Background Summary Report May 2014 Submitted by Macaulay Shiomi Howson Ltd. In association with AMEC MMM Group Brook McIlroy Inc. Hemson Consulting Ltd.
Table of Contents 1. Introduction... 1 2. Why is planning for the Ninth Line Lands important?... 1 3. Where is the Study Area?... 2 4. What will the Study Process involve?... 3 5. Planning Policy... 3 6. Current Influences... 6 6.1 Natural Hazards... 6 6.2 Natural Heritage System... 7 6.3 Cultural Heritage Features... 7 6.4 Existing and Planned Transportation Infrastructure... 8 6.5 Water and Waste Water Infrastructure... 9 6.6 Other Infrastructure... 10 6.7 Ownership... 10 6.8 Study Area Existing Land Use... 11 6.9 Existing Land Use East Of Ninth Line... 11 6.10 Influences Summary... 12 7. Conclusions... 14
1. Introduction This Background Summary Report is intended to summarize the results of the initial review of the current policy framework for the Ninth Line Lands: Growing Mississauga (the Lands) Study Area (See Map 1) and available background information. The report will form part of the basis for the establishment of a planning framework for the Lands, to guide their future growth and development. The report outlines: the study purpose and process; the existing planning policy framework for the Lands; and, current influences on development of the Lands identified as part of this initial review. The Background Summary Report is intended to form one input to discussion by the City, residents, landowners, agencies and other stakeholders, which will lead, after further analysis and review, to the establishment of a planning framework for the Lands. It also provides an input to the detailed technical evaluations being undertaken as part of the review of the Ninth Line Lands related to factors such as transportation, stormwater management, servicing, growth management and finance. 2. Why is planning for the Ninth Line Lands important? The Ninth Line Lands were transferred from the Region of Halton/Town of Milton to the Region of Peel/City of Mississauga on January 1, 2010 as part of a restructuring process for municipal boundary realignment. The future of this area must now be considered in this new jurisdictional context. In addition, since the most recent reviews of this area carried out by the Region of Halton in 2005 and the Town of Milton in 2007, there have been significant changes in the planning policy framework. These include updated Provincial policies: Amendment 2 to Places to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (Growth Plan) and the Provincial Policy Statement 2014 (PPS 2014), as well as new Region of Peel and City of Mississauga Official Plans. Specific relevant directions include a requirement to conduct a municipal comprehensive review to determine if
MAP 1- Study Area Context Sub-Area 1 Sub-Area 2 Sub-Area 3 Date: May 2014
there is justification for inclusion of some or all of these lands within the Peel Urban Boundary, as well as policies related to healthy communities and natural heritage systems. Related to the updated policy framework, there has also been additional background work carried out including a review of natural features. Further work is required such as the completion of a subwatershed study. The significance of the Ninth Line Lands as a key link in the existing and planned interregional transportation network must also be considered in the context of existing and planned transportation facilities. On its west boundary is Highway 407, while the 407 Transitway is planned to run parallel to the 407 to the east of the Highway. The Transitway was originally planned at a width of 30 metres, however a corridor of 60 metres with an additional 14 metre standard setback is now being proposed. In addition, on the north boundary is Highway 401 and the area also forms part of the planned GTA West Transportation Corridor, a proposed new major east-west provincial transportation corridor connecting Highway 400 in Vaughan to Highway 401 in the vicinity of the Highway 401/407ETR interchange. Other major transportation connections include Highway 403, which is located immediately to the south of the Ninth Line Lands. East/west transportation links that cross the Ninth Line Lands include the St. Lawrence & Hudson Railway (GO Milton Line) (rail corridor) at the north end which carries both freight and GO Transit traffic, as well as three arterial roads: Derry Road West, Britannia Road West and Eglinton Avenue West. In addition, the extension of Argentia Road through the Study Area is being considered. The lack of a current planning framework for the Ninth Line Lands in relation to the Region of Peel and the City of Mississauga, and the significance of the area from a transportation perspective, makes it essential to provide direction with respect to the future development of this area. 3. Where is the Study Area? The Study Area is located on the western boundary of the City of Mississauga. Its boundaries are Highway 401 to the north, Ninth Line to the east, the Highway 407/Ninth Line crossover to the south and Highway 407 to the west, as illustrated on Map 1. It comprises a total of approximately 370 hectares (914 acres).
