Old Elm (Formerly Lincolnville) GO Land Use Study

Project Updates

On Wednesday, February 1^st, 2023 Report DS002-023 went forward to Council Old Elm (Formerly Lincolnville) Official Plan Amendment 155 (OPA155, File No. OPA22.003). Town Council adopted OPA155, for the Old Elm GO Station Study Area, in the Community of Stouffville.

Council also endorsed the Land Use Study Report and the Lincolnville (Now Old Elm) GO Station Urban Design Guidelines.

Council directed staff to forward the Notice of Adoption and required documents to the Region of York as the Region of York is the approval authority for Official Plan Amendment 155. Should you wish to receive a copy of York Region’s decision you will be required to write to York Region Community Planning and Development Services Staff at DevelopmentServices@york.ca and request a copy of the Notice of Decision.

The supporting documents are available for review and can be found in the right-hand column under "Document Library”.

Previous Updates

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville retained WSP, in association with urbanMetrics, to undertake a Land Use Study for the Old Elm (formerly Lincolnville) GO Station Area.

The reason for the study was to identify a preferred land use scenario and corresponding Official Plan policies and Urban Design Guidelines to guide future development for the area surrounding the Lincolnville GO station.

It is anticipated that the study will result in the delineation of a Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) and the preparation of an Official Plan Amendment to implement transit-supportive land uses and densities in the vicinity of the GO Station. As part of the study, a Land Use Study Report was prepared to identify a boundary for the MTSA and analyze feasible land use options within the study area.

The Study arose out of the decision by Metrolinx to expand its Lincolnville Layover and relocate the Old Elm (formerly Lincolnville) GO Station.

Public Consultation

A Statutory Public Meeting was held on May 11^th, 2022 with respect to the proposed Official Plan Amendment and accompanying Urban Design Guidelines for the Old Elm (formerly Lincolnville) GO Land Use Study.

The Public Meeting agenda and Council report are now available for download.

The supporting documents are available for review and can be found in the right-hand column under "Document Library."

Draft Documents

Three Draft documents are now available for public review.

• DRAFT Lincolnville GO Station Land Use Study
• DRAFT Lincolnville GO Station Urban Design Guidelines
• DRAFT Lincolnville GO Station Area Land Use Policy Framework

Council Report - October 20, 2020: Staff presented to Council on October 20, 2020 an update on the Land Use Study. For the complete Agenda, visit the Town's Council Page.

Draft Land Use Study Report

In May, 2019, WSP prepared a preliminary Land Use Study Report for public comment. The draft report outlines the background information and preliminary analysis for the Study.

MTSA Delineation and Draft Concepts

A draft delineation of the MTSA boundary was identified along with three preliminary land use scenarios. These were shared for public comment at an Open House. Criteria used to create these land use scenarios include orientation to transit, connectivity and accessibility, feasibility, and compatibility.

Based on public, stakeholder and technical feedback, the land use scenarios were refined and three conceptual demonstration plans were prepared and were shared at a Public Open House. Comments were compiled and incorporated into an updated Land Use report, draft land use concept and draft Official Plan Amendment.

Timeline

• Fall 2020: Received comments and finalized the study
• May 2022: Statutory Public Meeting & Council Adoption
• February 2023: Town Council adopted OPA155, for the Old Elm GO Station Study Area
• After Council Adoption: Regional approval / coordination