Planning Framework ______
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
____________________________________________________________________________ SECTION 2: PLANNING FRAMEWORK ____________________________________________________________________________ 2.0 Introduction North Grenville is an urban and rural Municipality of approximately 15,000 people enjoying the benefits of quality lifestyles, natural and heritage amenities, essential services and positive growth. The Municipality includes the Town of Kemptville, and the Hamlets of Bishops Mills, Burritts Rapids, East Oxford, Heckston, Oxford Mills, Oxford Station and Peltons Corners. The Municipality is strategically located twenty (20) minutes from the Nation's Capital, Ottawa, the international airport and the border with the United States at Ogdensburg, New York. The Municipality shall continue to create a hospitable economic environment with sustainable employment opportunities in a planned, financially sound community that recognizes its valued assets. The Vision Statement provides the context or framework within which the long range planning of the Municipality should occur. It sets out the characteristics of North Grenville which make it a special place to live, work and visit, and provides an image of the Municipality that is desired for the future. In planning for the future, the Municipality has taken stock of its past and present, as well as the economic and social trends which are occurring in the region and province. Background studies were undertaken and focus sessions, questionnaires and public meetings were held to determine the type of community desired in the future. The following section represents the basis of the North Grenville Official Plan. 2.1 Vision Statement The North Grenville Official Plan is one tool in which to implement the strategic priorities, objectives and initiatives of the North Grenville Strategic Plan. The following vision statement comes from the 2006 Strategic Plan. The vision reflects the community in ten years from now, that is in 2018. “The people of North Grenville have very good reason to celebrate their significant success in creating an environmentally responsible community, achieved through extensive cooperative community leadership. North Grenville also continuously works towards economic self-sustainability, providing a diverse range of employment opportunities within the municipality. It is endowed with many widely-recognized community assets, and each contributes in many ways to outstanding culture, heritage, learning, education, healthy living, employment, recreation, events, and tourism in the area. As a result of the cooperative leadership of the community, businesses, local government, and institutions, North Grenville impresses all who visit with its continuously 2 improving quality and its integration of community design and development. This is particularly evident in the downtown and its waterfront, its major streets including County Road 43, and the strong pedestrian and green space linkages between all major community assets and throughout the community. North Grenville appeals to people who enjoy an environment offering a choice of residential settings, ranging from friendly small town and preserved historic hamlets to expansive rural areas.” There were three community values that underpin the above vision and the strategic plan: 1. North Grenville is comprised of supportive, caring, and friendly people – which is reflected in local organizations; 2. North Grenville believes in economic self-sustainability of community; 3. Environmental sustainability is a core value of the North Grenville community. 2.2 Interpretation of the Vision Statement The Municipality is committed to realizing this Vision for the future. A strategic and proactive Official Plan will help to achieve this ideal community. The Vision is attainable because it is based upon building from the current strengths of the community, while enhancing other features. The Vision will help the Municipality in guiding and assessing land use changes and development trends in the future. 2.2.1 The Future of North Grenville The Municipality of North Grenville has been occupied since prehistoric times, first by native people and then by settlers of European descent with the arrival of fur traders and missionaries. Much of the Municipality's built heritage dates from the early nineteenth century. The stock of buildings that remains constitutes a valuable record of the architectural history of the area. Hamlets such as Oxford Mills, Burritts Rapids, Bishops Mills and Heckston illustrate many aspects of nineteenth century urban life. Beautiful tree-lined country roads connect these settlements, winding past a wealth of historic rural properties. The Municipality of North Grenville will continue to be a vibrant and exciting place to live, work and visit. It will provide a wide range of housing while preserving the historical rural charm of the past. It will be a place for those persons of retirement age seeking an alternative to urban life. The Municipality as envisaged will continue to have the social and cultural values that have evolved through time; a community spirit, a sense of belonging, a tradition of self- reliance, social responsibility, sharing, neighbourliness and an appreciation of heritage and culture. This quality of life will have been preserved through new economic opportunities. 3 2.2.2 Environmental Resources As a result of increased environmental awareness and the desire for linking economic growth with environmental sustainability, the management and preservation of the Municipality's natural resources will play a prominent role in the evolution of the community. Important waterways, wetlands, floodplains, areas of natural and scientific interest, fisheries and wildlife habitat, woodlands, agricultural land, and aggregate reserves will be managed and protected, since these natural heritage features, constraints, resources and attractions are an important part of what makes the Municipality special and unique. Aggregate reserve areas will be protected across the Municipality to serve future needs, in locations where the aggregate extraction will be compatible with adjacent uses and accessible to major haul routes. Once mined, these areas should be rehabilitated to appropriate uses that are in keeping with surrounding land uses. The Municipality will encourage co-operation and co-ordination among aggregate operators with respect to the location, timing, management, operation and rehabilitation to ensure minimal disruption to the rural character of the area. 2.2.3 Growth Pressures The impact of Highway 416 and the expanding population of the City of Ottawa will be felt in the Municipality. The Municipality's population will likely increase by 12,901 people by 2028 to approximately 26,668 inhabitants, a growth rate in excess of the Provincial average. As such, the planning horizon for this Plan is to the year 2028. The Municipality currently does not have the infrastructure in place to accommodate all of the anticipated growth. Efficient use of existing serviced land, the logical extension of services and sensitive infilling will accommodate a portion of the growth influx. Upgraded and new infrastructure in the Town of Kemptville will be required to accommodate development opportunities. The Municipality shall investigate and review new technologies which have the potential to address the servicing issues within the Municipality. In anticipating the pressures for growth, careful planning and decision-making will ensure that the unique and desirable characteristics of the Municipality are not lost in order to accommodate the growth pressure. 2.2.4 Settlement Patterns The Town of Kemptville will provide a mix of housing opportunities, including affordable housing, and will continue to be the primary centre for residential, commerce and services for North Grenville. The Hamlets of Heckston, Pelton's Corners, Oxford Station, Bishops Mills, Oxford Mills, Burritts Rapids, Bedell and Patterson’s Corners will continue to function as local service centres and, in some cases, centres for tourist day trips. The Municipality will provide a range of housing opportunities located primarily in the Town of Kemptville. Additional low 4 density residential development will take place in hamlets, existing rural residential subdivisions and traditional rural areas. Considerable pressure has been exerted on the Municipality for residential development. In the future, the Municipality will endeavour to balance economic growth by actively encouraging desirable commercial and industrial development in appropriate areas to complement residential development and contribute to the development of a complete community. Redevelopment activities in the Municipality will result in the ongoing restoration of the historic building stock and there will be more emphasis on architecturally blending the "new" to reflect the "old" when developing new projects where such is merited. The Municipality will encourage affordable housing initiatives and redevelopment of brownfield sites. New settlement in the Municipality will be planned to avoid future servicing problems, since potable groundwater limitations exist in certain areas of the Municipality. In an effort to maintain the quality, diversity and character of the rural landscape, and to support the policies of “Smart Growth” only existing designated Rural Residential lands will be developed. In addition, the Municipality will permit up to 150 rural residential lots to be created during the