Mount Nemo Study Update May 2, 2016

Conservation Halton Auditorium 7:00-8:00 pm

Meeting Agenda

1. Mount Nemo Study Status

2. Mount Nemo Study Background

3. Summary of Community Response

4. Next Steps

Background

Mount Nemo study has included two parts:

1. Preliminary Study of the Heritage Character of the Mount Nemo Plateau

(Consultant: Andre Scheinman)

2. Heritage Conservation District Study (Consultant: MMM )

Preliminary Mount Nemo Study

Assessed character and heritage.

Identified options for the long-term conservation and enhancement of the character and heritage.

Recommended further study.

Preliminary Study: Key Finding

‘…a distinct historical community represented by a range of heritage features and elements…bounded in such a clear physical manner…the study area can be identified as an organically evolved, continuous Cultural Heritage Landscape’ (Scheinman).

What is a Cultural Heritage Landscape?

A collection of related built form, landscape, vegetation, archaeological resources and other elements that have heritage value.

Waterloo rural area Crawford Lake Distillery District

What is a Heritage Conservation District?

Geographically defined area

Protects from unsympathetic alterations

Applies to a collection of historic buildings, streetscapes, landscapes

Areas are referred to as “designated”

Tool to manage change in accordance with a set of Guidelines (Heritage Conservation District Plan)

Plans are unique and is developed with the community

Chronology: Preliminary Study

Jun 2013 Council direction to undertake preliminary research

Jan 2014 Preliminary assessment presented to Committee

Jan 2014 Council direction to consult with public

Feb 2014 Public consultation event shared findings of the preliminary assessment

Apr 2014 Public consultation event to discuss the preliminary study, proposed next steps in starting a Heritage Conservation District Study

Chronology: Heritage District Study

May 2014 Council Decision: To proceed with the Heritage Conservation District Study

Oct 2014 MMM Group retained to complete the HCD study

Feb 2015 Public meeting to present research and field work completed by MMM Group to date

Feb 2015 Council direction: Place Official Plan Review reports and Mount Nemo on hold pending start of the new city manager and Strategic Plan.

Jan 2016 Official Plan Review restarted

10

Planning Phases

1. Preliminary Study Complete

2. HCD Study Study was initiated but stopped

3. HCD Plan Not Initiated

4. Designation of District Not Initiated

Community Feedback

Opportunity to Refocus

Build on community feedback received to date:

Mount Nemo Study and Rural Summit

Advance Strategic Plan Directions

Opportunities within the Official Plan Review

Rural Summit 2013

Collected ideas and commentary regarding: Vision for the Rural Area Themes and goals that will support the vision

Several themes were identified including: Community Cohesiveness

Sustainable Growth Farming Natural Environment

Transportation Eco Tourism History and Preservation

The City’s Strategic Plan

Growth within the existing Urban Area through intensification and redevelopment

Commitment to a strong rural/urban boundary

The City’s Strategic Plan Rural Strategy

The Vision:

Rural areas that are economically and socially active, producing agricultural products and providing rural recreational activities for the city.

Development of a strategy to support rural Burlington.

Support for Halton Region’s Rural Strategy.

City’s Strategic Plan Rural Burlington

• A healthy natural heritage system

• Rural areas connected to the city

• Improved access to parks and amenities

• Trail system connecting the rural area that is accessible for walking and cycling.

• Bruce Trail usable, safe and accessible

• Community building

The Official Plan Review:

Part A: Urban Policies

Part B: Rural and Natural Heritage Policies

Official Plan Review: Rural and Natural Heritage Policies

To update and enhance policies addressing the following subject areas:

The rural community and rural character

Agriculture

Natural heritage

Mineral aggregates – pits and quarries

Rural settlement areas – Mount Nemo, Kilbride, Lowville

Rural and Natural Heritage Policies Work Plan 2016

A series of papers (Policy Briefs) will be prepared outlining proposed directions for City policy

To be developed in consultation with public, agencies and stakeholders.

To be released for public input.

City’s Official Plan must conform to Provincial and Regional Plans and policies.

Rural and Natural Heritage Policies Work Plan 2017-2018

1. Proposed policy directions and draft Official Plan Amendment Stakeholder and community consultation

2. Final Official Plan Amendment for adoption by Council Statutory public meeting

2017

Regional approval of the Official Plan Amendment

2018