NEIGHBOURHOODS January 31, 2017 IN THE PLANNING NeighbourGood PROCESS London Planning Workshop
WHAT IS LAND USE PLANNING? Land use planning can be described as a technical and political process that deals with the the ma management o of c change, including: the use of land, the well-being of people, and protection and enhancement of the natural and cultural environments.
WHY WE PLAN To manage the development of land and anticipate and prepare for the needs of the community To safeguard resources To balance the needs and wants of many while addressing important social, economic and environmental concerns To set goals for the future and provide a strategy to accomplish them
HOW WE PLAN
HOW WE PLAN Planning Act province gives power to the Municipality to documents High Level (i.e. Official Plans &Secondary Plans) Site Specific (i.e. Zoning, Site Plan, & Minor Variances)
HOW WE PLAN Ontario Heritage Act gives power to the Municipality City of London has a list of properties suitable for Heritage Designation London Committee on Heritage (LACH), Residents & Staff Designation by individual property or conservation district
HOW WE PLAN Other Provincial Legislation Municipal Act Conservation Authorities Act Environmental Assessment Act Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
WHAT WE AIM FOR form FIT intensity use
WHAT IS URBAN REGENERATION? “The rebirth or renewal of urban areas and settlements.”
HOW WE PLAN Conservation Intensification Bonusing Community Improvement Plans All of the Planning Processes includes lots of Public Consultation
KEEPING IN TOUCH Planning Services includes the Urban Regeneration Team who have an outreach strategy that includes: Assisting communities deal with potential changes in the built-up areas of the City of London, Ensuring intensification projects are a good FIT, T, and Updating Community Association Mapping We have specific Urban Regeneration staff member for your Community Association Have us visit your group Give Us a Call 519-661-4980
THANK YOU
HOW DO WE FIT IN THE PROCESS?
HOW WE FIT planning applications Urban Forest Dundas Current Strategy Place project Transpor port- Environ- pla lannin ing atio ion mental & & urban dog Pla lannin ing Parks s parks & De Desig ign Pla lannin ing Long g secondary Range e Environ- London’s Community Pla lannin ing plans mental Energy Action Plan & & Programs ms Resea esearch Urban Regeneration interpretive Com Commun- media Cu Culture signs ic icatio ions Offi fice ce relations Urban Deve evelop- De Desig ign & & men ent Neigh ghbou our- downtown public site GI GIS Ser ervi vices hood, , development plans Childre dren and F Fire re SPARKS! Services applications
THE PROCESSES Secondary Plans City land disposition and acquisitions Heritage Conservation Districts Community Improvement Plans Planning & Development Applications
THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION PROCESS (OPTIONAL) Urban Regeneration relationship-building meeting Inquiry Internal review Application review Consultation Community meeting Issue resolution Statutory meeting
Neighbourhoods in the Planning Process: Scott Allen, MHBC Planning Consultant
Role of the Planning Consultant: Neighbourhood Planning • Preparation of Long-Range Plans Official Plans Secondary Plans, Area Plans Community Master Plans • Developing Specialized Studies Heritage Conservation District Plans Community Improvement Plans Environmental Assessments • Providing Expertise to Residents’ Associations Plan and Proposal Review Evidence at OMB Appeals • Participating in Consultation Programs for Development Applications
Infill and Intensification Projects: Neighbourhood Design Considerations • Alignment with Planning Framework — Official Plan/Secondary Plan Policies and Zoning Permissions — Urban Design Guidelines — Heritage Conservation District Plans • Evaluation of Neighbourhood Characteristics — Typical Building Form/Architectural Features — Street Network/Servicing Infrastructure — Assessment of Market Opportunities • Recommendations of Specialized Studies — Planning Justification Reports — Urban Design Briefs — Traffic/Servicing Reports • Review Agency/Community Input
Infill and Intensification Projects: Public Consultation Programs • Opportunities — Preliminary Discussions — Neighbourhood Information Meeting(s) — Informal (Follow-up) Meetings — Written Submissions — Public Information Meeting (before Planning & Environment Committee) • Intent — Convey Project Vision and Design Components — Demonstrate Alignment with Policies/Guidelines — Advise on Review Agency Comments — Identify Neighbourhood Concerns — Illustrate Measures to Mitigate Impacts — Explore Opportunities to Address Concerns
Infill and Intensification Projects: Comments on Neighbourhood Participation • Seek Early Contact with City Staff to Address Initial Questions • Appoint Representatives (Where Appropriate) • Convey Concerns to the Proponent and Seek Dialogue • Explore Opportunities to Resolve Concerns
Neighbourhoods in the Planning Process* Conclusion: Neighbourhoods can and do play an important and constructive role in helping ensure that planning decisions are being made in the best long-term interest of the community. * Opinions expressed are those of the author, a dedicated amateur. Your experience may vary. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear. Buy low sell high, etc, etc.
Neighbourhoods & Planning Issues Hierarchy of Precedence / Deference: Courts OMB Council Individual councillors Staff Lawyer, Subject Matter Experts (consultants) Proponent / Neighbourhood association Other special interest groups Un-organized neighbours, Neighbouring property owner (not the proponent).
Planning Issues: Part of the Whole T onight’s topic doesn’t capture the variety of other ways that neighbourhoods interact with the city. It is likely (and to be hoped) that most interactions with the city involve things OTHER than planning issues. If not, then there may be lots of potential for community building that is going un- exploited.
Most Issues aren’t Planning Issues Municipal services: Police, fire, utilities, garbage pickup, potholes, street lights, libraries – typically service issues not planning issues. Interactions with the C of L over planning issues are the sort of issues that can be problematic / troublesome / contentious / expensive, litigious, etc.
Neighbourhoods & Planning Issues True planning issues, represent some actual change – e.g. zoning or Official Plan changes to allow some use / actively not previously anticipated or permitted Neighbours DON’T GENERALLY LIKE change. This is when associations hear about them.
Neighbourhoods & Planning Issues The London Plan There is more flexibility than previously. For e.g., uses that combine previously separate uses are being encouraged in some areas (residential above commercial, higher densities, etc.) New land uses in LP: can be expected to trigger resistance / push-back.
Neighbourhoods & Planning Issues The “In-between” time While the LP approved but under appeal it is likely to be more confusing than usual, with uncertainty about which rules actually apply. Opinion: Particulars of the LP will come as a surprise to many, especially when they see how population densities, intensification manifests itself near them.
Neighbourhoods & Planning Issues Much of the ‘big picture’ stuff has been decided (LP), say in greenfield areas, Not all planning issues are of interest to the community Interactions / conflicts over planning are more likely to take place in urban neighbours than in suburban ones, owing to their stability, single family character, etc.
Neighbourhoods & Planning Issues Individual residents or property owners may face changes of a very local nature; can be v. impt to them. They may actively ‘promote’ these to community organizations as being of wider significance in the hope that they will get help defending their position.
Neighbourhoods & Planning Issues Individuals may succeed in enlisting the help of the community association; particularly if the policy or principles or issue has applicability elsewhere. Some ultra-local issues may come in ‘below the radar’ i.e. C.A’s. may surprised by them, with little time to react.
Neighbourhoods & Planning Issues Groups always have the prerogative to involve themselves in these issues OR NOT. Groups need to be rigorous in making these determinations for themselves They can refuse or decline from getting involved in issues, OR if consensus seems unlikely.
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