THE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY OF MUSKOKA PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE A G E N D A

Transcription

1 THE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY OF MUSKOKA PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE A G E N D A Meeting No. PED Thursday, October 4, :00 a.m. Council Chamber, District Administration Building 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS 3. PUBLIC MEETINGS a) Proposed Official Plan Amendment No. 41 to the Muskoka Official Plan (Secondary Dwelling Unit Policy Update) Report No. PED , as presented on August 23, 2012 b) Proposed Official Plan Amendment No. 42 to the Muskoka Official Plan (Vision) Report No. PED , as presented on August 23, 2012 Revised Amendment as directed by Committee on August 23, INVITED PRESENTATION a) Patricia Arney, Muskoka Watershed Council i. Muskoka Watershed Council Activity Report June to August MUSKOKA OFFICIAL PLAN a) Proposed Official Plan Amendment No. 40 to the Muskoka Official Plan (Northern Lights Muskoka Ltd. Township of Lake of Bays) Report No. PED Recommendation None. Submitted for information prior to the public meeting. 6. INFORMATION AND OTHER ITEMS a) Department Activity Report May 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012 Report No. PED Recommendation None. For information. 7. NEW BUSINESS

2 8. CLOSED SESSION Recommendation THAT we do now retire to the Planning and Economic Development Committee in closed session to discuss an office lease at the Muskoka Airport. Recommendation THAT we do now rise from the Planning and Economic Development Committee in closed session and immediately reconvene in open session. 9. ADJOURNMENT Recommendation THAT the Planning and Economic Development Committee adjourns to meet again on Thursday, October 25, 2012 or at the call of the Chair.

3 PED a)i. September 21, 2012 Mr. John Klinck, Chair District Municipality of Muskoka 70 Pine Street Bracebridge, Ontario P1L 1N3 Dear Mr. Klinck, Re: MWC Activity Report June to August 2012 On behalf of the Muskoka Watershed Council (MWC), thank you for your ongoing and critical support. With that support, the extensive volunteer effort of Muskoka Watershed Council s members, and the office facilities provided by the Muskoka Heritage Foundation, we advance our mission championing watershed health. Consistent with our Mission, Goal, Objectives and Guiding Principles, this report aligns activities year-to-date with our objectives. Evaluate the Watersheds Biodiversity report MWC prepared a background report on the change in biodiversity across Muskoka. Volunteers spent many hours talking to long-time Muskoka residents about changes they have experienced in their lifetimes. The report was posted on the MWC blog page and, over the summer, people have been encouraged to provide comments. Continuing to work with the Georgian Bay Biosphere reserve and other Georgian Bay organizations to develop a Watershed Report Card for Georgian Bay. Working with the District of Muskoka and the Dorset Environmental Science Centre to develop a regional monitoring network for cumulative effects monitoring, through funding provided by the Canadian Water Network. Undertaking a wetland monitoring program to record wetland change. Reviewing all report card indicators. Shoreline Survey Program In conjunction with the District and a provincial consortium of local non-government organizations, we are developing a comprehensive shoreline survey and stewardship program. An initiative of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation and The District Municipality of Muskoka Page 1

4 PED a)i. Advise on the Watersheds Developing a report on an alternative model to assist homeowners in installing green energy. Held a community lecture on July 26, 2012 entitled Our lakes, How They have Changed Over the last 25 years. Completed all Stewardship Guides including Species at Risk in Parry Sound Muskoka, Living with beavers, Building a trail, and Restore Your Shoreline. Completed 15 fact sheets on Species at Risk in Muskoka. Nine additional facts sheets are in the final review stage. Reprinted the following brochures and resource material 1. Forestry brochure 2. The general MWC Brochure. 3. Healthy Lawns and Gardens Naturally 4. Clean and Green Giant Hog Weed in Muskoka Communicate and Educate Presentations to lake associations and service clubs in the 2010 report card. Distributed e-bulletins to 475 followers. Distributed 7500 Muskoka Watersheds Report Cards in the July 13, 2012 issue of the Muskokan to selected areas in Muskoka. Ongoing tweeting of issues of importance to the health of the watershed. Promote and Demonstrate Exploring a program to work with local business to reduce packaging waste. Respectfully submitted, cc: Marg French, Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development Page 2

