PEDC rpt 3 2005

The Planning and Economic Development Committee advises Council of the following matters having been considered by the Planning and Economic Development Committee with the following action:

PRESENTATIONS

1. Generator Proposal for Town of Newmarket

Sam Mantenuto, Chief Operating Officer and Scott Stevens, Director Business Development, Northland Power, made a presentation regarding the generator proposal for the Town of Newmarket and requested Regional Council to pass a resolution in support of the proposal.

The Committee received the presentation and noted that Regional Council adopted a resolution on December 16, 2004 which supports the proposal made by Northland Power to provide local hydro distribution.

The Committee recommended that Regional Council re-iterate to the Minister of Energy, the Minister of the Environment and to the Ontario Power Authority, that the Region supports alternative forms of hydro generation.

2. Trade Mission to China

Regional Councillor Frank Scarpitti and Daisy Wai, President, Town of Richmond Hill and Town of Markham Chinese Business Association made a presentation regarding the Trade Mission to China from January 18 to 25, 2005. Some of the activities highlighted in the report included: meeting with senior government officials and business leaders in China; participating in networking meetings and panel discussions promoting business and investment opportunities in York Region and China; and visiting business parks and development zones. A report entitled "Trade Road to China, York Region Business Mission to China" was distributed to the Committee members.

The Committee received the presentation and recommended the report be referred to the Director of Economic Development to evaluate some of the initiatives from the Business Mission and review York Region's role in the China market.

3. Places to Grow � Draft Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe

Barbara Jeffrey, Principal Planner, Long Range and Strategic Planning, presented an overview of the Places to Grow � Draft Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe which was released by the Province on February 16, 2005.

The Committee received the presentation and recommended the following:

1. A letter be sent to the Minister of Public Infrastructure and Renewal and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing outlining the Region's issues with the Places to Grow document as proposed.

The letter should also indicate where the document did not take into consideration many of the Region's recommendations to the Province.

2. Each of the Local Councils be requested to write similar letters to the Province to support the Region's position.

3. The Minister of Public Infrastructure and Renewal be requested to extend the April 18, 2005 deadline to allow more time to comment on the Draft Plan.

4. Staff prepare a report for the April 6, 2005 Committee meeting providing a detailed review and analysis of the Places to Grow � Draft Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and also commenting on the following issues:

1. The need for infrastructure to accommodate increased industrial development.

2. The importance of rapid transit along the Highway 7 corridor to facilitate intensification.

3. The impact and implications to York Region if growth targets are not met by the City of Toronto and the rest of the GTA (being part of the same sub-area growth strategy).

4. The positions of the local municipalities.

5. The need to communicate to the residents in a clear concise way how the densities will be achieved.

4. The Greenbelt Plan 2005

Barbara Jeffrey, Principal Planner, Long Range and Strategic Planning, presented an overview of The Greenbelt Plan 2005 which was released by the Province on February 28, 2005.

The Committee received the presentation and recommended that staff prepare a report for the April 6, 2005 Committee meeting.

COMMUNICATIONS

[The following links open .pdf files of the Communications]

5. Minutes of the Agricultural Advisory Liaison Group � May 6, 2004. Received.

6. Bryan Tuckey, Commissioner of Planning and Development Services, March 2, 2005 enclosing the 2005 York Region Visitors' Guide and noting that a detailed report on the production of the Guide will be provided to the next Committee meeting. Received.

7. J.D. Leach, City Clerk, City of Vaughan, February 14, 2005, regarding City of Vaughan Resolution, Bill 135 � The Greenbelt Act. Received.

8. Gary Schneider, Manager Transmission Approvals, Hydro One Networks Inc., February 25, 2005, regarding Supply to York Region � Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR), responding to York Region's letter dated December 17, 2004.

The Committee received the communication and recommended that another letter be sent to the Minister of the Environment to re-iterate the Region's position that assent from York Region is not required in determining the supply and distribution of hydro to the residents of York Region.

The Planning and Economic Development Committee adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

March 2, 2005 F. Scarpitti

Newmarket, Ontario Chair

(Report No. 3 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee was adopted, without amendment, by Regional Council at its meeting held on March 31, 2005.)

Karin Price

Tel. (905) 830-4444 ext. 1322