The goals of the York Region Official Plan are to successfully manage growth in order to maintain healthy communities, a sustainable natural environment and a vital economy. The Planning Committee certainly met these challenges in 1999. 

The Planning Committee was very busy dealing with development applications, requests for information and requests for Official Plan amendments. By the end of the year, York Region's population had increased by 40,500 persons – raising the total population figure to 713,000. York Region issued more residential building permits than any other municipality in Canada.

In 1999, six Regional Official Plan amendments were approved, 61 local Official Plan amendments were processed (including 14 exemption requests) 44 subdivisions and 11 condominium applications received draft plan approval and 12,456 residential dwelling units were registered.

Protecting the Environment

Through aggressive public consultation exercises, the completion of a forest management plan, new water conservation programs and the development of the Region's first State of the Environment Report, York Region accomplished many important community goals. 

York Region also led the way by working with neighbouring Regions and asking the Province for a comprehensive strategy for the Oak Ridges Moraine.

Vaughan Mills

One of the biggest developments reviewed by the Planning Committee was the Vaughan Mills Super-Regional Shopping Centre. After taking into consideration a number of changes requested by the Committee, the Ontario Municipal Board approved the 1.4 million square foot retail, 
commercial and entertainment centre. 

Growth Management

With the tremendous demand for growth comes an important responsibility to manage the growth properly. The Planning Committee continued to fulfill this mandate in 1999 with the launch of the Pace of Growth Symposium in May, which invited the public and other stakeholders to examine the Region's growth management approach.

Over 200 people attended, representing area municipalities, ratepayers, school boards, social service agencies and the development industry. Several new initiatives were developed to further improve the Region's approach to growth management.

Being on the leading edge of public consultation is nothing new to the Planning Committee. The Region won the prestigious Professional Merit Award from the Ontario Professional Planning Institute for the Region's Official Plan Report Card initiative, which sought public opinion as to how well the Region was following its Official Plan's goals and objectives. 

Geographic Information Systems

Recognized across the Greater Toronto Area as a leader in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the York Region Geomatics Division was designated by the Greater Toronto Services Board to be the custodian of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton digital GIS data.

York Region joined with the Regions of Peel and Halton, as well as the local conservation authorities, to develop a common standard for GTA-wide digital aerial photographs. This resulted in the delivery of cost-effective, digital colour images of the entire Region.

Departure of Commissioner

Both the Committee and Council were saddened by the departure of Planning Commissioner John Livey, who accepted the position of Chief Administrative Officer with the Town of Markham. Mr. Livey was responsible for developing the Region's first Official Plan and received international recognition for that and other initiatives.

  

 
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