Another 22 "issues"/concerns have been added to the list on the "COMMENTS" page/tab of this blog. These came from the public meeting held on February 12th. Feel free to add yours to the list. http://harbourplan.blogspot.ca/p/comments_25.html
Re: Collingwood Harbour Strategic Plan ---------------------------------------------------------
This note is a follow-up to a February 12, 2013 meeting regarding the above held in the library building. At the meeting town staff reviewed the intent of the municipality to develop a strategic plan for the Collingwood harbour area and requested comments on the undertaking.
The following are offered for consideration.
The town should be commended on the work done across its waterfront in protecting natural areas and in providing open space, parkland and trail facilities. Collingwood’s harbour is a critical piece of the town’s waterfront and one of the defining features of the community. In the absence of a strategy for managing the harbour area, the significance of developing a plan is recognized and the initiative is applauded. Careful planning for the future of the harbour area will be important in optimizing its full potential and in effectively integrating the harbour with other town waterfront lands and with the downtown.
The February 12 meeting gave the impression that there was limited organization around how the project is to proceed. Staff encouraged stakeholder participation and wanted to receive input on any and all aspects of a strategy but it wasn’t apparent how input would be used or what subsequent action could be expected. There would be benefit in developing some structure around the process for developing a strategic plan. In its simplest form this structure might indicate i) what the process will involve and ii) how the process will be carried out. Outlining a process for developing the plan will assist in engaging stakeholders and the public by clarifying what is to be expected and how and where they can participate.
A list of some of the ‘whats’ to be considered in development of a strategic plan might include: - define/describe the harbour area for which a strategic plan is to be developed - summarize current Official Plan designations, zoning provisions and permitted uses for land included in the plan area - document land ownership in the plan area ie. municipal, crown, private - identify current land and water uses and activities in the plan area - identify for discussion any current problems and issues in the plan area - review what the town’s Vision 20/20 document said about the plan area, how the town’s Strategic Plan impacts the area and what any other planning studies for the area may have recommended - investigate how other communities with similar waterfront environments have approached use and management of their harbour areas - consider options available for continued and expanded use and activity in the Collingwood harbour area - identify key aspects for integrating use and activity in the harbour area with other waterfront lands and the downtown - consider how low/fluctuating water levels in Lake Huron can be addressed in a strategy for the plan area
In approaching work on the above tasks, some of the ‘hows’ for the process to consider might include: - identify stakeholders having an interest in the future of the harbour area
(With involvement of stakeholders): - identify methods for effectively engaging stakeholders and the public - establish a process and a timeline for plan development identifying key tasks and outputs - in the plan development process provide for follow-up stakeholder and public meetings - identify OP, zoning, by-laws, etc. requirements necessary for implementing the strategic plan - consider the need for periodic review of the completed plan to accommodate adjustments as may be required from time-to-time as a result of changing economic or community conditions
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive but outlines examples of aspects related to the project for consideration.
I would be happy to further discuss the above with you.
Thx for your note of July 25 in response to mine of July 16.
In response to my query as to how the harbour strategic plan was progressing you indicate in your note that the project was moving slowly for two key reason. With due respect - both of the reasons given, it occurs to me, are supportive of a situation where the ‘tail is wagging the dog’ and where the town’s strategic plan for the harbour stands to be compromised. Let me explain.
The first reason given for harbour planning not proceeding : – ‘the Sunset Point master plan project is for the time being taking precedence’ Comment - The town’s May 1 strategic planning meeting for the harbour held in the library building, confirmed that the planning area for the harbour was the area included in the air photo contained on the town web page and titled ‘Aerial Photo – Town Owned Properties. - This planning area includes Sunset Point. - A strategic plan for the harbour area would by definition provide a broad overview for the future development and activity in the planning area. It is not clear why the town has prioritized planning a small portion (read here Sunset Point) of the larger identified harbour plan area when the intended overall plan for the harbour area would guide council and the town in determining optimum and coordinated future use and activity in the Sunset Point area - ... the tail is wagging the dog ... - Would it not make sense for a new plan for Sunset Point to await completion of the harbour strategic plan in order for it (the Sunset Point plan) to be consistent with the direction determined by the harbour area plan. - On an broader note it would be helpful to understand how the harbour plan will integrate with the town’s vision for its entire waterfront.
The second reason given for harbour planning not proceeding: – ‘with the ongoing changes to the use/function of the harbour associated with the new docks, and the uncertainty of the use/sale of the grain terminals and water lots, there are a lot of “moving parts” that need to be better understood/considered before any other major work moves forward’ Comment - New dock locations in the inner harbour are being provided, it is recognized, to address current low water levels - It is understood that the new docks need not compromise proceeding at this time with a plan for the harbour as the docks are not permanent fixtures and their positioning can be adjusted as required at a future date to be consistent with the plan. - It is unclear why uncertainty associated with sale of the terminal facility and water lots should delay planning for the harbour. The terminal facility and water lots are central in the plan area and will represent significant spatial components of the plan. - Again by definition the harbour area plan will provide direction for future use and activity in the plan area. The plan should precede disposal of any assets in the harbour area in order to ensure consistency of such actions with the direction determined by the plan for the harbour. The risk in proceeding at this time with any asset disposition will be a compromising of future opportunities in the harbour area. - ... again, the tail is wagging the dog ...
I expect that reports to council are advising of stakeholder comments and would hope that the above thoughts might be included in a future update of council.
