Business Plan 2020-2024 Department: Planning & Economic Development Unit: n/a Director: Joe Gallivan, Director of Planning and Economic Development Managers: Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development Megan Rueckwald, Manager of Community Planning Version/Date: v.07 15 October 2019 Business Plan Overview This business plan provides Council with a projection of the Planning & Economic Development department’s workload as well as the key initiatives to be advanced over the next five years. The Department was created in 2015 with a mandate to lead regional planning and economic development priorities for Frontenac. The Department was formed in part to develop a competitive advantage over other regions in Eastern Ontario by ensuring that a coordinated approach between land use planning and economic development projects could take place. Within the Department there are three service areas: Planning Services including regional planning, long range planning, policy planning, and development services planning for North Frontenac, Central Frontenac, and Frontenac Islands Townships. Economic Development; and Frontenac (K&P) Trail Management. Within this mandate, the Department’s activities are reported to County Council through the Planning Advisory Committee and the Community Development Advisory Committee and also directly to Council. Planning services for the three Townships are reported to the respective Township Councils and/or Committees of Adjustment. For 2020 it is intended that the department stay the course with the staff resources that are available. The business plan reflects the continuing evolution of the basis of the Planning and Economic Development 5 Year Business Plan 2020-2024 1 department’s actions and to follow the direction of County Council to improve and sustain the communities across our region. This plan also recognizes that over the next five years the priorities for the Department will be in part established by the vision of the County Official Plan (2016), the Economic Development Charter (2015), the recently approved County Strategic Plan (2019), and public consultation on regional issues affecting Frontenac. It needs to be recognized that planning and economic development has seen numerous external pressures that have changed the nature of planning and economic development services in Frontenac County. There are a number of projects and work demands that could affect the Department’s performance and the ability to implement the work plans. For example: Planning Services – The demand from the three Townships which the Department provides day-to-day planning services has continued to increase. Many of the planning applications are for waterfront properties and the planning issues are usually complex and can be time consuming. While it is not possible to make precise predictions on the volume of planning application activity for a given year, the Department can forecast that the number of planning applications expected in 2020 will likely to be comparable or higher than 2019 for development applications. Trail Management – From a trails perspective, between 2017 and 2019 the County tackled the most complex and most expensive stretch to date in the area between Tichborne and Sharbot Lake. The costs and time invested were higher than expected because of the complexity. From the lessons learned in developing this stretch of the trail, it has become clear that a long-term trails strategy is required to continue to make progress on completing the Frontenac K&P Trail as the core of a County Trails network. As a result a separate business plan has been prepared by the Department for the K&P Trail. Community Events – Many of the community events in which the Department was involved in 2019 were very successful. The best example is the Open Farms event which took place on September 8th. In its second year of operation Open Farms drew thousands of visitors to various farms and the Frontenac County Ploughing Match. The staff time costs for these events were much greater in 2019 and the Department needs to consider more efficient ways to manage these programs moving forward. The staff time costs for Open Farms was substantial in 2019 and it is anticipated the event will grow in 2020. Regional Policy Implementation – County Council approved the Communal Services Study in 2019. Staff will begin implementation in 2020. At this time it Planning and Economic Development 5 Year Business Plan 2020-2024 2 cannot be estimated the amount of staff hours that will need to be committed to this project. However, it is recognized that this is a priority for Council and that allowing for development on communal services will lead to community and economic development benefits and meets many of the goals and objectives of the County Strategic Plan. In 2020, Planning and Economic Development will be reviewing our department structure in order to understand the best way to be responsive to planning submissions, local investment proposals, trail management, and regional planning efforts. The department will continue to work on long term approaches to deal with service demand increases and capital projects. A number of the factors considered are detailed within this business plan. Respectfully Submitted, Joe Gallivan Director Planning & Economic Development Planning and Economic Development 5 Year Business Plan 2020-2024 3 Department Strategic Goals To promote rural sustainability and community development throughout Frontenac with two primary goals: 1. Ensure that land use planning advice to County Council and the member Townships recognize the rural character of the Frontenac region, and this advice is based on a collaborative approach; and 2. Promote economic development that can benefit all citizens, businesses and visitors in Frontenac. Key Strategic Directions 1. Ensure that plans are in place to be a leader in rural land use planning and the long term sustainability of the Frontenac region. 2. Improve community visibility through promoting the Frontenac region as a destination for residents, visitors and businesses. 3. Develop and maintain a regional plan that deals with cross-jurisdictional, collaborative challenges for the County and Townships to improve infrastructure, stabilize and improve settlement areas, and protect the natural heritage system. 4. Work with Council, Townships, citizens, businesses, visitors and other stakeholders to leverage existing economic assets to ensure a sustainable economic base for communities across the Frontenac region. Planning and Economic Development 5 Year Business Plan 2020-2024 4 Department Function Planning & Economic Development staff provide services to the County and the member Townships in the following areas: • Regional Land Use Planning and County Official Plan • Township Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Review • Community Improvement Plans • Planning Act Application Processing (e.g. minor variances, consents, ZBAs, OPAs) • Ongoing Regional Economic Development Initiatives • Support to new and existing businesses • Special Projects (e.g., Private Roads, Communal Servicing, Seniors Housing, Accommodation Study, Regional Signage) • Trail Development and Management • Tourism Development and Visitor Attraction • Facilitation of collaborative projects through the Frontenac Ambassador Network Sustainability Initiatives Planning and Economic Development 5 Year Business Plan 2020-2024 5 Relationships Planning & Economic Development will continue to work with County Council and Township Councils, external agencies, upper level governments, citizens, and businesses. Internal: County Council Planning Advisory Committee Community Development Advisory Committee County Administration External: The majority of relationships for Planning & Economic Development are external: Citizens – engagement on land use planning, information/data sharing, economic development projects. Upper Level Governments – communicating with Provincial ministries (e.g., Municipal Affairs, Environment, Conservation and Parks, Natural Resources and Forestry, Tourism, Culture and Sport) and Federal Departments (Environment, Finance, Parks Canada) to work collaboratively, seek guidance, apply for grant funding, and to advocate County policy positions. Member Municipalities – work with Townships on collaborative planning and economic development projects to strengthen the Frontenac region. Engaging with Township level Committees of Adjustment, Planning Advisory Committees, and Economic Development Committees. Local External Agencies – a key part of regional collaboration. The Department will communicate, consult, and collaborate with agencies such as Rural Frontenac Community Services, Southern Frontenac Community Services, Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC), Ontario Trails Council (OTC), Ducks Unlimited, RTO 9 Southeastern Ontario, RTO 11 Ontario Highlands, KFL&A Public Health, Conservation Authorities, and various commenting agencies. Local Businesses – as part of the implementation of the Economic Charter staff will work with existing businesses and start-up businesses to stabilize and improve local business activity, particularly those operating within the core/focus of the Economic Development Charter. Frontenac Ambassadors – Frontenac Ambassadors will help to elevate the profile of the Frontenac region, collaborate with each other to create economic opportunity, and assist in the development of investment or tourism products. Planning and Economic Development 5 Year Business Plan 2020-2024