Discussion:

Provincial Policy Statement, 2020

The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) provides direction on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development and sets the policy foundation for regulating the development and use of land in Ontario.

Policy 1.1.1 of the PPS states:

“Healthy, liveable and safe communities are sustained by:

• a) promoting efficient development and land use patterns which sustain the financial well-being of the Province and municipalities over the long term;

• b) accommodating an appropriate affordable and market-based range and mix of residential types (including single-detached, additional residential units, multi-unit housing, affordable housing and housing for older persons), employment (including industrial and commercial), institutional (including places of worship, cemeteries and long-term care homes), recreation, park and open space, and other uses to meet long-term needs;

• e) promoting the integration of land use planning, growth management, transit-supportive development, intensification and infrastructure planning to achieve cost-effective development patterns, optimization of transit investments, and standards to minimize land consumption and servicing costs;”

The semi-detached dwelling represents an efficient development that will have no adverse impact on the financial well-being of the City, land consumption, and servicing costs, accommodates an appropriate range of residential uses, and optimizes investments in transit. The zoning amendment is consistent with Policy 1.1.1.,

Policy 1.1.3.1 of the PPS states:  

“Settlement areas shall be the focus of growth and development.”

Policy 1.1.3.2 of the PPS states:

“Land use patterns within settlement areas shall be based on densities and a mix of land uses which:

• a) efficiently use land and resources;

• b) are appropriate for, and efficiently use, the infrastructure and public service facilities which are planned or available, and avoid the need for their unjustified and/or uneconomical expansion;

• e) support active transportation;

• f) are transit-supportive, where transit is planned, exists or may be developed;”

The parcel is located within the settlement area. The zoning amendment promotes a land use that makes efficient use of land and existing infrastructure. Active transportation options and transit services are located near the parcel. The zoning amendment is consistent with PPS Policies 1.1.3.1 and 1.1.3.2.

The proposed amendment to Zoning By-law 8600 is consistent with the PPS.