Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update

Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Council Meeting Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Presentation Overview Why Review the Official Plan? Official Plan Review Work Plan Overview of draft Issues and Options Report Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 2

Why Review the Official Plan? ▸ Planning Act - review required every five years ▸ Conformity with and implementation of Provincial and County policies ▸ Implement various Town studies and initiatives ▸ Opportunity to ensure Official Plan reflects community needs and aspirations ▸ Enhance, clarify and update the policy framework Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 3

Official Plan Review and Update Work Plan Phase 1 - Background Study - focused on understanding: ▸ the vision, aspirations and concerns of Council and the community ▸ the current Official Plan ▸ all relevant studies prepared to date ▸ relevant Provincial and County policy, and the types of choices and decisions the Town must make Phases 2 and 3 – Issues and Options Report and Plan Preparation focused on identifying issues, opportunities and options and preparing policy for the Official Plan. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 4

Issues and Options Report ▸ Intended to identify components of the current Official Plan requiring review and/or updating ▸ Series of proposed ‘Directions’ to provide the basis for the preparation of Official Plan policy 1. Introduction 6. Commercial Designations 2. Planning Context 7. Residential Lands, Intensification and Infilling 3. Community Consultation 8. Environmental Protection / Parks & Open Space 4. Establishing a Vision & Guiding Principles 9. Sustainable Development 5. Population & Employment Projections / Land Supply 10. Other Policy Recommendations Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 5

Project Objectives Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 6

Project Objectives Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 7

Consultation thus far has included: ▸ Introductory Public Open House - June 17, 2015 ▸ Section 26 (Planning Act) Public Meeting - September 28, 2015 ▸ Meetings with Town Officials and Staff, County Staff and stakeholders What we have heard ▸ Establish a Vision and ‘Made in Arnprior’ Official Plan ▸ Create an Official Plan that provides clear direction ▸ Complete, healthy and sustainable community ▸ Commercial, industrial and brownfield development ▸ Urban design and architectural control ▸ Tourism and economic development Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 8

A Vision for Arnprior is: • A community that provides the benefits of larger urban centres while maintaining a ‘small town feel’. • A place that cherishes its natural and cultural resources which contribute to the scenic value of our community while providing a link to our past, such as the ‘Grove’, the Madawaska River and the Arnprior & District Museum. • A Town that welcomes population and employment growth provided that growth continues to support the creation of a complete, healthy and sustainable community. This means that Arnprior believes that all residents have the right to affordable accommodation, educational and employment choices, recreation and a safe and accessible community. • Arnprior is a community that believes in local investment and innovation to revitalize our downtown, support local businesses, and improve hard and soft services. PROPOSED DIRECTION 1 – That the Official Plan contain a clear vision statement. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 9

Guiding Principles 1. To ensure that all land use planning decisions are based on the principles of wise growth management that supports the Town’s unique character, diversity, civic identity, natural heritage and cultural heritage. 2. To work together to create a community that provides for the daily needs of its residents by providing a variety of employment and housing choices, convenient and diverse shopping and service opportunities, and access to community facilities and recreational opportunities. 3. To invest in, program and optimally maintain a diverse and interconnected system of public spaces that feature convenient, and comfortable access, encourage safe and healthy environments, minimize hazards, are culturally appropriate and attract and serve all components of the population. 4. To provide the opportunity to create compact neighbourhoods with a range of services that includes necessary amenities and transportation options and affords equitable access to the ingredients of what makes for economically and socially viable neighbourhoods. 5. To provide wide range of residential, commercial, and institutional uses, in a manner that reduces the need for automobiles to meet the daily needs of life. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 10

Guiding Principles 6. To ensure that the character of existing and established residential neighbourhoods is maintained and enhanced by ensuring that development and redevelopment is compatible, in terms of built form, with the character of adjacent buildings and neighbourhoods and the scale and density of existing development. 7. To promote green infrastructure and development, resource conservation, innovative technology and sustainable practices. 8. To ensure the protection and enhancement of Arnprior’s woodlands and waterways. 9. To promote healthy active living and encourage the provision of a wide range of publicly accessible recreational opportunities to meet the needs of present and future residents. 10. To ensure that housing is available to all ages, abilities, incomes, and household sizes and be located near jobs and essential goods and services. 11. To support a community that is known for excellence in community design and conserve key cultural and built heritage resources as a vital link to our rich history. 12. To encourage the continued revitalization of Downtown Arnprior and support the downtown as a key gathering place offering a variety of cultural, entertainment, retail and social opportunities to the community. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 11

