Public Meeting #2 for the Southwest Courtice (SWC ......SOUTHWEST COURTICE SECONDARY PLAN UPDATE PUBLIC MEETING #2 2 OCTOBER 2019 SOUTHWEST COURTICE (SWC) SECONDARY PLAN

SOUTHWEST COURTICE SECONDARY PLAN UPDATEwww.clarington.net/SouthwestCourtice

PUBLIC MEETING #2 24 OCTOBER 2019

Welcome to Public Meeting #2 for the Southwest Courtice (SWC) Secondary Plan Update.

The Secondary Plan update will provide a vision for the future of this area of Courtice, as well as policies for permitted land uses, protection of natural heritage, planned mobility networks, sustainability and future built form.

PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING

The purpose of today’s meeting is to share a summary of findings from the background review and analysis for Southwest Courtice, and present options for future development. We would like to hear your thoughts on the options.

Members of the consultant team and municipal staff are on hand to listen, record feedback, and answer any questions.

A second public meeting for the Courtice Employment Lands Secondary Plan will be held at a later date.

OCTOBER 24th, 2019 6:00 - 8:00 pm

WELCOMEPUBLIC MEETING #2SOUTHWEST COURTICE SECONDARY PLAN UPDATE



Integrated Approach to the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA)

An MCEA is a study that assesses municipal infrastructure projects to understand the potential positive and negative impacts of options, along with mitigation measures, to find the best solution or design.

The preparation of the Secondary Plans and MCEA will be done through an Integrated Approach. This involves coordinating the planning and approval processes so that it satisfies the requirements of both the provincial Planning Act and the Environmental Assessment Act simultaneously.

There will be at least one more community meeting for the SWC Secondary Plan, and at least two more for the CEL Secondary Plan.

We expect that the Secondary Plan Update for the Southwest Courtice (SWC) area will continue through 2019 and be completed in early 2020. The planning process for the Courtice Employment Lands (CEL) will follow in later 2019, and is targeted for completion near the end of 2020.

The Secondary Plans will recommend new municipal infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer services.

This project consists of the preparation of two separate Secondary Plans. They are being conducted together and by the same consultant team in order to co-ordinate planning and recommendations, but will proceed on different timelines.

We have concluded Stage 1 for both Secondary Plans and have commenced Stage 2 for the SWC Secondary Plan. A report summarizing the Stage 1 Results will be available on the Project Website: clarington.net/southwestcourtice

PROJECT TIMELINE AND APPROACH

The Secondary Plan processes for the Southwest Courtice area and the Courtice Employment Lands are separate but closely connected, and will continue on different timelines. You will have the opportunity to provide feedback on both projects as they proceed.

PROJECT TIMELINE

http://clarington.net/southwestcourtice



SOUTHWEST COURTICE (SWC) SECONDARY PLAN UPDATE AREASouthwest Courtice today is made up of primarily low-rise housing, with some commercial and higher density residential uses along Bloor Street.

While most of Southwest Courtice is already developed, a portion is undeveloped. This area has been identified in the Clarington Official Plan for residential uses and it is the focus of the Secondary Plan Update. A tributary of Robinson Creek also runs through part of this project area.

Stage 2 of this Project involves the preparation of options for development in the SWC Update Area. These options examine different road networks, parkland concepts, and land uses. These different options may have an influence on adjacent lands, including a portion of the Courtice Employment Lands located to the south of the Update Area. To better understand these potential influences, we have identified a broader “Context Area” around the SWC Update Area.

The Southwest Courtice Secondary Plan area includes the existing developed neighbourhood in the north and the undeveloped “Update Area” in the south. The “Context Area” includes adjacent lands that may be influenced by development in Southwest Courtice.

PROJECT AREA



B. Robinson Creek and Tooley Creek Sub-Watershed Study:

The Municipality of Clarington is studying the Robinson and Tooley Creek watersheds, which run through the project areas. This study provides information on the natural features that make up the watersheds, including a management plan for those features, as well as an understanding of stormwater management practices. The findings and recommendations of this study will be integrated into the Secondary Plans for Courtice and the technical analysis to date has informed the Southwest Courtice options. https://www.clarington.net/en/do-business/robinson-creek-and-tooley-creeks-subwatershed-study.asp

C. Energy Business Park Secondary Plan Update:

The Municipality of Clarington has embarked on a Secondary Plan Update for the Clarington Energy Business Park. This area is planned for a range of office and light industrial uses. www.clarington.net/EnergyPark

D. Waterfront Study Area:

A major landowner in this area has requested that it be considered as part of the Energy Business Park Secondary Plan Update. These lands include the designated Courtice Waterfront Park.

E. Bowmanville GO Expansion Business Case Study (Metrolinx):

Metrolinx is undertaking a business case analysis of four options for the alignment of the future GO rail expansion to Bowmanville, including analysis of station locations on the route. http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/bowmanville-expansion.aspx

F. Water and Wastewater Infrastructure (Durham Region):

The 2018 Regional Development Charge Background Study identified a number of new water and wastewater infrastructure projects that are now in various stages of approval, design and construction. These projects, which include water feedermains and sanitary trunk sewers, will provide servicing capacity to the Southwest Courtice area.