5 TO: FROM: Chair and Members Planning and Economic Development Committee Melissa Halford Planner DATE: September 5, 2012 SUBJECT: Proposed Official Plan Amendment No. 40 to the Muskoka Official Plan (Northern Lights Muskoka Ltd. Township of Lake of Bays) REPORT NO: PED RECOMMENDATION None. Submitted for information prior to the public meeting. ORIGIN An application for a Muskoka Official Plan amendment was submitted on June 4, 2012 and deemed complete on June 7, The following background has been prepared in order to provide Committee with a general overview of the proposed amendment prior to the public meeting. ANALYSIS Location The lands subject to this amendment are located off Echo Hills Road, north of Highway No. 60 and just west of the Community of Dwight. A location map is attached as Appendix I. The lands are described Lot 8, Concession XIV; Part of Lots 6 and 7, Concession XIV; Part of Lot 13, Concession XIV, more particularly described as Parts 8 and 11 on Plan 35R-15215; Part of Lots 13 and 14, Concession XIV, more particularly described as Part 5 on Plan 35R-15215; Lots 8, 9,10,11,12,13, Concession XIII, and Part Lot 14, Concession XIII, more particularly described as Part 1 on Plan 35R-12371; Lots 11,12, and 13, Concession XII, Franklin, Township of Lake of Bays, District Municipality of Muskoka. Existing Development Concept The subject property consists of approximately 535 hectares (1,322 acres). It was originally used as a tent and trailer park and some aggregate extraction has also occurred in the past. In 1991, a resort development and residential plan of subdivision were proposed for the property, but did not proceed. Subsequently, the property was partially developed on the basis of the trailer park being a legal non-conforming use. In 1998, site specific District and Township official plan policies were approved to permit the development of a residential lifestyle community with 400 land lease community homes, a community centre, a golf course and other associated recreational amenities on a portion of the subject property. This approval was based on extensive hydrogeological and environmental analyses, as the development is located on the adjacent lands of the Boyne Creek Provincially Significant Wetland and the Lee Lassetter Regionally Significant Wetland. Page 1

6 After undertaking a detailed review of the original Echo Valley development concept, the developer determined that it was no longer feasible and submitted District and Township official plan amendment applications to permit a recreational lifestyle community by way of a vacant land condominium description to be serviced by private individual water and sewage disposal systems. These amendments were adopted and approved and the policies still require development of recreational amenities including a golf course, a community centre and recreational trails, among other facilities. More specifically, the construction of the first nine holes of the golf course, as well as the community centre is required in the first phase of the development. The lands are also subject to a draft approved residential vacant land condominium description which contains 98 residential vacant land units, a common element road as well as a block that would contain the golf course. Proposal The current owner of these lands, Northern Lights Inc., has submitted applications for amendments to the District and Township site-specific official plan policies in order to remove the requirement for the construction of the community centre and the first nine holes of the proposed golf course from the first phase of the development. The lands identified for golf course development are separately conveyable from the lands approved for residential development; however Northern Lights Inc., owns both parcels. The subject lands are zoned to permit the golf course use. In lieu of the golf course being constructed in the first phase, the applicant proposes to include on the title of each residential vacant land condominium unit a Club Link golf course membership for the Mark O Meara Course at Grandview, which is located 15 minutes west of the development. This membership will be transferable to future owners of the vacant land units. In addition, in order to maintain the recreational focus of the development, the applicant is also proposing the construction of a mountain bike track as well as multi-purpose recreational trails. Should market conditions change, or future owners of the golf course lands wish to proceed with the construction of the golf course on site, the official plan policies and existing zoning would guide its development. In addition to an amendment to the official plan policies, an amendment to the draft approved vacant land condominium description will also be necessary in order to remove the requirement for the construction of the golf course prior to final approval of the condominium. Site Characteristics and Surrounding Uses The Boyne Creek Provincially Significant Wetland and Lee Lassetter Regionally Significant Wetland are located on the subject lands and are surrounded by lands of a mixed topography with mostly moderate slopes and predominantly upland deciduous and mixed forest communities. There are currently 20 modular homes on the property and a model home has also been constructed. A portion of the lands have also been cleared for the golf course. The surrounding lands are predominantly vacant and forested but contain some isolated rural residential development. Circulation and Notice The Notice of Complete Application was circulated to required agencies and all property owners within 120 metres (400 feet) of the subject lands on June 22, The Public Meeting will be held in the near future at the Township of Lake of Bays office. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Halford, B.A. (Hons), Eco. Mgt. (Dipl), MCIP, RPP Planner POLICY\Muskoka Official Plan\OPA\OPA #40 - Northern Lights Muskoka Ltd\5. Internal Reports\Information Report-Revised.Doc Page 2

