Burlington Official Plan: Chapter 2 - Sustainable Growth · SUSTAINABLE GROWTH 2.1 LAND USE VISION...

Sustainable Growth

Sustainable Grow

th2

Thispagehasbeenleftintentionallyblank

SUSTAINABLEGROWTH

2.1 LANDUSEVISION.................................................................................................2-5

2.2 THECITYSYSTEM.................................................................................................2-6

2.2.1 AREAS......................................................................................................2-6

2.2.2 CITY-WIDESYSTEMS................................................................................2-7

2.2.3 PROVINCIALPLANBOUNDARIESANDCONCEPTS...................................2-8

2.2.4 POPULATIONANDEMPLOYMENTDISTRIBUTION...................................2-9

2.3 THEURBANSTRUCTURE....................................................................................2-10

2.3.1 MIXEDUSEINTENSIFICATIONAREAS.....................................................2-10

2.3.2 AREASOFEMPLOYMENTOVERLAY.......................................................2-12

2.3.3 RESIDENTIALNEIGHBOURHOODAREAS................................................2-13

2.3.4 NATURALHERITAGESYSTEMANDMAJORPARKSANDOPENSPACE...2-13

2.3.5 MINERALRESOURCEEXTRACTIONAREA...............................................2-14

2.3.6 INFRASTRUCTUREANDTRANSPORTATIONCORRIDORS.......................2-14

2.4 GROWTHFRAMEWORK.....................................................................................2-14

2.4.1 OBJECTIVES............................................................................................2-14

2.4.2 GROWTHFRAMEWORKGENERALPOLICIES..........................................2-15

2.5 DEVELOPMENTCRITERIA...................................................................................2-20

2.5.1 OBJECTIVES............................................................................................2-20

2.5.2 POLICIES.................................................................................................2-20

Thispagehasbeenleftintentionallyblank

CHAPTER2–SUSTAINABLEGROWTH

Page2-5DraftOfficialPlanApril2017

Chapter2

SUSTAINABLEGROWTH

2.1 LANDUSEVISION

TheCity’slandusevisionisbasedonCityCouncil’skeystrategicdirectionsandtheguidingprinciplescontainedinChapter1ofthisPlan.

GrowthwillbefocusedintheUrbanAreatoprotectBurlington’snaturalheritageandRuralArea;tobuildcompact,vibrantandcompletecommunities;tooptimizeuseofexistingandfutureinfrastructureandservices;andtosupportastrongandcompetitiveeconomy.

ThedirectionofgrowthinBurlington’sUrbanArearequiresthecarefulplacementofnewresidentsandjobs;growthisencouragedinsomeareas,whilelimitedinothers.Insomeplaces,suchastheNaturalHeritageSystem,developmentmaybeprohibited.Thoseareasthatwillseesignificantchangeoverthenext20yearsarecalledintensificationareasandrepresentasmallfractionofBurlington’stotallandarea.

ThebuildingofintensificationareasaroundtheCity’sGOStationsandtheDowntown,calledmobilityhubs,willhelpensureBurlingtoncontinuestobeathriving,vibrant21stcenturycitythateasilyconnectspeopletotheplacestheylive,workandplay.Developmentintheseareaswillpromotewalkable,transit-orientedcommunitiesthatofferconvenientaccesstoemploymentopportunities,afullrangeofhousing,publicservicefacilitiesincludingschoolsandparks,andconvenientaccesstovariousdailyneedslikeshopping,services,andsupportsforresidentsthroughouttheirentirelives.

TheRuralAreafacessignificantpressuresandchallengesasacommunity,butalsosignificantopportunities.TheCityiscommittedtotheprotectionandstrengtheningoftheruralcommunity.Thismeansconservingthearea’sruralcharacterandprotectingandenhancingitsnaturalenvironmentwhileenablingtheruraleconomy,particularlyagriculture,toevolveandchange.ConnectionsbetweentheUrbanandRuralAreaswillprotectandstrengthenthesocial,economic,andenvironmentalwell-beingofboththeUrbanAreaandtheRuralArea,includingagriculture.

Anewsenseofsharedpurposeisrequiredtohelpachievethisvision,onethatsupportstheCity’scurrentandfutureresidents.

ThelandscapeofBurlingtonhaschangedremarkablyoverthelast50years,andtheevolutionwillcontinue.Thechallengesandopportunitiesofgrowththroughintensificationanddevelopmentandre-developmentwillbeguidedbyresidents,



Chapter2

politicians,businessowners,othersandtheOfficialPlan.ThePlan’slong-termvisionforthecommunitywillhelpensurelandusedecisionsmadetodaycontributetotheCity’sgoalofbeingavibrant21stcenturycommunity.

CitybuildingisacontinuousprocessoftargetinggrowthtotherightareasoftheCitytomakegooduseofexistinginfrastructure.Communityengagement,coordinationandstrategicthinkingwillberequiredtoshapethefutureofBurlington.ThebuildingoftheCitywillneverhaveadateofcompletion,butre-definingtheCitywillbetheworkofitsresidents,businessesandleadersforthedays,monthsandyearsahead.

Thecombinationofaneconomicallystrategiclocation,diversifiedeconomyandenvironmentalandaestheticfactors,anextraordinarywaterfront,itsworld-renownedNiagaraEscarpmentandothernaturalwondershascontributedtoBurlingtonbeingaplacewherepeopleandbusinessthrive.

