SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PLAN - An Introduction

Presentation to Planning and Development Committee – February 16, 2010

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What is a Sustainable Community Plan?

A Sustainable Community Plan (SCP) is a land use and infrastructure plan that capitalizes on local, Regional and Provincial infrastructure and the Lake Ontario shoreline and related amenities to create a community that is a highly desired location for jobs and housing in a manner that maximizes sustainable development opportunities.

The Study Area

• • • • • • • Study area is Port Whitby Secondary Plan area in the Whitby Official Plan Focus is on Harbour Development Areas #2, #3, #4 and #5 Study area is about 182 hectares (451 acres) Currently the site of many land uses Current population is about 1,900 in 880 dwellings Population expected to increase by 2,700 in approved developments Population target is currently 7,000 people in Secondary Plan

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The Opportunity

• • • • • The project is being funded by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the Town, GO Transit, and Brookfield Homes.

The Whitby Harbour has been identified as a Waterfront Place by the Region of Durham Official Plan. A range of uses are anticipated.

Given the presence of the GO station, the Lake Ontario shoreline, the 401, major public and private open space areas and facilities and nearby health facilities, the opportunity exists to create a complete and healthy community.

The opportunity also exists to upgrade and provide infrastructure in a sustainable manner and improve the public realm.

In sum, the opportunity exists for the Town to establish a showcase of progressive ideas that will establish a new benchmark for community planning in the Region of Durham.

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Key Goals and Objectives

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Overall reductions in energy and water demand per unit for building construction, building operations and transportation demands of residents.

2.

Reduction in private automobile use in proximity to the Town’s transit hub that will shorten travel times for residents to the GO Transit Station, thereby reducing overall impact of travel, including air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.

3.

Improvement to the quality of life for people living and working in the area through more sustainably constructed buildings (improved indoor air quality, decreased utility costs, reduced travel times, access to a wide range of parks and recreation facilities).

4.

Remediation of sites that will improve soil quality, groundwater quality and air quality, which in turn, would provide further health benefits to those working or living in the area.

5.

Stimulate comparable practices in development projects in other parts of the Town and achieve targets for the reductions in Greenhouse gases, energy and water use, etc. that can be met.

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Long Term Vision…..

It is recommended in the draft Intensification Strategy that the long term vision for Port Whitby be to: a) and valued.

Create and maintain a place that is memorable, distinctive, enduring, adaptable b) playing.

Provide for a mix of uses that provide opportunities for living, working and c) groups.

Focus on tourism and recreation, with abundant open space, opportunities for small-craft harbour recreational activities and a contiguous, publicly accessible pedestrian system that runs the entire length of the waterfront and caters to various uses and user d) Create a model of environmental sustainability, including buildings that meet the highest standards of energy and water use efficiency.

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Long Term Vision (cont’d)

e) Provide for a protected and enhanced natural environment.

f) Establish a pedestrian, cycling and transit-first community, where dependence on the private automobile is minimized.

g) Accommodate density through a smaller number of taller, more slender buildings that minimize impacts on views of Lake Ontario and views of the Town from Lake Ontario.

h) Provide for architectural variety and a range of building forms and heights that create a true sense of place, with distinctive buildings rather than a “wall of condos”.

i) Establish Brock Street as Port Whitby’s “Main Street” with ground-level retail and a comfortable walking environment.

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Long Term Vision (cont’d)

j) Provide for a mix of housing types that support a diversity of life styles including young adults, families and seniors, and that offer affordable living options.

k) Provide for the concentration of higher density uses at the GO station.

l) Provide for higher density, high quality employment uses, such as office buildings, that take advantage of the GO station access.

m) Provide for harbour-related commercial uses that serve primarily the recreational and tourism function of the area as well as local residents.

n) Establish a strong connection between Port Whitby, the GO station and the downtown along the Brock Street corridor.

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Products of the Work

• • • • • How infrastructure in the area can be provided and designed in a manner that minimizes energy consumption and land requirements; How new buildings in the area can be designed and located to minimize energy consumption and support the use of public transit and the provision of other amenities; How the streets, parks, open spaces and recreational facilities should be planned to enhance the quality of the public realm and support healthy community principles; The rules that should apply to the siting, massing and height of buildings in the Harbour Development Areas that are the focus of the study and which recognize the uniqueness of each Harbour Development Area in terms of its location and relationship to existing and future land uses; and, How the Official Plan and Zoning By-law should be amended to implement the recommendations being made.

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The Phases

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Phase 1: Consultation and Information Collection Phase 2: Conceptual Development Plan + Analysis Phase 3: Recommendations Phase 4: Draft Report Phase 5: Final Report – by October 2010

An open house and a sustainable learning workshop are to be held on February 22 and 23 Meeting with landowners and stakeholders is also to be held.

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