The town has reached a settlement with Bronte Green over its development proposal for 1401 Bronte Road that includes significant concessions from Bronte Green to respond to concerns raised by the town and the public.
The revised plan represents a significant change from the original proposal for the property by protecting over 10 hectares of green space and addressing key environmental concerns over wildlife protection. This is 4.25 hectares more than the original plan. The settlement must still be approved by the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
“The settlement reflects Council’s commitment to protect environmentally sensitive lands across Oakville,” said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. “This was a victory for the town on every issue before the OMB. We have saved 80 per cent of the Merton Lands.”
The settlement permits Bronte Green to build a residential community with limited retail, and a mix of single family homes, townhouses and low-rise apartments located on Bronte Road. This proposed transit-friendly community will also include a school, parks and a trail system while preserving sensitive environmental lands that are critical habitat to endangered and other species of wildlife.
Bronte Green made significant changes to its original development proposal to reflect town and community concerns.
As a result of the settlement, Bronte Green will:
- Dedicate a significant parcel of land to enhance the woodlands.
- Create a high value habitat for species including snapping turtles.
- Increase the size of the buffer around the natural features from 10 metres to 30 metres in order to better protect the natural heritage system from the impacts of development and to reduce flood and erosion impacts.
- Construct storm water management systems which insure that there will be no additional risk of downstream flooding.
- Remove the vehicular bridge previously proposed over the Fourteen Mile Creek which posed a threat to endangered species of fish.
- Secure a permanent natural heritage linkage to Bronte Creek Provincial Park.
- Reserve an elementary school site adjacent to a centrally located neighbourhood park.
The settlement has been endorsed by the Region of Halton, Conservation Authority and the Halton District School Board.
The OMB began hearing evidence on the settlement on Monday, November 14, 2016 and will continue to hear from other parties and participants on scheduled dates over the next two weeks.