Council Highlights - Town of Whitby

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS June 26, 2018 Beautifying Downtown Whitby

This fall, through funding provided under the province’s Main Street Revitalization Initiative, the Town will install new LED, energy efficient lighting on more than 40 trees in Downtown Whitby. The lights are part of the Town’s continued efforts to create a more walkable, welcoming and vibrant downtown. The lights are expected to be installed this fall. Also under the program, a new green noise barrier made up of trees will be installed at Celebration Square.

Report PW 24-18: Downtown Tree Lighting Active Transportation Plan Study Moves Ahead

The Town’s Active Transportation Plan Study continues to move forward and is focused on increasing, improving, and creating safer active transportation opportunities, such as walking and cycling, within the community. Based on feedback collected through an online survey and a community open house, specific options and opportunities for improving the Town’s active transportation network, including proposed routes and infrastructure options (ex. bike lanes and multi-use trails) are being identified and refined. The new plan is expected to be brought forward for Council approval in the spring of 2019. For more information, visit whitby.ca/active-transportation-plan-study.

New Plan Aims to Spur Downtown Development

Town Council has approved a new Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for Downtown Whitby aimed at supporting local businesses and stimulating new investment in the area. CIPs allow municipalities to establish grants, loans, incentives and other programs to encourage private sector investment in development and renovation efforts that seek to improve and revitalize areas or achieve local goals and priorities. The Town’s new CIP includes six incentive programs: a Development Charge Reduction; Cash-in-Lieu of Parking; a Tax Increment Equivalent Grant; a Façade Improvement and Design Grant; a Sign Grant; and, an Interior Heritage Building Grant. Funding under the new programs is planned to be made available to the business community this summer. For more information, visit whitby.ca/community-improvement-plan.

Report PL 44-18: Downtown Whitby Community Improvement Plan

Report PW 25-18: Active Transportation Plan Study - Status Update

Agendas, staff reports and minutes related to Council Meetings are available at whitby.civicweb.net Page 1

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS June 26, 2018 Creating a More Connected Whitby

Three new sidewalk and multi-use path construction projects will be undertaken by the Town this year to help improve pedestrian safety and active transportation. A new 900-metre stretch of sidewalk will be constructed along the east side of Baldwin Street, from Canary Street to the northern end of the Whitby Hydro Transformer Station. This project will connect the active transportation network between Whitby and Brooklin and provide a complete north-south pedestrian connection along Baldwin Street between Taunton Road and Winchester Road. As part of the Town’s Cycling and Leisure Trails Plan, a new 1.6 kilometre multi-use path will be constructed along the south side of Victoria Street from Seaboard Gate to Brock Street. The third project is a new 200-metre multi-use path along the west side of Henry Street from Victoria Street to the Iroquois Park Sports Centre entrance. Construction is expected to begin mid-July and be completed this fall.

Report CS 38-18: T-41-2018, Multi-Use Path and Temporary Sidewalk Construction Town Donates Land to Create New Residential Hospice

A new 10-bed residential hospice and Palliative Care Centre of Excellence is set to be developed in Whitby. Town Council has approved the donation of an approximately 3-acre parcel of land to Durham Region Hospice in support of this major project.

Residential hospices provide free, end-of-life care and support to terminally ill residents and their families in a homelike and welcoming environment. Currently, the only option for terminally ill residents living in Durham Region is to seek care in local hospitals or at home. Construction on the Whitby facility is expected to begin in late 2018. In 2016, through the Mayor’s Community Development Fund, the Town provided a grant of $25,000 to the Victorian Order of Nurses (Ontario Branch) to help build a residential hospice in Durham Region. The land now donated by the Town builds on that support.

Report CS 43-18: Declare Surplus Block K, Plan M1133, Crawforth Street and Prince of Wales Drive, for the purpose of a land donation to Durham Region Hospice Whitby Innovation Accelerator Continues to Move Forward

Landscaping for the new Whitby Innovation Accelerator, located in the former Provincial Land Registry Office at 400 Centre Street South, will begin this fall once the interior construction is completed. The landscaping will include accessible walkways, outdoor seating, shade trees, a shade structure and a walkway connection to the neighbouring Centennial Building. The new Whitby Innovation Accelerator is expected to open this fall.

Report CMS 37-18: Whitby Innovation HubAccelerator (Wi-HUB) Landscape Plan


COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS June 26, 2018 A New Master Plan for Cullen Central Park

A Master Plan for Cullen Central Park will be initiated in 2019. The park is home to an extensive trail system, the Park of Reflection recognizing Wounded Warriors, recreation areas, summer camps and more. The development of a Master Plan will look at each of these elements and how the park can continue to meet the needs of Whitby. It will also focus on accessibility, parking, play features, trails, signage and the ongoing protection of the park’s natural spaces. The development of the new Master Plan will involve extensive public engagement. More details on how the public can provide their feedback will be shared early next year.

Mayor Don Mitchell and Deputy Mayor/Regional Councillor Elizabeth Roy and Station Gallery Curator Olex Wlasenko recognized Callum Donovan-Grujicich for his recent achievement – the 2018 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards gold medal for his “Coin” sculpture. The award is given to young people across the arts internationally who have made outstanding work.

Report CMS 35-18: Cullen Central Park Master Plan Planning for the Future – Whitby Civic Centre

A Municipal Headquarters (Town Hall) Needs Assessment and Master Plan for the Whitby Civic Centre site are now underway. Whitby Civic Centre is approximately 13 acres and includes the current Town Hall, Civic Centre Park and the Whitby Civic Recreation Complex. Two design concept options for the Centre have been developed for consideration. A decision on which design option to continue with and explore further is expected to be made in 2019, following stakeholder and public consultation.

Report CAO 10-18: Whitby Civic Centre Project – Municipal Headquarters Needs Assessment and Master Plan - Phase 1 and 2

Mayor Don Mitchell and Regional Councillor Derrick Gleed recognized the elementary and pre-novice Whitby Synchronized Skating teams for their recent achievements. The elementary team won a gold medal at Synchro Capers. The pre-novice team won a silver medal at Synchro Capers and March Mania and 3rd place in the Province (Regionals). Council Highlights provides a snapshot of Town programs, projects and initiatives addressed at Council meetings.
