July 27, 2020 Sandra…

July 27, 2020
Sandra Bickford
Ontario Growth Secretariat
777 Bay St, Suite 2304
Toronto, ON
M7A 2J8
Canada

Sent via email sandra.bickford@ontario.ca
Subject: Comments ERO# 019-1680 -Proposed Amendment 1 to A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe

I am pleased to submit the following comments and questions with regard to the Proposed Amendment 1 to A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The Township of Tay recognizes the importance of this document as is impacts not just the Greater Toronto Area, but all of the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Growth Forecasts
Staff Comments
Planning and Development staff support the Province’s efforts to streamline Schedule 7 of the plan and consolidate the Simcoe Sub-Area growth forecasts into Schedule 3. It is understood the County of Simcoe’s next MCR process will need to incorporate the new 2051 forecast, but staff recognize and appreciate that the 2041 forecast remains unchanged to permit the continuation of review work already underway. The consolidation of the schedules and the deletion of Schedule 7 will require the County to allocate population to area municipalities as part of the MCR process, which should be based on local considerations in the context of the County, which is supported by staff. Planning and Development Staff feel that the “Reference Growth Forecast” should be the only scenario included in Schedule 3 as this forecast is based on traditional contributing factors (growth patterns, employment trends etc.). The high and low growth scenarios are good for illustrative purposes as they require both shifts in economic and migration policy.
New Plan Horizon Year
Staff Comments:
Planning and Development Services staff are supportive of extending the Plan Horizon from 2041 to 2051 to allow long term planning related to growth recognizing that these long term forecasts are subject to change.
New Land Needs Assessment Methodology
Staff Comments
Township staff are supportive of any efforts by the Province to simplify the Lands Needs Assessment Process to be undertaken at the next County Municipal Comprehensive Review. The Township will be required to participate in this process to ensure that the most accurate local knowledge is available
Mineral Aggregate Operations
Staff Comments
While staff recognize the need for high quality mineral aggregates close to market, staff caution the removal of prohibitions on Mineral Aggregate operations located within the Habitat of Endangered and Threatened Species. A requirement for a Species at Risk assessment should be emphasized within the policy to ensure that such assessments are completed prior to development of new operations. Efforts should be taken to relocate endangered and threatened species to new habitat locations created off-site in consultation with local Conservation Authorities.

Major Transit Station Areas within Provincially Significant Employment Zones
Staff Comments
While the Township of Tay does not include any Provincially Significant Employment Zones, these proposed policy changes make sense and are a positive approach to ensure flexibility to permit conversions within Major Transit Station Areas outside of an MCR process in order to support transit initiatives and ridership.
Alignment with Provincial Policy Statement 2020
Staff Comments
Planning and Development staff are supportive of efforts to align ‘A Place to Grow’ with PPS version 2020 to provide a consistent policy message and ensure all provincial policy documents work together.

CONCLUSION:
Overall, the Township of Tay Planning and Development staff are supportive of the Province’s changes to the Growth Plan. As these are proposed changes only, the Township appreciates the Province giving the opportunity to comment of this policy review.
If you have any further questions, please contact me at (705) 594- 7248 Ext. 225 or by email at sfarquharson@tay.ca

Sincerely,
The Corporation of the Township of Tay

Steven Farquharson, B.URPL MCIP RPP
General Manager, Protective and Development Services