Planning and Development www.centrewellington.ca
Departmental Overview • The Planning and Building Department is comprised of the: • Planning Division - responsible for both short term and long range community planning within the Township. Long range planning involves the preparation of Official Plan policies, Zoning Bylaw regulations and other regulations and guidelines. Short term planning includes the processing of Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments, site plan approvals, plans of subdivision and other development applications. www.centrewellington.ca • Heritage – oversight of heritage conservation and associated regulations. • Building Division - the administration and enforcement of the Building Code Act and its Regulation. • Economic Development – building relationships and opportunities for business investment and growth.
Core Services - Planning • Processing of development applications including Official Plan Amendments, Zoning By-law Amendments, Plans of Subdivision and Condominium, Site Plan Approval, Minor Variance, Land Division • Policy development, research and meeting the statutory requirements of the Planning Act. • Implementation of provincial policy – Growth Plan, PPS, Source Water • Development standards and design guidelines • Land use planning studies such as Secondary Plans which address the mix, arrangement and www.centrewellington.ca density of land uses, local street patterns, size and location of parks and school sites and the location of major infrastructure; • Responding to Development Enquiries • Geographic Information System (GIS) - hardware, software and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced information. • Civic Addressing and Street Naming: Critical for public notification, and for emergency response and notification.
Current Projects - Planning • Growth Management: Development of policies and strategies for development areas in order to achieve density and intensification targets • Roll out of development manual, development standards, and design guidelines • Initiation of South Fergus Secondary Plan www.centrewellington.ca • Rural zoning review • 2017 Provincial Growth Plan implementation
Trends - Planning • Lack of opportunities for commercial and industrial development due to shortage of available land • Housing affordability • Short term supply of building lots for all housing types including www.centrewellington.ca apartments and townhomes • Trend towards larger homes, smaller lots • Complex development enquiries • Uncertainty due to change in Provincial government
www.centrewellington.ca Conservation Heritage
Core Services – Heritage Conservation • Identifying, evaluating and protecting heritage properties, structures, and landscapes • Recommendations on demolitions (listed), alterations (designated) and review of heritage studies (EAs, HIAs, CHERs) • Ensuring heritage properties are appropriately incorporated into www.centrewellington.ca redevelopment plans through collaboration with key stakeholders • Providing developers, property owners, and real estate agents heritage information • Implementing current legislative requirements and policy directions • Overseeing the work of the Municipal Heritage Committee
Current Projects – Heritage Conservation • Rural Heritage Register – list to be compiled by mid-2019 • Cultural Heritage Landscape Study – RFP to be issued by end of 2018 • Heritage Property Tax Relief and Heritage Grant Program – Fall 2019 • Heritage Education Workshop – in partnership with the MTCS for real www.centrewellington.ca estate agents, developers, public and Council, Spring 2019 • Heritage Week – Februrary 2019 • Doors Open – June 2019 • Designations – ongoing
Trends – Heritage Conservation • Growth and Intensification – property values are increasing and older properties/buildings are most vulnerable (demolitions/severances) • Volunteer Retention and Engagement – heritage conservation requires a great deal of resources and fieldwork • Ontario Heritage Act – legislative timelines and framework are www.centrewellington.ca challenging with increased demolition requests • Public Perception – people want “small town feel” but not restricted property rights
www.centrewellington.ca Building Division
Core Services - Building • Building Code Responsibilities include the Administration and Enforcement of the Building Code Act & Regulations including all Mandated Roles, Responsibilities and Powers. • Review and Issuance of permits for swimming pools, site alteration and signs under authority of Township By-Laws. www.centrewellington.ca • Provide information and guidance to the public regarding renovations / construction projects and Building Code requirements. • Investigates complaints of construction without a permit, construction contrary to the Building Code, or of buildings in an unsafe condition, enforcing compliance as warranted.
Current Projects - Building • The Building Division’s current projects include: • the construction of the new Groves Memorial Community Hospital. • various Pearle Hospitality projects in downtown Elora. • New condominium building on Stumpf Street in Elora. www.centrewellington.ca • Significant number of Residential Projects throughout the Township as well as many projects across all construction sectors. • Implementing new City View operating system. • Updating public information through handouts and website.
Trends - Building • As development and construction activity continues to increase year over year, the Building Division’s priorities will be managing increased activity and workload while ensuring that staff have time for all required Qualification Upgrading and Training. • Over the past several years the number of permits issued, construction values and number of inspections conducted have been www.centrewellington.ca trending upwards. • Residential construction and renovations remains a strong sector.
www.centrewellington.ca Economic Development
Core Services – Economic Development • Encouraging business retention and expansion • Facilitating commercial and industrial development projects and investment • Managing the municipally owned employment lands www.centrewellington.ca • Downtown revitalization and enhancement • Collaboration with key stakeholders – BIA’s, Chamber, County • Providing economic and community information • Facilitating external business attraction
Current Projects – Economic Development • Economic Development Strategic Action Plan – to be completed by Feb 2019 • Downtown Fergus Action Plan – combined with Main Street Revitalization Funding – ongoing with Fergus BIA • Improve Centre Wellington Community Improvement Plan (CIP) – will be adding the County of Wellington CIP in 2019 www.centrewellington.ca • Small Business Centre – in partnership with the Guelph Wellington Business Centre • Sites and Buildings – land and space issues
Trends – Economic Development • Lack of employment land and spaces for growth and attraction • Workforce Attraction and Retention – many local businesses cannot find enough employees to function at needed levels • Affordable and accessible housing to accommodate www.centrewellington.ca all income levels is a challenge – impacts workforce retention and attraction • Transportation/Transit issues – again impacting workforce attraction • Re-development of underutilized properties
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