06-23-2008, 01:00 PM
Hi Folks...
There is a Whitby Planning Committee meeting tonight (regular meeting...not to be confused with the REGIONAL Places to Grow meeting on Wednesday night).
There are two items of interest that relate to new developments:
Planning Report PL 92-08 - Official Plan Review Update
pg. 9..."However, as greenfield land diminishes, there is increased pressure for high density residential development and for residential intensification. There have recently been a number of such proposals
and expressions of interest brought before the Whitby Planning Department, particularly when compared to years prior to the release of the Growth Plan. Some proposals may be well-suited for intensification. However, others may not be compatible with surrounding land uses, or may simply be over-intensification within an existing community. Such proposals and potential (re)development sites for increased residential densities and intensification could significantly alter Whitby’s existing urban fabric. Many intensification proposals in the Greater Golden Horseshoe are being touted as meeting the Growth Plan’s intensification “imperative” as a basis for their merit. The intent of the Growth Plan is to direct the majority of intensification to Urban Growth Centres (UGC’s). (Whitby is not designated as a UGC – within Durham Region, only Pickering and Oshawa have UGC’s.)"
Message: Developers are trying to use Places to Grow as an excuse to convert employment land to residential land (as the Ecoplace developers do)...we must be very wary of such proposals, esp. since the pressure for new growth is in other Durham municipalities.
Planning Report PL 106-08 - Whitby Response to Durham Region's Report on Places to Grow
pg 12...[The recommended Regional growth scanario]...recognizes “emerging growth nodes”. This includes an "emerging waterfront village” at Port Whitby, among other regional locations. Waterfront villages are described as new waterfront communities that are already the focus of much development approval activity, are in proximity to existing road, transit and servicing infrastructure, as well as employment opportunities. Staff generally concur [with this idea] as reflected in Whitby’s Official Plan.
Message: The Planning Dept supports development of the Port Whitby area as part of Places to Grow...Port Whitby is east of Gordon and south of Victoria...it is the area around the harbour...and it does not include the Ecoplace lands.
The supposed main driver for Ecoplace (as said by the developers and Council members) is Places to Grow. But both the Town planners and the Regional planners disagree with that statement. In fact, the Regional consultant report specifically recommends not proceeding with Ecoplace in favour of using the land for its intended purpose (prestige business park w. high end employers). It seems the Town planners might feel the same way.
There is a Whitby Planning Committee meeting tonight (regular meeting...not to be confused with the REGIONAL Places to Grow meeting on Wednesday night).
There are two items of interest that relate to new developments:
Planning Report PL 92-08 - Official Plan Review Update
pg. 9..."However, as greenfield land diminishes, there is increased pressure for high density residential development and for residential intensification. There have recently been a number of such proposals
and expressions of interest brought before the Whitby Planning Department, particularly when compared to years prior to the release of the Growth Plan. Some proposals may be well-suited for intensification. However, others may not be compatible with surrounding land uses, or may simply be over-intensification within an existing community. Such proposals and potential (re)development sites for increased residential densities and intensification could significantly alter Whitby’s existing urban fabric. Many intensification proposals in the Greater Golden Horseshoe are being touted as meeting the Growth Plan’s intensification “imperative” as a basis for their merit. The intent of the Growth Plan is to direct the majority of intensification to Urban Growth Centres (UGC’s). (Whitby is not designated as a UGC – within Durham Region, only Pickering and Oshawa have UGC’s.)"
Message: Developers are trying to use Places to Grow as an excuse to convert employment land to residential land (as the Ecoplace developers do)...we must be very wary of such proposals, esp. since the pressure for new growth is in other Durham municipalities.
Planning Report PL 106-08 - Whitby Response to Durham Region's Report on Places to Grow
pg 12...[The recommended Regional growth scanario]...recognizes “emerging growth nodes”. This includes an "emerging waterfront village” at Port Whitby, among other regional locations. Waterfront villages are described as new waterfront communities that are already the focus of much development approval activity, are in proximity to existing road, transit and servicing infrastructure, as well as employment opportunities. Staff generally concur [with this idea] as reflected in Whitby’s Official Plan.
Message: The Planning Dept supports development of the Port Whitby area as part of Places to Grow...Port Whitby is east of Gordon and south of Victoria...it is the area around the harbour...and it does not include the Ecoplace lands.
The supposed main driver for Ecoplace (as said by the developers and Council members) is Places to Grow. But both the Town planners and the Regional planners disagree with that statement. In fact, the Regional consultant report specifically recommends not proceeding with Ecoplace in favour of using the land for its intended purpose (prestige business park w. high end employers). It seems the Town planners might feel the same way.