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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2022 AUTOPRO OAKVILLE 2212 Wyecroft Road, Oakville 905-469-2442 info@autoprooakville.com 1995 -2021 ent, ything ou need One Desjardins Agent,Agent, everythingeverythingeverything you needneed 100 Bronte Road #215 3390 Fox Run Circle Just Listed Just Listed Regional council is poised to make a major decision that will shape how and where Halton grows for decades to come. Local politicians will soon con- sider a preferred growth concept put forth by staff that, as it cur- rently stands, calls for an expan- sion of the urban boundary to ac- commodate housing and busi- nesses to 2051. While much growth is slated for the existing settlement areas across the region, the concept says an additional 5,238 acres are needed in Milton and Halton Hills for new community and employ- ment lands to support growth tar- gets prescribed by the province. The figure has become the source of great debate amongst residents and councillors, with a groundswell of opposition to agri- cultural land being redesignated for growth. Among those against the no- tion is citizens' coalition Stop Sprawl Halton, which has sup- porters throughout the region who say they're standing up "for preserving farmland, water- sheds, air quality and vibrant neighbourhoods within existing boundaries." "It's unconscionable to be pav- ing 5,200 acres," said Oakville- green president Karen Brock, who's also part of the Stop Sprawl Halton movement. "We're in fa- vour of no urban boundary ex- pansion, hard stop. We're not say- HALTON GROWTH PLAN DRAWING MIXED REVIEWS See 'OPINIONS', page 4 OPPOSITION MOUNTING TO FUTURE GROWTH ON FARMLAND MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@metroland.com Stop Sprawl Halton supporters (from left) Crystal Bhikha, Kim Bradshaw, Sandra Voisin, Janet Duval and Amy Schnurr are running a 'Save Our Farms' campaign in response to Halton's proposed growth plan. Graham Paine/Metroland From athlete profiles to local coverage of the Beijing Winter Games, we've got you covered. ATHLETES GO FOR GOLD INSIDEHALTON.COM