BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
BACKGROUND,
ISSUES AND OPTIONS
DISCUSSION
COUNTY OF DUFFERIN
OFFICIAL PLAN PROJECT NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Steering Committee
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
1. Project Purpose and Impetus
2. Process and Schedule
3. What We’ve Heard
4. Managing Growth
5. Countryside Area
6. Planning Administration
7. Public Consultation
8. Next Steps
Outline
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Province amended a regulation under the Planning Act
requiring Dufferin County to adopt an Official Plan
• Intent of the Official Plan is to provide over-arching
policy direction on matters of County significance:
• Growth management and community structure
• County economic development
• Countryside development and activities
• Natural heritage and natural hazards
• Infrastructure, servicing and transportation networks
• Planning coordination, administration and cross-
jurisdictional issues
1. Project Purpose and Impetus
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
2. Process and Schedule
Phase 3
Final County Official
Plan
• Consultation Report (June
2014)
• Presentation to Local &
County Councils (June
2014)
• Final Draft of County
Official Plan (July 2014)
• Statutory Public Meeting &
Council Adoption of Official
Plan (August 2014)
Phase 2
Draft County Official
Plan
• Draft County Official Plan
tabled (late March 2014)
• Presentation to Local &
County Councils (April –
May 2014)
• Public Open Houses (late
May 2014)
Phase 1
Background, Issues and
Options Report
• Presentation to Local &
County Councils
(November 2013)
• Public Open Houses
(January 2014)
• Presentation of the Report
(February 2014)
September 2013 August 2014
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Planning approvals delegation regime required by the Planning Act, and how
to deal with it moving forward.
• Administration structure at the County to implement the County Official Plan
and administer planning approvals.
• Some local municipalities expressed concerns with County growth
management strategy, projections, allocations, and achieving minimum
intensification targets.
• All municipalities referenced the weighted voting and governance framework
at County Council as an issue (can not be addressed in the Official Plan).
• County Official Plan should be a high-level policy document.
3. What We’ve Heard
Local Municipal Council Meetings
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
1. Balance:
• local autonomy with County level
planning issues
• economic development (land
based)
2. Importance of Agriculture/
Environment:
• preserve farmland
• economic development
opportunities
• natural heritage preservation
3. Strategic Vision for County:
• coordinated direction
• planning administration
• County governance
• manage change
4. Coordination:
• County and local planning
initiatives
• economic development
• cross jurisdictional matters
3. What We’ve Heard
Stakeholder’s Group
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Establishes population and employment projections for the County:
4. Managing Growth
Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
Population Employment Population Employment
2031A 2031A 2031B 2036 2041 2031B 2036 2041
County of
Dufferin
80,000 27,000 80,000 81,000 85,000 29,000 31,000 32,000
Total GGH 11,500,000 5,560,000 11,950,000 12,740,000 13,480,000 5,650,000 5,930,000 6,270,000
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Based on the outcome of
the County’s Growth
Management Study, 2009
(GMS) the Province
allocated population and
employment forecasts to
2031, and a set of
alternative density and
intensification targets by
local municipalities.
• Identified an unallocated
population of 4,000 persons
to 2031.
4. Managing Growth (cont’d)
Ministry Approved Forecast and Targets
• Ministry Approved Population and Employment Forecasts and
Alternative Density/Intensification Targets (2031)
Alternative
Density Target
Intensification
Target
(minimum)
Population
Forecast to
2031
Employment
Forecast to
2031
Amaranth NA NA 4,680 810
East Garafraxa NA NA 3,150 570
Grand Valley 44 residents
and jobs/ha
12% 5,740 1,190
Melancthon NA NA 3,410 380
Mono NA NA 9,770 2,020
Mulmur NA NA 4,290 820
Orangeville 46 residents
and jobs/ha
50% 36,490 14,740
Shelburne 41 residents
and jobs/ha
38% 8,400 3,560
Future allocated
growth in County
- - 4,000 -
Total for the
County of Dufferin
44 residents
and jobs/ha
40% 80,000 27,000**
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• The hamlets/village and rural settlements may accommodate modest growth
• Local municipal planners have provided input on settlement identification
4. Managing Growth (cont’d)
Secondary Settlements
Municipality Hamlets Defined
Boundary
Township of
Amaranth
Laurel
Waldemar
Farmington
Yes
Yes
Yes
Township of East
Garafraxa
Marsville
Orton
Yes
Yes
Town of Grand
Valley
Colbeck
Monticello
Yes
Yes
Township of
Melancthon
Horning’s Mills
Corbetton
Riverview
Yes
Yes
Yes
Town of Mono
Cardinal Woods
Purple Hill
Hockley Village
Camilla
Mono Centre
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Township of Mulmur
Mansfield
Terra Nova
Honeywood
Rosemont
Primrose
Violet Hill
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Approach to County GMS, 2009 growth forecasts:
• Consistent with Growth Plan forecasts to 2031, 2036 and 2041
(Amendment #2).
