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Barry WardWard 4 Councillor
Brian JacksonWard 9 Councillor

Manage Growth &
Protect the Environment

Strategies

  • Complete the secondary plan for the annexed lands
  • Bring new employment lands to market
  • Explore partnerships for joint servicing arrangements
  • Expand transportation choices, including active transportation
  • Advance intensification projects in accordance with existing policies
What does this mean to me?

What Does This Mean to Me?

Balanced growth. We will plan growth to ensure long lasting community benefits. Managing changes in our community will help ensure we protect the environment and improve upon active transportation opportunities that include transit, GO Train and trail system services.


Action Plan

City Council and staff have identified a number of initiatives in 2011 and beyond to help us manage growth and protect the environment.  The projects listed below represent a series of short, medium and long term projects we will be embarking on to achieve the desired outcomes of this goal.


By 2014 completion of the action plan will give us:

  • Developable lands in the annexation area
  • Up to date infrastructure plans
  • Urban design guidelines
  • A 2nd GO Station
  • An improved trail system
  • More active transportation opportunities
  • Improved transit service

Tracking our Progress

  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2013 and 2014 projects are not approved yet and will require Council endorsement.
2011 Initiatives 2011 Status Updates
Complete the Growth Management Strategy
  • Several background reports now complete and submitted to Province for review.
Implement policy recommendations through an Official Plan Amendment for an employment lands strategy
  • Employment land conversion policies included in 2010 Official Plan are currently under appeal. Requirements for new OP policies and revisions to existing policies will be assessed and incorporated following completion and approval of the employment lands review. 
Complete background studies for the annexed lands and initiate the secondary planning process
  • Background studies completed for cultural heritage, archaeology and agriculture.
  • Secondary plan process initiated. Several public/stakeholder open houses and workshops have been held with more to be scheduled throughout the phases of the project.
  • Three alternate land use and transportation options for future growth in the annexed lands prepared and are under review.
Undertake  infrastructure studies (e.g. stormwater, water, solid waste, transportation, wastewater)
  • Work continues on preparation of a Sustainable Waste Management Strategy. Community meetings have been held and several interim reports reviewed.
  • Technical background reviews completed for water, wastewater, and transportation services. First Public Information Centre (PIC) regarding Infrastructure Master Plan environmental assessment process has been held.
Finalize employment lands strategy
  • Employment lands strategy will be finalized as part of Growth Management Strategy project.
Initiate discussions for joint servicing with partners and complete a Memorandum of Understanding
  • Meetings held to consider joint servicing opportunities.
  • Options for service sharing will be considered and evaluated as part of City's environmental assessment process for water and wastewater master plans that are underway.
Explore joint servicing opportunities for waste management and transit
  • Currently exploring joint waste management servicing opportunities with neighbouring municipalities.
  • Conducted a survey in Essa Township to examine community transit needs, and assessed transit preliminary costs, potential ridership and service options.
  • Future expansion possibilities for transit services have been incorporated into the work undertaken for the Transit Master Plan.
Complete 2nd GO Station
  • Allandale Waterfront GO Station is under construction with completion scheduled for late Fall 2011.
Initiate master transportation plan (to include road network, trail systems, sidewalks)
  • Lakeshore Drive reconstruction project design will include improvements to the trail system through the parkland.
  • Bicycle locker units have been installed at City Hall and other city facility locations.
  • Improved bicycle signage has been installed on paths in and around Centennial Park.
Initiate transit master plan update
  • Data gathering phase of Transit Master Plan Update now completed. Community and stakeholder involvement included online surveys and system wide passenger counts during all service hour time frames, as well as workshops and information sessions.
  • Meetings held with GO/Metrolinx and City staff to consider option of relocating the intercity bus services to the Allandale Waterfront GO Train Station.
  • A conceptual city transit route plan is currently being worked on.
Promote rail opportunities
  • Consultation undertaken with stakeholders including rail users, land developers and municipal representatives regarding opportunities and challenges associated with rail transportation.
  • Discussions ongoing with County regarding potential operating partnership and with Innisfil and City Departments regarding freight rail promotion.
