, as opposed to a Type "8" Arterial Road; and, Conditions along the existing section of Thornton Road North between Taunton West and Conlin Road West are expected to be commensurate with the role and function of a Type "8" Arterial Road, as opposed to a Type "C" Arterial Road, especially since Thornton Road North is planned to have a future interchange at Highway 407. Thornton Road South will abut a new planned GO Train Station and Trent University in Oshawa is well-positioned to undergo significant future growth at its campus on Thornton Road South. Thornton Road North, north of Conlin Road West, is currently a Type "8" Arterial Road Future Reports ~ On a go forward basis, the following reports will need to be prepared in the event the recommendation in this report is accepted by Committee and Council: Public Meeting report on the proposed Official Plan Amendment; Recommendation report on the proposed Official Plan Amendment; Report on advancing stormwater management and Regional services in Northwood; and Public Meeting and Recommendation reports on the associated Zoning 8y-law Amendment. 6.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS ~ Anticipated costs to process the proposed amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan are included in the appropriate Departmental budgets and relate to newspaper advertising. 42

9 Report to the Development Item: Services Committee (Continued) Meeting Date: March 26, RESPONSE TO THE COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN ~ This report advances Goal A (A Vibrant, Strong and Progressive Community), Goal B (A Green and Sustainable Community) and Goal C (A Caring and Responsive Community) of the City's Community Strategic Plan by developing new job opportunities, by taking a proactive approach to environmental management and protection, by managing growth and using land wisely and by ensuring accountability to citizens and effective City management. ~-Z.l/~ Paul Ralph, B.E.S., RPP, Director Planning Services Thomas B. Hodgins, M.A., RPP, Commissioner Development Services Department WM/c Attachments 43

10 DURHAM SPC-A Attachment No. 1 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT Item No.: DS Subject: Proposed City-initiated Amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan to Facilitate Future Development in a portion of the Northwood Industrial Park File No.: _ Subject Area 44

11 GENE... IHDlJmlAL OPENs...a TAUNTON ROAD W ST Attachment No.2 - Schedule "A" Northwood Industrial Park Land Use Concept Item No.: DS * Waste Disposal Assessment Areas Subject: ~ Arterial Road B Local RO,ad 4 ~ Limit of Study Area File No.: Proposed City-initiated Amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan to Facilitate Future Development in a portion ~f the Northwood Industrial Park CityojOshawa --e DEVELOPMENTSERVICES DEPARTMENT

12 FROM: Special Study Area "A" TO: Industrial o -" Special Purpose Commercial Special Study AIea Institutional Deferred by Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Local Central Area Attachment NO.3 Item No.: OS Subject: Proposed City-initiated Amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan to Facilitate Future Development in a portion of the Northwood Industrial Park 46 File No.: e NyafO.,hm." DEVELOPMHNT SER VICES DEI' ARTMENT ~ '""" CITY OF OSHAWA OFFICIAL PLAN Development Services Department SCHEDULE 'A' LAND USE Proposed Amendment to Schedule 'A' Land Use of the Oshawa Official Plan

13 Special Purpose Commercial Institutional Attachment NO.4 CITY OF OSHAWA OFFICIAL PLAN Development Services Department Item No.: DS Subject: Proposed City-initiated Amendment to the Oshawa SCHEDULE 'A' Official Plan to Facilitate Future Development in a portion LAND USE File No.: of the Northwood Industrial Park 4 7 Proposed Amendment to Schedule 'A' B CUy'fO,hmoo "'" Land Use of the Oshawa Official Plan DEVE!.OPMJ:NT SMV1CES D/:J>AIn'MENT ~ L- ~

14 LANDS TO BE DELETED AS ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS LANDS TO BE DELETED AS ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS I I * LANDS TO BE IDENTIFIED AS ENVIRONM ENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS I c========~ L:::::::;;;:;-e=i===::::;-;=;===~ '----?~~===""''"''"="'il ~ m Groundwater Recharge Areas I D Hazard Lands ~ Environmentally Sensitive Areas * Waste Disposal Assessment Area Section (ii) Attachment No.5 Item No.: DS Subject: Proposed City-initiated Amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan to Facilitate Future Deve!opment in a portion of the Northwood Industrial I:ark 4a File No.: DEVHi.OI'M NTSHIlVICESgJ/:f.,t:EJr ~ CITY OF OSHAWA OFFICIAL PLAN Development Services Department SCHEDULE '0' ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Proposed Amendmenl to Schedule 'D' Environmental Management of the. Oshawa Official Plan

15 TAUNTON RO W - Type 'A' Arterial Road - Type'S' Arterial Road - Type 'G' Arterial Road Attachment NO.6 Item No.: DS Subject: Proposed City-initiated Amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan to Facilitate Future Development in a File No.: portion of the Northwood Industrial Park 4 i~ojo,'u"a D"V"I.OPM"NT S""Vlas ""PAR1M"NT ~ CITY OF OSHAWA OFFICIAL PLAN Development Services Department SCHEDULE '8' TRANSPORTATION Proposed Amendment to Schedule '6' Transportation of the Oshawa Official Plan