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Planning for
the present and future needs of a thriving community requires sound
strategic policies and initiatives. The Planning and Economic Development
Committee is responsible for the management and evolution of quality
communities. Whether it’s trying to sustain the natural environment,
anticipating future growth or creating strong partnerships for a
healthy community, the Committee is aligning strategies and initiatives
within the context of a long-term vision, Vision 2026.
Goal:
To prepare and implement strategic initiatives that conserve the
Region’s resources and guide development.
Achievements:
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Council
adopted a framework for a Regional Official Plan Amendment that
will provide the policy basis to support the Region’s centres
and corridors initiatives. |
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A
new policy, Infrastructure Allocation Policy, for the allocation
and management of servicing infrastructure was developed to
provide the right amount of servicing capacity, at the right
time to appropriate development. |
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Released
Vision 2026’s first annual report, Indicators of Progress
that identified regional successes and innovations in achieving
the Vision as well as identified a series of performance measures. |
Goal: To promote a healthy environment through the development process.
Achievements:
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Issued
the Draft Greenlands Securement Criteria that identified a long
term acquisition strategy for a permanent greenlands system
in York Region. |
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The
Oak Ridges Moraine Amendment incorporated the provincial policy
into the Region’s Official Plan. |
Goal: To re-examine and improve the Region’s growth management
system.
Achievements:
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In
cooperation with local municipalities, the Region advocated
for balanced growth and environmental sensitivity in the following
ongoing municipal studies: Newmarket Natural Features Study,
East Gwillimbury Growth Management Study, Carrville District
Centre Study, Steeles Avenue Study, and the Highway 7 and Yonge
Street Corridor Review. |
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The
Centres and Corridors Strategy identified a series of actions
required to establish a system of centres linked by corridors
under the headings of: Policy, Infrastructure Investment, Financial
Tools and Symposium Programs. |
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Re-examined
the long term population and employment forecasts for the GTA
in cooperation with other GTA Regions/Cities. |
Goal: Continually improve the accessibility of geographic information,
technology, products, and services throughout the Corporation and
to our external Customers.
Achievements:
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Developed
the West Nile Virus (WNv) surveillance, a comprehensive tracking
system, including GPS, for WNv larviciding, monitoring, reporting
and mapping. This solution attracted interest provincially and
has been licensed to several health units across Ontario. Provincial,
National and International Mapping Awards recognized the calibre
of maps produced. |
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Engaged
the Town of Richmond Hill and the City of Vaughan as YorkInfo
Partners. A new governance model, information sharing and services
were implemented to enhance service delivery, knowledge, create
efficiencies and reduce duplication across all nine local municipalities,
District and Catholic School Boards and conservation authorities.
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Provided
YorkInfo Partners/local municipalities with geographic databases,
analysis and maps in order to bring their official plans into
conformity with the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP)
for public information sessions and submission to the province. |
Goal:
To sustain the economic vitality of York Region by encouraging new
business investments and promoting tourism.
Achievements:
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Founding
partner of the York Region Biotechnology Cluster Consortium
which attracted $200,000 in provincial government support. |
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Established
the Small Business Enterprise Centre at the York Region Administrative
Centre in June 2003. |
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Successfully
led the Region’s Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
economic recovery efforts and worked with tourism and industry
partners on recovery initiatives such as the Stay ’N Play
program and the Asian Festival. |
Goal: Increase opportunities for partnered approaches to long-term
strategic planning, funding, and co-ordination of human services
in York Region.
Achievements:
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Addressed
historical under-funding of human services and the need to make
investments to support rapid growth in population and diversity
through the Government Relations Strategy, a partnership between
the Region, hospitals, school boards, the United Way, and the
community to initiate dialogue with senior levels of government. |
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Issued
the first annual Human Services Planning Coalition’s (HSPC)
report that outlines the accomplishments for the years 2001–2002. |
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inFORUM
YORK, a series of innovative, thought-provoking, and education
forums about human service issues and trends were open to the
public and broadcast on Rogers Cable TV. |
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