A. Southeast Courtice Secondary Plan:

The Southeast Courtice Secondary Plan is being undertaken for the area immediately to the north of the Courtice Employment Lands. This area is anticipated to develop as complete neighbourhoods that will include a diverse housing mix located within walking distance to shopping, services, schools and amenities. The preservation of the natural heritage system is also a priority. www.clarington.net/SoutheastCourtice

The Southwest Courtice and Courtice Employment Lands Secondary Plan projects are being co-ordinated with other Municipal and Provincial studies and plans in Courtice and nearby areas.

OTHER INITIATIVES & STUDIES

https://www.clarington.net/en/do-business/robinson-creek-and-tooley-creeks-subwatershed-study.asp

https://www.clarington.net/en/do-business/robinson-creek-and-tooley-creeks-subwatershed-study.asp

http://www.clarington.net/EnergyPark

http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/bowmanville-expansion.aspx

http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/bowmanville-expansion.aspx

http://www.clarington.net/SoutheastCourtice



Any new development proposal must conform to applicable planning policies and guidelines. The flowchart below illustrates the hierarchy of planning policies and guidelines.

BACKGROUND & ANALYSISPLANNING HIERARCHY



Existing policies are in place for the project area and need to be respected by the Secondary Plan. However, amendments to Municipal and Regional policies may be proposed through the Secondary Plan process.

Key Official Plan (OP) policies are listed below for Southwest Courtice:

• Residential land uses permit a range of housing types and complementary community uses.

• Environmental Protection Areas must be protected and buffered appropriately.

MUNICIPAL POLICY FRAMEWORK

Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR)

Regional Official Plans are updated through a Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR). This process will bring the Regional Official Plan into conformity with the latest Provincial Growth Plan.

The MCR will incorporate inputs from local area Municipalities into the Regional Official Plan, including the recommendations from the completed Secondary Plans.

You can learn more about this process, called “Envision Durham,” at:

www.durham.ca/EnvisionDurham

Region of Durham Official Plan

Southwest Courtice (SWC) is identified as Living Areas in the Regional Official Plan. In Living Areas, a full range of housing should be developed in a cost effective and efficient manner.

There are Employment Areas to the south of the SWC that can only be converted to allow residential or major retail uses through a Municipal Comprehensive Review (see next column)

The Regional Official Plan also establishes population and employment targets and minimum densities for each of the Area Municipalities.

REGIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK

Regional and municipal policies must conform to provincial policies. The Region of Durham is currently undertaking a “Municipal Comprehensive Review” to update its Official Plan.

BACKGROUND & ANALYSISPOLICY REVIEW

http://www.durham.ca/EnvisionDurham



Conversion Opportunity

The PSEZ boundaries are still undergoing changes based on feedback from the public and Municipalities to the Province. Preliminary analysis suggests that there is an opportunity to consider removing some employment lands within the CEL that are to the west of Robinson Creek and to the south of the Southwest Courtice Secondary Plan Area.

This area is isolated from the remainder of the CEL, faces access challenges, and features parcel sizes and shapes that are not flexible for a range of employment uses.

Subject to further analysis, this may ultimately allow for a conversion of these employment lands west of Robinson Creek to residential lands. This potential conversion could help enhance land use compatibility and aid in the orderly phasing of development and provision of logical lot patterns.

The three options for Southwest Courtice illustrate the potential implications of converting these lands to residential uses.

Provincially Significant Employment Zones

A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe designates Provincially Significant Employment Zones (PSEZs) across the Region. The Courtice Employment Lands (CEL) are identified as a PSEZ.

The lands designated as part of the PSEZ are protected for employment uses and can only be converted to another land use through a Municipal Comprehensive Review. As designated PSEZs, major retail uses and residential uses are prohibited.

Council has recommended that the PSEZ map be amended to match the Secondary Plan boundaries.

Residential uses are currently not permitted to the south of Southwest Courtice. There is an opportunity to consider converting these lands to allow for residential uses.

BACKGROUND & ANALYSISPOLICY REVIEW



1. Flexibility in permitted land uses

• Concerns about limited development potential on designated employment lands

• Questions about what limitations would be placed on future development in Environmental Protection Areas

2. More trail connections and active transportation facilities

• Desire for trail network connecting green spaces along and between Robinson and Tooley Creeks

• Safe bicycling infrastructure should be located along vehicular corridors

3. Access to green space

• Maintain natural green areas around the Robinson and Tooley Creeks

• Explore potential parkland alongside the two Creeks

4. Expanding municipal servicing

• New development is dependent on access to new municipal services

• Concerns about potential flooding affecting new development

5. Uncertainty around Courtice GO

• Interest in better understanding timing and location of Courtice GO Station

• Interest in impacts of GO Station on surrounding land uses and road congestion

More than 60 people attended the first public meeting held on June 18th, 2019, to learn about the project, talk to members of the study team, and share their views. Participants shared many comments, summarized in the following five themes. These have informed the preliminary options for the Southwest Courtice Update Area.