The Study Area is very long and narrow. For certain descriptive and analytical purposes through the Study process, it has been divided into three Sub-Areas as outlined in Table 1. Table 1 Ninth Line Sub-Areas Sub-Area Location Area Sub-area #1 Highway 401 to Derry Road West +/-100 hectares/ 247 acres Sub-area #2 Derry Road West to +/-130 hectares/321 acres Britannia Road West Sub-area #3 Britannia Road West to +/- 136 hectares/336 acres Highway 403/Ninth Line crossover 4. What will the Study Process involve? The Study process is summarized in Figure 1. It is being carried out in accordance with the Planning Act and the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process. The Study will form the basis for amendments to the Region of Peel and City of Mississauga Official Plans. The Study will create a vision for the Ninth Line Lands and related guiding principles, policies and direction to ensure the vision s successful implementation. It involves a two phase process: Phase One: Background Review & Preferred Land Use Scenario Phase Two: Implementation Strategy The Study process also includes an extensive community engagement program which is designed to ensure dialogue between all stakeholders. 5. Planning Policy Framework The Ninth Line Lands are subject to a number of Provincial planning policy documents which any planning framework for the Study Area must reflect. These are the Parkway Belt West Plan, the Growth Plan and the PPS 2014.
PHASE ONE: BACKGROUND REVIEW & PREFERRED LAND USE SCENARIO FIGURE 1 CITY OF MISSISSAUGA NINTH LINE CORRIDOR STUDY WORK PLAN OVERVIEW PHASE TWO: IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Working Group (1) Working Group (2) Working Group (2) Working Group (1) Steering Working Group (4) Steering Committee (1) Working Group (2) Steering Committee (1) Planning & Development Committee (1) 1 Project Initiation Website Stakeholder List 2.1 Peer Review & Background Documentation 2.2 Developable Land Assumptions 2.3 Study: Background Information & Review Transportation 2.4 Study: Background Information & Review Servicing 2.5 Agricultural Impact Assessment 2.6 Subwatershed Initiation Community Vision Workshop Meetings with Key Agencies and Stakeholder Groups as required 3 Development Assessment Land Use Scenarios Public Workshop 4 Preferred Land Use Scenario Public Workshop 5.1 Growth Management Analysis 5.2 Fiscal Impact Analysis 5.3 Transportation Study Completion 5.4 Subwatershed Study Completion 5.5 Water Wastewater Servicing Study Completion 5.6 Urban Design Guidelines Key Agencies and Stakeholder Groups as required 6 Final Report Public Workshop Stakeholder Meetings
Consideration also needs to be given to the Region of Halton and Town of Milton Official Plans, both of which include policy direction for the Study Area. Finally, the policies of the Region of Peel and City of Mississauga Official Plans, while not providing specific policy direction for the Lands, establish general directions which are applicable. In addition to this policy framework, there are a number of City plans which provide direction with respect to specific areas of interest (e.g. 2009 Future Directions Master Plan for Parks and Natural Areas and the Master Plan for Recreation; Living Green Master Plan, 2012). The Study process will have regard to these documents as required. The Provincial, Region of Peel and City planning policies provide a strong and consistent framework for planning the future of the Ninth Line Lands. This framework: Recognizes the existing and planned inter-regional transportation network which is a focus for the development of the Lands; Directs that future development be supportive of the function of this network particularly with respect to its transit and good-carrying functions; Recognizes the importance of the establishment of a natural heritage system as the first step in planning for the future of the Lands; Recognizes the need to limit any development in the natural hazard lands;
Directs that any development on the remaining lands be designed with a compact form, a mix of uses and increased densities, as well as being supportive of transit and active transportation and avoiding or mitigating risks to public health and safety and being sustainable; and, Establishes that there should also be something unique and special about any development that will contribute to the achievement of the vision for the City as a dynamic and beautiful global city. Through the boundary adjustment agreement, the Ninth Line Lands portion of the Halton and Milton Official Plans are still applicable until such time as the Region of Peel and City of Mississauga Official Plans are amended to incorporate the Study Area. In addition, the lands are subject to the regulations of Town of Milton Zoning By-law 144-2003. The Region of Halton Official Plan was amended by Amendment No. 