July 2019 Town Update is provided by Ward 3 Regional & Town Councillor Dave Gittings and Town Councillor Janet Haslett-Theall.
July 2019 Town Update Topics
- Vacant Home Bylaw
- Downtown Oakville Status
- Road Resurfacing
- Budget 2020
- New Public Library Program Registration
- Provincial Planning Policy
Vacant Homes Bylaw July 31st 6:30 - 8 pm Town Hall
We need your input! Join us at our open house
Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 6:30–8 p.m.
Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road
Bronte Room
The Town of Oakville is proposing to implement a vacant property registry by-law. If you are the owner of a vacant property you will be required to register your property with the town under the proposed new by-law. Municipal enforcement staff will be proactively monitoring properties that appear vacant.The Town of Oakville is proposing to implement a vacant property registry by-law. If you are the owner of a vacant property you will be required to register your property with the town under the proposed new by-law. Municipal enforcement staff will be proactively monitoring properties that appear vacant.
A draft by-law was presented to Council at the Planning and Development Council meeting on June 10. Council directed staff to gather further public input and present a new proposed by-law in September.
Why a Vacant Property Registry By-law?
Vacant and unoccupied buildings that are not maintained can become infested with pests, attract trespassers, and have negative impacts on property values. Although the town’s Property Standards By-law addresses some of the issues that vacant properties present, other issues such as ensuring buildings are regularly inspected and have sufficient insurance need to be addressed. We want to ensure that the bylaw appropriately addresses resident concerns.
We would appreciate your feedback at the open house or via email directly to us at [email protected]
What's Happening Downtown?
It was great for us to meet and have a chance to speak with so many friends and residents at Downtown Oakville’s recent Midnight Madness event. The rebuilding of the western half of Lakeshore Downtown is now at the halfway point, and more than ever, our Downtown BIA and shopkeepers appreciate your ongoing support.Their goal is to provide a great in-store experience to make up for the construction.
Get to know your local store owners, check them out online and pop in to check out their merchandise or experience their services. It is never too early to shop for a birthday or a holiday.
Downtown continues to offer great events Thurs to Sunday: Movies, Music, Yoga, Martial Arts and more. View the full event Schedule
For detailed information on downtown construction, please visit, downtowns' rebuilding.
Throughout the Town you see lots of Road construction happening. We often get questions regarding when a road will get repaved and/or concerns with the noise and congestion it causes. Road work disrupts a peaceful summer day but it also ensures our cars do not suffer damage from potholes, extends the life of the road, preventing the need for full rebuilding of the road and replaces sidewalks that have lifted which impacts safety.
Should you have concerns with the work, Service Oakville will open a case and a member of the Road Engineering team will follow up. As always, if you ask that they copy your Councillors we will get an email notifying us. Should your road be under repair and you have accessibility needs, please let Service Oakville who will advise the site Engineer.
NOTE: If you have installed sprinklers on the municipal right of way ( which can be a foot or more past your sidewalk closer to your home) the Town does not replace them. If the water line is in the path of the Cable companies that are putting in new fibre optic it may also get damaged. We know this is frustrating so we encourage you to not install these in the Municipal Right of Way.
On July 9 the Budget Committee met and received several reports from the Finance Commission. Based on the direction of an increase at or below inflation Town staff will work over the next few months to actualize opportunities for efficiencies and savings. The following dates are now set for the budget approval process.On July 9 the Budget Committee met and received several reports from the Finance Commission. Based on the direction of an increase at or below inflation Town staff will work over the next few months to actualize opportunities for efficiencies and savings. The following dates are now set for the budget approval process.
- November 19, 2019 — release of the 2020 budget documents which includes an overview of the operating and capital budgets.
- November 21, 2019 — commissioner presentations to review program budgets in more details. Two meeting dates have been set aside for public delegations.
- December 10, 2019 — Budget Committee deliberations.
- December 16, 2019 — final 2020 Budget goes to Town Council for approval.
New Public Library Program Registration
Starting Aug. 1, OPL has a new registration system for their programs directly on their website. The goal is to make it easier than ever to browse and register for library programs and events.
New features include the ability to filter the calendar of programs and events, according to particular preferences such as branch location, dates, age group and event type. Residents can manage their registrations online and can sign up to be notified by email for program cancellations or openings in wait-listed programs.
With this new system in place, online registration for upcoming fall library programs will only be available through opl.ca.
Registration for library programs and events that occur before Aug. 31 will still be done through the Town of Oakville website. Residents who require assistance with the registration process can call or visit any branch during opening hours.
Along with online program registration, OPL will also introduce online room booking starting Aug. 1. With this new system in place, residents can easily request to rent a meeting or event room at the library through its website.
Proposed Changes to Provincial Planning Policy
Municipalities are required to conform to the Provincial Planning Policies for their Official Plans. When reviewing a development application, compliance with the intent of the Provincial Planning Policy is always evaluated. Therefore, when the Province seeks to change the Provincial Planning Statement we need to understand how those changes can impact our own Official Plan. Town and Regional Planners are evaluating the proposed changes and will report to Council this fall.
For an explanation of the relationship of the Provincial Policy Statement to the Planning Act and the Growth Plan please visit this link: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page215.aspx