2.2 THECITYSYSTEM

ThelandusevisionisdescribedbytheCitySystem.TheCitySystemismadeupoftheUrbanArea,theRuralArea,andNorthAldershot.TheCitySystemdescribesthephysicalmake-upoftheCityoverthelongtermandprovidesacomprehensiveframeworktoguidegrowthanddevelopmentoverthehorizonofthisPlanandbeyond.Thisframeworktellsuswherewemustprotectandwhereweexpecttogrow.

TheCitySystemalsoincludestheGreenSystemandInfrastructureandTransportationSystemthatcrossandconnecttheentireCity.TheCitySystemrecognizesthatvariousareasoftheCityperformdifferentfunctions.Thesedistinct,andinter-connectedareas,andthekeyboundariesthatdefinethem,establishthestrategicframeworkwithinwhichmoredetailedpoliciesareestablished.

Burlington’sCitySystemisshownonScheduleA,CitySystem,ofthisPlan.

2.2.1 AREASUrbanArea

a) TheUrbanArearepresentsthelandswhereforecastedpopulationandemploymentgrowthwillbeaccommodated.

b) WithintheUrbanAreamunicipalwaterand/orwastewaterwillbeprovidedtoaccommodateconcentrationsofexistingandfuturedevelopment,inaccordancewiththepoliciesofthisPlanandtheRegionalOfficialPlan.



Chapter2

RuralArea

c) TheRuralAreacomprisestherurallands,consistingofanagriculturalsystem,anaturalheritagesystem,ruralsettlementareas,andmineralresourceextractionareas.TheidentificationoftheselandsprovidesfortheprotectionandstrengtheningoftheruralcommunitythroughthemaintenanceandenhancementoftheNaturalHeritageSystem,theprotectionofprimeagriculturalareas,supportfortheeconomicviabilityofagriculture,conservationofculturalheritageresourcesandmanagementofmineralaggregateresourcesandoperations.

d) Non-farmdevelopmentintheRuralAreawillremainrestrictedtoexistingRuralSettlementAreas.RuralSettlementAreasrepresentcompactruralcommunitiesdesignatedtoaccommodatelimitedresidentialgrowthintheRuralAreaandsmallscaleindustrial,commercialandinstitutionalusesservingthefarmingandruralcommunities.LimitedgrowthwillbedirectedtoRuralSettlementAreas.

NorthAldershot

e) NorthAldershotrepresentsadistinctiveareaseparatefromboththeUrbanandRuralAreasthatcontainsenvironmentalprotectionareasofenvironmentalsignificancethatco-existswithhumansettlementareas.ThePlanrecognizesthedistinctcharacteroftheareaandthatanydevelopmentmustbecompatiblewithitsspecialcharacteristics.

2.2.2 CITY-WIDESYSTEMSInfrastructureandTransportationSystems

a) InfrastructuresystemscrosstheUrbanArea,RuralAreaandNorthAldershot,andarecriticaltothedeliveryofservicesandutilities,aswellasthemovementofpeopleandgoodsintheCitytodayandinthefuture.

b) Infrastructureisprovidedbymanydifferentpartners.InfrastructuresystemsplayacriticalroleinsupportinggrowthanddevelopmentintheCity.TheCity’smulti-modaltransportationsystemisanessentialpartofasustainableCitywhichinfluencesbothlanduseandqualityoflife.

c) MajorinfrastructureandtransportationfacilitiesareshownonScheduleA,CitySystem,ofthisPlan.

TheGreenSystem

d) TheGreenSystemdepictsthenetworkofgreenspacesthatrunsthroughtheCity’sUrbanArea,RuralAreaandNorthAldershot.TheGreenSystemisacriticalcomponentofahealthyandenvironmentallysustainableCity.Itincludesnaturalareasandbuffers;naturalcorridors,linkagesand



Chapter2

enhancementareas;parklands,includingRegionalWaterfrontParks;andpublicandprivateopenspaces.IntheRuralArea,agricultureisconsideredtobeacompatibleandcomplementaryuseinmuchoftheGreenSystem.

2.2.3 PROVINCIALPLANBOUNDARIESANDCONCEPTSTheCityisguidedbyProvincialplansandpolicies,includingasuiteofthreeplansthatworktogethertodirectgrowthandtoprotectthenaturalenvironment,agricultureandruralareas.

NiagaraEscarpmentPlan

a) TheNiagaraEscarpmentPlanprovidesforthemaintenanceoftheNiagaraEscarpmentandlandsinitsvicinitysubstantiallyasacontinuousnaturalenvironment,andensuresonlysuchdevelopmentoccursasiscompatiblewiththatnaturalenvironment.

b) TheNiagaraEscarpmentPlanhasassociatedlandusedesignationsandpoliciesthatguidedevelopmentintheseareas.ThesedesignationsareillustratedonScheduleA-1,ProvincialLandUsePlansandDesignations,ofthisPlan.PartsoftheRuralAreaandNorthAldershotarewithintheNiagaraEscarpmentPlan.

GreenbeltPlan

c) TheProvincialGreenbeltPlanidentifiesaProtectedCountrysideAreaandaGreenbeltNaturalHeritageSystem.TheGreenbeltPlanidentifiesthaturbanizationshouldnotoccurintheseareas,inordertoprovidepermanentprotectiontotheagriculturallandbaseandtheNaturalHeritageSystemoccurringonthislandscape.ThedesignationsareillustratedonScheduleA-1,ProvincialLandUsePlansandDesignations,ofthisPlan.PartsoftheRuralArea,NorthAldershotandtheUrbanAreaarewithintheGreenbeltPlan.

