Downtown Whitby Action Plan
Inspire Change- Let’s Make Downtown Whitby a Destination Together!
Vision Statement
The proposed Vision for the Downtown Whitby Action Plan is:
“To create a vibrant, viable, innovative and walkable urban destination that offers unique opportunities and
experiences for people to live, work, shop, play and connect.”
Do you agree with the proposed Vision Statement? What is your Vision Statement for the Downtown Whitby
Action Plan?
The framework on page 2 to 5 lays a foundation to strengthen and enhance Downtown Whitby moving forward. The
framework includes a set of 4 Objectives to be implemented through a number of action items.
All comments and rankings should be returned by August 5th 2016 to:
Christy Chrus, Principal Planner, Downtowns & Cultural Heritage
Whitby Town Hall, 575 Rossland Road East
Email: [email protected] • Phone: 905-430-4306
Page 1 of 5
Thinking of the Downtown Whitby you envision, which action items in Objective #1 are of the greatest priority to
you? Please rank each action item on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 being of the greatest importance and 7 being of the
least importance.
Objective # 1: Enable new opportunities for a prosperous and innovative Downtown
Priority
Ranking
1.1 Update the Downtown Whitby Community Improvement Plan (CIP) with improved financial incentives
for development and redevelopment projects and review/update boundaries of the CIP.
1.2 Update the Economic Development Strategy for Downtown Whitby in order to better attract and retain
desired types of business development (i.e. innovative sector).
1.3 Work towards the redevelopment of 201 Brock Street South (the Old Fire Hall site) into a mixed used,
pedestrian friendly development.
1.4 Update the Downtown Whitby Secondary Plan through a review of land uses, the identification of
intensification areas, the provision of urban design guidelines and a review of transportation needs.
1.5 Review the Town’s real estate assets, gaps and opportunities to improve assets in the downtown (i.e.
community facilities, parking, parks etc.) and create a strategy to manage, grow and develop the assets
moving forward.
1.6 Streamline the development review process for Planning and Development applications (i.e. delegate
the Site Plan application review process from Council to the Planning Department).
1.7 Review servicing requirements to ensure that current and future development sites have appropriate
infrastructure (i.e. parking, servicing, stormwater management).
Are there any other action items you would like included to implement objective# 1?
Page 2 of 5
Thinking of the Downtown Whitby you envision- what action items in Objective #2 are of the greatest priority to
you? Please rank each action item on a scale of 1 to 6, with 1 being the greatest importance and 6 being of the
least importance.
Objective # 2: Create Downtown Whitby as a walkable pedestrian-focused destination
Priority
Ranking
2.1 Review current and future municipal and private parking demands in Downtown Whitby and develop a
Downtown Parking Master Plan to meet these demands
2.2 Develop a streetscape improvement master plan focused on road, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings
and street furniture design improvements, as well as, tree, lighting, cycling and signage in Downtown
Whitby, particularly along the Brock Street and Dundas Streets.
2.3 Conduct a Downtown Traffic Operations Study to review and improve the movement and flow of traffic
through downtown.
2.4 Review services (i.e.: snow and waste collection) in Downtown Whitby in order to implement
improvements and efficiencies.
2.5 Work with Downtown Whitby business and property owners to create accessible entrances to their
building.
2.6 Evaluate the urban forest canopy and natural environment to better understand the most appropriate
tree species and landscape material suited for Downtown Whitby and the most optimal planting locations.
Are there any other action items you would like included to implement objective#2?
Page 3 of 5
Thinking of the Downtown Whitby you envision- what action items in Objective #3 are of the greatest priority to
you? Please rank each action item on a scale of 1 to 6, with 1 being the greatest importance and 6 being of the
least importance.
Objective # 3: Inspire and enhance cultural life
Priority
Ranking
3.1 Continue working on creating a Heritage Conservation District Plan for Perry’s Plan and the Four
Corners.
3.2 Review opportunities to animate and create a ‘people place’ at Celebration Square at the Whitby
Public Library.
3.3 Develop a Cultural Plan for Downtown Whitby.
3.4 Develop a streamlined and pre-packaged event policy with special consideration for road closures,
fee schedules, and licencing requirements for downtown events (both Town run events and private
requests for events).
3.5 Update the public art policy and develop a municipal policy to acquire, fund and promote public art at
key locations within the municipality including Downtown Whitby.
3.6 Collaborate with Downtown Whitby businesses and property owners on pilot projects to test the
market for creative ideas and proposals (i.e. sidewalk cafes, pop-up shops, incubator spaces).
Are there any other action items you would like included to implement objective# 3?
Page 4 of 5
Thinking of the Downtown Whitby you envision- what action items in Objective #4 are of the greatest priority to
you? Please rank each action item on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the greatest importance and 5 being of the
least importance.
Objective # 4: Cultivate downtown connections and promotion
Priority
Ranking
4.1 Review and establish Downtown Whitby boundaries and identify and brand areas/ districts within the
boundaries (i.e. Four Corners, Werden’s Plan, Perry’s Plan, innovation district, etc.).
4.2 Support and enable the establishment of a Downtown Whitby Business Improvement Area (BIA) or
similar type of business model to support downtown initiatives, events and activities.
3.3 Establish key locations for gateway features into the downtown and work towards creative designs to
welcome people to the area.
4.4 Enable opportunities to develop Wi-Fi in Downtown Whitby.
4.5 Enhance storefront signage by updating the Town’s sign by-law, providing design guidance and
financial incentives.
Are there any other action items you would like included to implement objective# 4?
All comments and rankings should be returned by August 5th 2016 to:
Christy Chrus, Principal Planner, Downtowns & Cultural Heritage
Whitby Town Hall, 575 Rossland Road East
Email: [email protected] • Phone: 905-430-4306
Page 5 of 5