March 9, 2013
ReplyDeleteRe: Collingwood Harbour Strategic Plan
---------------------------------------------------------
This note is a follow-up to a February 12, 2013 meeting regarding the above held in the library building. At the meeting town staff reviewed the intent of the municipality to develop a strategic plan for the Collingwood harbour area and requested comments on the undertaking.
The following are offered for consideration.
The town should be commended on the work done across its waterfront in protecting natural areas and in providing open space, parkland and trail facilities. Collingwood’s harbour is a critical piece of the town’s waterfront and one of the defining features of the community. In the absence of a strategy for managing the harbour area, the significance of developing a plan is recognized and the initiative is applauded. Careful planning for the future of the harbour area will be important in optimizing its full potential and in effectively integrating the harbour with other town waterfront lands and with the downtown.
The February 12 meeting gave the impression that there was limited organization around how the project is to proceed. Staff encouraged stakeholder participation and wanted to receive input on any and all aspects of a strategy but it wasn’t apparent how input would be used or what subsequent action could be expected. There would be benefit in developing some structure around the process for developing a strategic plan. In its simplest form this structure might indicate i) what the process will involve and ii) how the process will be carried out. Outlining a process for developing the plan will assist in engaging stakeholders and the public by clarifying what is to be expected and how and where they can participate.
A list of some of the ‘whats’ to be considered in development of a strategic plan might include:
- define/describe the harbour area for which a strategic plan is to be developed
- summarize current Official Plan designations, zoning provisions and permitted uses for land included in the plan area
- document land ownership in the plan area ie. municipal, crown, private
- identify current land and water uses and activities in the plan area
- identify for discussion any current problems and issues in the plan area
- review what the town’s Vision 20/20 document said about the plan area, how the town’s Strategic Plan impacts the area and what any other planning studies for the area may have recommended
- investigate how other communities with similar waterfront environments have approached use and management of their harbour areas
- consider options available for continued and expanded use and activity in the Collingwood harbour area
- identify key aspects for integrating use and activity in the harbour area with other waterfront lands and the downtown
- consider how low/fluctuating water levels in Lake Huron can be addressed in a strategy for the plan area
In approaching work on the above tasks, some of the ‘hows’ for the process to consider might include:
- identify stakeholders having an interest in the future of the harbour area
(With involvement of stakeholders):
- identify methods for effectively engaging stakeholders and the public
- establish a process and a timeline for plan development identifying key tasks and outputs
- in the plan development process provide for follow-up stakeholder and public meetings
- identify OP, zoning, by-laws, etc. requirements necessary for implementing the strategic plan
- consider the need for periodic review of the completed plan to accommodate adjustments as may be required from time-to-time as a result of changing economic or community conditions
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive but outlines examples of aspects related to the project for consideration.
I would be happy to further discuss the above with you.
Jim Gosnell
Collingwood
August 6, 2013
ReplyDeleteRobert
Thx for your note of July 25 in response to mine of July 16.
In response to my query as to how the harbour strategic plan was progressing you indicate in your note that the project was moving slowly for two key reason. With due respect - both of the reasons given, it occurs to me, are supportive of a situation where the ‘tail is wagging the dog’ and where the town’s strategic plan for the harbour stands to be compromised. Let me explain.
The first reason given for harbour planning not proceeding :
– ‘the Sunset Point master plan project is for the time being taking precedence’
Comment
- The town’s May 1 strategic planning meeting for the harbour held in the library building, confirmed that the planning area for the harbour was the area included in the air photo contained on the town web page and titled ‘Aerial Photo – Town Owned Properties.
- This planning area includes Sunset Point.
- A strategic plan for the harbour area would by definition provide a broad overview for the future development and activity in the planning area. It is not clear why the town has prioritized planning a small portion (read here Sunset Point) of the larger identified harbour plan area when the intended overall plan for the harbour area would guide council and the town in determining optimum and coordinated future use and activity in the Sunset Point area
- ... the tail is wagging the dog ...
- Would it not make sense for a new plan for Sunset Point to await completion of the harbour strategic plan in order for it (the Sunset Point plan) to be consistent with the direction determined by the harbour area plan.
- On an broader note it would be helpful to understand how the harbour plan will integrate with the town’s vision for its entire waterfront.
The second reason given for harbour planning not proceeding:
– ‘with the ongoing changes to the use/function of the harbour associated with the new docks, and the uncertainty of the use/sale of the grain terminals and water lots, there are a lot of “moving parts” that need to be better understood/considered before any other major work moves forward’
Comment
- New dock locations in the inner harbour are being provided, it is recognized, to address current low water levels
- It is understood that the new docks need not compromise proceeding at this time with a plan for the harbour as the docks are not permanent fixtures and their positioning can be adjusted as required at a future date to be consistent with the plan.
- It is unclear why uncertainty associated with sale of the terminal facility and water lots should delay planning for the harbour. The terminal facility and water lots are central in the plan area and will represent significant spatial components of the plan.
- Again by definition the harbour area plan will provide direction for future use and activity in the plan area. The plan should precede disposal of any assets in the harbour area in order to ensure consistency of such actions with the direction determined by the plan for the harbour. The risk in proceeding at this time with any asset disposition will be a compromising of future opportunities in the harbour area.
- ... again, the tail is wagging the dog ...
I expect that reports to council are advising of stakeholder comments and would hope that the above thoughts might be included in a future update of council.
I would be happy to discuss further with you.
Jim Gosnell
Collingwood