Proposed Revocation of the Central Pickering Development Plan

Everyone in Ontario should be able to find a home that is right for them. But too many people are struggling with the rising cost of living and with finding housing that meets their family’s needs.

Ontario’s housing supply crisis is a problem which has been decades in the making. It will take both short-term strategies and long-term commitment from all levels of government, the private sector, and not-for-profits to drive change. Each entity will have to do their part to be part of the solution to this crisis.

Ontario needs more housing, and we need it now. That’s why the Ontario government is taking bold and transformative action to get 1.5 million homes built over the next 10 years.

To support More Homes Built Faster: Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan: 2022-2023, the government introduced the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, which, if passed, would ensure that cities, towns, and rural communities grow with a mix of ownership and rental housing types that meet the needs of all Ontarians. These visionary changes will place Ontario at the forefront of housing policy in North America.

These changes will, if passed, provide a solid foundation to address Ontario’s housing supply crisis over the long term and will be supplemented by continued action in the future.

Proposal details

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is seeking feedback on a proposal to revoke the Central Pickering Development Plan (the “Plan”), to support the government’s commitment to streamline, reduce, and eliminate burdens and to potentially increase housing supply.

Under subsection 4(8) of the Planning and Development Act, 1994, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing may, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, by order, revoke the plan.

Context

The Central Pickering Development Plan took effect in 2006 and was subsequently amended in 2012. The Plan was prepared under the provisions of the Ontario Planning and Development Act, 1994 (the “Act”).

The Plan affects an area of land established as a Development Planning Area by an Order made under section 2(1) of the Act dated March 25, 2004.

The Central Pickering Development Plan is comprised of the Duffins-Rouge Agricultural Preserve and employment and residential development parcels interwoven with an extensive natural heritage system.

Current Implementation Status

The Plan has been successful in achieving its objective in setting out and implementing the framework for the establishment of a sustainable urban community in Seaton integrated with an agricultural community in the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve and a Natural Heritage System.

The City of Pickering official plan reflects the policies and mapping of the Plan, and the Region of Durham’s official plan defers to the Plan. In many areas, construction and build-out of the Plan is underway. As set out in the Central Pickering Development Plan, the intention is that the more detailed planning approvals (e.g., subdivision approvals, etc.) would be implemented by the City.

Geographic Area of the Central Pickering Development Plan

The Plan affects an approximate 5,000-hectare (12,355 acre) area generally bounded by the CPR Belleville Line in the south, Sideline 16/Pickering-Ajax boundary in the east, Highway 7 in the north and the York-Durham Town Line in the West. It is located entirely within the City of Pickering and the Region of Durham.(Link to maps we can include/or attach?)

Central Pickering Development Plan’s Goals and Land Use Designations

The Plan established a vision for Central Pickering: of a sustainable urban community in Seaton, integrated with a thriving agricultural community in the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve and an extensive Natural Heritage System.

The Plan has eight goals:

1. The protection, maintenance and enhancement of natural features, functions and systems intended to sustain a viable and permanent natural eco-system.
2. The integration of cultural heritage into the community fabric.
3. Ensuring that the Pickering portion of the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve is permanently protected for agricultural and conservation uses.
4. The provision of an appropriate distribution of social, institutional, open space and recreational facilities.
5. The provision of a transportation system that provides choices and a public transit supportive design.
6. Servicing that minimizes impacts on the environment and maximizes efficiency and use of existing infrastructure and minimizes lifecycle costs.
7. The provision of high-quality employment opportunities and sufficient employment lands to generate approximately one job for every two residents.
8. The provision of a range of housing types and densities that meets the needs of a diverse population.

The Plan establishes land use designations including: hamlet, residential cluster, low, medium and high density areas, employment lands, local and community nodes, mixed corridors and open space; as well as the natural heritage system, transportation network and servicing system, and set out a population of 61,000 residents and 30,500 jobs by 2031 and up to 70,000 residents and 35,000 jobs beyond 2031 through intensification.

Analysis of Regulatory Impact:

• The anticipated regulatory impacts of the proposal are positive. The proposed revocation of this 2006 Plan is intended to reduce and eliminate burdens for lands subject to this Plan. Eliminating the Plan will reduce regulatory burdens by removing an additional layer of policy direction for this geography. While there are no new administrative costs associated with this proposal, the City of Pickering and Region of Durham may experience minimal administrative burden resulting from the need to update their official plans to remove references to the Plan that would no longer exist and, if required would need to fill any policy gaps. The policy direction has been already implemented through the City of Pickering Official Plan.