GrowthPlanfortheGreaterGoldenHorseshoe

d) TheGrowthPlan(2006)asamended,waspreparedtoprovideaframeworkforbuildingstronger,prosperouscommunities,bybettermanaginggrowthfirstto2031,andsubsequentlythroughrevisedgrowthforecaststo2041.ThePlanguidesdecisionsonawiderangeofissues–transportation,infrastructureplanning,land-useplanning,urbanform,housing,naturalheritageandresourceprotectionintheinterestofpromotingeconomicprosperity.

UrbanBoundary

(i) TheUrbanBoundaryrepresentsthefixedboundarythatidentifiestheUrbanArea.ChangestotheUrbanBoundaryarenotintendedorpermittedwithintheplanninghorizonofthisPlan.



Chapter2

BuiltBoundary

(ii) TheBuiltBoundaryrepresentsthefixedboundarythatidentifiesthebuilt-uparea,whichconstitutesthedevelopedUrbanAreaofthemunicipality,asdefinedbytheProvinceofOntarioinconsultationwiththeCityin2006,andsubsequentlyfinalizedinApril,2008.AsignificantportionofnewresidentialandemploymentgrowthwithintheCitywillbeaccommodatedwithinthebuilt-upareathroughintensificationandre-development.TheProvinceofOntarioisresponsibleforreviewingandupdatingBuiltBoundarieswithintheGreaterGoldenHorseshoe.TheRegionalOfficialPlanstatesthataminimumof8,300newhousingunitsmustbeaddedwithinthebuilt-upareabetween2015and2031.

UrbanGrowthCentre

(iii) TheboundaryoftheDowntownUrbanGrowthCentre,referredtointhe“PlacestoGrow”,GrowthPlanfortheGreaterGoldenHorseshoe,2006,identifiestheareathatwillbeplannedtoachieve,by2031orearlier,aminimumgrossdensitytargetof200residentsandjobscombinedperhectare.

DesignatedGreenfieldArea

(iv) TheDesignatedGreenfieldAreaislocatedbetweentheUrbanAreaPlanningBoundaryandtheBuiltBoundaryandrepresentsthelandswithintheUrbanBoundarywhicharenotbuiltup.TheCityofBurlingtonisexpectedtoachieveaminimumoveralldevelopmentdensityof45residentsandjobspergrosshectareinthedesignatedgreenfieldareawithintheCity.DevelopmentinthedesignatedgreenfieldareawilloccurinamannerwhichcontributestotheCity’soverallvisionforbuildingacompletecommunity.

ParkwayBeltWestPlan

e) TheProvincialParkwayBeltWestPlanisintendedtoprovideforamulti-purposeutilitycorridorandlinkedopenspacesystem,whichextendsfromtheCityofHamiltonthroughtheRegionsofHalton,PeelandYork.

2.2.4 POPULATIONANDEMPLOYMENTDISTRIBUTIONTheRegionalOfficialPlanestablishedagrowthstrategyfortheRegionofHaltonbasedonthedistributionofpopulationandemploymentto2031.ThisdistributionofpopulationandemploymentshallbeaccommodatedbasedonthepoliciesoftheRegionalPlan,includingtheRegionalPhasingtable.



Chapter2

Population* Employment

2006 2031 2006 2031

171,000 193,000 88,000 106,000

*Populationnumbersare“totalpopulation”numbersincludingapproximately4%undercoveragefromtheofficial“CensusPopulation”numbersreportedbyStatisticsCanada.

2.3 THEURBANSTRUCTURE

TheCity’sUrbanStructureelaboratesontheUrbanArea,asidentifiedinScheduleA,CitySystem,ofthisPlan.TheelementsoftheUrbanStructureperformdifferentfunctions,andprovidedirectionastowherelandswithintheUrbanAreafallalongthespectrum,fromensuringprotectiontosupportinggrowth,intensificationandappropriatetransition.TheUrbanStructureestablishesthelandusevisionfortheUrbanAreawhichisfurtherrefinedinChapter8,LandUsePolicies–UrbanArea,ofthisPlan.

TheUrbanstructureiscomposedofsixmajorcomponents:1.MixedUseIntensificationAreas;2.AreasofEmployment;3.ResidentialNeighbourhoodAreas;4.NaturalHeritageSystemandMajorParksandOpenSpace;5.NaturalResourceExtractionArea;and6.InfrastructureandTransportationSystems,asshownonScheduleB,UrbanStructure,ofthisPlan.EachareaisidentifiedinScheduleB,UrbanStructure.

AdditionalinformationinsupportofotherpoliciesofthisPlan,aswellasothercontextualinformationisalsopresentedinScheduleB-1,GrowthFramework,ofthisPlan.

2.3.1 MIXEDUSEINTENSIFICATIONAREASa) LandsidentifiedasMixedUseIntensificationAreasprovidelocationswherea

rangeandintensityofemployment,shopping,publicservicefacilities,residentialusesandcomplementaryusessuchasopenspace,institutional,andculturaluseswillbedevelopedwithtransitsupportivedensitiesincompacturbanform.MixedUseIntensificationAreaswilloffersubstantialdevelopmentopportunitiesandrepresentakeyelementinthisPlan'sstrategytoaccommodateanddirectgrowthintheCityovertheplanninghorizonandbeyond.



