Last update on: September 7th, 2010

September 9th, 2010 public meeting (replaces the June 16th, meeting that was cancelled).

• see Proposed Official Plan Amendment No. 89
• see also Proposed Official Plan Amendment No. 90

Overview and Purpose of the Intensification Strategy

planningAlliance , a subconsultant for the Whitby Official Plan Review will lead the development of an Intensification Strategy as a separate component of the OP Review.
The intent of the Intensification Strategy is to implement the Provincial policies regarding intensification, as outlined in the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and to conform to the Durham Region Official Plan, as amended through Regional Official Plan Amendment #128 ('Growing Durham') which is also intended to conform to the Growth Plan.

In this regard, the Province requires that a greater amount of new development occur through the intensification of already 'built up' areas, with less reliance on new greenfield development for accommodating future growth. The Region of Durham, through its Growing Durham exercise, has directed that Whitby accommodate approximately 45% (approximately 12,000 new residential units) of all new growth from 2015 to 2031 through intensification.

Intensification can take many types and forms - such as ground-related, low, mid, or high-rise buildings, basement apartments within an existing home, as well as mixed use (commercial/residential) development. The Intensification Strategy will explore the many different types and forms of intensification that are possible, and recommend which types are most appropriate for Whitby.

The Intensification Strategy will also explore which locations in the Town would be most - or least - appropriate for accommodating intensification. Appropriate locations may include lands around the GO station or along arterial roads. Less appropriate locations may include stable residential neighbourhoods Some municipalities have also had success redeveloping older commercial strips or parking lots to accommodate new growth.

The Intensification Strategy will include development of criteria and key considerations that should be applied to select a preferred intensification strategy for the Town.

If planned for properly, intensification can bring many benefits to the Town. It can bring new businesses to service existing neighbourhoods, revitalize older under-utilized lands, and attract a critical mass of new residents to support services like schools and public transit. But careful consideration must also be given to avoid the potential pitfalls of intensification, such as increased traffic congestion, disruption of stable residential neighbourhoods, or negative impacts on the Town's cultural heritage buildings and districts.

The Intensification Strategy will begin with a public visioning workshop in May 2009. A series of draft intensification scenarios will be released for public comment and discussion through the summer and early fall. The work will culminate at the end of 2009 with a series of new policy directions that will guide and shape intensification in the Town over the next 25 years.

Public Workshop #1 - May 6th, 2009top

The first of two public workshops to discuss the Intensification Strategy component of the Whitby Official Plan Review was held on Wednesday, May 6th, 2009, in Council Chambers of the Whitby Municipal Building at 575 Rossland Road East, Whitby

• The purpose of the first public workshop was to introduce the initiative and provide participants with an opportunity to:
• Share ideas for essential study considerations and key planning context;
• Identify key intensification-related questions, issues, constraints and opportunities;
• Identify general areas or types of areas within Whitby where intensification may be appropriate - and to share ideas about what the intensification might look like; and
• Share aspirations with a view to establishing goals and a clear, cogent, compelling vision for intensification in Whitby.
• Public Workshop #1 was structured as follows:
• Opening remarks
• A core introductory presentation
• Self-facilitated roundtable discussions
• Group reporting
• Next steps and open forum
• Closing remarks
• Additional Information:
• NOTICE: Public Workshop #1 - Intensification Strategy
• PL 46-09 - Planning Report re: Public Workshop #1
• Presentation at Public Workshop #1, by planningAlliance
• Workbook from Public Workshop #1

topPublic Workshop #2 - June 18th, 2009

The second of two public workshops to discuss 'Alternative Scenarios' was held on Thursday, June 18th, 2009, in Council Chambers of the Whitby Municipal Building at 575 Rossland Road East, Whitby

• The purpose of the second public workshop was to obtain feedback on the following:
• how intensification alternatives can be planned to support the existing end emerging urban structure of the town;
• alternative forms that intensification could take within different types of Whitby neighbourhoods; and
• the criteria and key considerations that should be applied to select a preferred intensification strategy for the Town.
• Public Workshop #2 will be structured similar to Workshop #1, as follows:
• Core introductory presentation
• Group exercises
• Group reporting
• Next steps and open forum
• Closing remarks
• Additional Information:
• NOTICE: Public Workshop #2 - Intensification Strategy
• PL 63-09 - Planning Report re: Public Workshop #2
• Presentation at Public Workshop #2, by planningAlliance
• Workbook from Public Workshop #2
• Handout from Public Workshop #2

topOpen House - October 21st, 2009

Following the two public workshops, the consultant team hosted an Open House on October 21st ,2009.

• The purpose of the Open House was to obtain feedback on the following:
• an appropriate land use vision;
• factors to be considered in determining the feasibility of achieving the minimum required densities;
• appropriateness and ranges for densities within intensification areas; and,
• the criteria to be considered for intensification proposals.
• Additional Information:
• Notice of Open House
• PL 105-09 - Planning Report re: Open House
• Display Panels for Open House

topSpecial Meeting of Council in Committee of the Whole (February 2nd, 2010)

• Presentation to Council, February 2nd, 2010
• Consultant's report - "Recommended Basis for the Intensification Strategy"
• Minutes of Special Meeting of Council in Committee of the Whole, Feb. 2, 2010

topSpecial Meeting of Council in Committee of the Whole (February 16th, 2010)

• Notice of Public Meeting, February 16th, 2010
• Consultant's report - "Recommended Basis for the Intensification Strategy"
• Presentation by Meridian Planning
• Minutes of Special Meeting of Council in Committee of the Whole, Feb. 16, 2010

topSpecial Meeting of Council in Committee of the Whole (March 18th, 2010)

• Notice of Public Meeting, March 18th, 2010
• Consultant's report - "Recommended Basis for the Intensification Strategy"
• Minutes of Special Meeting of Council in Committee of the Whole, Mar. 18, 2010

topProposed Draft Official Plan Amendment (April 8th, 2010)

Following the public workshops, open house, and public meetings regarding the consultant's report "Recommended Basis for the Intensification Strategy", the consultant prepared a Proposed Draft Official Plan Amendment for the Intensification Strategy, which was introduced at a public meeting of Council in Committee of the Whole on April 8th, 2010.