  • New web page created for City website on freight rail service.
Investigate new route and scheduling model for transit
  • Budget approval secured for the implementation of a shuttle bus route to Allandale GO Station from the downtown bus terminal.
  • Investigations regarding alternative transit service delivery options have been completed, as well as ridership surveys, stakeholder consultations, and the preparation of recommendations for routes and schedule changes and intercity bus relocations.
Complete Urban Design Guidelines
  • Three public/stakeholder sessions held concerning the urban design guidelines for intensification areas.
  • City staff working with the consultants to finalize the document and determine policy and zoning amendments required to implement the recommendations.
Develop monitoring system for intensification projects
  • Initiated. Currently developing this project further based on the reporting requirements of the Province.
Investigate and report on development permit system
  • Completion of a staff report and the scheduling of a public open house.
  • Downtown Barrie being considered by the Province as a pilot project for a development permit system.
Implement Historic Neighbourhoods Strategy action items
  • Community BBQ held at Queen's Park.
2012 Initiatives 2012 Status Updates
Complete draft secondary plan and infrastructure master plans/ environmental assessments
  • Preferred land use concept was approved by Council in Q2 2012 and ongoing meetings are being held.
  • 2031 development limit and phasing being worked on along with accompanying infrastructure plans.
Finalize water/wastewater servicing agreement
  • Meetings were held to consider joint servicing opportunities.
Complete master transportation plan and environmental assessment (for road network, trail systems, sidewalks)
  • Transportation Master Plan is being finalized based on preferred land use alternative and meetings have been held with the Active Transportation Working Group.
Complete transit master plan update
  • Several public open houses occurred in Q1 to share information on the Mayor’s Transit Plan.
  • Council approved the new multi-hub transit service model to be implemented in August 2013.
  • Study underway with Metrolinx to develop area Mobility Hub.
Promote rail opportunities
  • Economic Development continues to promote rail access and availability as part of various promotional materials and are working towards creating a rail marketing plan based upon available resources, asset base and outcomes from leads.
  • With Council direction, Economic Development is meeting with the Simcoe County and municipalities abutting the rail lands to discuss the retention of rail lands and promotion.
Implement new route and scheduling model for transit
  • A single-large prospect has indicated interest over the last quarter and they are in process of data gathering for business case evaluation. Staff are providing support/information as required. Due to the potential volume impacts of this project, it is expected that the business case assessment will not be complete until Q3 2012.
Implement Urban Design Guidelines
  • Finalization of report ongoing with consultants. Status memo provided to General Committee in Q2 2012. Final draft to be subject of open house/meetings with stakeholders. Presentation to General Committee anticipated for Q3 2012 with the implementation strategy to be prepared in Q4 2012.
Monitor and report on intensification projects
  • Semi-Detached/Duplex = 26
  • Low Rise Apt = 0
  • Single Family Dwelling = 89
  • Townhouse = 95
  • Apt/Condo = 24
Investigate and implement zoning permissions that support intensification (RM3)
  • This project requires the finalization of the Urban Design Guidelines for Intensification areas which staff will be reporting to Council on in Q4 2012. The guidelines will provide the background and basis for new development standards for intensification areas to be implement in a new zone category (RM3). This project has been moved forward to the Planning Services Departments 2013 workplan.
Implement Historic Neighbourhoods Strategy action items
  • Proceeding with test neighbourhood (Allandale) for historic signage. Sign design and requirements are being finalized and discussion continues on naming of alleys.
2013 Initiatives 2013 Status Updates
Final approval of secondary plan - - -
Complete zoning and land use permissions - - -
Complete infrastructure design - - -
Incorporate transportation and transit master plans into secondary plan approval process - - -
Promote rail opportunities - - -
Implement new route and scheduling model for transit - - -
Implement Urban Design Guidelines - - -
Monitor and report on intensification projects - - -
Promote intensification projects/sites - - -
Implement Historic Neighbourhoods Strategy action items - - -
2014 Initiatives 2014 Status Updates
Process land development applications in secondary plan area - - -
Complete infrastructure construction - - -
Promote rail opportunities - - -
Implement Urban Design Guidelines - - -
Monitor and report on intensification projects - - -
Promote intensification projects/sites - - -
Implement Historic Neighbourhoods Strategy action items - - -