Chapter2

b) MixedUseIntensificationAreaswilloccurineitherlinearornodalformsatdifferentlevelsofintensityandaccommodatingawide,orinsomecases,alimitedrangeofusesinaccordancewiththeunderlyinglandusedesignations.

c) MixedUseIntensificationAreasareorganizedinahierarchywhichincludestheCity’surbancentres,mobilityhubsandmixedusenodesandintensificationcorridors.Thishierarchyreinforcesthatwhileallareasareconsideredpartoftheintensificationareaseachhasanimportantanddistinctrole.

UrbanCentres

d) TheCityhastwoUrbanCentres:theDowntownUrbanCentreandtheUptownUrbanCentre.

e) LandsidentifiedasUrbanCentresprovideforabroadrangeandmixofusesinareasofhigherdensitythansurroundingneighbourhoods,inaccordancewiththeunderlyinglandusedesignations.TheybringavarietyofpublicservicefacilitiesandamixofotherusessuchasretailusestosupportresidentsandemployeesinboththenorthandthesouthoftheCity,respectively.

f) UrbanCentreswillexhibitawidevarietyoflandusesanddensitiesdesignedinacompactform,orientedtosupporttransitandfacilitateactivetransportation.

MobilityHubs

g) Mobilityhubsconsistofareaslocatedwithinwalkingdistancetomajortransitstationareas,includingtheDowntownBusTerminalorGORailStations,whichareeithercurrentlyorplannedtobeservicedbythelocalfrequenttransitnetworkandGOTransit.Thehighlevelofexistingorplannedtransitservicewithintheseareasprovidesanenvironmentwithinwhichsignificantresidentialandemploymentgrowthcanbesupported.Tofurthersupportthetransitorientednatureoftheseareas,growthshalloccurintheformofcompact,mixed-useandpedestrian-friendlyareaswithresidentialandemploymentdensitiesgreaterthanwhichexistinthesurroundingareas.

h) Provincially,mobilityhubsareidentifiedthroughMetrolinx’sTheBigMove:TransformingTransportationintheGreaterTorontoandHamiltonArea(GTHA)whichdesignatesasystemofmobilityhubsincludinganchorhubsandgatewayhubs.ThemobilityhubsystemisintendedtoreinforcelanduseandtransportationobjectivesintheProvince’sGrowthPlanfortheGreater



Chapter2

GoldenHorseshoe(2006);inparticular,thegoaloffocusingdevelopmentgrowtharoundmajortransitstationareas.

i) InBurlingtontherearefouridentifiedmobilityhubs.Twoofthesehubs,DowntownBurlingtonandtheareaaroundBurlingtonGO,havebeenidentifiedbyMetrolinx,includedintheHaltonRegionOfficialPlan,andclassifiedasanAnchorHubandGatewayHub,respectively.AnadditionaltwomobilityhubshavebeenidentifiedbytheCityintheareasaroundAldershotGOandApplebyGO.AllfourareasareconsideredMajorTransitStationAreas.InthisPlan,thesefourhubsareidentifiedcollectivelyasareasthatwillbesubjecttofurtherdetailedarea-specificplanning.

j) TheProvincialgovernmenthasproposedanewGOStationinthevicinityofWalker’sLineandCumberlandAve.TheCityshalldesignateanynewGOStationasamobilityhubandtheareawillbesubjecttofurtherdetailedarea-specificplanning.

MixedUseNodesandIntensificationCorridors

k) LandsidentifiedasMixedUseNodesrepresentareaswithaconcentrationofresidentialandemploymentuseswithdevelopmentdensitiesgenerallygreaterthansurroundingareas.Nodesaregenerallylocatedatpointswheretwoormoretransitroutesintersect.

l) LandsidentifiedasIntensificationCorridorsconsistofareasofstreet-orienteduseswhichincorporateamixofretail,employmentandresidentialuses,developedatoverallgreaterdensities,servingasimportanttransportationroutesalonghigherordertransitcorridorsandselectedarterialstreets.

m) MixedUseNodesandIntensificationCorridorswillbethefocusofre-urbanization.TheseareasvarywidelyandwillbeguidedbytheunderlyinglandusedesignationsofthisPlan.Someareaswillbeplannedtoevolvewithhigherresidentialdensitiesandafullmixofuses,whileothersmaypermitamorelimitedemployment-orientedrangeofpermitteduses,bothdesignedtoachievetheirplannedfunction.Theseareaswillsupportthefrequenttransitnetworkandprovidefocalpointsofactivityandavibrantpedestrianenvironmentandfacilitateactivetransportationthroughcarefulattentiontourbandesignenhancingtheopportunitiesforthelocationofpublicservicefacilitiesandinstitutionaluses.