28 which relates specifically to the Ninth Line Lands. The Amendment reflects the results of a special study of the Lands which are outlined in the Final Report, Ninth Line Corridor Protection and Land Use Study (May 2005). The Amendment designates the potential developable lands in the Study Area Ninth Line Lands Policy Area. The remaining lands were designated Greenlands A, a designation designed to protect natural heritage features. The policies, among other things, direct that designations and policies for the Area implement the planning framework set out in the Final Report, Ninth Line Corridor Protection and Land Use Study (May 2005) as amended by Regional Council. Since the completion of the Final Report, Ninth Line Corridor Protection and Land Use Study, which provided general policy direction for the future development in the study area, there has been considerable change in the planning framework of this area. This includes at the Provincial level the introduction of the Growth Plan in 2006 and an updated PPS in 2014, as well as the on-going planning for the GTA West Corridor and the proposed extension of Argentia Road. In addition, new
information is available about matters such as the natural heritage system based on new studies, and the City has advanced their plans for City-owned lands. The Town of Milton carried out their own study of the Ninth Line Lands, Town of Milton Official Plan Review Background Study Ninth Line Corridor (May 2007). The 2007 Town report builds on the 2005 Regional Study and discusses in detail proposals made for a number of specific sites and provides planning opinions on those proposals. However, the Town did not incorporate into their Official Plan the designations and policies identified in the Region s Study or the results of their own study. 6. Current Influences The Ninth Line Lands: Growing Mississauga study will include detailed technical studies related to transportation, servicing, and stormwater management. It will also involve a review of other factors which affect development including agriculture, cultural heritage and archaeology. However, significant information is already available about the Lands as a result of a number of previous studies. Based on this available information it is possible to establish on a preliminary basis current influences related to the Ninth Line Lands which have the potential to affect its ultimate development. These are summarized in Map 2 and discussed below. The identified influences will be reviewed and revised and/or expanded as more detailed information becomes available through the study process. 6.1 Natural Hazards Approximately 80% of the Ninth Line Lands are located within the Sixteen Mile Creek watershed which is under the jurisdiction of Conservation Halton. The remainder of the Study Area is part of the Sawmill Creek watershed which is under the jurisdiction of the Credit Valley Conservation Authority. Floodplain mapping was prepared in 2004 as part of the North Sixteen District Scoped Subwatershed Study and Ninth Line District Floodplain Mapping. The mapping
²
identified significant areas of the Study Area as being within the floodplain of Sixteen Mile Creek. These areas are identified on Map 2, together with the Conservation Halton (HRCA) Regulation Limit. The establishment of the floodline suggests that development will be limited due to the presence of natural hazards. However, the precise boundary and limitations will be confirmed through the Ninth Line Lands Study. Within any such area, there will be some potential for the location of trails and other passive recreation uses. 6.2 Natural Heritage System Comprehensive field work and analysis to identify the natural features and functions present in the Study Area was carried out by North-South Environmental Inc. for the City in March 2012. Through this work, Candidate Natural Areas were identified as illustrated on Map 2. The majority of these are located within the identified floodplain. The features and floodplain lands together allow for the creation of a strong natural heritage system in the Ninth Line Lands. 6.3 Cultural Heritage Features One property has been identified in the Study Area as designated under the Heritage Act. This property is located north of the Hydro Corridor/Gas line and lands protected for a proposed 407 Transitway station. This property contains a house built by James Bussell in 1865. The City has allocated funds to undertake a feasibility study to determine the possibility of locating an art and cultural enclave on the property, while protecting its heritage designation. In addition to the Bussell property, six other properties of interest throughout the Ninth Line Lands with respect to cultural heritage are identified on Map 2. An initial assessment of archaeological potential will be carried out as part of this Study.
