The City of Yorkton took another step toward adoption on a new District Plan under the Yorkton Regional Planning District structure Monday.
As part of the Province’s Planning for Growth initiative, members of the current Yorkton Planning District (City of Yorkton, RM of Orkney, RM of Wallace, and York Lake Regional Park Authority) received grant funding to update and replace our regional planning documents, explained Lonnie Kaal City Manager to the regular meeting of Yorkton Council.
After a series of delays, the members were able to retain a consultant to provide each of the RMs with a new Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw, and to provide a new Planning District Agreement and District Plan for the region, she added.
“The new documents were developed from best practices, thorough member consultation, public input, and intensive administrative review. Before each of the RMs’ Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw can be approved by the Province, all four members of the Planning District must adopt a new, contemporary Planning District Agreement and District Plan. City Council previously approved the Agreement at the August 22 meeting, which formally establishes the Yorkton Regional Planning District,” detailed material circulated to Council Monday.
The Yorkton Regional Planning District was created in response to City and RM‘s of Orkney and Wallace and the Regional Parks’ growth, which was happening rapidly and sometimes in conflict of the neighbouring communities’ interests. The Planning for Growth Funding made available to municipalities in the fall of 2010 was a catalyst to establish a Steering Committee and Terms of Reference in 2010, and authorized the preparation of the Yorkton District Plan. In addition, since watershed protection and flooding and drainage are a significant part of the Yorkton Region, The Assiniboine Watershed Association was invited to participate in the formation of the new District Plan.
The new District Plan will better assist members to:
*Identify and protect growth areas;
*Manage infrastructure and municipal services;
*Establish a collaborative and focused approach to regulate and support growth;
*Apply consistent decision making that creates certainty for constituents and investors;
*Leverage government funding;
*More efficiently use municipal professional and financial resources; and
*Mitigate inter-municipal disputes.
The Planning District document provided additional background.
“The intent of this District Plan is to establish a framework for the orderly, beneficial and cooperative development of the participating municipalities with a recognition that we are stronger as local governments when we work together to improve our region. This Plan is a keystone to the new working relationship between the parties and will establish the context of the planning discussed at the advisory planning district commission. The principles of cooperation, collaboration, coordination and communication are integral to the success of this relationship and the partnering municipalities uphold these principles as essential to moving the Yorkton Region forward with growth and development in a way that benefits our citizens,” it detailed as background.
“This inter-municipal planning process reviewed Provincial Legislation and Regulations, regional, and local policies to create a long-range vision for the Yorkton Regional Planning District. Numerous studies have occurred over the years and the intent of this Plan is to tie together all the previous work that had been done and to provide over-arching policies which identify and promote the development potentials of the Region through the creation of a working/guiding Plan.”
It also laid out the overarching purpose of the plan.
“The Yorkton Regional Planning District Plan (District Plan) provides a joint approach to address future land use, fringe development and other matters of inter-municipal or regional concern affecting lands in the participating municipalities. This District Plan promotes orderly, efficient and sustainable development throughout the Planning District and will reduce uncertainty for the public and private sectors respecting the future use of land by encouraging well-planned development in the identified areas of the Joint Management Area and Future Growth Study Areas.
“This District Plan encourages development benefiting the participating Municipalities and the region as a whole. Specific development suitability review issues including design, transportation access, utility needs, servicing availability, business diversification, community connectivity and other issues will be governed by individual municipal planning bylaws. This Plan recognizes that development is an ongoing activity requiring flexibility to maintain the Plan’s relevance and provide the most suitable direction for the growth of the Region,” it states.
Councillor Quinn Haider questioned if the document was final in the sense of obligating the City to certain things? “Or just a blueprint for the future?”
“It’s basically a land use plan,” said Kaal, adding it defines areas where certain categories of housing, business and industry fit best in terms of an integrated regional plan.
Coun. Mitch Hippsley urged caution with the document.
“I can see where this can get very complicated, messy if you will,” he said. “… It will require a tremendous amount of communication.”
With passage of first reading of the bylaw in accordance with Provincial legislation, public notice for a District Plan must be carried out for a minimum of 30 days. After the notification period, the District Plan will be returned to City Council for 2nd and 3rd Reading, in conjunction with a Public Hearing. After the District Plan is approved by all members, it must also be considered for final approval by the Ministry of Government Relations before coming into effect.
Mayor Bob Maloney, after handing the chair to Deputy Mayor Randy Goulden questioned how long the process may now take?
Kaal said it was always planned to be ready to send to the Minister by the end of the year, and with the 30-day public process, it could still be back to Council in time to achieve that.