2.3.2 AREASOFEMPLOYMENTOVERLAYa) LandsidentifiedwithintheAreaofEmploymentoverlayprovideforthe

locationofsignificantdiverseareasofcurrentandfutureemploymentactivitiesthatarerequiredfortheCity’slongtermeconomicdevelopment



Chapter2

andcompetitiveness,astheselandsrepresenttheprincipalemploymentgeneratorintheCityandwillbeguidedbytheunderlyinglandusedesignations.

b) TheAreaofEmploymentoverlayincludeslandsidentifiedonScheduleB,UrbanStructureandiscomposedof:

(i) asignificantportionofthetraditional,designatedemploymentlands,designatedGeneralEmploymentorBusinessCorridorshownonScheduleC,LandUsePlan-UrbanArea;and,

(ii) asignificantportionofthemixeduseemployment-orienteddesignationsincludingUrbanCorridor-EmploymentshownonScheduleC,LandUsePlan-UrbanArea;andUptownBusinessCorridorandUptownBusinessshownonScheduleE,LandUsePlan-UptownUrbanCentre.

c) AlllandsidentifiedwithintheAreaofEmploymentoverlayonScheduleBareprotectedfromconversiontoanon-employmentuseoutsideofamunicipalcomprehensivereview.

2.3.3 RESIDENTIALNEIGHBOURHOODAREASa) LandsidentifiedasResidentialNeighbourhoodAreasmakeupasignificant

proportionoftheUrbanArea.Theseareasareintendedtoaccommodateawiderangeofresidentialusesandforms,togetherwithsupportingparkland,andotherlandusessuchassmallscalecommercialusesorhomeoccupationsthatarepartoftheresidentialenvironment.

b) ResidentialNeighbourhoodAreasareestablishedresidentialareas,andarenotintendedtocaptureasignificantportionoftheCity’sgrowth.Rather,onlylimitedintensificationsuchasinfilldevelopmentandaccessorydwellingunits.Anydevelopmentoccurringintheseareasshallconsiderthephysicalqualitiesandcharacteristicswhichareprevalentinthearea.

c) ResidentialNeighbourhoodAreasalsoincludeanumberofNeighbourhoodCharacterAreas,whichwereidentifiedthroughplanningstudies.Theseareasareguidedbyadditionalarea-specificpoliciesandZoningBy-lawregulationstoensurethatdevelopmentiscompatiblewiththeexistingneighbourhoodcharacter.

2.3.4 NATURALHERITAGESYSTEMANDMAJORPARKSANDOPENSPACEa) Landsidentifiedas“NaturalHeritageSystemandMajorParksandOpen

Space”includetheCity’sNaturalHeritageSystemandlandsdesignatedfor



Chapter2

MajorParksandOpenSpace.Togethertheyareessentialcomponentsofahealthyandsustainableurbanarea.

b) TheNaturalHeritageSystemismadeupofnaturalfeaturesandareas,suchaswoodlandsandwetlands,andthelinkagesandinterrelationshipsamongthem,andwiththesurroundinglandscape.MajorParksandOpenSpaceincludesCommunityParks,CityParksandotherpublicandprivateopenspacelands.

2.3.5 MINERALRESOURCEEXTRACTIONAREAa) LandsidentifiedasMineralResourceExtractionAreaareguidedbythe

policiesinSection8.5ofthisPlan.

2.3.6 INFRASTRUCTUREANDTRANSPORTATIONCORRIDORSa) LandsidentifiedasInfrastructureandTransportationCorridorsareguidedby

thepoliciesinChapter6,Infrastructure,TransportationandUtilities,ofthisPlan.

2.4 GROWTHFRAMEWORK

TheGrowthFrameworkiscomprisedofacollectionofpoliciesandamap,tobeusedinconjunctionwiththeUrbanStructureandlandusepoliciesofthisPlan,andwhichtogetherareintendedtocommunicatetherelativepriority,degree,typeandlocationofgrowthamongstthefourGrowthFrameworkareas.TheGrowthFrameworkiscomprisedoffourareas:PrimaryGrowthAreas;SecondaryGrowthAreas;EstablishedNeighbourhoodAreasandEmploymentGrowthAreas,asshownonScheduleB-1,GrowthFramework,ofthisPlan.

2.4.1 OBJECTIVESa) ToidentifythelocationswheretheCityisdirectingitsgrowthand

intensification,transformingBurlingtonfromaprimarilysuburbantoamoreurbancommunity.

b) TocommunicatetheCity’sbuiltformstrategyfornewdevelopmentwithrespecttomid-riseandtallbuildingform.

c) ToidentifylocationsintheCityasthepriorityforpublicexpenditureinrecognitionoftheimportanceofthefinancialsustainabilityofthemunicipalityasitgrowspredominantlythroughintensificationinkeyareas.

d) ToadvanceanumberofstrategicCitybuildingobjectives,includingsupportingtargetedintensificationintherightlocations,providingmore



Chapter2

mobilitychoices,andsupportingmorediversedemographicgrowththroughsupportingtheprovisionofawiderangeofhousingoptions.

e) Tolimittheintroductionofunplannedintensificationinestablishedneighbourhoodareas.

2.4.2 GROWTHFRAMEWORKGENERALPOLICIESa) ThepoliciesofthissectionshallbereadinconjunctionwiththeUrban

Structureandtheunderlyinglandusedesignations.

b) TheGrowthFrameworkshallnotapplytoundevelopedareasoutsideoftheBuiltBoundaryortothelandsdesignatedNaturalHeritageSystemandMajorParksandOpenSpace.Inaddition,theGrowthFrameworkshallnotapplytofeaturesthatmeetthecriteriaforidentificationasKeyNaturalFeaturesorassensitivesurfacewaterorgroundwaterfeaturesinaccordancewithSubsection4.2.2ofthisPlan.

c) TheboundariesofthePrimaryGrowthArea,SecondaryGrowthArea,EstablishedNeighbourhoodAreaorEmploymentGrowthArea,asidentifiedonScheduleB-1,GrowthFramework,ofthisPlan,shallonlybemodifiedthroughaCity-initiatedOfficialPlanAmendment.

d) ThroughmonitoringandreviewtheCityshallconsiderlongtermopportunitiesforthedirectionofintensificationgrowthtotheSecondaryGrowthFrameworkareasincluding,butnotlimitedto,thedevelopmentoffutureareaspecificplansandtheexpansionofthejustifiedfrequenttransitnetwork.

