At last night’s Special Planning and Development Council meeting, staff presented reports that will help give shape to the Midtown Oakville Strategy — a comprehensive plan that looks at the area bounded by the QEW to the north, Cornwall Road to the south, Chartwell Road to the east, and Sixteen Mile Creek valley to the west.
One of the Midtown Oakville Strategies was to complete a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) to confirm the significant transportation and stormwater network improvements that would be required to support growth in Midtown. The staff report highlighted the following recommendations from the Environmental Study Report:
- Improvements to transportation/roads to, from and around Midtown for cyclists, pedestrians, motorists and transit
- Improvements to Iroquois Shore Road
- Improvements to the Royal Windsor Drive interchange
- Improvements for active transportation and pedestrian crossings
- Improvements to stormwater management
The Environmental Study Report will be available for public review for 30 days, from June 5-July 4, 2014 at the Oakville Public Library Central Branch, Halton Region, and at Town Hall at ServiceOakville, in the Clerks, Planning and Engineering and Construction departments as well as online at oakville.ca
Council also received an update on the overall Midtown Strategy and two other studies — the Parking Study and the Urban Design Study. These background studies and the EA will inform updates to the proposed Livable Oakville and Zoning By-law 2014-014 that support the long-term redevelopment of Midtown.
The draft official plan amendment to Livable Oakville includes modifications to the text and schedules and implements recommendations from the recent environmental assessment, parking and urban design studies.
Midtown Oakville facing WestMidtown Oakville facing West
The draft amendment to Zoning By-law 2014-014 introduces new zoning for all Midtown lands. It includes new use permissions, regulations and parking requirements, as well as holding provisions – criteria that limit redevelopment until certain conditions are met – all of which implement the policies and direction of Livable Oakville.
Consultation with stakeholders and the public regarding the proposed implementation of Midtown Oakville, which includes the draft official plan and zoning by-law amendments, will be held over the next few months. An open house will be held on June 11, 2014 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
Staff will report back later this year on associated projects, including a community improvement program, a municipal parking strategy, and incentive policies aimed at realizing the Midtown vision.
“Council’s vision for Midtown is a vibrant urban centre that enhances Oakville’s outstanding livability,” Mayor Rob Burton said.
“Council’s vision for Midtown is a vibrant urban centre that enhances Oakville’s outstanding livability,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “We’ll start to turn our Midtown vision into a reality by extensively consulting the public, the end result being highly reflective of Oakville residents’ input.”
Midtown has long been recognized for its redevelopment potential due its location, and the number of vacant or underutilized properties. In 2006, the Growth Plan identified Midtown Oakville as an Urban Growth Centre (UGC) and required the area to accommodate approximately 20,000 residents and jobs. Midtown Oakville has been planned for approximately 12,000 residents and 8,000 jobs. Currently, the area is home to approximately 831 residents (2011 Census) and 3,262 full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs (2013 Halton Region Employment Survey).
For more information on Midtown Oakville visit oakville.ca