Whitby Council Highlights - October 2024

The Town of Whitby is in the process of an Official Plan Review, which kicked off in spring 2024. Municipalities are required to review and update their Official Plans every five years. The Official Plan addresses important land use and community-building matters, such as where housing, industry, offices, stores, and new roads should be located, where population growth and intensification should be concentrated, and what features of the natural and urban environment should be protected. Key components of the review include updated mapping to depict the delineation of a Protected Major Transit Station Area around the Whitby GO Station, the identification of other Strategic Growth Areas where increased growth and intensification will occur, and an Urban Area Boundary expansion to the year 2051, particularly around Brooklin. Initial public consultation took place in the spring and a new report received by Council on Oct. 7 outlines some of the themes shared by residents. These include the need to provide diverse housing options, manage traffic impacts, improve active transportation infrastructure, and ensure there are enough commercial and employment areas to support the growing population. A statutory public meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2024, to present draft recommendations for the Whitby Major Transit Station Area and other Strategic Growth Areas. Visit connectwhitby.ca/opreview for more information.

On Oct. 7, Council received a progress update on the Downtown Whitby Action Plan, which was adopted by Council in October 2016. Of the 27 action items, 15 have been completed, three are in progress, and nine are ongoing. Key action items include $2.5 million of additional funding to support new high-density residential and mixed-use residential developments in Downtown Whitby through the Housing Accelerator Fund, donation of two parcels of Town-owned land in Downtown Whitby to Habitat For Humanity to support 40 new affordable housing units, completion of the first phase of engagement on the Brock Street Redesign Study with feedback from over 580 participants, and launch of a new Food Tour series in Downtown Whitby (and Downtown Brooklin) to showcase Whitby’s thriving culinary scene. Council received the report for information and directed Town staff to undertake an update to the Downtown Whitby Action Plan in 2025 and bring forward a new plan for Council’s consideration and approval.

Council has voted to support the Solve the Crisis campaign, launched by Ontario Big City Mayors this summer. The campaign focuses on raising awareness of the growing homelessness, addictions, and mental health crisis in Ontario, and calling for action from the provincial and federal governments. The campaign calls on the Province to appoint a minister and establish a ministry as a single point of contact to address the full spectrum of housing needs as well as mental health, addictions, and wrap-around supports. The Province is also being asked to strike a task force with broad sector representatives including municipalities, regions, healthcare, first responders, community services, the business community and the tourism industry to develop a Made in Ontario Action Plan. The motion supported by Council calls on Whitby residents to join the appeal to the provincial and federal governments by visiting SolveTheCrisis.ca and signing the call-to-action letter.

Council has approved Whitby’s West Lynde Neighbourhood for a pilot Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program (SNAP). The initiative, led by the Town of Whitby, the Region of Durham, and Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) will introduce a series of sustainability-related improvements in the neighbourhood over the next few years. Successful SNAP initiatives have been implemented in Ajax, as well as neighbouhoods in Toronto. Now through October 29, West Lynde residents can complete an online survey to provide feedback on which sustainability actions should be prioritized. Examples include more green spaces, rain or community gardens, wetland restoration, educational resources, and energy-efficient home upgrades. Feedback will be used to develop a final SNAP plan to be brought forward for Council approval by fall 2025.  For more information, visit connectwhitby.ca/SNAP 

An act of antisemitic vandalism that occurred at Prince of Wales Park in Whitby in August has been formally condemned by Council. The motion approved by Council on Oct. 7 notes “Town of Whitby Council condemns in the strongest terms possible the recent acts of antisemitism and hate” and “restates its commitment to an inclusive and welcoming town for all Whitby residents.” The motion also notes Council will commit to looking for ways to educate residents about antisemitism, and directs the CAO, in partnership with relevant divisions, to support Jewish community members in reporting hate crimes.

Council has received a memo from Town staff that provides an update on community engagement related to speed humps on Whitburn Street. A series of eight speed humps were installed in Whitburn Street in 2022, in response to requests from residents. The speed humps, located between Rossland Road and Whitburn Park, are designed to reduce speeding and limit the ability of drivers to speed up between humps. Since the installation, members of the community have requested that the Town remove some or all of the speed humps. A survey was recently conducted through ConnectWhitby.ca to gauge whether neighbourhood residents want to see the speed humps permanently removed, reduced in number, or maintained. Town staff report that there was “no firm majority for any survey option presented,” and have proposed that the speed humps be maintained. The memo notes the cost to remove the speed humps and reinstall the asphalt surface is estimated at $50,000. Council directed Town staff to report back with further information about the cost and other implications associated with the three options of removing reducing or maintaining the speed humps.