• Implement Ministry approved forecasts/allocations to 2031 and
minimum alternative density target and intensification target.
• Consider allocation of the unallocated population of 4,000 persons
to 2031.
• Consider allocation of growth beyond 2031, to provide for a 20-year
planning horizon (to 2036).
4. Managing Growth (cont’d)
Key Considerations (Growth Forecasts):
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Direct significant population growth to the three urban centres.
• Province requires that any additional allocation to the urban centres be
supported by servicing feasibility:
• Orangeville able to accommodate 36,940 persons to 2031 forecasts,
but have identified significant servicing constraints beyond this.
• Grand Valley urban area may accommodate 6,050 persons.
• Shelburne anticipates accommodating a population of 10,000 persons,
but it is recognized that further servicing work is required.
• Allocation of the unallocated population of 4,000 persons to 2031, to the
three urban centres.
4. Managing Growth (cont’d)
Key Considerations (Growth Forecasts):
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
4. Managing Growth (cont’d)
Key Considerations (Growth Forecasts):
Population 2011
(Stats Canada)
Population
Forecast to 2031
(PTG)
County
Allocations based
on Assimilative
Capacity (2031)
Population
Forecast to 2036
Population
Forecast to 2041
Orangeville 27,975 36,490 36,490 36,490 36,490
Shelburne 5,846 8,400 10,000 10,000 10,000
Grand Valley Urban 1,481 4,165 6,050 6,050 6,050
Grand Valley Rural 1,245 1,575 1,575 1,600 1,625
Grand Valley Total 2,726 5,740 7,625 7,650 7,675
Amaranth 3,963 4,680 4,680 4,710 4,840
East Garafraxa 2,595 3,150 3,150 3,180 3,290
Melancthon 2,839 3,410 3,410 3,430 3,540
Mono 7,546 9,770 9,770 9,890 10,340
Mulmur 3,391 4,290 4,290 4,340 4,520
Future allocated growth
within the County of
Dufferin
4,000 585 1,310 4,305
Sub-Total (Excluding
Unallocated) 75,930 79,415 79,690 80,695
Total for the County of
Dufferin 56,881 80,000 80,000 81,000 85,000
May include some future unallocated portion, subject to servicing and assimilative capacity feasibility
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
Options:
• Option 1 – Maintain a 2031 planning horizon, and do not allocate the
unallocated population of 4,000 persons
• Option 2 – Maintain a 2031 planning horizon and allocate the unallocated
population of 4,000 persons to the 3 primary settlements (subject to
approved servicing feasibility)
• Option 3 – Establish a 20-year planning horizon (i.e., 2036) and allocate
the unallocated population of 4,000 persons to 2031 and additional 1,000
persons to 2036 (subject to approved servicing feasibility)
• Include a framework in the Official Plan for the future allocation of the
unallocated population (i.e., local municipal comprehensive review).
4. Managing Growth (cont’d)
Options for Consideration (Growth Forecasts):
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• County to plan for an overall minimum intensification target of 40%
(assigned intensification targets for: Grand Valley – 12%; Orangeville –
50%; Shelburne – 38%).
• As infill and intensification occurs, available opportunities will decline.
• Anticipated that reduced intensification targets will be required.
Options:
• Option 1 – Wait until Province’s review of the Growth Plan (2016) to consider
alternative intensification targets
• Option 2 – Request and provide justification to the Minister to support
alternative intensification targets at this time
4. Managing Growth (cont’d)
Options for Consideration (Intensification Targets):
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Community Structure: OP should
establish clear settlement hierarchy:
• Primary Settlements (Orangeville,
Shelburne, Grand Valley)
• Secondary Settlements (Hamlets,
Villages)
• Delineate settlement boundaries vs.
conceptually identify settlements and
rely on local Official Plans for precise
delineation.
• Primary Settlements should be
clearly defined, however, Secondary
Settlements may be identified
conceptually.
4. Managing Growth (cont’d)
Key Considerations:
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Uses and activities in the broad countryside area of
the County (in no particular order):
• Agriculture;
• Rural/estate residential;
• Aggregate resource extraction;
• Natural heritage conservation;
• Other rural industrial and commercial
activities, and uses secondary to agriculture.
