A quorum of voting members was not present, and in accordance with section III-4(g) of the Region of Peel Procedural By-law 57-2006, as amended, the Inter-Municipal Planning Subcommittee received information from staff.

Chaired by Regional Chair Kolb

1. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST – Nil

Councillor Palleschi arrived at 9:40 a.m.

A quorum of voting members was achieved.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION IMPSC-6-2008:

That the agenda for the September 25, 2008, Inter-Municipal Planning Subcommittee meeting, be approved.

3. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS – Nil

4. REPORTS

Received

Arvin Prasad, Director, Planning Policy and Research, introduced pertinent Regional staff who are involved in the Peel Region Official Plan Review (PROPR) process. He noted the extensive consultation and collaboration undertaken by Regional and area municipal staff to review the official plan.

Naheeda Jamal, Principal Planner, Planning Policy and Research, provided an overview of the following five focus areas in the PROPR: sustainability; energy; managing growth; employment lands; and, natural heritage. Sustainability will be the main theme and foundation of the Regional Official Plan (ROP). Naheeda Jamal noted that existing and new components of the ROP, such as natural heritage, transportation and energy, should have specific policies related to achieving sustainability objectives. She stated that discussion papers and workshops for each focus area will be released and scheduled from October 2008 to June 2009.

Regional Chair Kolb highlighted the extensive work staff did to produce the discussion papers. He suggested that staff provide an executive summary for all large documents requiring or seeking comments from Councillors prior to a Committee meeting. Due to other responsibilities and priorities of the Committee members, Regional Chair Kolb noted that an executive summary would assist Councillors in examining the contents of the detailed documents.

Councillor Thompson questioned if public open house would be held prior to the Significant Woodlands and Natural Habitat workshop. Mark Head, Principal Planner, Planning Policy and Research, responded that a public open house will be scheduled following the workshop in the first part of 2009. Councillor Thompson indicated that a lot of landowners are concerned about how the changes will impact their lands rather than the benefits they will receive from the exercise. He noted that staff at the Town of Caledon recently conducted a comprehensive review of significant natural features and received cooperation from landowners. However, Councillor Thompson cautioned against introducing more regulations to the landowners, particularly in Caledon, who vehemently expressed resistance to any changes that would affect their lands. Councillor Thompson stated that it is important to host open houses to obtain public input. Mark Head responded that staff will take it into consideration as part of the program planning exercise.

Councillor Palleschi questioned what new energy rules will be proposed in the ROP that area municipalities do not have. He indicated that such a policy could result in duplication of responsibilities with the area municipalities. Councillor Palleschi requested staff to ensure that proposed policies do not conflict or duplicate area municipal policies.

Arvin Prasad responded that staff is not at the policy stage yet but guaranteed the members of the Inter-Municipal Planning Subcommittee that Regional staff will not propose anything that will conflict or duplicate the energy policies or the official plan policies of the area municipalities. He stated that any proposal made by the Region will be presented to the area municipalities to obtain approval prior to implementation.

Councillor Moore stated that it is important that the Region have relevant areas of energy in its official plan as it relates to Regional jurisdiction. However, she cautioned against duplication. Councillor Moore indicated that area municipal staff should review in detail, the proposed policies of the Region and flag any issues that may cause potential duplication or conflict between the Region and the area municipalities.

Councillor Thompson noted that a few issues need to be addressed and requested staff to consider the following when reviewing the official plan: set-backs from windmills, energy from waste, maximizing energy with future growth and solar panels on rooftops. Councillor Thompson noted that employment lands are one of the important aspects to be considered. He suggested that economic development staff at the area municipalities should be involved in the workshop.

Arvin Prasad urged all Councillors and area municipal staff to attend the upcoming workshops:

• Growth Management on October 7, 2008
• Employment Lands Consultation on November 14, 2008
• Environment Themed Workshop on November 24, 2008
• Growth and Intensification Workshop on January 30, 2009
• Workshop on ROPAs, Winter 2009
• Open Houses and Public Meetings required by Legislation on 2009

Arvin Prasad noted that the Province imposed a deadline of June 2009. He outlined the challenges experienced by staff:

• Experienced a 10-month delay with the release of the built boundary and urban growth centres documents
• One year delay with the release of the Provincial employment lands paper which was at a very high level
• Metrolinx just released its transportation plan, noting that Regional staff will review the plan and how it aligns with the ROP conformity work
• Final Census results were only released on May 2008 and staff was only able to order the customized statistical data for municipalities after the release of the final census report.
• Arvin Prasad advised that the Province has requested a six-month window to comment on the draft ROPAs but Regional staff are working closely with the Province to reduce the timeline.
• Working closely and collaboratively with area municipalities caused some delay but subsequently producing superior results of the consultation. Arvin Prasad assured the members that the five principles of the official plan and the planning matrix developed by the Region and area municipal staff will continue to be met with the conformity exercise.

Arvin Prasad stated that Regional staff are working closely with the Province on how to resolve issues. Regional staff may or may not request an extension of the June 2009 deadline. To date, Arvin Prasad noted that Regional staff continue to work towards the June 2009 deadline. He indicated that Regional Council will be kept informed about the status of the PROPR.

Councillor Palleschi suggested that Regional Chair Kolb meet with the other Regional Chairs in the Greater Toronto Area to inform the Province that municipalities cannot meet the provincial deadline.

Councillor Palleschi requested clarification about who the stakeholders are for the October 7, 2008 Growth Management Workshop. Arvin Prasad responded that these are individuals and/or organizations who requested to be on the PROPR growth management mailing list. Councillor Palleschi suggested that staff should only invite pertinent area municipal and Regional staff from planning and key areas such as energy and decision-makers who will provide significant contribution to the Growth Management Workshop.

Arvin Prasad responded that Regional staff have sent limited invitations to the stakeholders wherein only one person per organization will be invited. He will make a presentation on October 7, 2008 Growth Management Workshop to set the framework for all of the workshops attendees and will reiterate that “no growth” is not an option in the PROPR.

Regional Chair Kolb suggested that infrastructure, transmission lines, power plants and where aggregate will come from should also be considered in the PROPR.

Councillor Thompson suggested that representatives from the Economic Development Departments from the three area municipalities be invited in the Growth Management and Employment Lands Workshops. He stated that participation from the Economic Development staff would be beneficial to the workshops.

Councillor Moore requested staff to provide the times and locations of the PROPR workshops as soon as possible to ensure full participation and attendance of all Regional Councillors.

5. COMMUNICATIONS – Nil

6. IN CAMERA MATTERS – Nil

7. OTHER BUSINESS – Nil

8. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting date of the Inter-Municipal Planning Subcommittee is scheduled for October 16, 2008 at 8:30 a.m.

Please forward regrets to Stephanie Jurrius, Legislative Specialist, (905) 791-7800, extension 4502 or stephanie.jurrius@peelregion.ca.

9. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.