Guiding Principles 13. To provide opportunities for local economic development in a manner that fosters competitiveness and a prosperous business environment. 14. To ensure new infrastructure is developed in a manner that minimizes social and environmental impacts, and considers long-term maintenance, operational, and financial requirements. 15. To establish an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently accommodates various modes of transportation including walking, cycling, automobiles and trucks. 16. To require that local decision-making processes are transparent and evident to the public through the provision of information, participatory tools, education, and an open process. PROPOSED DIRECTION 2 – That the Official Plan contain the 16 guiding principles that would establish the basis for making planning decisions in the future. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 12

Demographic Trends Population Growth Age Structure Household Size Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 13

Population Projections Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 14

Population Projections • Unit mix and PPU from Watson 2013 Development Charge Background Study • Need to accommodate an additional 4, 090 people in the Town to the year 2036 • Using the County’s ‘high’ population projection for the year 2016 from its new draft OP, the projected population of the Town to the year 2036 is 12, 831 (8, 741 + 4, 090) Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 15

Land Inventory • Land inventory completed by Stantec and Town in 2013/14 • MPC reviewed and adjusted the land inventory based on the status of development applications, construction status and any changes to the designation of land in the OP • MPC also considered potential constraints Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 16

Employment Projections Watson’s Employment Forecast Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 17

Employment Projections Variety of Lot Sizes PROPOSED DIRECTION 3 - That Council consider identifying land in the Official Plan to provide additional employment land, protect employment land that is currently available and restrict any future conversions of employment lands. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 18

Commercial Designations • Recommended that the Town Commercial/Employment designation. • New designation would continue to permit uses permitted in the Highway Commercial designation but would also permit service uses, offices, financial institutions and light industrial uses (with no outdoor storage or outdoor processing). establish a new Mixed Use PROPOSED DIRECTION 4 - That Council establish a new Mixed Use Commercial/Employment designation to permit highway commercial uses, a broader range of service and commercial uses, office uses and light industrial uses. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 19

Mixed Use Commercial/Employment Designation Commercial PROPOSED DIRECTION 5 - That Council apply the new Mixed Use Commercial/Employment designation to lands formerly designated Highway Commercial: • Along Madawaska Boulevard (on lands that do not abut lands designated Residential) • On lands located immediately to the west of Highway 417, on the north and south sides of Highway 2 (with limitations on industrial uses on the northern quadrant in Town west) of Arnprior recognition of residential lands to the Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 20

Commercial Corridor Designation and Downtown Parking Commercial Corridor Designation PROPOSED DIRECTION 6 - That Council consider renaming the Highway Commercial designation to Corridor Commercial and adding service uses, offices and financial institutions as permitted uses. Downtown Parking • Issues with respect to the conversion of existing uses to another types of uses due to the inability of new businesses to meet parking requirements • Downtown area provides opportunity to consider parking reductions due to the availability of on-street and public parking, the ability of many residents to walk from their homes to patronize businesses, and recognition that many visitors to the downtown will visit multiple businesses • OP can provide policy direction for studying parking issues in the downtown area and provide goals and objectives for addressing parking issues PROPOSED DIRECTION 8 - That the Official Plan include policies that allow the Town to consider opportunities to reduce parking requirements in the downtown. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 21

Commercial Mixed Use Commercial Designation PROPOSED DIRECTION 7 - That Council consider reducing the area currently designated Mixed Use Commercial by setting the western boundary at the rail line and the northern limit at the Town Hall location. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 22

