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Planning For Tomorrow 2007
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2007 Reports and Background Papers
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Vacant Employment Land Inventory i
The discussion paper is intended to stimulate conversation with our stakeholders on updating our natural heritage system and strategy. York Region has faced significant growth over the past 25 years. This growth will continue and has the potential to place considerable additional pressure on the Region's natural heritage system.
 
Ensuring a strong, robust natural heritage system integrated into the new communities of York Region, and enhanced and restored in the Region's intensifying urban areas will help ensure the long term health of the system and contribute to a sustainable York Region.
 
The discussion paper will be circulated widely to stimulate the discussion and that staff undertakes focussed stakeholder input. A report on the consultations will be brought back to Committee and Council in the fall.
 
York Region Vacant Employment Land Staff Report (PDF, 53k )
Attachment 1 - York Region Vacant Employment Land Inventory Maps (PDF, 13 MB)
Attachment 2 - 2006 Vacant Employment Land by Municipality and Servicing Availability (PDF, 2 MB)
Attachment 3 - York Region Vacant Employment Land Historical Examples of Built Underutilized Parcels (PDF, 19 MB)
 
Planning for Tomorrow - New Communities Strategy
Best Practices for New Communities Discussion Paper - November 2007 j
 
The Best Practices paper is intended to stimulate discussion on the development of the potential New Communities of York Region, and provide a basis for future new community criteria. The discussion paper will be circulated widely for comment and discussion.
According to Provincial forecasts contained in the Places to Grow Plan, the Region is expected to have 1.5 million residents by 2031, as well as 800,000 jobs and 500,000 households. Of the total new household units forecasted for the Region by 2031, just over 85,000 new household units are required to locate in existing developed areas. The remaining 60% or approximately 140,000 new units are expected to locate in new development areas including the Region's whitebelt areas. Whitebelt areas refer to the Region's last remaining undesignated greenfield areas outside the boundary of the Greenbelt Plan.
 
The Growth Plan also requires that communities be planned in a manner which contributes to creating complete communities; creates street configurations which support walking, cycling, and the early integration and sustainability of transit service; provides a diverse mix of land uses including residential and employment; and creates high quality open spaces and urban design.
 
 
 
Final Sustainability Strategy - November 2007 k
The Final Sustainability Strategy provides a new approach to decision-making integrating the environment, economy and community, as well as, emphasizing engagement, monitoring and continuous improvement. This Strategy will inform all Regional initiatives to address the dynamic growth forecasted for the Region.
 
The Final Strategy consists of nine guiding principles and over 100 action items, many of which are already underway. Additonal information on the Strategy can be accessed through the Sustainability Strategy button above or by clicking here.
 

Next steps include finalizing an implementation plan for the Strategy consisting of a sustainability assessment, outcomes and responsibilities. The Final Sustainability Strategy and all Regional initiatives represent the first of many steps towards stronger sustainability and will position the Region as a leader in this field.

 

York Region Sustainability Strategy Final Version Report  (PDF, 240k)

York Region Sustainability Strategy - Towards a Sustainable Region (PDF, 4.2M) 

 

 

Fiscal and Economic Implications of the Regional Growth Management Strategy – November 20071

The purpose of the report is to provide Regional Council with an update on the status of the study for the fiscal and economic implications of the various growth scenarios prepared as part of the Region's Growth Management and Regional Official Plan update process.

 

Fiscal and Economic Implications of the Regional Growth Management Strategy Report

 

Draft Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan for Public Review – October 20072

The purpose of this report is to advise Regional Council of the completion of the draft Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan (PCMP) and the process for public and stakeholder review and the upcoming Open Houses.

 

Draft Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan for Public Review Report 

Attachment 1a - Pedestrian & Cycling Master Plan Study: Towards a More Sustainable Region –  Overview Report: Part 1 (13.2MB)
Attachment 1b - Part 2 (17.2MB)]
Attachment 2 -  Pedestrian & Cycling Master Plan Study: Towards a More Sustainable Region – Overview Report: Draft Report: Text (6.7MB)
Attachment 3a - Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan Study Appendix A Part 1 (18.7MB)
Attachment 3b - Appendix A Part 2 (16.6MB)
Attachment 3c - Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan Study Appendix B
Attachment 3d - Draft Proposed Maps (15MB)
Attachment 4 -   Volume 2: Planning and Design Guidelines (10.4MB)

 

Planning for Tomorrow Phase 2 – Public Engagement and Consultation 2007 Summary – September 20073

 

This report details Phase 2 of the Planning for Tomorrow Public Engagement process and feedback and advises of the next steps in the Region's growth management initiatives.

