2017 GTHA year in review - reforms enacted

NRU
Dec. 20, 2017

The region's hot housing market, an amended Growth Plan, OMB reform, and municipal governance reviews dominated the news in 2017. No GTHA municipality has been immune to the development and intensification pressure that has resulted from provincial policy, and the region's breakneck economic growth.

In preparation for the October 22, 2018 municipal elections, municipalities' took stock of their population growth and its impact on ward boundaries. Several considered changes to their governance structure: Oshawa replaced its at-large system with a ward system, maintaining the same number of councillors. East Gwillimbury considered increasing its number of councillors from four to six and moving to a hybrid system of ward and at-large councillors. Hamilton approved new wards boundaries, which the OMB subsequently altered. Ajax revised its ward boundaries, moving from four wards to three, while maintaining the same number of councillors. However, it changed the numbers of local and regional councillors from four local and two regional to three local and three regional. Georgina shifted the boundaries of two wards to better balance a growing population.

Implementing practical measures to increase municipal resilience was another theme in 2017. Burlington adopted a plan for downtown district heating to gain energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Mississauga initiated an energy efficiency program for its city-owned buildings, leading the way for the private sector. The new Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act increased Ontario's conservation authorities' responsibility in building climate resiliency into future projects.

Embracing technology, some municipalities created digital modernization strategies to enhance services and improve communication with residents and businesses. Whitby introduced a digital strategy to bring building permits online, and launched a new innovation hub to spur the local tech sector. Peel Region deployed a wide-ranging digital modernization strategy and Markham adopted a strategy to improve digital engagement with local residents. Mississauga created a heat map of internet performance across the city to address challenges with web connectivity. Claring-ton approved a five-year IT strategy to improve digital services for both residents and developers.

JANUARY

Brampton council increases its infrastructure levy to 2 per cent to fund the repair and replacement of its physical assets. With a lower volume of site plan and subdivision applications than in the previous year, Oakville decreases its planning services budget. Oshawa residents vote to revert back to a ward boundary system. A landowner coalition finalizes its second and third of six management plans for the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark. Markham develops a digital strategy to improve communication with residents, improve employee collaboration and streamline service delivery. Burlington's planning and building department creates a planning framework to shift its focus from greenfield development to intensification. York-Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan tables a private member's bill proposing an income tax credit for owners of heritage buildings to write off a percentage of restoration costs.

Development & OMB news-Pickering rezones its city centre to prepare for intensification. Barrie approves a 20-storey building, the tallest in the city. Mississauga considers regulating short-term rentals. Oshawa receives a proposal for two high-rises in its downtown. Oakville introduces urban design guidelines to promote human scale development. Richmond Hill staff creates a new secondary plan for Yonge and 16th Avenue, but face traffic concerns. Brampton updates its zoning by-law.

FEBRUARY

Aurora council approves the creation of a non-profit development corporation to advise council on economic development matters. Credit Valley Conservation develops an assessment tool to quantify the environmental and social benefits of wetland restoration. Hamilton approves revised ward boundaries to improve the distribution of its population by ward. Burlington studies the feasibility of introducing a district energy system in its downtown to improve resilience to climate change.

Development & OMB news-The Hamilton Community Land Trust acquires its first property for the purpose of building affordable housing. Durham Region Transit considers an increase to service and fares. Oshawa struggles with attracting development within its built boundary. A medical centre in Brampton begins attracting employment development. Halton Region develops a mobility management strategy in an effort to increase GO Transit ridership. Richmond Hill councillors clash over a proposal to increase densities downtown. Vaughan embarks on the redevelopment of a downtown park.

MARCH

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority releases its 2016 Living City Report Card, concluding that further actions are needed to address environmental challenges. Whitby considers an innovation hub. A University of Toronto planning studio team develops a theoretical green infrastructure master plan for an East Gwillimbury neighbourhood. Ajax considers proposed changes to the town's ward boundaries.

APRIL

A new master plan for Albion Hills expands its facilities to accommodate population growth in surrounding areas. Hamilton considers investing $50-million in affordable housing over the next decade. Heritage Oakville Municipal Advisory Committee considers assessments of high-priority cultural heritage landscapes. Halton Region creates a unique brand identity premised on its cycling infrastructure. Mississauga launches a new virtual campus program to offer students remote access to post-secondary institutions from city facilities.

Development & OMB news-A 31-storey tower is proposed in Brampton. New research by the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation finds an increase in active transportation infrastructure built outside of the Greenbelt. Experts raise concerns about proposed Growth Plan amendments. Burlington introduces a new official plan. Brampton's greenfield growth outpaces its infill development. A development proposal on Oshawa's waterfront causes concern among residents about loss of wetlands and forests.

