Key Objectives

The key objectives of this study are:

1. To identify the City’s established neighbourhoods, or parts thereof, within the South Pickering Urban Area that may be susceptible to pressure for the development of infill and replacement housing.
2. To identify and evaluate the unique qualities and characteristics of the City’s established neighbourhoods, or parts thereof, and the key issues regarding infill and replacement housing that are of concern to residents.
3. To identify and/or develop tools the City can use, including Design Guidelines, that will allow neighbourhoods, or parts thereof, to evolve while respecting the character of the area.
4. To provide an opportunity for full and meaningful engagement and consultation with residents, agencies and the development industry through the study process.

Background

Cities are in a constant state of change. In Pickering, some of this change has been experienced in the more mature residential neighbourhoods, where people demolish and build, or renovate older houses.

Areas near the lake were initially developed with summer cottages that, over time, were converted to year-round residences. Permanent residences were built along existing township roads such as Fairport Road, Rosebank Road and Woodview Avenue. By the 1960s, Pickering’s first planned communities, Bay Ridges and West Shore, were developed. The following 30 years saw similar low-density residential neighbourhoods developed in most of South Pickering.

Similar to the experiences of other municipalities, the City’s established residential neighbourhoods have been experiencing change in the form of infill and replacement housing over the last several years. New dwellings are being built that are sometimes two or three times taller and significantly larger than the existing houses in the neighbourhood.

To address this matter, the City commenced the Infill and Replacement Housing in Established Neighbourhoods Study in July 2018 in accordance with Report PLN 15-17.

On March 12, 2018, Council adopted City-initiated By-law 7610/18 (now in full force and effect), which implements a 9.0 metre height limit in the general provisions of the "R3" and "R4" zones in Zoning By-law 2511 (this applies to lands not already subject to a site specific amendment regulating building height) as per Report PLN 06-18.

Study Process, Reports, and Documents

The Study will be developed in three phases as described below: 

Phase 1

Existing Conditions and Preliminary Observations Report

Public Open House 1 - March 5, 2019 Slide Presentation

Planning & Development Committee Meeting - April 1, 2019

• Notice of Meeting
• Report PLN 06-19
• Resolution #69/19

Phase 2

Planning Options – to identify gaps and opportunities in existing City policy, zoning and guidelines; evaluate strategies to regulate infill and replacement housing; and recommend a preferred strategy

Planning Options Report - Draft, October 2019

Public Open House 2 - October 29, 2019 Slide Presentation

• Display Panels
• Neighbourhood Precinct Maps
• Open House Worksheet

Planning & Development Committee Meeting - January 13, 2020

• Notice of Meeting
• Report PLN 01-20
• Planning Options Report, December 2019 (Phase 2 Report)
• January 13, 2020 Slide Presentation
• Resolution #220/20

Phase 3

Recommendations – to provide final draft Design Guidelines, and direction regarding other implementation tools that the City can use to review and consider future infill and replacement housing proposals

• Planning Recommendations Report - Draft, April 2020

Electronic Public Open House 3 - August 11, 2020

You can watch a recording of the Public Open House 3 which includes the pre-recorded presentation on the City of Pickering’s YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/user/SustainablePickering

Planning & Development Committee Meeting - September 14, 2020

• Notice of Meeting
• Report PLN 18-20
• Planning Recommendations Report, August 2020 (Phase 3 Report)
• Urban Design Guidelines for Infill and Replacement Housing in Established Neighbourhood Precincts
• Resolution #428/20 

Get Involved

Community Engagement opportunities will be provided throughout the study process, consisting of public open houses, workshops and stakeholder sessions. Details regarding these engagement opportunities will be posted here as they arise.

Public Open House 1:

Public Open House 1 was held on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Pickering Recreation Complex with approximately 60 individuals in attendance.

Following a slide presentation (Public Open House 1 - March 5, 2019 Slide Presentation), participants were invited to:

• Comment on matters related to infill and replacement housing affecting your neighbourhood
• Comment on important characteristics of their neighbourhood
• Confirm locations in their neighbourhood where change is taking place or should take place

April 1, 2019 Planning & Development Committee Meeting:

Notice of Meeting

City staff presented Report PLN 06-19 to the Planning & Development Committee.  The Report provides an update on the status of Phase 1 of the Study, recommends that the Phase 1 Report be received, and that Council authorize City Development staff to proceed with Phase 2 of the Study.

On April 23, 2019 Council adopted Resolution #69/19 which authorizes City Development staff to proceed with Phase 2 of the Study.

Public Open House 2:

Public Open House 2 was held on October 29, 2019 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (formerly the Pickering Recreation Complex) with approximately 100 individuals in attendance.

Following a slide presentation (Public Open House 2 - October 29, 2019 Slide Presentation), participants were invited to:

• Comment on suggested Planning Options related to managing infill and replacement housing in their neighbourhood
• Comment on "Neighbourhood Precinct" boundaries where change should be managed 

January 13, 2020 Planning & Development Committee Meeting:

Notice of Meeting

City staff presented Report PLN 01-20 to the Planning & Development Committee. The Report provides an overview of the Planning Options Report, December 2019 (Phase 2 Report), recommends that it be received, and that Council authorize City Development staff to proceed with Phase 3 of the Study.

On January 27, 2020 Council adopted Resolution #220/20 which authorizes City Development staff to proceed with Phase 3 of the Study.

Electronic Public Open House 3:

Notice of Electronic Public Open House

Electronic Public Open House 3 was held on August 11, 2020 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Pre-registered delegates provided comments and participated in a discussion with panel members following a pre-recorded presentation by the project consultants. You can watch a recording of the Public Open House on the City of Pickering's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/SustainablePickering.

September 14, 2020 Planning & Development Committee Meeting:

Notice of Meeting

City staff presented Report PLN 18-20 to the Planning & Development Committee. The staff report recommends the endorsement of the Planning Recommendations Report, August 2020, prepared by the City’s consultants, SGL Planning & Design Ltd. (SGL) and that Council authorize City Development staff to undertake the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment processes to implement the recommendations contained in the SGL Report.

On September 28, 2020 Council adopted Resolution #428/20 which:

1. endorses the Infill and Replacement Housing in Established Neighbourhoods, Planning Recommendations Report, prepared by SGL Planning & Design Inc., dated August 2020;
2. authorizes City staff to:
   

   a)  initiate the recommended Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment processes;

   b) undertake the necessary steps to implement the recommended by-law to restrict the width of driveways in the public right-of-way; and

   c) investigate the implementation of a by-law for the protection of trees on private property and report back to Council in mid-2021; and

3. adopts the Urban Design Guidelines for Infill and Replacement Housing in Established Neighbourhood Precincts