Residential Designation • Currently, one Residential designation that applies to all residential areas: – established low density neighbourhoods; – areas where medium and higher density development has occurred; and, – vacant, undeveloped areas adjacent to the built-up area (Greenfield areas) • As a result, there can be uncertainty as to the type and density of residential development that should occur in different areas PROPOSED DIRECTION 9 - That the Town replace the existing Residential designation with three new Residential designations: Established Residential Areas, Low / Medium Density Residential and Mixed Use Residential. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 23

Established Residential Areas • Intended to protect the character of established residential neighbourhoods by limiting building forms to single and semi-detached dwellings • Limited infill development may be permitted provided it respects the scale and built form of the surrounding neighbourhood Establish criteria for Infill Development, such as: • new buildings are designed in a manner that is sensitive to the location, massing and height of adjacent buildings • a similar lot coverage to adjacent housing is provided to ensure that the massing or volume of the new dwelling reflects the scale and appearance of adjacent housing • the predominant or average front yard setback for adjacent housing is maintained to preserve the streetscape edge, and character • similar side yard setbacks are provided to preserve the spaciousness on the street • existing trees and vegetation retained and enhanced where possible and additional landscaping provided to integrate proposed development with the existing neighbourhood PROPOSED DIRECTION 10 - That the Town establish criteria for the identification of Established Residential Areas and appropriate infill development within these areas. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 24

Low / Medium Density Residential Designation • Would apply to Greenfield Areas and would permit: single detached, semidetached, townhouse and low-rise apartment dwellings • Maximum height for apartments – 4 storeys • Maximum height for all other dwelling forms – 2 storeys • To encourage a mix of residential forms, require that no more than 50 percent of any proposed development consist of townhouse units Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 25

Mixed Use Residential Designation • Would apply to all other areas not identified as Established Residential Areas or designated Low / Medium Density Residential and would permit existing single and semidetached dwellings, and new townhouse dwellings and low rise apartment buildings through intensification Establish criteria for Intensification Development, such as: • demonstrate that the potential shadow impacts associated with taller buildings will be at an acceptable level on adjacent properties • respect the character of adjacent residential neighbourhoods, in terms of height, bulk and massing • is designed in order that new lots backing onto existing single detached residential lots have rear yards that are comparable in size to these existing residential lots • is located on a site that has adequate land area to incorporate required parking, recreational facilities, landscaping and buffering on-site • buffers any loading and storage facilities that are provided so as to minimize disruption and the enjoyment of neighbouring residential properties; for adjacent residential areas PROPOSED DIRECTION 11 - That the Town establish criteria for intensification development in the Mixed Use Residential designation. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 26

Special Study Area Study purpose: to consider land needs in the Town, and servicing and transportation opportunities and constraints for lands designated Residential Exceptions 8 and 9, and other lands surrounding the Airport PROPOSED DIRECTION 12 – That the Town include policies in the Official Plan to identify a Special Study Area for the lands designated Airport and Residential Exception 8 and 9, and other surrounding lands to determine the most appropriate future land uses for this area. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 27

Housing Policies Affordable Housing PROPOSED DIRECTION 13 – That the Town enhance the policies of the Official Plan to support the provision of affordable and special needs housing. Accessory Dwellings PROPOSED DIRECTION 14 – That the Town update the Official Plan to recognize that accessory apartments are permitted in single detached, semi-detached and townhouse dwellings. Garden Suites PROPOSED DIRECTION 15 – That the Town enhance the policies of the Official Plan with respect to garden suites and to recognize the 20 year period permitted under the Planning Act. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 28

Parks and Open Space • Implement recommendations of Recreation Master Plan • Include policies for parkland siting and design PROPOSED DIRECTION 16 – That the Town enhance the policies of the Official Plan with respect to parks and open space to implement the directions from the Town’s Recreation Master Plan, and to include parkland siting and design criteria. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 29

Sustainable Development Consider policies to: • • promote practices, which conserve water, and protect or enhance water quality minimize the amount of impervious surfaces encourage bioswales to provide stormwater treatment, conveyance and storage promote green and cool roofs allow for the development of green development standards, in consultation with the development industry encourage efficient site design, and building design and construction techniques that minimize space heating and cooling energy consumption protect and enhance tree canopies PROPOSED DIRECTION 17 – That the Town consider the addition of policies to the Official Plan to promote green and low impact development, water and energy conservation, and reductions in greenhouse gases. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 30

