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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, July 7, 2016 | 12 Give input on Ontario plan to boost growth targets The Province of Ontario is inviting residents to weigh in on proposed changes to land use plans, which would see density targets increased in some areas. Attend tonight The public open house will take place tonight (July 7) at Oakville's Town Hall and run from 5-8 p.m. No registration is required. Ministry staff will answer resident questions about proposed changes to four provincial land use plans including the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Greenbelt Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan. These four plans work together to manage growth, build complete communities, curb sprawl and protect the natural environment. "As a municipality, our ability to control and protect green space is determined by the provincial requirements and growth targets," said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "It's critical that residents come out to provide input and learn about potential changes to those requirements." Town staff said Oakville currently meets provincial requirements and growth targets through its Livable Oakville Official Plan, which sets out the mix of residential, employment, recreational, natural and cultural land uses necessary to create a livable and sustainable community. The Province initiated a co-ordinated review of its four plans in 2015 with extensive input from the public, stakeholders, indigenous communities, and an expert advisory panel. As a result, the Province is recommending numerous changes to its plans. Proposed changes include: · Providing more guidance on achieving complete communities and requiring municipalities to plan for sustainable and livable communities; · Increasing the intensification target in the Growth Plan to a minimum of 60 per cent of all new residential development occurring annually in the existing built-up area; · Increasing the designated greenfield area density target in the Growth Plan to a minimum of 80 residents and jobs per hectare (excluding certain non-developable natural heritage features, such as wetlands and woodlands, rights of way for certain infrastructure and prime employment areas); · Requiring municipalities to plan for density targets around major transit stations; · Supporting the development of community hubs by encouraging public services to be located together in existing facilities near strategic growth areas, accessible by active transportation and transit; · Establishing stronger environmental, agricultural and planning criteria in the Growth Plan for settlement area boundary expansions; · Requiring municipalities to identify and protect prime employment areas; · Requiring the Province, through direction in the Growth Plan, to establish a standard methodology used by all municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe for assessing land needs. Provide comments in writing Residents unable to attend the open house can submit their concerns and questions about the proposed changes in writing by Sept. 30. For more information, visit www.mah.gov. on.ca. are simply a good idea. Leaky Basement? Call Us! · Crack k Injection nje Repair Specialist · Wise Dry Interior Drain Systems · Lifetime Fully Transferrable Warranty · Masonry/Parging Repairs · Designed to provide support to the veins in your legs · Encourage blood flow · Improve PERFORMANCE · Aid in RECOVERY Call Us... 905-510-9739 Oakville Burlington 380 Dundas St. E. 3350 Fairview St. T: 905.257.4335 T: 905.637.4335 Professional, Cost E ective Solutions for Wet wayne@wisecracks.com Basements w w w. H a l t o n Wi s e C ra c k s. co m Impression Collection® doors have been magnificently engineered with an artfully molded wood-grain fiberglass surface concealing durable steel construction. Overhead Door (Hamilton-Burlington) Ltd. Impression Collection Showroom: 5450 HARVESTER RD. (West of Burloak) BURLINGTON 905-333-1772 · www.overheaddoorburlington.ca 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville · 905-257-5880 905-257-5880 maximekitchens.ca maximekitchens.ca R0063759717 Compression soCks