2.4.2.1 PRIMARYGROWTHAREAS

a) PrimaryGrowthAreas:

(i) areareasgenerallyidentifiedintheUrbanStructureasUrbanCentresandMobilityHubs,thetwoelementsestablishedinthehierarchyoftheMixedUseIntensificationAreas,andareidentifiedinScheduleB-1,GrowthFramework,ofthisPlan;

(ii) shallaccommodatethemajorityoftheCity’sforecastedgrowthovertheplanninghorizonofthisPlanandbeyond,andconsequentlywillexperiencethegreatestdegreeofchange;

(iii) shallberegardedasthemostappropriateandpredominantlocationfornewtallbuildings;

(iv) shallbeidentifiedasprioritylocationsforCity-initiatedArea-Specificplanningandcapitalinvestmentsforinfrastructureandpublicservicefacilitiestosupportpopulationandemploymentgrowth;and



Chapter2

(v) shallsupportthejustifiedfrequenttransitnetworkandaccommodatedevelopmentthatiscompact,mixeduse,andpedestrianorientedinnature.

b) PrimaryGrowthAreasshallbeapriorityforProvincial,RegionalandCityinvestmentinneworupgradedinfrastructureand/orpublicservicefacilitieswhichmayberequiredtofacilitateintensificationincluding,butnotlimitedto,thefollowing:

(i) water/wastewatercapacity;

(ii) investmentsinthejustifiedfrequenttransitnetworkandtheinvestigationofthedevelopmentofahigherordertransitlinesuchasdedicatedlanerapidtransitoptions,ifwarranted;

(iii) publicservicefacilities;

(iv) otherinfrastructure,includingbutnotlimitedto,hydroinfrastructure;and

(v) publicrealmimprovementsorothercapitalpriorities.

c) PrimaryGrowthAreasshallhaveexistingorplannedinfrastructureandpublicservicefacilitiescapacitytoaccommodateintensificationovertheplanninghorizonofthisPlan.Incaseswheresuchcapacityisdeficient,anareamayalsobeidentifiedasaStrategicInvestmentArea.AStrategicInvestmentAreashallbeidentified,byresolutionofCityCouncil,asthefocusfortheuseofinnovativefinancial,economicdevelopmentorplanningtoolsavailabletotheCityinordertoassistwithovercomingidentifiedbarriers/constraintstointensification,andfacilitatepopulationandemploymentgrowthinaccordancewiththeCity’sstrategicpriorities.

d) AnyOfficialPlanAmendmentsforincreasedheightandordensity/intensityinthePrimaryGrowthAreashallbesubjecttothepoliciesofSubsection2.5,DevelopmentCriteria,ofthisPlan.

e) AnOfficialPlanAmendmentproposinganincreaseinheightanddensity/intensityinthePrimaryGrowthAreamaybedeterminedtobeprematurewhereanArea-SpecificPlanhasbeeninitiated,unlesstheproponentcandemonstratetothesatisfactionoftheCitythat:

(i) theproposeddensity/intensityandheightachievestheobjectivesofSection2.3,UrbanStructure,Subsection8.1.2,MobilityHubs,andChapter7,DesignExcellence,ofthisPlan;and

(ii) theproposeddensity/intensityandheightwillnotcompromisetheultimatecommunitydesigntobedeterminedthroughtheArea-SpecificPlan.



Chapter2

f) WhereanArea-SpecificPlanhasbeenapproved,themorespecificlandusepoliciesshallapplyandthepoliciesoftheArea-SpecificPlanmayprovidemoredetaileddirectiononhowtheCityshallconsideranyfurtherincreasetoheightsanddensities/intensitiesthroughapplicationsforOfficialPlanAmendments.

2.4.2.2 SECONDARYGROWTHAREAS

a) SecondaryGrowthAreas:

(i) areareasidentifiedintheUrbanStructurewithintheMixedUseIntensificationAreasandconsistofthelandslocatedwithMixedUseNodesandIntensificationCorridors,withsomeexceptions,aswellasselectvacantresidentialsiteslocatedimmediatelyadjacenttoanArterialorMulti-PurposeArterialStreetasidentifiedonScheduleB-1,GrowthFramework,ofthisPlan;

(ii) shallaccommodategrowthwithintheexistingcapacityofthecurrentlandusedesignationsofthisPlan,

(iii) areareasexpectedtotransitionovertheplanninghorizonandbeyondandwillnotresultinasignificantrelocationofplannedgrowthoutsideofthePrimaryGrowthAreas;

(iv) shallbelimitedtoamaximumofmid-risebuildingform,unlessotherwisepermittedbytheexistingunderlyinglandusedesignation;

(v) whereapplicable,shallsupportthejustifiedfrequenttransitnetworkandaccommodatedevelopmentthatiscompact,mixeduseandpedestrianorientedinnature.

b) WithintheSecondaryGrowthArea,anyOfficialPlanAmendmentsforincreasedheightandordensity/intensitybeyondthatwhichiscurrentlypermittedintheunderlyinglandusedesignationshallbediscouraged.WheresuchanamendmentissubmitteditshallbesubjecttothepoliciesofSubsection2.5,DevelopmentCriteria,ofthisPlaninadditiontothefulfillmentofthefollowingcriteria:

(i) theincreasedheight,andordensity/intensitywillnotsignificantlyincreasethedensitybeyondtheexistingpermissions.