• Minutes: Special Meeting of Council - Apr 8, 2010
• Notice of Public Meeting
• Planning Report, Item PL 42-10
• Presentation by Meridian Planning (Proposed Draft Official Plan Amendment)
• Presentation by Meridian Planning (Building Form Examples)

The Town is requesting that all comments regarding the Proposed Draft Official Plan Amendment, be received by April 19th, 2010.

Once public input and agency comments have been received and assessed, a Final Recommended Official Plan Amendment for the Intensification Strategy will be brought forward for Council's consideration, at a public meeting of Council in Committee of the Whole on June 16th, 2010.

topProposed Official Plan Amendment No. 89 to the Whitby Official Plan (September 9th, 2010)

In consideration of the proposed Draft Official Plan Amendment for the Intensification Strategy, Council directed that the land use designation at the southeast corner of Victoria Street and Gordon Street be changed from "Residential", more specifically "Harbour Development Area 1" to "Major Open Space". As such, staff are bringing forward Proposed OPA No. 89 for consideration by Council , at a Special Public Meeting of Council in Committee of the Whole, at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday September 9th, 2010

• Notice of Public Meeting re: S/E corner of Victoria & Gordon Streets
• Proposed OPA No. 89 (including Map Exhibits)

topProposed Official Plan Amendment No. 90 to the Whitby Official Plan (September 9th, 2010)

Following the public meeting on April 8th, 2010, regarding the Draft Proposed Official Plan Amendment, the consultant has now prepared Proposed Official Plan Amendment No. 90 to the Whitby Official Plan for for Growth Plan Conformity as well as the Town's Intensification Strategy. The Proposed Official Plan Amendment (OPA) No. 90 consists of two sections: Section A - Growth Plan Conformity; and Section B - Intensification. The Proposed OPA No. 90 will be brought forward for consideration by Council , at a Special Public Meeting of Council in Committee of the Whole, at 7:40 p.m., on Thursday September 9th, 2010.

• Planning Report PL 108-10
• Notice of Public Meeting re: Growth Plan Conformity (September 9th, 2010)
• Notice of Public Meeting re: Intensification Strategy (September 9th, 2010)
• Proposed OPA No. 90 - see Attachment #1 to Planning Report PL 108-10

topWorkplan for the Intensification Strategy

The Intensification Strategy component of the Whitby Official Plan Review will be undertaken in four Phases, led by planningAlliance, in consultation with Whitby Council, Town Staff, the public, commenting agencies and a variety of stakeholders.

Phase 1/2 - Directions Report

• Phase 1/2 of the Intensification Strategy will consist of the following:
• Conducting a Background Analysis
• Development of Vision & Alternative Scenarios
• Hosting Public Workshops #1 and #2 (see above)
• Preparing a Draft Report for review and comment by public and agencies
• Preparation of a Final Report for further pubic consultation

Phase 3 - Official Plan Amendment Preparation

Subsequent to input received regarding the recommended policy direction(s), Phase 3 will introduce a draft Official Plan Amendment.

Phase 4 - Finalization of Official Plan Amendment

Subsequent to input received regarding the draft Official Plan Amendment, Phase 4 will recommend a final Official Plan Amendment for adoption

topPublic Consultation

The Intensification Strategy is an undertaking that will include and welcome input from all stakeholders. The Planning Act requires public consultation as a means to receive input from the public and stakeholders for the Intensification Strategy component of the OP Review. The Intensification Strategy will provide for a full public consultation process, including public meetings, open houses, workshops, and access to key information. This separate section of the Town's website, as well as a separate email address at: intensificationplan@whitby.ca has been established to provide updates on the Intensification Strategy component of the Whitby OP Review. This section of the Town's website will also include links to Notices and Minutes for Public Meetings and/or Open Houses as they become available.

Additional Information / Comments / Questionstop

Interested persons may also obtain information regarding the Intensification Strategy component of the Whitby Official Plan Review at the Whitby Planning Department, Level 7, Whitby Municipal Building, 575 Rossland Rd. E., Whitby, Ontario, L1N 2M8, during regular working hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

You may direct your inquiries and/or submit your written comments or concerns to the Whitby Planning Department:

• Comment Form

By Phone: 905-430-4306
By Email: intensificationplan@whitby.ca
By Fax: 905-668-7812
Please reference "Intensification Strategy" and quote file #: OPA-2009-W/02

topWebsites of Interest

• Government of Ontario
• Places to Grow
• Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
• Supporting Documents
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• Ministry of Environment
• Ministry of Transportation
• Region of Durham
• Regional Official Plan Review
• Growing Durham: Growth Plan Implementation Study

topFurther Notification

Throughout all phases of the Intensification Strategy component of the Whitby Official Plan Review, there will be ongoing publication of Notices of Public Meetings, Workshops and Open Houses on the Town's website and in the newspaper, as required by the Planning Act, and as directed by Council.

Should you wish to receive further notification by mail regarding the Intensification Strategy, please submit your request in writing, including your name, address, postal code, telephone number, and email address to:

By Mail:
Intensification Strategy
Planning Department
Whitby Municipal Building,
575 Rossland Rd. E.,
Whitby, Ontario,
L1N 2M8
By Email: intensificationplan@whitby.ca
By Fax: 905-668-7812
Please reference "Intensification Strategy" and quote file #: OPA-2009-W/02