6.4 Existing and Planned Transportation Infrastructure The Ninth Line Lands include substantive existing and planned transportation infrastructure (See Map 2). As a result the area is, and will continue to be, highly accessible for people and goods movement. The network includes the following major existing facilities: Highway 407 with interchanges at Derry and Britannia Roads West; Derry Road West and Britannia Road West which are Regional Arterial Roads, as well as Eglinton Avenue West, an arterial road, which cross the Ninth Line Lands in an east/west direction; Ninth Line a major north/south arterial road which includes existing on road shared use bike lanes between Britannia and Eglinton; and,
The St. Lawrence & Hudson Railway (GO Milton Line) with freight and GO service, including the Lisgar GO Station to the east of Ninth Line at Argentia Road and Tenth Line. This existing network is planned to be significantly expanded in the future by the addition of: Highway 407 Transitway, a dedicated rapid transit line which will establish regional transit connections across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, which is proposed to consist of a corridor of 60 metres with an additional 14 metre standard setback, as well as lands for future transit stations, and associated parking facilities as shown on Map 2; GTA West Transportation Corridor which is proposed to connect to the existing Highway401/407 Interchange at the north end of the Ninth Line Lands; The potential extension of Argentia Road from its existing terminus at Tenth Line across the Ninth Line Lands and into the Town of Milton; A Primary Boulevard Cycling Route on Ninth Line. 6.5 Water and Waste Water Infrastructure Peel Region water and wastewater services are currently available in the Ninth Line Lands. There is sufficient water and wastewater capacity and infrastructure to service existing development. The potential to service any additional development will have to be evaluated, based on a determination of proposed land use.
6.6 Other Infrastructure The Hydro/gas line easement corridor north of the rail corridor, in conjunction with the rail corridor to the south, creates a substantial barrier to connectivity in the Sub-Area #1 of the Ninth Line Lands. In addition, uses adjacent to the gas line easement are subject to additional restrictions and setbacks. 6.7 Ownership The majority of the lands in the Ninth Line Lands are publicly owned (See Map 3 and Table 2). This includes a substantial number of City owned properties, as well as some lands owned by the Province primarily for the transitway facility. The City owned properties were acquired from the Province as a landbank in 2002 while the Study Area was still in the Town of Milton. They include approximately 83 hectares (205 acres) of land distributed as follows: Sub-area #1 +/-23 hectares (56 acres) Sub-area #2 +/- 30 hectares (75 acres) Sub-area #3 +/- 30 hectares (75 acres) Table 2 Land Area by Ownership Total Area Parkway Belt and Flood Plain Ha. Ac. % Ha. Ac. % City 83 205 23.7 48 120 17.4 Union 20 49 5.7 19 47 6.9 Gas/Hydro Private 131 324 37.4 101 249 36.6 Landowners Other Uses * 116 287 33.2 108 266 39.1 Total 350 865 100 276 681 100 *Includes land for transportation right-of-way Note: Numbers are approximate Source: City of Mississauga Report CD.04.NIN 2011 and Macaulay Shiomi Howson Ltd.
