PLANNING RATIONALE - Oakville

Planning Rationale - Nautical Boulevard & Great Lakes Boulevard
May 2011
4.2 Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe came into effect on June 16, 2006.
Similar to the Provincial Policy Statement, the Growth Plan supports intensification
within built-up urban areas, particularly in proximity to transit. As noted in Section 2.1
of the Plan:
“...Better use of land and infrastructure can be made by directing growth to existing
urban areas. This Plan envisages increasing intensification of the existing built-up
area, with a focus on urban growth centres, intensification corridors, major transit
station areas, brownfield sites and greyfields. Concentrating new development
in these areas also provides a focus for transit and infrastructure investments to
support future growth.”
The Plan seeks to accommodate population and employment growth by, among other
measures, directing a significant portion of new growth to the built-up areas of the
community through intensification, reducing dependence on the automobile through the
development of mixed-use, transit-supportive, pedestrian-friendly urban environments
and encouraging cities and towns to develop complete communities with a diverse mix
of land uses, a range and mix of employment and housing types, high quality public
open spaces and easy access to local stores and services (Section 2.2.2).
Policy 2.2.3(1) requires that, by 2015 and for each following year, a minimum of 40
percent of all residential development occurring annually within each municipality is to
be provided within the built-up area.
Policy 2.2.3(6) requires municipalities to develop an intensification strategy, to be
implemented through their official plans and other supporting documents, which will,
among other things, encourage intensification generally throughout the built-up area,
facilitate and promote intensification, and plan for a range and mix of housing, taking
into account affordable housing needs.
4.3 Halton Region Official Plan (2006)
The Halton Region Official Plan sets out the planning framework for the Region. The
Region has recently undertaken the Sustainable Halton planning exercise, which has
resulted in two major Regional Official Plan Amendments. ROPA 37 was approved by
the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) on November 27, 2009, and
brought the Regional Plan into conformity with the Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth
Plan. ROPA 37 is in force and effect with the exception of subsections 38(a), 38(b)
and 38(f)(11)(d) which have been appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. ROPA 38,
“An Amendment to Incorporate the Results of Sustainable Halton, Official Plan Review
Directions and Other Matters” is a comprehensive review of the Regional Plan. ROPA
38 was adopted by Regional Council on December 16, 2009, but has not yet received
full approval from MMAH and is therefore not yet in force.
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