West Arthur (Parkdale) Secondary Plan and Master Plan

About the West Arthur (Parkdale) Secondary Plan and Master Plan

The City of Thunder Bay has retained Stantec Consulting Ltd. to undertake a Secondary Plan and Master Plan Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) Study for the West Arthur (formerly Parkdale) lands in the City of Thunder Bay. The Secondary Plan and Master Plan will provide a framework for future funding, cost recovery, land use, density, servicing, transportation and environmental protection to guide the potential future development and the extension of existing infrastructure in the West Arthur area. The Study will review existing conditions and provide recommendations for future land use and the protection of sensitive natural heritage features and wetlands.

It is the intent of the West Arthur Secondary Plan and MCEA Study to result in a framework that will guide the future development and expansion of infrastructure in the Study Area. Specifically, the goals of the Study are to:

1. Provide a framework for development that is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and the Northern Growth Plan
2. Develop policies that support a land use pattern that achieves density targets, promotes a mix and range of housing forms and protects sensitive natural heritage features and wetlands
3. Recommend a funding strategy and to develop a method of cost recovery to recuperate the public funds required to fund and/or oversize the required infrastructure
4. Satisfy the requirements of the Planning Act and the Environmental Assessment Act

How is this Study being undertaken?

The West Arthur Secondary Plan and Master Plan Study is being undertaken as part of an integrated approach so that it integrates and streamlines the various processes, and satisfies the requirements of both the Planning Act and the Environmental Assessment Act. This project is being undertaken as part of a Four-Stage approach. The Stages are broken down into Background Assessment, Analysis of Alternatives, Creation of Preferred Land Use and Road Plan, and finally the creation of the Secondary Plan and financial strategy.

Where is the Study Area?

The Study Area for this project is located at the southwestern limit of the City’s urban settlement area commonly known as the West Arthur (formerly Parkdale) area. It includes all the lands north of Arthur Street, west of Highway 61, south of Highway 11/17, and east of Mapleward Road, and includes approximately 1220 hectares of land.

How can I participate in this Study?

The City encourages the public to participate in the Study planning process and learn more about the Study by:

• Contacting our project team to receive project notices
• Attending a future upcoming open house. Please check back, more information will be posted as it approaches.
• Watch a video on the West Arthur Secondary Plan and MCEA Study(External link)

Study Updates

November 2024: General Project Update

Phase 2 of this project is well underway and nearing completion. This phase has consisted of a Natural Environment Technical Field Program and Report, a Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment for the entire project area; developing the Secondary Plan Land Use Options, conducting targeted agency and stakeholder sessions, advancing the Environmental Assessment (EA) Process, and preparing a draft preferred Land Use plan.

Phase 3 is now underway and will consist of the Secondary Plan serviceability study (evaluating municipal servicing requirements, including watermain, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and stormwater management), transportation impact study, and the continuation of the EA process. The first Public Information Centre (PIC #1) will also be hosted as part of Phase 3. There will be more information posted regarding the PIC#1 in the coming months, including notices sent out to those on the distribution list. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please reach out to the Project Team.

December 2023: Phase 1 Completion & Project Name Change

Phase 1 of the West Arthur (formerly Parkdale) Secondary Plan & Master Plan has now been completed. Phase 1 of the SPMP study consisted of Background Research and completion of Public Consultation, where 138 survey respondents provided the Project Team with 957 comments for consideration, that led to the creation of a Phase 1 Existing Conditions Background Report and Consultation Summary. A copy of the Phase 1 Reports are now available under the “Documents” section of this page for the public’s information. In response to frequently asked questions received during Phase 1 of the project, the Project Team has also included a ‘FAQ’ section which will be regularly updated throughout the project.

The project has also undergone a name change as a result of Phase 1 Consultation feedback. The original name of the project (Parkdale) stems from the name of the 1980 Draft Plan of Subdivision for the area. Over the past 40 years, the area has slowly developed, with the most recent subdivision known as the Parkdale Estates Subdivision. To avoid confusion with and differentiate from the Parkdale Estates Subdivision, the Project Team decided to change the official project name to the City of Thunder Bay West Arthur Secondary Plan & Master Plan project.

Next steps of the project will focus on understanding the opportunities and constraints associated with the Study Area, which will further guide the creation of preliminary land use options and transportation solutions for the Study Area. Additional direct agency and stakeholder engagement will be included as part of Phase 2.

May 2023: Online Survey Completion

Thank you for your interest in this project and thank you to all who participated in our survey April 6 - 30, 2023.

The project team will be reviewing the survey results to help inform the next stage of this project, which includes creating conceptual plans for different land uses, road layouts, and development concepts. Future stages will also include our first in-person Public Open House to present development concepts, the survey results, and the information the Project Team has gathered to date. Information about the Open House will be posted online here, please check back.

If you haven’t completed the survey, but would still like to receive project notices directly, please contact one of the Project Team members.