York Region Improves Process: Management of archeological findings

NRU
April 9, 2014
By Leah Wong

York Region has clarified the development process to better protect and manage the region’s significant archeological resources.

On February 20 York Region council adopted regional official plan amendment 6 and the region’s Archeological Management Plan.

Long Range Planning director Valerie Shuttleworth told NRU that the adoption of the Archeological Management Plan clarifies the development review and approvals process for developers.

York Region is rich in archeological findings, with 1,453 sites registered as of spring 2012. The plan compiles an inventory of the registered and unregistered archeological sites in the area, creating a formula for how developers and municipalities approach developments with the potential for archeological findings.

The main difference with this plan and previous processes is the timing for developers, said Shuttleworth. This is because the Archeological Management Plan includes maps which show developers if they are looking for approval in an area with archeological potential and need to submit an archeological assessment. This creates a consistent process for approval across the region.

Shuttleworth commended the consultation process, as both ROPA 6 and the Archeological Management Plan were adopted without appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board. The consultation process included BILD York Region as well as local municipalities and members of local First Nation and Metis communities.

During the consultation stage the stakeholders worked together to combine preexisting municipal processes for archeological management.

Building Industry and Land Development Association York Region chapter chair Michael Pozzebon told NRU in an email that BILD’s role was to ensure the development industry understood the new policy, which will be implemented by local municipalities.

Developers looking for approvals in areas with archeological potential will have to receive archeological approval from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Other jurisdictions in Ontario, such as Halton Region and the City of Toronto, have similar processes in place to assess development in areas with archeological potential. And the 2014 Provincial Policy Statement instructs planning authorities to “consider and promote archeological management plans and cultural plans in conserving cultural heritage and archeological resources.”

Though York Region’s decision to prepare ROPA 6 and the Archeological Management Plan were made prior to the release of the latest Provincial Policy Statement, Shuttleworth said she believes that if they were wrapping up discussions now, the region’s plans would adhere to the provincial policy.