Milton mayor addresses urban boundary expansion in letter to Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Published February 16, 2022 at 12:15 pm
In a letter that was sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz addressed the reason for seeking out an Urban Boundary expansion in order for the Town to prepare for future growth.
Krantz opened the letter by noting the ongoing discussions that Halton Region Council and councils in neighbouring municipalities across the province have engaged in to finalize their Official Plans.
“On behalf of the Town of Milton, I am writing to continue to ensure you are aware of our position with respect to Halton Region’s Official Plan review. As we have previously communicated, it is critical for Milton – and indeed for the financial health of Halton Region – that an Urban Boundary expansion is contemplated,” read the letter.
Krantz also noted that based on recent discussions at Halton Regional Council, the Town is concerned that the approved Preferred Growth Concept will not allow for the expansion required to “strategically and appropriately” manage future growth.
The Town of Milton is building complete communities and a “Place of Possibility” as well as building 15-minute walkable, accessible, integrated neighbourhoods with jobs, schools, transportation, community services, parks and recreation facilities and homes that can be easily accessed with multi-model connections, all of which Krantz explained in the letter to Clark.
In the letter, Krantz also noted that Milton is at a different stage of development from Burlington and Oakville, both of which were granted urban boundary expansions over a decade ago.
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“Milton is seeking the same opportunity and consideration to grow in the right places, with the right uses. We have a strategic growth plan capable of responding to a variety of residential and employment market demands including and especially transit-oriented development,” wrote Krantz.
Krantz also noted that an urban boundary expansion would help to manage anticipated growth pressures and the proper use and allocation of land from now until 2051.
In regards to the urban expansion, Councillor Mike Cluett recently said, “Without expansion of the urban boundary, it puts at risk our long term economic development plans and bringing jobs for residents to live, work and learn in our community.”
Cluett also noted that a majority of Milton Town Council agree with the urban boundary expansion.
On Feb. 16, Halton Region Council will discuss a Notice of Motion (NOM) contemplating no urban boundary expansion until 2041. Should it be approved, Milton will experience a 10-year gap in their available employment lands as their current supply will be at capacity by 2031.
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