5. Countryside Area
Countryside Land Uses
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Develop an appropriate set of land use policies to deal
with the uses and activities in the countryside area.
• Note that renewable energy projects are dealt with
under the Green Energy Act, which is outside of the
jurisdiction of the County’s Official Plan.
5. Countryside Area (cont’d)
Key Considerations:
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Division between:
• Prime Agricultural Areas
• Rural Areas
Agricultural Uses
4. Countryside Area (cont’d)
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Addressing natural resources in the
policies of the Plan:
• Aggregate Resources
• Petroleum Resources
5. Countryside Area (cont’d)
Natural Resources
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Conserving Natural Heritage
features and Water Resources
• Identify significant features based
on existing local Official Plans
• Conceptual delineation, particularly
within urban areas (i.e., overlay
approach)
• Consider a framework for a natural
heritage systems strategy
Natural Heritage & Water
5. Countryside Area (cont’d)
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Today:
• Province is the approval authority for local OPs, OPAs
and plans of subdivision (except for Orangeville and
Mono which have delegated approvals from the
Province).
• Once County Official Plan is Approved:
• County is the approval authority for local OPs, OPAs,
and plans of subdivision.
• The County’s ability to exempt approval of lower-tier
OPAs may only occur once the County is prescribed by
regulation under the Planning Act.
• County may delegate subdivision approval by by-law.
6. Planning Administration
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
6. Planning Administration
Current Approval
Authority and Delegated
Planning Approval
Authority
Approval Authority
Once County Official
Plan is Approved
Available Delegation of Planning
Approval Authority Once County
Official Plan is Approved by
Province
Local Official Plan Amendment
(S. 17)
MMAH
Mono and Orangeville:
Local Council
County Local Council (only if County is
prescribed by Provincial Regulation)
Local Official Plan Amendment
(S. 26 – 5-Year Review or
Provincial Plan Conformity)
MMAH County Not Available
Plan of Subdivision (S. 51) MMAH
Mono and Orangeville:
Local Council
County Local Council (by County By-law)
Severances (Consent) (S. 50) Local Council or
Committee
County Local Council or Committee (by
County By-law)
Zoning By-law Amendment or
Site Plan Approval
Local Council No Change
Summary of Approval Authority
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
6. Planning Administration
Delegation Framework for Discussion:
To return to status quo, County Council may:
• make formal request to Minister for Orangeville and Mono to be exempt from
approval of local OPA’s (County must be prescribed through regulation under
the Planning Act).
• pass a by-law to delegate plan of subdivision approval to Orangeville and
Mono.
• pass a by-law to delegate consents to all local municipalities.
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
6. Planning Administration
Delegation Framework for Discussion:
To consider further responsibilities/delegation, County Council may:
• pass a by-law to delegate plan of subdivision approval to other local
municipalities, currently without delegated approval, and subject to sufficient
resources.
• make a formal request to the Minister for the councils of the other local
municipalities to be granted exemption of approval for OPA’s (S. 17).
• However, based on preliminary discussions with MMAH, such a request
would likely not be approved. Province supports County oversight/approval,
and would only consider under unique circumstances.
• Sufficient justification would need to support the request (i.e., adequate
municipal resources, County’s planned administration of the County OP,
overall context for implementing the County OP).
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
6. Planning Administration
Key Considerations for Discussion:
• What role should the County play in administering the County planning function
(approval authority responsibilities)?
• Local municipal exemption from County approval of OPA’s
• Delegation of draft plan of subdivision approval to local municipalities
(criteria for considering delegation)
• How will the County administer the new Official Plan (i.e., County Planning
Department, Contracted Services, Support from local municipalities)?
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
7. Public Consultation
Key Considerations:
• Public Open Houses (tentatively January 7, 2014 in Shelburne and January 15,
2014 in Orangeville)
• Consideration of Saturday meetings to engage weekend residents/visitors.
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
• Prepare the Background, Issues and Options Report for
review (late November 2013)
• Public Open Houses (tentatively January 7, 2014 in
Shelburne and January 15, 2014 in Orangeville)
• Present Final Background, Issues and Options Report
to County Council (February 2014)
• Draft Official Plan (Spring 2014)
• Local Municipality and Council Presentations (Spring
2014)
• Public Open Houses (Spring 2014)
8. Next Steps
BACKGROUND, ISSUES AND OPTIONS DISCUSSION | County of Dufferin | November 2013
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
For further information:
Tracey Atkinson, Project Manager
Dufferin County Official Plan
Phone: 519-941-2816 ext. 2508
Toll Free: 1-877-941-2816 ext. 2508
www.dufferincounty.ca/planning/