Other Policy Recommendations Economic Development PROPOSED DIRECTION 18 – That the Town enhance policies in the Official Plan with respect to economic development, and include new policies to support and retain the local labour force. Community Improvement PROPOSED DIRECTION 19 – That the Town consider modifications to the Official Plan to enhance existing policies with respect to Community Improvement. Brownfield Development PROPOSED DIRECTION 20 – That the Town explore options in order to provide additional support/encouragement for the remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites Town-wide, outside of the existing Community Improvement Plan Precincts. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 31

Other Policy Recommendations The Waterfront • Opportunity to provide a series of objectives and additional policy support and direction as it relates to the waterfront PROPOSED DIRECTION 21 – That the Town update and enhance Official Plan policies with respect to the preparation of a Waterfront Master Plan. Infrastructure and Phasing PROPOSED DIRECTION 22 – That the Town include policies in the Official Plan to ensure the efficient use of services and infrastructure, and to provide direction with respect to the phasing of development in the Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 32

Urban Design PROPOSED DIRECTION 23 – That the Town enhance and consolidate urban design policies in the Official Plan. Architectural Control • • Architectural control guidelines augment urban design guidelines by providing detailed built form and design protocols for specific development areas Usually implemented through the review of a Control Architect who is recommended by the developer with the approval of the municipality PROPOSED DIRECTION 24 – That the Town include policies in the Official Plan to provide the basis for requiring the preparation and implementation of Architectural Control Guidelines. Accessibility PROPOSED DIRECTION 25 – That the Town include policies in the Official Plan with respect to accessibility. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 33

Transportation Active Transportation PROPOSED DIRECTION 26 – That the Official Plan include policies to encourage the provision of active transportation infrastructure that encourages connectivity, safety and accessibility, to be implemented by way of design guidelines, zoning, street design manual(s), etc. Transportation Demand Management PROPOSED DIRECTION 27 – That the Official Plan include policies to encourage and allow for a variety of transportation demand management approaches. PROPOSED DIRECTION 28 – That the Official Plan include policies to allow the Town to consider reducing zoning requirements for new development where transportation demand management measures are implemented. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 34

Other Policy Recommendations Home Occupation Uses PROPOSED DIRECTION 29 – That the Town include more specific policies in the OP with respect to home occupation uses. Bell Park PROPOSED DIRECTION 30 – That the Town consider including policies in the Official Plan requiring a visioning exercise and study to determine the long-term future for Bell Park. Medical Marihuana Production Facilities PROPOSED DIRECTION 31 – That the Town consider including policies in the Official Plan to permit medical marihuana production facilities only on lands designated Industrial and subject to specific criteria. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 35

Other Policy Recommendations Abandoned CP Rail Corridor PROPOSED DIRECTION 32 – That the Town retain the underlying land use designations for abandoned rail lands, develop policies to provide direction on the intended future usage of these lands and develop policies that require public consultation for any change of use to ensure compatibility with adjacent uses. Surplus Land PROPOSED DIRECTION 33 – That the Town consider redesignating three Town-owned surplus properties identified as Vancourland Street N. (west side), Vancourland Street N. (east side) and Norma Street S. from Parks and Open Space to Established Residential Areas. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 36

Other Policy Recommendations Hotels / Motels • Need for additional overnight accommodation to support the Town’s economic development aspirations • Includes providing an attractive setting to encourage tourists and business people to decide to stay overnight in the area • One option for the Town to consider is amending the OP to ensure that hotel and motels are permitted on all lands designated for commercial purposes • Another option for the Town to consider is the idea of development charge incentives for proposed hotel or motel development PROPOSED DIRECTION 34 – That the Town consider adding hotels and motels as uses permitted on lands designated Shopping Centre Commercial, and explore options to encourage development of overnight accommodation through development charge incentives. Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 37

THANK YOU Town of Arnprior Official Plan Review and Update Wednesday, January 13, 2016 38