Residents Weigh In on Ambitious Port Perry Growth Plan

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

SCUGOG: A proposed mixed-use development which could bring between 950 and 1,375 new homes, employment lands, commercial space, parks, and a long-term care component to Port Perry, took its first public step through the planning process, at a Statutory Public Meeting, held by Scugog Township's Planning and Community Affairs Committee, on June 15th.

The proposal affects approximately 64 hectares (157 acres) of land, at 1520, 1540 and 1580 Reach Street, located south of Reach Street, between North Port Road and Sherrington Drive. The lands are currently used primarily for agriculture and rural residential purposes and include natural heritage features.

Township officials emphasized, throughout the meeting, no decisions have been made and the purpose of the meeting was to gather public input, before staff continue their review.

"This evening is not decision-making, it's information gathering," explained, Ward 2 Councillor, Janna Guido during the meeting.

The applications, submitted, by planning and urban design firm Malone Given Parsons, on behalf of the landowners, include requests for an Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision approval.

Planner Allyssa Hrynyk, of Malone Given Parsons, outlined a vision for a complete community which would include a range of housing options, industrial employment lands, local commercial services, parkland, trails, open space and a long-term care component.

The proposal would see approximately two-thirds of the lands converted, from industrial designations to residential uses, while retaining nearly 15 hectares of employment lands. Plans include: a mix of single-detached homes; townhouses; apartment-style units and senior-oriented housing; along with commercial uses, intended to serve daily neighbourhood needs.

According to the applicant, the development would be built in phases, over many years, beginning with approximately 80 units, in an initial phase. The full build-out would depend on future servicing upgrades and market conditions.

The proposal comes as Scugog plans for future growth. Planning documents presented at the meeting noted, the community is expected to accommodate nearly 2,900 new homes by 2051.

Township staff stressed, the proposed development area lies entirely within Scugog's established urban boundary, as identified in both regional and municipal planning documents.

"The Township of Scugog is within the Greenbelt Plan area and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan area, and development opportunities are limited to pre-determined areas, within our urban boundary," the staff report noted. "Diversifying development to include industrial, commercial and residential helps balance tax collection, more evenly across sectors, and reduces heavy reliance on the residential tax base."

Several residents and stakeholders took advantage of the opportunity to address committee members.

Among those speaking, in support of the proposal's housing diversity, was local real estate broker Brett Puckrin, who described the project as offering the type of housing mix currently lacking in the community.

"This is the kind of cradle-to-grave housing Port Perry needs," Mr. Puckrin said. "We have young people who can't find housing which fits their stage of life and seniors who are looking to downsize but don't have options available locally. This type of development can help keep people in the community."

Other speakers voiced support for growth, in principle, but called for additional consultation and careful review of the details, before any approvals are granted.

Questions were also raised regarding the proposed long-term care component, including whether it would operate as a publicly funded or privately operated facility. Township officials indicated, those details have not yet been finalized and would be clarified, as the application proceeds through the review process.

A report, prepared by Valerie Hendry, Manager of Planning for the Township of Scugog, noted, the applications remain under review, by Township departments and external agencies, and, several outstanding matters must still be addressed, before recommendations are brought forward to Council.

Among the issues still requiring detailed evaluation are traffic impacts, servicing capacity, environmental considerations, compatibility between residential and industrial uses, parkland design, stormwater management and the appropriate scale of commercial development.

The proposal also includes: extensive environmental protection measures, with approximately three hectares of natural heritage lands, additional open space areas, stormwater management facilities and trail connections integrated into the plan.

If approved, buildings along Reach Street could reach up to eight storeys in height, exceeding the five-storey maximum currently contemplated in the Township's Official Plan.

The public consultation period will continue over the coming months. Township staff will collect and review comments from residents, agencies and internal departments, before providing feedback to the applicant. Any required revisions would then be submitted, before a future recommendation report is presented to Council.

"The applications have been circulated, and Township staff will review comments from the public, agencies and internal departments," Ms. Hendry stated. "A recommendation report on the proposal will be brought forward at a future Council meeting, once all comments have been fully considered."

Residents, interested in reviewing the applications or providing comments, can access project information through the Township of Scugog's planning department and public engagement channels.