York Region Official Plan 2010
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The Regional Municipality of York Official Plan 2019 Office Consolidation April 2019 Modified York Region Official Plan - 2010 York Region Official Plan - Office Consolidation: January 2019 York Region Official Plan Table of Contents Chapter 1 - Introduction 1 1.1 A Snapshot of the Region 1 1.2 Towards a Sustainable Region 2 1.3 The Provincial Context 3 1.4 Purpose and Organization 5 Chapter 2 - A Sustainable Natural Environment 11 2.1 Regional Greenlands System: A Sustainable Natural Environment Legacy 12 2.2 Natural Features: Components of the Greenlands System 18 • Key Natural Heritage Features and Key Hydrologic Features 19 • Oak Ridges Moraine, Greenbelt and Lake Simcoe Watershed Features 21 • Species at Risk and their Habitats 25 • Wetlands 26 • Woodlands 28 • Landform Conservation 32 2.3 Water Systems 33 • Lake Simcoe Protection Plan 36 • Natural Hazards 37 • Watershed Planning 39 • Stormwater Management 40 Chapter 3 - Healthy Communities 43 3.1 Human Health and Well-Being 43 3.2 Air Quality and Climate Change 45 3.3 Provision of Human Services 47 3.4 Cultural Heritage 49 • Archaeological Resources 51 3.5 Housing Our Residents 54 Chapter 4 - Economic Vitality 61 4.1 Supporting the York Region Economic Strategy 62 4.2 City Building 64 4.3 Planning for Employment Lands 65 4.4 Planning for Retail 67 4.5 Financial Management 69 York Region Official Plan - Office Consolidation: January 2019 | i York Region Official Plan Table of Contents Chapter 5 - An Urbanizing Region: Building Cities and Complete Communities 73 5.1 Forecasting and Phasing Growth 74 • Table 1 - Population and Employment Forecast by Local Municipality 75 5.2 Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Communities 78 • Sustainable Buildings 81 5.3 Intensification 85 • Table 2 - Residential Intensification Targets by Local Municipality 86 5.4 Regional Centres and Corridors 88 • City Building 88 • Regional Centres 92 • Regional Corridors 94 5.5 Local Centres and Corridors 96 5.6 Building Complete, Vibrant Communities 98 • New Community Areas 98 • Towns and Villages 101 • Hamlets 103 Chapter 6 - Agricultural and Rural Areas 107 6.1 The Greenbelt Plan 108 6.2 The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan 109 6.3 Agricultural and Holland Marsh Specialty Crop Areas 113 • Local Agriculture 115 6.4 Rural Area 116 6.5 Mineral Aggregate Resource Areas 120 Chapter 7 - Servicing Our Population 125 7.1 Reducing the Demand for Services 125 • Trip Reduction 125 • Water Conservation and Efficiency 127 7.2 Moving People and Goods 128 • Active Transportation 128 Transit 130 • Streets 133 • Goods Movement 138 • Airports 139 ii | York Region Official Plan - Office Consolidation: January 2019 York Region Official Plan Table of Contents 7.3 Water and Wastewater Servicing 140 • Wellhead and Intake Protection 143 - On the Oak Ridges Moraine 145 • ORMCP Aquifer Vulnerability 145 7.4 Waste Management 146 7.5 Energy and Utilities 149 Chapter 8 - Implementation of the Official Plan 155 8.1 Engagement and Partnerships 156 8.2 Monitoring and Measuring Success 156 8.3 The Planning Process 158 • Table 3 - Possible Regional Planning Studies Required to Evaluate a Proposed Amendment to this Plan 161 8.4 Interpreting This Plan 162 • Transition 164 • Greenbelt Plan 165 • Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan 166 Definitions 169 Related Information Ontario Municipal Board Hearing (PL101128) 187 Explanatory Note 187 Appendix 1 - Region-wide Appeals 188 Appendix 2A - Site Specific Appeals Description 189 Appendix 2B - Map of Areas Subject to Site Specific Appeal 191 List of Maps and Figures 194 Map 1 Regional Structure Map 2 Regional Greenlands System Map 3 Environmentally Significant Areas and Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest Map 4 Key Hydrologic Features Map 5 Woodlands Map 6 Wellhead Protection Areas and Intake Protection Zones Map 7 Oak Ridges Moraine Aquifer Vulnerability Areas and Watershed Boundaries Map 8 Agricultural and Rural Area Map 9 Mineral Aggregate Resources Map 10 Regional Cycling Network Map 11 Transit Network Map 12 Street Network Map 13 Significant Groundwater Recharge Areas Map 14 Highly Vulnerable Aquifers Figure 1 Oak Ridges Moraine Landform Conservation Areas Figure 2 York Region Strategic Employment Lands Figure 3 Greenlands Systems Within York Region York Region Official Plan - Office Consolidation: January 2019 | iii iv | York Region Official Plan - Office Consolidation: January 2019 Introduction Chapter 1| In this chapter: 1.1 A Snapshot of the Region 1.2 Towards a Sustainable Region 1.3 The Provincial Context 1.4 Purpose and Organization The Regional Municipality of York Official Plan Office Consolidation - January 2019 Introduction|1.0 York Region Official Plan - Office Consolidation: January 2019 Introduction 