Planning for Tomorrow Phase 2 – Public Engagement and Consultation 2007 Summary Report

Attachment 1 – Town Hall Meeting Discussion Summary
Attachment 2 – Planning for Tomorrow Public Engagement and Consultation Meeting Summary and Evaluations
Attachment 3 – Stakeholder Written Comments Summary
Attachment 4 – Stakeholder Written Comments

 

Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan Study Update – June 20076

 

The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the status of the Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan.

Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan Study Update Report
Attachment 1 - Preliminary Draft Proposed Cycling Network 2007-2037
Attachment 2 – Preliminary Draft Proposed Long-Term Pedestrian System

 

Sustainable Development Through LEED™ - June 20074

The purpose of this report is to set out the principles to guide the formulation of a Regional policy regarding Sustainable Development through LEED™ and to provide the basis for consultation with the local municipalities and the development industry. The primary goals to be achieved through a new policy are to:
• Provide an incentive for high density residential development in Regional Centres and Corridors.
• Promote more energy efficient green buildings.

An implementation strategy will accompany these policies that allows for "servicing allocation" savings to be directed back to sustainable development meeting certain criteria such as LEED™ certification and Regional sustainability objectives.

 

Sustainable Development Through LEED™ Report
Attachment 1 – Examples of Local Municipal Initiatives

 

Protecting Areas of Employment – June 20075

The purpose of this report is to inform the Committee and Council of Provincial policy and legislation that protects areas of employment from non-employment uses, and to outline the next steps, at a Regional level, required to implement these policies.
This report also provides interim guidance for York Regional staff in dealing with conversion type applications prior to the completion of the Region's "Growth Plan" and
Bill 51 conformity exercises. Regional staff will be preparing a Regional Official Plan amendment for these conformity exercises, at which time the policy direction of the Growth Plan and Bill 51 in respect to the protection of employment areas will be incorporated into the Regional Official Plan.

 

Protecting Areas of Employment Report
Attachment 1 – Compendium of Salient Definitions


 

Natural Heritage Discussion Paper - May 2007 l

The discussion paper is intended to stimulate conversation with our stakeholders on updating our natural heritage system and strategy. York Region has faced significant growth over the past 25 years. This growth will continue and has the potential to place considerable additional pressure on the Region's natural heritage system.

Ensuring a strong, robust natural heritage system integrated into the new communities of York Region, and enhanced and restored in the Region's intensifying urban areas will help ensure the long term health of the system and contribute to a sustainable York Region.
 
The discussion paper will be circulated widely to stimulate the discussion and that staff undertakes focussed stakeholder input. A report on the consultations will be brought back to Committee and Council in the fall.
 
 
 
In April 2007, Regional Planning and Development Committee considered and endorsed 5 reports dealing with Planning for Tomorrow as well as receiving a Presentation dealing with the first 4 of these reports
 
 

Planning For Tomorrow Part 1 - York Region Population and Employment Forecasts (April 2007) m
Forecasts of population, households and employment serve a number of purposes and play a vital role in the planning of future regional services. They are a fundamental building block to virtually every major regional study including the designation of settlement and land use boundaries, and the planning for infrastructure projects, housing needs, and various health and social programs.
 
The purpose of this report is to present preliminary population and employment forecasts to the nine area municipalities of York Region.  Three forecast scenarios are presented.  These include 30% and 40% intensification scenarios that are based upon the Provincial Places to Grow forecasts and a 2051 forecast.  These forecasts will be used as a basis for discussion, review and evaluation with Regional Council, local municipalities, public agencies, school boards, etc. and the Province, as we continue to refine and develop a preferred scenario.
 
 

Planning For Tomorrow Part 2 - Land Requirements (April 2007) n
The Whitebelt is the portion of the Region that is not currently designated Urban Area or Town and Village in the Greenbelt Plan and is not protected by Oak Ridges Moraine or Greenbelt legislation.
 
This report analyzes Whitebelt land area requirements based on the York Region 2031 draft 30% intensification and draft 40% intensification forecast scenario's, as well as the current Regional Official Plan forecast updated to 2031.
 