(ii) usingthebestinformationavailable,theincreaseddensitycanbeaccommodatedwithoutrequiringupgradestocapacityofexistinginfrastructureorpublicservicefacilities,andwillnotredirectinvestmentrequiredtosupportthePrimaryGrowthArea;and

(iii) inthecaseofapropertydesignatedResidential-LowDensitytheincreasedheight,andordensity/intensityshallinnocaseexceedthe



Chapter2

provisionsoftheResidential-MediumDensitydesignation;and

(iv) shallinnocaseexceedthemid-risebuildingform.

c) NotwithstandingSubsection2.4.2.2a)i)ofthisPlan,propertiesintheCitythatarecurrentlydesignatedResidential-MediumDensityandlocatedwithintheEstablishedNeighbourhoodArea,andthatarecurrentlycomprisedof100percentrentalunits,maybeconsideredaSecondaryGrowthAreasubjecttotheproposeddevelopmentmeetingthefollowingcriteria:

(i) themajorityoftheunitsintheproposeddevelopmentconstituteaffordablerentalunits;

(ii) asignificantportionoftheunitsintheproposeddevelopmenthavethreeormorebedrooms;

(iii) theproposeddevelopmentshallbecompatiblewiththesurroundingdevelopmentanddoesnotexceedtheunderlyinglandusedesignationintermsofheightandordensity/intensity.

2.4.2.3 ESTABLISHEDNEIGHBOURHOODAREAS

a) EstablishedNeighbourhoodAreas:

(i) areidentifiedintheUrbanStructurewithinboththeResidentialNeighbourhoodAreaandtheMixedUseIntensificationAreawhereotherwisenotincludedinthePrimaryorSecondaryGrowthAreasandareidentifiedinScheduleB-1,GrowthFramework,ofthisPlan;

(ii) shallnotberegardedasessentialtoachievethepopulationgrowthdistributions,asstatedbytheRegionofHalton;

(iii) shallbeidentifiedasareaswithlimitedopportunitiesforintensification,andshallaccommodategrowthopportunitiesrestrictedtothepermissionsanddensitiesestablishedintheunderlyinglandusedesignation.

b) WithinEstablishedNeighbourhoodAreas,thefollowingformsofintensificationmaybepermitted:

(i) re-developmentorinfillinaccordancewiththemaximumdensitypermittedundertheapplicablelandusedesignationcontainedinChapter8,LandUseDesignations–UrbanArea,ofthisPlan;

(ii) consents,subjecttopoliciesinChapter12,ImplementationandInterpretation,ofthisPlan;

(iii) plansofsubdivision,subjecttothepoliciesinChapter12,ImplementationandInterpretation,ofthisPlan;



Chapter2

(iv) accessorydwellingunits,subjecttoSubsection8.3.6ofthisPlan;and/or

(v) gardensuites,subjecttoSubsection8.3.7ofthisPlan.

c) IntheEstablishedNeighbourhoodAreaOfficialPlanAmendmentsforincreasedheightandordensity/intensitybeyondthatwhichiscurrentlypermittedintheunderlyinglandusedesignationshallnotbesupported.WheresuchanamendmentissubmitteditshallbesubjecttothepoliciesofSubsection2.5,DevelopmentCriteria,ofthisPlan.

d) WhereanexistingpublicservicefacilityorinstitutionaluseisproposedtoclosewithintheEstablishedNeighbourhoodArea,theCitymayinitiateanOfficialPlanAmendmentinaccordancewithSubsection3.2.2l)ofthisPlan.

2.4.2.4 EMPLOYMENTGROWTHAREAS

a) EmploymentGrowthAreas,asidentifiedonScheduleB-1,GrowthFramework,ofthisPlan,shallconsistofAreasofEmploymentnotcapturedwithinthePrimaryGrowthAreas,andwillbeanareaoffocusforthere-developmentandintensificationofemploymentlands.

b) EmploymentGrowthAreashavethepotentialtoaccommodateasignificantportionoftheemploymentdistributedbytheRegionofHalton.

c) WithinEmploymentGrowthAreas,allformsofemploymentintensificationmaybepermitted.

d) WithinEmploymentGrowthAreas,theCitymayidentifyStrategicInvestmentAreaswhichshallbeareasoffocusfortheuseofinnovativefinancialand/orplanningtoolsavailabletotheCityinordertoassistwithovercomingidentifiedbarriers/constraintstointensificationandfacilitateemploymentgrowthinaccordancewiththeCity’sstrategicpriorities.Toolswhichmaybeimplementedinclude,butshallnotbelimitedto:

(i) differentialdevelopmentcharges;

(ii) CommunityImprovementPlans,subjecttoSubsection12.1.3.5ofthisPlan;

(iii) CommunityBenefits,subjecttoSubsection12.1.3.1.5ofthisPlan;

(iv) public/privateinfrastructureagreements,includingfront-endingagreements;

(v) Area-SpecificPlans,subjecttoSubsection12.1.4ofthisPlan;

(vi) City-initiatedlandacquisition/development;

(vii) City-initiatedOfficialPlanand/orZoningBy-Lawamendments;



Chapter2

(viii) developmentpermitsystems;and/or

(ix) economicdevelopmentstrategies.

