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5 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M ay 30,2019 theifp.ca The Town of Halton Hills recently completed a Ma- ture Neighbourhood Study on the hamlet focused on preserving the town's char- acteristic appeal. "It really started with Georgetown and Acton," Steve Burke, manager of special projects and re- search for the Town of Hal- ton Hills, said. "There was a home on a smaller lot in a mature neighbourhood in Georgetown, and there was concern about the size and scale of the home relative to the lot." That concern triggered a mature neighbourhood character study for George- town and Acton. When some Glen Wil- liams residents expressed interest in a study of their own, the town explored op- tions. This year the town will review the hamlet's sec- ondary plan, but ultimately the town chose to conduct a separate study for Glen Wil- liams. Billed as one of Ontario's last remaining hamlets, the population of Glen Williams is capped at 2,600 residents. Founded in 1826 by Bene- jah Williams, the hamlet be- came the location of a saw- mill used to process timber from the surrounding area as it was cleared for farm- land. Mills played a major role in the hamlet's history, with a grist mill, and even- tually a woollen mill that operated from 1839 until 1980. Though no members of the original Williams family reside in Glen Williams, six properties - including the Williams Mill, and the Georgetown Electric Gener- ating Building - are desig- nated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Development of Glen Williams occurred over three distinct periods: From 1820 until 1945, from 1945 un- til 1990, and from 1990 to pre- sent. The first phase, is com- prised of homes built of wood or brick and stone, with feature gable roofs and windows with exterior shut- ters. The second phase, fol- lowing the Second World War and a housing shortage for returning veterans. Growth of Glen Williams was steady until 1990, with development slowing con- siderably. "The core has a historic feel," Steve Burke, manager of special projects and re- search for the Town of Hal- ton Hills, said, "with small lots and small houses. Fur- ther out, the lots get bigger and the houses a bit more modern. They want to maintain the existing char- acter of the hamlet." But Glen Williams' natu- ral and historical structures are only part of the charac- teristics residents said they valued in the hamlet. "When you look at how the hamlet was established, it was created as an all-in- one community," Elizabeth Bailey, a resident and mem- ber of the Glen Williams Community Association, said. "A lot of people who worked at the mills still live in the hamlet in their origi- nal homes." While people now are less likely to converse "over the garden fence" with their neighbours, Bailey writes an online newsletter for res- idents. "We're trying to keep that aspect of our life," Bailey said. "That's something Glen Williams is conscious of." ANALYSIS THE EVOLUTION OF A CHERISHED HALTON HILLS COMMUNITY BRYAN MYERS bmyers@metroland.com THE QUESTION: WHAT MAKES GLEN WILLIAMS SIGNIFICANT? THE CONCLUSION: A LONG HISTORY WITH WELL-MAINTAINED HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND MINDFUL DEVELOPMENT HAS ALLOWED THE HAMLET MAINTAIN ITS CHARACTERISTIC APPEAL STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With the completion of a "Mature Neighbourhood Study" reporter Bryan Myers was interested in learning more about the local history of Glen Williams. The Glen Williams Town Hall, one of the hamlets historic buildings. Bryan Myers/Torstar Weekend Savings Weekend Garden Sale, May 30th - June 2nd Store Hours Mon. - Fri. 8-9, Sat. 8-6, Sun. 9-5 Service HoursMon. - Fri. 7:30-9, Sat. 7:30-6, Sun. 9-5 Advertised items are available only at Georgetown canadian tire, 315 Guelph street Items may not be exactly as shown. We reserve the right to limit quantities. No Rain Checks. Make the Most of your backyard Fresh Shipment of Palms & Tropicals From$1999 33-2502x Assorted Perennials 1 Gallon From $899 33-4907 Fresh Shipment of 10" Boston Ferns 33-2605 4" Flowering Annuals Ass't Varieties From $299 33-3574 Emerald Cedars 7 Gallon Container Grown $2499 33-5602 GROW Your Own Vegetables, Fruits & Herbs Large in stock Selection Fresh Shipments! 10" & 12" Hanging Baskets Premium Mix From12" - Sale Price 10" - Sale Price $1299 33-3802 $1999 33-3807X $499 9 sq.ft. 33-4816 FRESH SOD Arrives Every Thurs & Sat! @CTGeorgetown $1699