7 Appendix I Page 3

8 TO: FROM: Chair and Members Planning and Economic Development Committee Marg French Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development DATE: September 24, 2012 SUBJECT: Department Activity Report May 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012 REPORT NO: PED RECOMMENDATION None. For information. ORIGIN This report describes the major activities of the department for the period of May 1, 2012 to August 31, While the report does not contain a complete list of all activities, it does highlight most of the major items. ANALYSIS Muskoka Water Strategy Lake System Health Monitoring Program Benthic monitoring was undertaken at 29 sites. Lake water quality monitoring was undertaken at 80 sites on 63 lakes. Lake water quality monitoring was undertaken on Lake Joseph every 2 weeks from May to August. Shoreline surveys were completed on 7 lakes and 1 additional lake was updated. Terrestrial plot monitoring was updated on 1 site. Delivered 15 presentations/workshops to lake associations, community groups and youth organizations. Staff worked with scientists from Dorset Environmental Science Centre and the Canadian Water Network to begin monitoring for multiple stressors in the Muskoka River Watershed. The review of the recreational water quality model is on-going. Muskoka Watershed Council On-going staff support has been provided to Muskoka Watershed Council. Muskoka Water Web The water website was updated on a regular basis. Shoreline Survey Program Funding was received from the Trillium Foundation to participate in a province-wide shoreline survey pilot project. Page 1

9 Policy and Programs Muskoka Official Plan A Special Meeting of Council was held on May 28, 2012, in order to receive input on the proposed Official Plan Review work program. Response was generally positive with some suggestions for additional policy areas requiring review. A revised work program was subsequently endorsed by Committee and approved by Council. Based on the results of the vision initiative, a draft vision and related goals and objectives were presented to Committee and circulated as Official Plan Amendment (OPA) No. 42 to the Area Municipalities and the public for comment. A public meeting is scheduled for October 4, OPA No. 41 was drafted in response to recent changes to the Planning Act that address second dwelling units. This Amendment was presented to Committee and circulated to the Area Municipalities and the public for comment. A public meeting is scheduled for October 4, A review of the resort commercial policies in the Muskoka Official Plan is on-going. PKF Consulting Inc., has been retained to assist with this review and a stakeholder workshop is planned for November 1, Following District Council s request for a formal review of the 2011 Census, staff have been working with Statistics Canada by providing additional information when requested. Work continued on proposed OPA No. 36 (Urban Condominiums) and staff have been meeting with interested stakeholders. Staff met with provincial representatives to discuss possible approaches to address coldwater fisheries through updated official plan policy. Further meetings will be required with the Province and other stakeholders in this regard. Staff continued to participate in the meetings of the Muskoka Attainable Housing Advisory Table. Projects Staff continue to participate in the Pay It Forward initiative with Community Services staff. Planning Services Muskoka Official Plan Approval 2 new applications for an amendment to the Muskoka Official Plan were received between May and August of this year. Area Official Plan Approval 1 new application for the approval of an Area Official Plan amendment was received between May and August of this year. Plans of Subdivision/Condominium Descriptions 70 applications are currently active. 3 new plans were deemed complete. 1 plan was granted draft approval. 1 application for an amendment to a draft approved plan was received and 2 amendments to a draft approved plan were approved. 8 extension requests were received and 4 extension requests were approved. 3 plans were granted final approval and registered. 2 Part Lot Control Certificates were issued between May and August of this year. Page 2