²
The City owned lands include two stormwater management facilities and the heritage property known as the Bussell Farmstead. The remaining lands are vacant. As part of the Future Directions for Parks and Natural Areas and Recreation Master Plan (2009), a review of the City-owned land established the parcels most appropriate for open space and community uses. As part of this needs assessment review, Park-459, while currently vacant, is to be developed with active recreational uses and a community centre. This site is located opposite the terminus of Tacc Drive. 6.8 Study Area Existing Land Use Within the Ninth Line Lands the majority of the lands are vacant (+/-81 hectares/ 200acres) or are used for very low intensity uses. The primary uses are approximately 20 single detached dwellings on large lots, the majority of which are located in the southern part of the Study Area, north of Eglinton Avenue West. In addition there are a few commercial uses (e.g animal hospital, landscaping/garden centre, trailer storage) and one place of religious assembly (St. Peter s Mission Church). The most substantive use is found south of Derry Road West, and comprises the Enbridge/Union Gas/TransCanada Joint Operating Facility which is a natural gas transmission and distribution pumping station. 6.9 Existing Land Use East Of Ninth Line The lands east of Ninth Line between the Gas line/hydro Corridor/rail corridor and Eglinton Avenue West are largely built out. These residential communities include detached, semi-detached and townhouses uses as well as a range of public service
facilities (e.g. schools), parks and open space and commercial development. These facilities would be accessible to development west of Ninth Line. To the north of the Gas Line/Hydro Corridor/rail corridor, the lands are largely vacant with the exception of the Gary W. Morden Centre. The remaining lands are planned for Parkway Belt West and Business Employment uses. Similarly, to the south of Eglinton the lands are vacant, but planned for Mixed Use and Business Employment uses. 6.10 Influences Summary Based on available information, on a preliminary basis, current influences on future development in the Study Area are summarized in Table 3. Table 3 Current Influences Planning Current Influences Consideration Natural Hazards Floodline limits for Sixteen Mile Creek are well-documented and currently being reviewed and confirmed through the subwatershed study which forms part of the Ninth Line Lands Study. This substantial area provides potential for passive recreation. Natural Heritage System Cultural Heritage Features Majority of candidate natural features located in floodplain and together form the basis for the creation of a strong natural heritage system. Development in any confirmed natural features and buffers generally prohibited. Bussell property is designated and being studied for adaptive reuse 6 other sites of interest identified
Planning Consideration Table 3 Current Influences Current Influences Development of cultural heritage sites and adjacent lands restricted. Development of any archaeological sites which may be identified is restricted. Transportation Infrastructure Water and Waste Water Infrastructure Hydro/Gas Line Easement Corridor Ownership Study Existing Use Area Land Highly accessible for people and goods movement New development design must minimize negative impacts Timing and area affected by 407 Transitway uncertain Timing and area affected by GTA West Corridor uncertain Access to arterials restricted Ninth Line is a barrier to connectivity to the east Arterials, 407 ramps and rail corridor barriers to connectivity within the Ninth Line Lands Active transportation and transit facilities require significant expansion as basis for any development Capacity for existing development Potential to service additional development unknown Creates a substantial barrier to connectivity within the Ninth Line Lands City owns +/-83 ha (205 ac). The majority of these lands are vacant and have potential for recreation and other public uses. One park already planned. City owned lands are spread throughout the Study Area. Only Park 459 has been identified to be planned as a future park, based on Future Directions, 2009 Private lands are interspersed throughout the land area, in between City and Provincially owned lands. Majority of lands are vacant or used for low intensity uses
Planning Consideration Existing Land Use East of Ninth Line Table 3 Current Influences Current Influences Residential community between rail corridor and Eglinton has full range of public service facilities accessible to the Ninth Line Lands North of the rail corridor and south of Eglinton lands planned for employment uses Compatibility with existing residential community and planned employment uses will need to be considered, as well as integration with the community. 7. Conclusions This preliminary analysis has confirmed that the lack of a current planning framework for the Ninth Line Lands in relation to the Region of Peel and the City of Mississauga, and the significance of the area from a transportation perspective, makes it essential to provide direction with respect to the future development of this area. The Provincial, current Halton/Milton planning policies, and Region of Peel and City planning policies provide a strong and consistent framework for planning the future of the Ninth Line Lands. This framework recognizes the existing and planned transportation network, the importance of the establishment of a natural heritage system and the need to limit development in natural hazard lands, as well as providing direction related to the form of development. Implementation of this policy framework must be considered in planning for future development of the Ninth Line Lands in conjunction with the preliminary identified influences on development including natural hazards, natural heritage, transportation, ownership and existing land use.