May 2016 SHAPING LAND USE IN THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE A Guide to Proposed Changes to: ► The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe ► The Greenbelt Plan ► The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, and ► The Niagara Escarpment Plan OUR REGION OUR COMMUNITY OUR HOME Ontario.ca/landuseplanningreview Table of Contents A message from Minister McMeekin and Minister Mauro ................................ 1 Introduction ................................................................................ 3 Building Complete Communities .......................................................... 6 Supporting Agriculture .................................................................... 9 Protecting Natural Heritage and Water .................................................. 11 Growing the Greenbelt .................................................................... 13 Addressing Climate Change .............................................................. 15 Integrating Infrastructure ................................................................ 17 Improving Plan Implementation ......................................................... 19 Measuring Performance, Promoting Awareness and Increasing Engagement ........ .21 Seeking Feedback ......................................................................... .22 SHAPING LAND USE IN THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE 1 A message from Minister McMeekin and Minister Mauro The Greater Golden Horseshoe is Canada’s We began our co-ordinated review of these largest economic engine and one of the plans over a year ago. Since then, more fastest growing regions in North America. than 3,000 people have attended town hall meetings across the region. We received more This region contains some of the country’s than 19,000 submissions. We heard from best farmland and world-renowned natural municipalities and many stakeholders – from features, like the Niagara Escarpment. farmers and developers to environmental We need to continue to plan for a future in organizations. And, most importantly, we which we expect to have 6.3 million jobs and heard from the people who live and work in Hon. Ted McMeekin Hon. Bill Mauro welcome another 4 million people over the the Greater Golden Horseshoe region. Minister of Municipal Affairs Minister of Natural Resources next 25 years. and Housing and Forestry We heard the plans are generally working That is why it’s so important that we well, but there is room for improvement. Ontarians deserve communities where they update the four land use plans that cover David Crombie, a former federal cabinet can work and play, go to school and shop all this area: The Growth Plan for the Greater minister and former mayor of Toronto, chaired in the same area. Golden Horseshoe, the Greenbelt Plan, an advisory panel with members from a variety the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan of sectors affected by the plans. The panel Communities that are well-connected with and the Niagara Escarpment Plan. modern infrastructure and accessible transit. listened, considered and came to consensus These four plans work together to build on 87 recommendations to improve the plans. In other words, complete communities. complete communities, manage growth, We have also met with and continue to engage curb sprawl, protect the natural environment with members of First Nations and Métis and support economic development. communities with interests in the region. 2 SHAPING LAND USE IN THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE Now, we are ready to move forward. We’re proposing to make new communities Together, the proposed changes would also more transit friendly to help reduce congestion. help the province and municipalities take major The proposed changes would allow our These policies will also help deliver the greatest steps in addressing one of the most pressing communities to continue growing in ways return on the government’s investments in issues of our generation — climate change. that attract jobs and investments, create the region’s transportation infrastructure. vibrant urban centres and strong rural We now invite you to go through the proposed communities. They would also minimize And we’re going to do it in ways that better revisions to the plans and provide us with impacts of urban growth on productive protect our farmland and natural environment. your feedback. farmland, heritage buildings, archaeological resources, green spaces, and important We are looking towards a greener Ontario. You are the heart of the Greater Golden natural areas. We are proposing to grow the Greenbelt by Horseshoe and Niagara Escarpment area. adding Urban River Valleys and protecting Let’s move towards the future, together. We’re proposing ways for communities to large coastal wetlands along Lake Ontario. grow to better meet their needs, now and in the future. Hon. Ted McMeekin Hon. Bill Mauro Minister of Municipal Minister of Natural Affairs and Housing Resources and Forestry SHAPING LAND USE IN THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE 3 Introduction The Greater Golden Horseshoe and Horseshoe in 2006. These plans inform other Niagara Escarpment area is a dynamic provincial initiatives, such as Metrolinx’s and diverse region, rich in agricultural, Regional Transportation Plan (also known as “The Big Move”). natural and water resources. Managing growth and responding to challenges from climate change are essential if The Co-ordinated Land Use we are to maintain the high quality Planning Review of life and internationally competitive The province initiated a co-ordinated review of economy we enjoy today. the four plans in 2015. Members of the public, stakeholders, municipalities and organizations Over the years, the province has implemented provided feedback on how the plans are legislation, plans, policies and programs performing and how they may be improved. To support the co-ordinated review, the to guide the region’s growth and protect Co-ordinated Review Town Hall meeting in Peterborough its environment. In 1985, the province province appointed an advisory panel. Panel established the Niagara Escarpment Plan. members attended public meetings, reviewed In 2002, it put in place the Oak Ridges Moraine submissions, met with stakeholders, and Conservation Plan. In 2005, the province spoke with experts. The advisory panel made launched a landmark initiative for the region 87 recommendations to help the plans better and created the Greenbelt Plan, followed meet their objectives. This report is available by the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden at Ontario.ca/landuseplanningreview. 4 SHAPING LAND USE IN THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE The province also met with First Nations and The chapters in this guide describe the key Métis communities with an interest in the proposed changes to the four plans across region to discuss the plans. Several of these the following themes: communities provided feedback and offered suggestions on how the plans could be ► Building Complete Communities improved. The government is committed to ► Supporting Agriculture continuing this process and honouring its obligations to Indigenous peoples. ► Protecting Natural Heritage and Water This guide makes it easy to see how changes ► Growing the Greenbelt from the co-ordinated review have been reflected in the amendments proposed to ► Addressing Climate Change GO bus station in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area the four plans. If you need more detailed ► Integrating Infrastructure information on the precise wording of a change or definitions of a term used in this ► Improving Plan Implementation guide, please refer to the proposed plans. The proposed plans are also available at ► Measuring Performance, Promoting Ontario.ca/landuseplanningreview. Awareness and Increasing Engagement Urban growth in downtown Toronto SHAPING LAND USE IN THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE 5 The Greater Golden Horseshoe and Niagara Escarpment Area Note: The information displayed on this map is not to scale, does not accurately reflect approved land use and planning boundaries, and may be out of date. For more information on precise boundaries, the appropriate municipality should be consulted. For more information on proposed Greenbelt Area boundaries, the Greenbelt Plan 2016 should be consulted. The Province of Ontario assumes no responsibility or liability for any consequences of any use made of this map. 6 SHAPING LAND USE IN THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE Building Complete Communities Whether they are urban, suburban The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden or rural, complete communities Horseshoe already includes measures to share many common characteristics. encourage the development of complete communities. For example, municipalities They are places where homes, jobs, are already required to: schools, community services, parks and recreation facilities are easily ► Develop and grow with a mix of uses, accessible. Complete communities such as residential, employment, cultural, recreational and other uses that contribute encourage active transportation, to building complete communities. like walking or biking, support public transit, and provide opportunities for ► Intensify by accommodating a large Street retail in Waterloo people to connect with one another. portion of residential growth in areas that are already built-up, especially around Complete communities are more compact, transit and in urban growth centres occupy less land, reduce the costs of (existing and emerging downtowns). infrastructure and offer access to healthy local ► Plan for a minimum density of people living food.