Official Plan Review: Final Recommendation Report - Amendments to the Built Form and Public Realm Policies of the Official Plan

The policies reflect the continuous evolution of the application of urban design principles to achieve critical city-building objectives, defining the roles and relationships of the public realm and new development to ensure that buildings and their surrounding public spaces work together to achieve a high standard of design and help create a high quality of life for people of all ages and abilities. Attachments 3 and 4 to this report demonstrate how the proposed amendments will be incorporated into Sections 3.1.1, 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 of the Official Plan. A proposed terms of reference for a Block Context Plan complete application requirement is appended as Attachment 5 to this report. Pursuant to Section 26 of the Planning Act and in accordance with Planning and Housing Committee's direction, a statutory public open house was held on October 16, 2019 to discuss the revised policies tabled at the July 3, 2019 Planning and Housing Committee meeting. The recommended policies attached to this report have been refined to respond to additional stakeholder, public and provincial feedback received since July 2019. The proposed policies are also intended to address the recently released A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2019), which includes new and revised policies and definitions for Complete Communities, Complete Streets, the Public Realm and Compact Built Form that emphasize a high-quality, vibrant public realm, the efficient use of land, the integration of green infrastructure, social equity and quality of life, and a well-connected network of walkable neighbourhoods and destinations that encourage active transportation.

4. City Council declare by resolution to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing that these Official Plan Amendments conform with Provincial Plans or do not conflict with them; have regard to the matters of Provincial Interest in Section 2 of the Planning Act; and are consistent with policy statements issued under subsection 3(1) of the Planning Act.