The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday October 4, 2006 - 3 Mayoral candidates respond to growth question During the 2006 municipal election The Oakville Beaver will be posing questions to the Mayoral candidates on a weekly basis. The candidates' responses to these questions will be printed in the Wednesday edition of the Oakville Beaver from Oct. 4- Nov. 8. This week, the candidates were asked: In its Places to Grow document the Ontario Provincial Government has set out a plan to limit urban sprawl and greenfield development by requiring 40 per cent of growth to occur in the existing urban boundary. How would you achieve this target without sacrificing the quality of life of residents in existing neighbourhoods? Ann Mulvale As a participant on the Smart Growth Panel, re-branded: Places to Grow, I recognized early the exposure of our neighbourhoods and began lobbying the Province, GO Transit and other agencies for a partnerAnn Mulvale ship approach to the Mid-Town Core section at the Speers/Cornwall/Cross Avenue/GO Transit station, to have it identified as an infill growth area. Understanding the ability of the province to set growth targets, I first focused on where it would occur and then how. My priority continues to be a Memorandum of Understanding on the Mid-Town Core and infill development. This agreement would provide us sustainable local choice as long as we meet provincial targets. Changes in provincial legislation to provide municipalies more power on Committee of Adjustment, Site Plan matters, severances within the development process and a definition of when lots can be cleared for construction etc., are essential and I will lead the fight for them. Rob Burton The Act provides flexibility to meet local conditions. It says growth targets can be changed to provide more protection to the natural environment or human health. Local growth plans will be a process of negotia- Rob Burton tion, not coercion, based on Official Plans. The stronger ours is, the stronger will be our negotiating position. Unfortunately, Oakville's Official Plan is a mess, with loopholes, contradictions, omissions and even unauthorized sections. Sensibly, the 40 per cent of growth in "built-up areas" is not required to be met until 2015. Then, if Oakville grows, 40 per cent must occur within the "built-up area." This area is to be identified by municipalities. We can decide for ourselves how to control growth in Oakville. The Province's plan identifies growth targets only for Halton ­ not Oakville. As mayor, I will ensure growth only occurs in places where it will cause no harm, based on Chris Stoate We need to make it a fundamental principle that the sanctity of existing neighbourhoods be respected, by taking proactive steps, not by fighting rearguard actions. As a resident and during my time on Council I Chris Stoate have often witnessed the dismay of residents when they are confronted by proposed developments which are contrary to their expectations about the kind of neighbourhood they live in. The result is adversarial meetings, division, expensive Ontario Municipal Board hearings, and frequently disappointing outcomes which neither meet the residents' needs nor display any innovation or vision. This new provincial legislation will make this a more frequent occurrence unless we change the game. We can take steps to gain control of our future. I have already initiated an Oakville driven renewed focus on changing the rules at the Ontario Municipal Board. This, along with urgent Official Plan review, will put us on a Janice Wright According to the most recent direction from the Province, 60 per cent of the growth planned for Oakville is to occur in newer areas of the Town, the remaining 40 per cent must occur in Janice Wright existing urban areas. Oakville has already identified areas in town that can accommodate this growth, i.e. the Midtown and Uptown Core. Too much time has been lost, and the delay in acting on the Town's Official Plan Review has been costly. Our Official Plan must clearly stipulate areas for growth and specify the type and form of housing that we want. Many residents feel threatened by the uncertainty of new growth, and as a resident of Oakville I understand their concerns. We need to create sound, defensible plans and policies that will support decisions made in Oakville. People need assurance that the services they want and need will not be compromised by growth. Quality of life is not just bricks and mor See Ann Mulvale page 4 See Rob Burton page 4 See Chris Stoate page 4 See Janice Wright page 4 SAVE UP TO OVER 50% ON ANY STOCK POOL OR SPA AND HAVE IT INSTALLED NOW OR IN THE SPRING ABSOLUTELY FREE!! SAFETY COVER SALE! * FREE INSTALLATION * FREE POOL CLOSING PLUS FOR A LIMITED TIME * NO INTEREST * NO PAYMENTS 'TIL SPRING 2007 (O.A.C.) $.09/litre refill LIMITED QUANTITIES ON SOME ITEMS