Developing Vaughan’s downtown core
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VMC Sub-Committee reviews
city-building initiatives and programs
The Vaughan
Metropolitan Centre (VMC) continues to transform. More than a decade into its
evolution, Vaughan’s downtown core is rising with key city-building projects in
the works, public engagement opportunities underway and new community amenities
opening for use. The City of Vaughan is committed to ensuring that the downtown
is developed as a complete community with a mix of uses that are transit
supportive and pedestrian friendly, in addition to offering a high quality of
life and environmentally sustainable design approaches.
To help
guide growth, communicate initiatives and ensure municipal policies and
planning requirements are met, the City’s VMC Sub-Committee met earlier this week.
The following items were discussed:
VMC
PARKS AND WAYFINDING MASTER PLAN UPDATE – ADVANCED SIGNAGE
The purpose of the VMC
Parks and Wayfinding Master Plan is to guide the timely development of parks
and open space in the downtown core. It will inform the VMC Secondary Plan
Update, and describe how the City can enhance natural features, provide park
facilities and increase the area’s vibrancy. A comprehensive signage and
wayfinding system will also be incorporated to assist residents and visitors
while moving through the VMC, in addition to ensuring key destinations and
institutions in the area are easy to find. As the study continues, updates on
the plan’s progress and implementation will be provided, as well as the installation
of a pilot project for the advanced signage network in the fall. Learn more in
the VMC Sub-Committee
Report.
VMC
SECONDARY PLAN UPDATE – PHASE 2 LAND USE OPTIONS
A secondary plan defines the elements
needed for successful community building, including new roads; bike paths; pedestrian walkways; new
open spaces and parks; land use, height and density permissions; and key
infrastructure requirements.
While the City’s current VMC Secondary Plan provides a strong vision and
framework for growth, an update is needed to reflect new provincial and regional policies, to respond to the community’s rapid
growth, and to execute Council’s vision for a vibrant and balanced downtown. Through multiple public engagement opportunities, the City
collected key messages and has now developed preliminary land use options for
consideration. The goal is to achieve a downtown and central business district
as a complete community that is well supported by municipal services and social
infrastructure. View the information in the
VMC Sub-Committee Report.
DEVELOPMENT
OF A CULTURAL AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE IN THE VMC – PHASE 2
A Cultural Arts Centre
is envisioned as a fundamental component of the VMC. Cultural hubs are
amenities that create community, social and economic benefits, including
city-building and placemaking; investment attraction; job creation; tourism
attraction; academic and social innovations; and civic pride. Under phase one
of the City’s review, a feasibility study was initiated to assess market
demand, community needs, development concepts and more. As phase two is
underway, the focus is on selecting a site, creating an implementation strategy,
conducting further public consultations and establishing an advisory group
before recommendations are finalized. Read the full update in the VMC Sub-Committee
Report.
All committee
meetings held are open to the public in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001 and streamed live at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil. Meetings are posted
within the Council and Committee meeting calendar, available at vaughan.ca/CouncilMeetings.
Chaired
by Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, the VMC Sub-Committee is comprised of Members of
Council and City staff – including the City Manager, the Deputy City Manager of
Planning and Growth Management and the VMC program team. The committee’s
mandate – which is outlined in the Vaughan Metropolitan
Centre Sub-Committee Terms of Reference (PDF) – will run throughout the 2018-2022 term
of Council.
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