10 Local Application Review Muskoka Airport DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY May 1, 2012 to August 31, By-laws 2011 By-laws 2012 Consents 2011 Consents Bracebridge Gravenhurst Huntsville Muskoka Lakes Georgian Bay Lake of Bays TOTAL Airport Operations Total aircraft traffic from May through August 2012 was down 2.6% due to a 36.2% drop in local movements, however itinerant aircraft movements (visitors) were up by 8.5% compared to the same time period in The Airport hosted an Interprovincial Air Tour on May 31st that resulted in over 50 light aircraft congregating at the Muskoka Airport overnight and departing for their tour the next day. In conjunction with the Government of Norway, bronze plaques depicting the names of the Norwegian Air Force casualties from the Second World War were revealed at a special ceremony held on May 31st during the Interprovincial Air Tour Event. Due to the abnormally dry summer conditions during July and August, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources conducted extensive forest fire fighting operations from the Muskoka Airport, operating a variety of CL-415 and Twin Otter water bomber aircrafts throughout June and July. 14,025 visits, on the Muskoka Airport website between May and August 2012 were recorded. FBO Operation Aviation fuel sales from May through August 2012 were up 14.2% over the same time period in The month of August was the busiest single month on record for Airport fuel sales with a total of 228,152 litres sold. On August 30th, the Muskoka Airport was honoured to host an international audit from ESSO Aviation with the intention that their findings will be used to set new international operation and safety standards for their corporation. Airport Development 1 request to terminate an existing land lease and issue a new lease for a new occupant on the site was approved. 1 request for a lease to occupy two offices in the Air Terminal was received. Engineering, design and costing for the Eastside development area is ongoing. The Airport Business and Master Plan contract was awarded to SNC-Lavalin, and the initial stakeholder consultation process is currently ongoing. Airport Advisory Committee 2 Airport Advisory Committee meetings were held between May and August of this year. Staff provided reports on Airport fuel pricing, outcomes from the 1999 Master Plan, and a presentation on Muskoka Airport s instrument landing procedures. Geomatic Services Civic Addressing 200 address changes were submitted between May and August of road name reviews were completed to confirm that proposed road names are appropriate for use. Page 3

11 Trouble Reports from emergency service providers and Area Municipalities were reviewed. 898 segments of the District of Muskoka road centreline have been submitted to Emergency Response Agencies for automated dispatch purposes. Summer Test Call Program The summer of 2012 was the season of operation of the modified 911 verification program. A summer student visited 4,449 properties which resulted in 3,324 modified or new address point locations being added. In addition, 2,009 errors in the 911 civic address database were identified for review and correction. Geographic Information System (GIS) District of Muskoka constraint mapping was provided to each Area Municipal Planning Department through the Muskoka Web Mapping portal. There were 17 Muskoka Web Mapping modifications between May and August ,232 hits on the Muskoka Web Mapping website between May and August 2012 were recorded. 712 corporate map layers have been modified or added to the GIS system. GIS services and training have been provided upon request. Staff attendance at Conferences, Seminars and Training Sessions between May and August of this year AMCTO Records Management Course (1) Community Emergency Management Course (1) Conference Water Strategy (2) Planner at the Ontario Municipal Board Course (2) Stewardship Conference (1) AMCTO Development Training (1) Muskoka Summit on the Environment (1) Consulting with Aboriginal Communities (1) Ontario Professional Planners Understanding Legislation for Planners (1) Basic Emergency Management Training (2) Ontario Professional Planners Consulting with Aboriginal Communities (1) ESRI GIS Training (1) Geoprocessing Scripts (1) ( ) = Indicates the number of staff that attended. Public Summary Report 1,504 recorded public inquiries were received between May and August of this year as compared to 1,488 in 2011 during the same time last year. 14,595 website pages were viewed between May and August of this year in comparison to 10,263 during the same time last year. Respectfully submitted, Marg French, BES, MCIP, RPP Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development / for \COMMITTEE\PED Committees\Activity\2012\2-May - Aug2012 Department Activity Report PED Docx Page 4