SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PLAN
- An Introduction
Presentation to Planning and Development Committee – February 16, 2010
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What is a Sustainable Community Plan?
A Sustainable Community Plan (SCP) is a
land use and infrastructure plan that
capitalizes on local, Regional and
Provincial infrastructure and the Lake
Ontario shoreline and related amenities
to create a community that is a highly
desired location for jobs and housing in
a manner that maximizes sustainable
development opportunities.
The Study Area
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Study area is Port Whitby Secondary Plan
area in the Whitby Official Plan
Focus is on Harbour Development Areas #2,
#3, #4 and #5
Study area is about 182 hectares (451
acres)
Currently the site of many land uses
Current population is about 1,900 in 880
dwellings
Population expected to increase by 2,700
in approved developments
Population target is currently 7,000 people
in Secondary Plan
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The Opportunity
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The project is being funded by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the
Town, GO Transit, and Brookfield Homes.
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The Whitby Harbour has been identified as a Waterfront Place by the Region of Durham
Official Plan. A range of uses are anticipated.
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Given the presence of the GO station, the Lake Ontario shoreline, the 401, major public
and private open space areas and facilities and nearby health facilities, the opportunity
exists to create a complete and healthy community.
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The opportunity also exists to upgrade and provide infrastructure in a sustainable
manner and improve the public realm.
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In sum, the opportunity exists for the Town to establish a showcase of progressive ideas
that will establish a new benchmark for community planning in the Region of Durham.
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Key Goals and Objectives
1.
Overall reductions in energy and water demand per unit for building construction,
building operations and transportation demands of residents.
2.
Reduction in private automobile use in proximity to the Town’s transit hub that will
shorten travel times for residents to the GO Transit Station, thereby reducing overall
impact of travel, including air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and
particulate matter.
3.
Improvement to the quality of life for people living and working in the area through
more sustainably constructed buildings (improved indoor air quality, decreased utility
costs, reduced travel times, access to a wide range of parks and recreation facilities).
4.
Remediation of sites that will improve soil quality, groundwater quality and air quality,
which in turn, would provide further health benefits to those working or living in the
area.
5.
Stimulate comparable practices in development projects in other parts of the Town and
achieve targets for the reductions in Greenhouse gases, energy and water use, etc. that
can be met.
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Long Term Vision…..
It is recommended in the draft Intensification Strategy that the long term vision for Port
Whitby be to:
a)
Create and maintain a place that is memorable, distinctive, enduring, adaptable
and valued.
b)
playing.
Provide for
a mix of uses that provide opportunities for living, working and
c)
Focus on tourism and recreation, with abundant open space, opportunities for
small-craft harbour recreational activities and a contiguous, publicly accessible pedestrian
system that runs the entire length of the waterfront and caters to various uses and user
groups.
d)
Create a model of environmental sustainability, including buildings that meet the
highest standards of energy and water use efficiency.
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Long Term Vision (cont’d)
e)
Provide for a protected and enhanced natural environment.
f)
Establish a pedestrian, cycling and transit-first community, where dependence on the
private automobile is minimized.
g)
Accommodate density through a smaller number of taller, more slender buildings that
minimize impacts on views of Lake Ontario and views of the Town from Lake Ontario.
h)
Provide for architectural variety and a range of building forms and heights that create a
true sense of place, with distinctive buildings rather than a “wall of condos”.
i)
Establish Brock Street as Port Whitby’s “Main Street” with ground-level retail and a
comfortable walking environment.
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Long Term Vision (cont’d)
j)
Provide for a mix of housing types that support a diversity of life styles including young
adults, families and seniors, and that offer affordable living options.
k)
Provide for the concentration of higher density uses at the GO station.
l)
Provide for higher density, high quality employment uses, such as office buildings, that
take advantage of the GO station access.
m) Provide for harbour-related commercial uses that serve primarily the recreational and
tourism function of the area as well as local residents.
n)
Establish a strong connection between Port Whitby, the GO station and the downtown
along the Brock Street corridor.
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Products of the Work
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How infrastructure in the area can be provided and designed in a manner that minimizes
energy consumption and land requirements;
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How new buildings in the area can be designed and located to minimize energy consumption
and support the use of public transit and the provision of other amenities;
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How the streets, parks, open spaces and recreational facilities should be planned to enhance
the quality of the public realm and support healthy community principles;
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The rules that should apply to the siting, massing and height of buildings in the Harbour
Development Areas that are the focus of the study and which recognize the uniqueness of each
Harbour Development Area in terms of its location and relationship to existing and future land
uses; and,
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How the Official Plan and Zoning By-law should be amended to implement the
recommendations being made.
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The Phases
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Phase 1:
Phase 2:
Phase 3:
Phase 4:
Phase 5:
Consultation and Information Collection
Conceptual Development Plan + Analysis
Recommendations
Draft Report
Final Report – by October 2010
An open house and a sustainable learning workshop are to be
held on February 22 and 23
Meeting with landowners and stakeholders is also to be held.
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