 
The purpose of this staff report is to provide an intensification strategy for consultation and refinement. The Strategy's main objective is three-fold:
  • To forecast the amount and location of residential intensification from 2006 to 2031 in the Region.
  • To demonstrate what the Provincial Places to Grow Plan target of 40% intensification means to the Region in terms of absolute numbers and urban design.
  • To provide a framework for the Regional and Area Municipal Intensification Strategies using an "Intensification Matrix"

Planning for Tomorrow Part 4 - York Region Residential Area Analysis – Preliminary Report (April 2007) p
The purpose of this staff report is to track and analyze how the Region's built environment has evolved over the years with respect to residential density, housing mix and other built form factors. This analysis will also determine how residential densities in the Region's greenfield communities relate to the target in the Provincial Places to Grow Plan.
 
 

Planning For Tomorrow Part 5 - Phase 2 - Public Engagement and Consultation - 2007 q
The purpose of this report is to outline the steps and timing involved in the Phase 2, Public Engagement and Consultation program for the Region's, Planning for Tomorrow - Growth Management Initiative. This Phase of consultation will involve review and consideration of growth scenarios with stakeholders in York Region
 
 

Provincial Infrastructure Required to Implement the "Places to Grow" Plan in York Region – March 200710

The purpose of this report is to update Council on the status of Provincially significant infrastructure reported in April 2005 that covers water, wastewater, roads, and transit that York Region requires over the next 30 years in order to accommodate Provincial growth forecasts.

 

Provincial Infrastructure Required to Implement the "Places to Grow" Plan in York Region Report

Attachment 1 - 30 Year Transportation Infrastructure Needs and Funding Gaps Commitments Required from Province

Attachment 2 - 30 Year Water and Wastewater Projects for Provincial Approvals

 
York Region Preliminary Draft Sustainability Strategy (March 2007) r
The purpose of the Sustainability Strategy is to provide a long-term framework for making smarter decisions about growth management and municipal responsibilities that better integrate the economy, environment and community. The Strategy is meant to inform and improve all Regional policies, programs and operations.
 
The Strategy identifies over 80 action items that are categorized under the following theme areas:
  • Corporate Culture of Sustainability
  • Healthy Communities
  • Economic Vitality
  • Sustainable Natural Environment
  • Education, Engagement and Partnerships
  • Sustainability Implementation and Monitoring
The Region will hold a series of stakeholder consultations in the spring 2007, in order to refine the components of the Preliminary Draft. A final draft is scheduled for Council Approval in June 2007.
 
 
Growth Management Strategy Options: Preliminary Report (March 2007) s
The purpose of this staff report is to provide a high level overview of the components of the Region's Growth Management Strategy that will be presented to Regional Council over the next few months.
 
 
York Region New Communities Workshop Feedback (February 2007) t
York Region hosted a New Communities Workshop held on November 22nd, 2006 at the Glenway Country Club in Newmarket. The workshop discussed potential development in the Region's remaining undesignated lands with respect to creating new compact communities, ensuring sustainable infrastructure and completing and linked the natural heritage system.  The workshop also expanded on discussions from the Natural Heritage Workshop.
 
The main conclusions that emerged from the workshop included:
  • integrating compact communities, sustainable infrastructure with the natural heritage system;
  • requiring infrastructure to employ more sustainable and green practices;
  • addressing the issues of health, energy, changing demographics, human services and transit;
  • involving all stakeholders from diverse disciplines to refine details and produce recommendations.
 
York Region hosted a Natural Heritage System Workshop on November 1, 2006 at the Glenway Country Club in Newmarket. The objectives of the workshop focused on:

  • How to identify a complete and linked Natural Heritage System for the Region.
  • How to integrate a protected and restored natural heritage system into the infrastructure planning process.
Key objectives that emerged from the workshop included:
 
  • updating the Regional Natural Heritage System,
  • identifying better and innovative management practices in infrastructure planning, technology and construction that protect and enhance the natural heritage system
  • using the workshop input to produce a Natural Heritage System discussion paper
 
Technical Paper on a Proposed Methodology for Developing A Built Boundary For the Greater Golden Horseshoe (January 2007) v
The Growth Plan stipulates that by the year 2015 and for each year thereafter, a minimum of 40 per cent of all residential development occurring annually will be within the built-up area.
 
The Built Boundary is the fixed geographic line which will be used to distinguish the built-up area (intensification areas) from the non-built-up area (greenfield areas).
 
This report summarizes the Province's methodology for delineating the Built Boundary as provided by the Technical Paper on a Proposed Methodology for Developing a Built Boundary for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, released by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal on November 27, 2006.  The report also comments on the preliminary mapping of the built-up area.
 
 
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