REPORT - The Township of Uxbridge

ANALYSIS:The subject lands are located within the Uxbridge Urban Area, which is considered a settlementarea. Further, the subject lands are within the Built Boundary established by the Province underthe Growth Plan. In addition, the subject lands are located in Phase 1 of the planned developmentof the Urban Area and the lands proposed for development are designated “Residential Area” onSchedule “A”, Land Use and Transportation Plan, Uxbridge Urban Area Secondary Plan.Provincial and Regional policies direct that development be focused in settlement areas. Forinstance, the Greenbelt Plan recognizes that municipalities should “maintain, intensify and/orrevitalize” settlements such as the Uxbridge Urban Area (Section 3.4.2.2). The policies alsoencourage new development to take the form of intensification within the Built Boundaryidentified under the Growth Plan.Provincial and Regional policies also direct that natural features and areas be protected and theapplication proposes to protect the environmental lands on the site.Therefore, an amendment to the Zoning By-law to permit the development of the portion of thesubject lands which are not part of the natural heritage system for a residential developmentwould be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and conform with the Growth Plan,Greenbelt Plan, Lake Simcoe Protection Plan and Durham Region Official Plan. It would alsobe in keeping with the general policy framework of the Township Official Plan, and in particularSection 2 the Uxbridge Urban Area Secondary Plan.With respect to the general nature of the development, the subject lands are adjacent to existingresidential development on the edge of the Urban Area and isolated from any employment orcommercial area. As such, they are appropriate for residential development. The proposed lowdensity development, including single detached dwellings, is permitted in the Residential Areadesignation subject to specific criteria (e.g. Sections 2.5.5.3.1 and 2.5.5.3.2).The proposed development generally conforms to the applicable criteria. However, carefulconsideration will have to be given in the zoning by-law to the minimum building setbackadjacent to existing residences. Landscaping and any additional fencing requirements will alsohave to be considered in the bylaw and through the condominium approval for those lotsabutting existing residences. In addition, a detailed grading plan will be required to minimizegrades adjacent to existing homes as part of the plan of condominium. The design exercise willalso address specific technical requirements including criteria in the Township Official Plan.As a basis for consideration of the plan of condominium, it is essential that the zoning by-lawestablish a set of base parameters to ensure a minimum standard of development within whichthe design exercise can be undertaken. This includes a minimum setback from the lot line forbuildings abutting existing residential dwellings which should be at a minimum the 9 metresshown on the cross sections which exceeds the 8 metre required rear yard setback for the existinghomes. There would be an allowance for decks to encroach a specified distance into the requiredsetback. In addition the development must be conditional on a number of matters such asservicing allocation and the completion of detailed plans for stormwater management.9