Crombie report on coordinated review - Integrating provincial plans

NRU
Dec. 9, 2015
By Leah Wong

Increased density targets, improved alignment between transportation planning and growth forecasting and better coordination among plans should be included as amendments to the province’s planning legislation, says a report from the coordinated review advisory panel led by former Toronto
mayor David Crombie.

On Monday the province released the panel’s 87 recommendations, part of the 10-year review of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Greenbelt Act, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act and Niagara Escarpment Act.

While the plans provide a strong foundation for protecting natural and agricultural assets and controlling urban expansion, the panel says they need to be strengthened to maintain resident health, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.

The panel’s recommendations are grouped into six strategic directions—mainstreaming climate change, building complete communities, supporting agriculture, protecting natural and cultural heritage, providing infrastructure and implementing the plans.

Increasing density targets for designated greenfield areas and directing more new development to existing urban areas is necessary to build complete communities. The panel suggests alternative development standards will promote innovative ways to build more compact, transit-supportive communities. Building complete communities is also one way the province can decrease greenhouse gas emissions and work towards its climate change goals. Regarding specific density targets, the panel recommends the province review the use of a combine density target for residents and jobs in designated greenfield areas. It also suggests requiring municipalities to report annually on the achievement of these targets.

Transportation planning and investment need to be better aligned with growth forecasting and allocation, particularly if the province is to address the pressures of climate change, the panel says.

The need to improved coordination among the provincial plans and Metrolinx’s regional transportation plan and to establish a clear hierarchy among policy directions, is another of the panel’s recommendations. It also noted the geographic discrepancy between the Big Move, which relates only to the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, and the Growth Plan, which concerns the entire GGH. The panel suggests a common geography across the plans is needed to strengthen connectivity across the entire GGH.

In comments submitted to the province many GGH municipalities asked the province to clarify the policy hierarchy among the Provincial Policy Statement and the various provincial plans.

Confusion around hierarchy is particularly evident when it comes to agriculture. In comments to the province several municipalities highlighted the differences in agricultural definitions and permitted uses between the PPS and the four plans. The panel recommends agricultural terminology and policies be
aligned with the PPS, except when they are geographically specific. This would provide more flexibility in regards to on-farm, value added uses, which would allow for economic diversification of farms while also maintaining ecological features.

While not within the scope of its mandate, the panel made recommendations related to the Ontario Municipal Board. With a provincial review of the OMB anticipated to begin early in the new year the panel recommends the province explore ways to reduce delays, costs and conflicts among the four plans. It recommends limiting appeals regarding official plans, official plan amendments, zoning by-laws and intensification targets that conform to the plans’ policies. It suggests the province should explore more collaborative processes to resolve disputes.

The province is presently reviewing the panel’s recommendations. Another round of public consultation is anticipated in early 2016 to consider proposed amendments to the four plans.

In addition to Crombie, panel membership comprises Ontario Federation of Agriculture vice-president Keith Currie, former Credit Valley Conservation Authority CAO Rae Horst, City of Vaughan planning commissioner John Mackenzie, Fieldgate Homes urban infill senior vice-president Leith Moore and Grape Growers of Ontario CEO Debbie Zimmerman.