BACKGROUND & ANALYSISWHAT WE’VE HEARD



The Draft Planning and Urban Design Principles for the Southwest Courtice Secondary Plan Update are listed below. Tell us if they reflect your vision for the area.

EXPLORING OPTIONSGUIDING PRINCIPLES



1. An arterial road through this area, currently being farmed, would have less impact on natural heritage than an alignment further north.

2. The location of property lines should be taken into consideration to ensure that road alignments will not inhibit orderly phasing and logical lot patterns.

3. The Stage 1 Cultural Heritage and Archaeological Assessment identified a number of properties with potential cultural heritage value or interest. Further study of these properties will be required before development on them can proceed.

4. The existing cemetery is planned for expansion.

5. The rail corridor is expected to be expanded to accommodate GO rail expansion.

6. Steep topography in this area will make development difficult.

7. Zone for arterial road alignment

KEY OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS

The Stage 1 Background Review and Analysis identified several opportunities and constraints in the Southwest Courtice area that the options respond to.

EXPLORING OPTIONSOPPORTUNITIES & CONSTRAINTS



Based on the opportunities and constraints, there are three potential alignments for the east-west arterial road that will service both Southwest Courtice and the Courtice Employment Lands, and generally improve connectivity in the area.

EXPLORING OPTIONSPOTENTIAL ROAD ALIGNMENTS



The below illustration shows how the option would change if the planned employment land south of Southwest Courtice were to be converted to residential uses.1. Alignment of arterial road along

property line

2. Flexible employment lands south of the east-west arterial

3. Constrained employment lands on the north side of the arterial (limited lot depth) requiring a landscape buffer at the interface with residential development

4. Linear parkland linking neighbourhood park to ravine

5. Potential back-lotting of residential uses onto east-west arterial

6. Potentially awkward lot patterns in western half of Update Area

KEY FEATURES

This option is based on the north alignment for the arterial road and features a linear parkland concept.

EXPLORING OPTIONSNORTH OPTION



1. Alignment of arterial road adjacent to cemetery with development frontage mostly on north side

2. Flexible employment lands north of east-west arterial, buffered from residential uses

3. Constrained employment lands on the south side of the arterial

4. Neighbourhood park providing direct access to ravine

5. Increased public frontage for the cemetery

6. Flexible but potentially awkward lot patterns in residential and employment areas is western half of Update Area.

The below illustration shows how the option would change if the planned employment land south of Southwest Courtice were to be converted to residential uses.

KEY FEATURES

This option is based on the south alignment for the arterial road and features a neighbourhood park adjacent to the ravine.

EXPLORING OPTIONSSOUTH OPTION



The below illustration shows how the option would change if the planned employment land south of Southwest Courtice were to be converted to residential uses.1. Alignment of arterial road

partially adjacent to cemetery

2. Flexible employment lands on both the north and south sides of the east-west arterial

3. Central park with programming flexibility

4. Laneways in residential areas would provide opportunity to orient homes to the arterial

5. Residential uses fronting onto arterial would face employment uses across the street

6. Potentially awkward lot patterns in western half of Update Area

KEY FEATURES

This option is based on the hybrid alignment for the arterial road and features a generous central park to serve the neighbourhood.

EXPLORING OPTIONSHYBRID OPTION



Use the space below to tell us which of the three options you prefer and why.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?



The area to the south of Southwest Courtice may be considered for residential uses instead of employment uses. If this area is converted to residential, which of the three options would you prefer and why?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?



Southwest Courtice will be planned for a variety of housing types. Use green dots to tell us what you would like to see in the Southwest Courtice Update Area.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?



clarington.net/SouthwestCourtice

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE PROJECT WEBSITE:

> Prepare a summary report of feedback to-date;

> Evaluate the options, and select a preferred option;

> Prepare draft SWC Secondary Plan Update and supporting documents;

> Seek public feedback on preferred option and draft documents.

NEXT STEPSFollowing this public meeting, the consultant team will use your feedback to:

Get in contact:

Attn: Greg Bunker or Carlos Salazar

[email protected]

905-623-3379

> Speak to a member of the consultant team or municipal staff here today

> Leave comments on one of the feedback panels

> Fill out a Comment Sheet and leave it with a team member

> Leave your contact information if you would like to be kept up-to-date on the project and future opportunities for consultation

> Take a postcard with you, in case you want to visit the website or send more comments

THANK YOU! Thank you for participating in today’s public meeting to learn about the planning process and for providing input on the options for the Southwest Courtice Update Area. Tell us what you think. There are a number of ways to provide feedback. You can:

FEEDBACK & NEXT STEPS

http://clarington.net/SouthwestCourtice

mailto:SouthwestCourtice%40clarington.net?subject=

Documents

Public Meeting #2 for the Southwest Courtice (SWC ......SOUTHWEST COURTICE SECONDARY PLAN UPDATE PUBLIC MEETING #2 2 OCTOBER 2019 SOUTHWEST COURTICE (SWC) SECONDARY PLAN