Urban Design Guidelines - Employment Areas - Town of Ajax

2.0 Guiding Principles2.1 Official PlanThe Town of Ajax Official Plan provides the broadpolicy context for land use change. The Town isexpecting to accommodate 120,000 residents by theyear 2021. It is recognized that employment areasare important to the economic health and quality oflife of Ajax, and sufficient employment land has beenset aside to ensure an appropriate balance betweenemployment and housing.Policies of the Official Plan that are relevant toemployment areas include the following objectives:• Establish comprehensive urban designguidelines that will ensure and provide for arange of safe, functional and attractiveemployment areas.• Strengthen the economic base by increasing jobopportunities and expanding the assessmentbase.• Ensure the development of a variety ofemployment areas that provide a range ofemployment opportunities.• Ensure that sufficient employment opportunitiesexist to accommodate future growth at a Townwideactivity rate of at least 1 job for every 2residents.• Ensure that a sufficient supply of employmentgenerating lands is designated and that theselands can be appropriately serviced.• Provide locations in employment areas forcommunity facilities that are visible andaccessible to residents• Promote the establishment of business parks.• Protect and enhance the natural heritagesystem.• Enhance the Downtown Central Area as aunique area within the Town.• Establish an interpretive trail system comprisinglinked and interconnected environmental andrecreational features.6