Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Chronicle Online

Dear Members:

It is important for the Vaughan business community to be aware of the new proposed City of Vaughan Official Plan that has recently been released for public review and input. The Policy Committee of the Chamber, as one of its tasks, has undertaken a detailed review of the proposed Official Plan and would like to have input from members on how they might be affected by the proposed policies that deal with everything from managing growth, the environment, transportation, the economy, cultural heritage, community infrastructure and municipal services, land use types and building locations.

The City Official Plan must conform to both the Region of York Official Plan and the Provincial policy directions outlined in the Provincial Policy Statement and Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. These policy documents have set significant goals that direct urban municipalities to increase density in new development areas and to provide for intensification through the redevelopment of older areas.

From a first preliminary look at the Official Plan policies, there are a number of concerns related to how the policies expressed will actually conform to the regional and provincial direction, specifically with respect to intensification. It appears that some of the new proposed policies may have the opposite effect of not allowing intensification to occur where it has been directed, such as along Yonge Street, which is a designated intensification corridor because the City has unnecessarily constrained development opportunities which will make redevelopment unviable for the landowners. Another example of policies that will have the opposite effect of what is intended is the extremely high parkland dedication rate which will serve to prevent higher density residential development opportunities since they will be financially unviable based on the proposed rates.

The proposed Plan and the background work provided to the public which has formed the basis for the plan has failed to provide any information that can demonstrate that the "Vaughan Vision" as expressed in the proposed Plan is financially feasible and/or viable for all stakeholders. On the positive side it does appear that the City will be providing protected employment lands for future industrial, manufacturing and warehousing sectors and policies that will direct higher density development and office uses to the new Metropolitan Centre.

The City will be releasing Draft Secondary Plans for future growth areas over the next month, including the Metropolitan Centre which will have more detailed policies and land use direction for these areas. The Chamber will also be reviewing these plans to determine the impact on the business community and to provide the City with our input. These documents will be available for viewing at the Chamber Library and are also available on the City of Vaughan website and for hardcopy purchase at the Vaughan City Hall.

Sincerely,

Michael Manett
Chairman of the Board of Directors