Integrated Columbus Part II Planning Act and Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Act Study

The City has initiated an Integrated Columbus Part II Planning Act and Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (E.A.) Act Study (the Study). The Study Area is generally bounded by Howden Road to the north, the Oshawa-Whitby boundary to the west, Winchester Road to the south and the east branch of the Oshawa Creek to the east.  The map of the Study Area shows the extent of the lands subject to the Study.

The Columbus Part II Planning Area as identified in Schedule “E” of the Oshawa Official Plan forms part of and is located within the Study Area.

Specific objectives of the Study are to:

• Advance the Planning Act Component and Municipal Class E.A. Component to facilitate the future development of the Columbus Planning Area;
• Advance development that is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and the Provincial Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe including the minimum population and job density targets;
• Advance development that is compliant with the requirements of the Municipal Class E.A. process;
• Emphasize sustainable development and the protection and enhancement of environmental and natural features;
• Protection of Highway 407 East corridor for employment uses;
• Advance development of the Columbus Planning Area in conformity with the Durham Regional Official Plan and the Oshawa Official Plan; and
• Advance development that is sensitive to the historic community of Columbus.

Documents

• Call for Columbus Community Advisory Committee Members
• Development Services Committee Report DS-17-125 
• Development Services Committee Report DS-19-04
• Info Report INFO-19-148
• Development Services Committee Report DS-19-165 

Background Reports

The following is a list of the background reports that have been prepared for the Study:

• Planning Background Considerations Report
  • Planning Background Considerations Report Memo – 2020
• Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment
• Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment Study
  • Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment Study Memo – March 2020 
• Phase 1 Transportation Report
• Phase 1 Transportation Report Appendices*
• Background Review Water and Wastewater
• Demographic, Housing and Economic Analysis
• Retail Background Report – Phase 1
• Sustainable Development Report
• Public Information Centre #1 Visioning Session Summary

*The Phase 1 Transportation Report Appendices is available upon request.

Alternative Land Use and Road Plans and Associated Land Budgets

Three alternative land use and road plans and associated land budgets have been prepared for the Columbus Part II Planning Area. These land use and road plans also show alternative development concepts for the South Columbus Industrial Area and the Columbus Whitebelt Area, which interface with the Columbus Part II Planning Area.

The three land use and road alternatives have been prepared based on the findings and analyses of the background studies and comments received to date from all stakeholders, including members of the public, internal staff and other external agencies. The associated land budgets provide detailed information about the proposed land uses, density of development, population and jobs for each alternative. 

• Alternative 1
• Alternative 1 Land Budget 
• Alternative 2 
• Alternative 2 Land Budget 
• Alternative 3
• Alternative 3 Land Budget 

Supporting analyses to the three alternative land use and road plans have been prepared**: 

• Alternative Solutions Report
• Phase 2 Transportation Report
• Phase 2 Transportation Report – Appendix A
• Phase 2 Transportation Report – Appendix B
• Stage 2 Fiscal Impact Analysis
• Servicing Concepts for Water and Wastewater
• Preliminary Cost Estimates for Stormwater Management Facilities and Hydraulic Structures
• Subwatershed Study – Alternatives Review Memorandum
• Subwatershed Study – Alternatives Review Memorandum Appendices

** Please note that these documents are the current versions to date and may be subject to change. It should also be noted that Scenario 2 contained in the Subwatershed Study – Alternatives Review Memorandum reflects standards for vegetative buffers that do not reflect the minimum standards for such buffers required pursuant to the Oshawa Official Plan and reflected in the relevant watershed plans of the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority. This Scenario may be subject to change.

Feedback on the three alternative land use and road plans and associated land budgets will be used to inform the development of a preferred alternative land use and road plan, and ultimately a Part II Plan for Columbus. Comments are requested on the alternative land use and road plans and associated land budgets by December 20, 2019 and can be sent to the contact below.

Public Information Centres

Columbus Community Advisory Committee

The Columbus Community Advisory Committee (the Committee) provides a forum for the positive and open exchange of information and feedback on the Study, including a forum for discussion of key opportunities, concerns and potential solutions. The Committee is not a decision-making body and will not have the authority to vote or commit City resources or direct the work of employees or the consultants.

The Committee will provide input throughout the Study process to assist the Project Team (City staff and the Consultant Team) in understanding community opinions, on such matters as:

• Guiding principles and a community vision;
• The preferred land use and transportation alternative for the Columbus Part II Plan Area;
• The land use policies for the Part II Plan Area; and,
• Other Study related feedback.

The Columbus Community Advisory Committee has a Terms of Reference, which provides an understanding of the Columbus Community Advisory Committee membership, role, responsibilities and authority of members and the expected level of commitment.

If you would like to contact the Committee, please send correspondence to the contact below and they will pass along any correspondence from the public to the Committee through the Chair.

Contact

To join the Study mailing list or for more information please see contact below.