Five possible new urban growth scenarios for Halton Hills and Milton between 2021 and 2031 have been released by Halton Region- one calling for all the new residential growth in Milton and the others proposing an increase in the population of Halton Hills by 20,000 to 40,000 people. The five concepts have been whittled down from nine, and in the coming months the public, municipalities, school boards and conservation authorities will all have a chance to weigh in on them. The scenarios are part of the planning exercise being undertaken by Halton Region known as the Sustainable Halton Plan. The Plan is to respond to provincial legislation, which has targeted Halton to grow to 650,000 people by 2021, and 780,000 people by 2031. With no new urban land available in Burlington or Oakville beyond 2021, Milton and Halton Hills are in line to absorb the growth. The five concepts are:
1. Milton-Centred
All of the new mixed-use/residential development area is located in Milton
2a and 2b-Milton-Georgetown (Low)
In the 2a scenario, the new urban area would be south of 10 Sideroad between Eighth Line to a point between Tenth Line and Winston Churchill Blvd. To the south the proposed new area for development doesn't extend quite halfway to Five Sideroad. In the 2b concept, the new area for development in Georgetown is located west of Eighth Line, between 10 and 15 Sideroads. On the west side, some of the growth extends slightly west of Trafalgar Rd.
3a and 3b-Milton-Georgetown (High)
A population of approximately 20,000 people in two potential configurations in Georgetown with the remaining mixed-use/residential lands located in Milton. In the 2a scenario, the new urban area would be south of 10 Sideroad between Eighth Line to a point between Tenth Line and Winston Churchill Blvd. To the south the proposed new area for development doesn't extend quite halfway to Five Sideroad. In the 2b concept, the new area for development in Georgetown is located west of Eighth Line, between 10 and 15 Sideroads. On the west side, some of the growth extends slightly west of Trafalgar Rd.
3a and 3b-Milton-Georgetown (High)
A population of about 40,000 people is accommodated in Georgetown in two potential configurations with a smaller amount of remaining mixed-use/residential land in Milton. In the 3a concept, new mixed-use residential area is located between Eighth Line and Trafalgar Rd. and 15 Sideroad and 10 Sideroad. The new urban area spans between Trafalgar Rd. to the west, Ninth Line to the east, 10 Sideroad to the north and Five Sideroad to the south. In the 3b scenario the area for growth is located north of 10 Sideroad south of 15 Sideroad between Eighth Line and slightly west of Trafalgar Rd. and south of 10 Sideroad between Winston Churchill Blvd. and a point east of Trafalgar Rd. Each one of the five concepts includes new potential employment lands along Hwy. 401, in Halton Hills the lands are on the north side of Steeles Ave. between Sixth Line South and Winston Churchill Blvd. The concepts aren't set in stone but are intended "to create a dialogue around compare and contrast scenarios," said Mary Lou Tanner, the Region's Director of Planning and Transportation in a report that was before the Planning and Public Works Committee meeting Wednesday afternoon. Gary Gregoris, vice-president of Mattamy Homes, raised concerns about a "lack of transparency" in the Sustainable Halton process and the fact there wouldn't be public consultation again until the final growth option is released. In response to Gergoris' concerns, committee supported an amendment put forward by Oakville Councillor Tom Adams to include the public in the consultation stage on the five current options. Public meetings are expected to be held in September. "It's pertinent we do have the public meetings," said Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette. He added, however, there would have been an opportunity for public input through local council consultation on the options. Committee also agreed to add developer's liaison committees to the list of those requested to provide comments on the five refined concepts. Committee also endorsed in principle the evaluation framework to be applied to the five concepts. The framework focuses on four themes: protect what is valuable, foster complete, healthy and sustainable communities, ensure sustainable infrastructure to support growth and promote health for all. After the consultation on the five concepts is complete, Region staff is to report to Regional Council on Oct. 22 and a short list of options will be developed and evaluated. A final preferred growth option is to be released early next year.