1.0 | In this chapter: 1.1 A Snapshot of the Region 1.2 Towards a Sustainable Region 1.3 The Provincial Context 1.4 Purpose and Organization 1.1 A Snapshot of the Region York Region and its nine local municipalities are part of a broader economic region where over 6 million people live, work and play. Over one million people in York Region, from a variety of cultural backgrounds, live across 1,776 square kilometres (686 square miles) stretching from Steeles Avenue in the south to Lake Simcoe and the Holland Marsh in the north. York Region’s diverse communities, emerging urban centres, competitive industries, attractive natural environment, and strategic location in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area continue to attract dynamic growth. By 2031, it is anticipated that York Region will reach 1.5 million residents, 780,000 jobs, and 510,000 households. Originally a First Nations hunting, gathering and foraging society, York Region evolved into an agricultural-based economy and has, over time, attracted a broad spectrum of business activity and over 29,000 businesses. Growth in recent years has seen an increase in service-oriented employment and the emergence of a strong knowledge-based economy. Sixty-nine per cent of York Region’s land base is within the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Greenbelt. Woodlands cover more than 23 per cent of the Region and an extensive network of trails provide quality outdoor recreation for walking and cycling. The Region also has 32 small lakes and over 50 kilometres of shoreline on Lake Simcoe. York Region’s natural beauty is complemented by a rich cultural heritage, including First Nations and Métis heritage sites, art galleries, museums and wineries. The Region’s agricultural industry produces a wide-variety of locally-grown fruit, vegetables, livestock, and dairy products. The 1994 Regional Official Plan defined the structure of York Region which was rooted in the Region’s Vision 2026: Creating Strong, Caring, Safe Communities. The Oak Ridges Moraine and Greenbelt legislation further defined the Region by protecting 69 per cent of its land base. It is now time to take the next step by refocusing on city building, maintaining a dynamic economy, providing integrated and responsive human services and enhancing the Regional Greenlands System. York Region’s Vision 2026: Creating Strong, Caring, Safe Communities Goal Areas ∙ Quality Communities for a Diverse Population ∙ Enhanced Environment, Heritage and Culture ∙ A Vibrant Economy ∙ Responding to the Needs of Our Residents ∙ Housing Choices for Our Residents ∙ Managed and Balanced Growth ∙ Infrastructure for a Growing Region ∙ Engaged Communities and a Responsive Region York Region Official Plan - Office Consolidation: January 2019 | 1 Introduction|1.0 1.2 Towards a Sustainable Region Sustainability is the lens through which York Region formulates, enhances and implements policy. The award-winning York Region Sustainability Strategy: Towards a Sustainable Region, provides a long term framework for making smarter decisions about all municipal responsibilities that fully evaluates economic, environmental and community considerations. This “triple bottom line approach” will be used to evaluate a number of key emerging trends facing York Region, including: • an aging and diverse society • an urbanizing region defined by vibrant centres • the impact of the built environment on social cohesion among and within communities • climate change, energy conservation and renewable sources of energy • societal health issues such as obesity, mental illnesses, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases Sustainable Communities ∙ Promote active lifestyles ∙ Meet the diverse needs of residents of all ages, cultures, and abilities ∙ Include a diversity of jobs and affordable housing ∙ Provide quality schools, public spaces, recreation facilities and other amenities ∙ Achieve the highest standard in urban design and green building ∙ Provide safe, accessible mobility systems that prioritize pedestrian and cycling connections, public transit and streets This Official Plan represents York Region’s ongoing collaboration with its partners and stakeholders to rethink the way communities are designed, serviced and supported. Key elements of this Plan include: 1. City building, focusing on Regional Centres and Corridors and including innovation in urban design and green building. 2. A minimum of 40 per cent residential intensification within the built-up area. 3. New community areas, designed to a higher standard that includes requirements for sustainable buildings, water and energy management, public spaces, mixed- use, compact development, and urban design. 4. The protection of employment lands from non-employment uses. 5. Promotion of a well-designed and intensified built form for new commercial, industrial and