MAY

After rejecting a provincially funded LRT project in 2015, Brampton considers a transit plan for its downtown core. Mississauga launches a year-long energy optimizing program for city buildings. Whitby approves an age-friendly action plan in response to changing demographics and to attract tourists. Brampton approves a new policy to address its backlog on un-named public assets. Hamilton hosts a two-day pop-up event on Queen Street West in Toronto to promote the city.

Development & OMB news-A large site in Mississauga's Port Credit is proposed to be redeveloped into a mixed-use community. A proposal for two 55-storey towers in Vaughan requires a density transfer from nearby sites. Milton worries it is not receiving the necessary infrastructure investment to support its rapid growth. The province announces the death of the OMB and its replacement with the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. A proposed tower in downtown Burlington is met with opposition from residents and the local councillor. The province releases the results of its long-awaited coordinated land use review, including amendments to the Growth Plan.

JUNE

Oshawa enters into a partnership with Durham College, the University of Toronto and the Canadian Urban Institute to allow students to use the city as a case study for research. A report by the Canadian Urban Institute contends that if 5 per cent of middle-income renters in the GTA were able to move into ownership housing, it would open 10,000 units of affordable rental housing units. Markham considers the merits of a draft strategy to regulate secondary suites city-wide. East Gwillimbury approves a hybrid ward system that will increase the size of council and change representation from four at-large councillors to four ward councillors and two at-large councillors.

Development & OMB news-Construction concludes on a landmark purpose-built rental tower in Ajax. Halton Region threatens to freeze growth if it doesn't receive more provincial funding. An aging waterfront hotel in Burlington undergoes redevelopment, although some councillors and residents express preference for a park instead. Niagara Region hopes that four new GO train stations will help promote intensification and employment growth. Scugog approves an OMB settlement for infill housing on a low-density golf course subdivision. A two-tower proposal for a site in Richmond Hill is dramatically scaled back into a townhouse development after residents raise concerns.

JULY

Brampton creates a Transit Council of Chairs to improve regional transportation connections within the GTHA. According to University of Toronto's Institute on Municipal Finance & Governance, Ontarians need to pay more attention to their cities' infrastructure. Vaughan council appoints Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women executive director Sunder Singh to replace regional councillor Michael Di Biase for the remainder of the council term.

AUGUST

Commercial and industrial property tax rates decrease in almost every GTHA municipality in 2017 when compared to 2016 rates. Construction begins on a $3.1-million fully accessible activity hub in Brampton. Whitby considers a digital strategy to bring its building permit process online. Conservation authorities take on a greater degree of importance as Ontario municipalities struggle to deal with climate change.

SEPTEMBER

Georgina considers reconfiguring its ward boundaries to balance population distribution by ward. Whitby launches the research phase of a project to rebrand itself for the first time since 1968 to attract businesses to its growing downtown. Mississauga launches a heritage initiative to hear residents' stories and foster living heritage. Clarington creates a five-year IT strategy to improve e-services for both its residents and developers. Mississauga creates a heat map of internet performance across the city.

OCTOBER

Brampton council considers creating the city's first 10-year cultural master plan to facilitate economic growth and tourism. The Wellesley Institute releases a report about the resources required for young people aged 18-to-40-years old to thrive in the GTA socially, economically and physically. East Gwillimbury prepares an innovative health and active living plan as part of its official plan review.

NOVEMBER

As part of the Truth and Reconciliation process, Oakville engages the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation in a long-awaited dialogue. Burlington council is poised to discontinue the controversial New Street bike lanes. To address threats to affordable housing, Hamilton is developing a licensing system for short-term rental accommodations with a focus on safety and enforcement. Peel Region is increasing the productivity of its employees and the accessibility of its services through a digital modernization strategy.

DECEMBER

Hamilton budget committee explores the sale of the Hamilton Convention Centre, FirstOntario Centre and Copps Coliseum due to anticipated increases in maintenance costs. The provincial government is expected to enact a regulation under the Environmental Protection Act, which will increase developers' responsibilities for removing excess soil from building sites. Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, 2017 receives royal assent December 12. Burlington staff proposes new downtown precincts, but a local councillor has reservations about the heights being permitted. After some initial reluctance, developers in Grimsby are embracing intensification. OMB reform becomes law. Metrolinx, in its draft 2041 Regional Transportation Plan, recommends the adoption of a transportation planning policy statement. The TTC subway rolls into Vaughan.