The review of the City’s Official Plan is underway. The Official Plan will be updated through a series of individual amendments. Planning principles and policies of the Official Plan that will lead the future physical development of Pickering will be updated. The amendment topics include: sustainability initiatives; implementation of Provincial Planning Act and Provincial Policy Statement changes; implementation of the Central Pickering Development Plan, the Greenbelt Plan and the Provincial Growth Plan; the Duffin Heights Neighbourhood Review; environmental and countryside planning; and a full range of urban and downtown matters. The amendments involve implementation of Pickering initiatives in addition to those of the Province, the Region and the Conservation Authorities. Pickering Official Plan The current office consolidation of the Pickering Official Plan is Edition 6, dated February 2010. It incorporates two amendments that have been completed as part of the review of the Official Plan. Details on these amendments, and of other work streams underway, are provided below.
The Compendium Document to the Pickering Official Plan contains development guidelines adopted by City Council for areas within neighbourhoods that require further guidance on what and where development should occur. Development applications, including subdivision, rezoning, site plans and building permits must conform to the direction provided by the relevant guideline. These guidelines are to be read in conjunction with all sections of the Pickering Official Plan. Official Plan Review Workplan A number of study initiatives contribute to the Official Plan review:
Implementation of new Planning Act (Bill 51) Provisions Bill 51, the Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005, resulted in changes to the Planning Act in 2006. The changes give municipalities more tools to strengthen their ability to implement provincial and municipal priorities. To date, the City has put in place new official plan policies requiring applicants to consult with the City prior to submitting development applications and detailing the supporting information required for an application to be considered complete (see Amendment 17). Research is currently underway to implement other new powers introduced by Bill 51. Duffin Heights In conjunction with the preparation of an Environmental Servicing Plan (ESP) for the Duffin Heights Neighbourhood, the land use designations and policies within the City’s Official Plan were reviewed to address a number of matters arising from the ESP including the open space system, the transportation system, residential densities, community facilities, sustainable development and mixed use development along Brock Road. These changes were approved in 2009 (see Amendment 18). Development Guidelines for the Duffin Heights Neighbourhood were adopted by Council as part of the Official Plan Amendment 18, Duffin Heights Neighbourhood process. Development applications, including subdivision, rezoning, site plans and building permits must conform to the direction provided by these guidelines, which are to be read in conjunction with the Pickering Official Plan. Research is currently underway to review natural heritage, other environmental and countryside policies of the Pickering Official Plan. This will include implementing relevant Provincial Policy Statement, Region of Durham, Greenbelt Plan and Conservation Authority Regulation policies as well as a series of watershed strategies and other initiatives.
A number of study initiatives and public engagements contribute to the Growth Strategy Program:
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The City has initiated the Growth
Strategy Program
to implement the Provincial Growth Plan for the
Greater Golden Horseshoe and Durham Regional Official Plan Amendment
128. Amendment 128
directs 40% of future residential growth to
Pickering’s built-up area. The Provincial Growth Plan emphasizes
intensification and the use of existing land supply
to accommodate
future growth. The City’s study will determine the appropriate
locations for intensified development, establish guidelines that
will ensure transitions to established neighbourhoods, provide
recommendations supporting a sustainable Pickering that promotes walkable neighbourhoods, accessible parks, public transit, and
unique and distinctive communities.