2.5 DEVELOPMENTCRITERIA

Forthemostpart,futuredevelopmentintheCitywillbebuiltonre-developmentandinfillsites.Inconsideringalldevelopmentapplications,theCitywillensurethatdevelopment,re-developmentandinfillrespectandreflecttheexistingpatternandcharacterofadjacentdevelopment,bysatisfyingthecriteriaoutlinedinthissectionofthePlan,inadditiontotheunderlyinglandusedesignations.

2.5.1 OBJECTIVESa) Toensuredevelopment,re-developmentandinfillarecompatiblewiththe

builtformandlanduseofthesurroundingarea.

b) Toensurethatdevelopment,re-developmentandinfillachieveurbandesignexcellenceandcontributetothedevelopmentofahighqualitypublicrealm.

c) ToestablishcriteriaforevaluatingdevelopmentapplicationsincludingadditionalcriteriatobeappliedtoZoningBy-lawamendmentsandOfficialPlanAmendmentsforincreasestoheightandordensity/intensity.

d) Toensurethatappropriatetechnicalanalysisisundertaken.

2.5.2 POLICIESa) Thefollowingcriteriashallbesatisfiedwhenevaluatingdevelopment,re-

developmentorinfillproposals:

(i) compatibilitywithexistingsurroundingbuildings,aswellasthesurroundinglandusedesignations,isachieved;

(ii) thedevelopmentachieveshighqualityofurbandesignandisconsistentwiththepoliciescontainedinChapter7,DesignExcellence,ofthisPlan;

(iii) treesarepreservedandprotected,consistentwiththepoliciescontainedinSection4.3,UrbanForestry,ofthisPlan;

(iv) capabilityexiststoprovideadequatebufferingandothermeasurestominimizeanyidentifiedimpactstoanacceptablelevel;

(v) wherere-developmentpotentialexistsononeproperty,theCityshall:

a. requirethatitbedemonstratedthatfuturedevelopmentorre-developmentontheadjacentproperty(ies)willnotbe



Chapter2

compromisedbytheproposal;and

b. requirethattheproposalbedesignedtofacilitatefuturepedestrian,cyclingand/orprivatestreetconnectionsacrossoneormoreadjacentproperties,wheresuchopportunitiesexist,asdeterminedbytheCity;

(vi) theNaturalHeritageSystemisprotected;

(vii) forresidentialuses,publicservicefacilitiesandotherneighbourhoodconveniences,suchascommunitycentres,recreation,neighbourhoodshoppingcentresandhealthcarearelocatedwithinwalkingdistanceoraccessiblebytransit;

(viii) consistencywiththelandusecompatibilitypoliciescontainedinSection4.6,LandUseCompatibility,ofthisPlan;

(ix) potentialunacceptableimpactsonthemunicipaltransportationsystemaremitigatedwhereverpossiblewithregardtotransportationflowandcapacity;

(x) sufficientoff-streetparkingandtransportationdemandmanagementmeasuresareprovided;

(xi) culturalheritageresourcesareprotected;and

(xii) theprovisionofstormwatermanagementinaccordancewiththepoliciesofSubsection4.4.3q)ofthisPlan.

b) ThefollowingadditionalcriteriashallbesatisfiedwhenconsideringaZoningBy-lawAmendmentoranOfficialPlanAmendmentrelatedtoheight,andordensity/intensity:

(i) theproposalmaintainsthelandusevisionofthisplanandtheintentoftheUrbanStructureelementwithinwhichtheproposeddevelopmentislocated;

(ii) adequateinfrastructureandpublicservicefacilitiesareavailabletoaccommodatetheincreaseddemands,including,butnotlimitedtosuchservicesaswater,wastewater,stormwater,schoolaccommodationandparklands;

(iii) theproposalisincloseproximitytoexistingorplannedtransitfacilitiesincludingthejustifiedfrequenttransitnetwork,higherordertransit,busroutesand/ortransitshelters;

(iv) theproposalcomplementsandconnectswiththepublicrealm;



Chapter2

c) proposalsforresidentialintensificationintheformofnon-groundorientedbuildingsshallbepermittedonlyattheperipheryofexistingneighbourhoodsandonlywhere:

(i) thesubjectpropertyisabutting,andhasdirectvehicularaccessto,aMajorArterialorMulti-PurposeArterialStreet,UrbanAvenueorMainStreetasdefinedinScheduleP-1,ClassificationofTransportationFacilities–UrbanArea,ofthisPlan;

d) ConsentapplicationsshallbesubjecttothepoliciesofSubsection12.1.3.2.2ofthisPlan.

e) TheCitymayrequirethedevelopmentofanArea-SpecificPlaninaccordancewithSubsection12.1.4ofthisPlantoensuretheorderlyandefficientdevelopmentofanypropertyorgroupofproperties.

Burlington Official Plan: Chapter 2 - Sustainable Growth · SUSTAINABLE GROWTH 2.1 LAND USE VISION...

Documents

Transcript of Burlington Official Plan: Chapter 2 - Sustainable Growth · SUSTAINABLE GROWTH 2.1 LAND USE VISION...