Alton Village Study Draft Phase 1 Background ... - Town of Caledon

Regional market area is defined as:
“...an area, generally broader than a lower tier municipality, that has a high degree
of social and economic interaction. In southern Ontario, the upper tier or single-tier
municipality will normally serve as the regional market area”
This is to be done, among other things, by “establishing and implementing minimum targets
for the provision of housing which is affordable to low and moderate income households”
and permitting and facilitating all forms or residential intensification and redevelopment
(1.4.3)
Section 1.5 – Public Spaces, Parks and Open Space promotes healthy, active communities
through the provision of public spaces, parks and open spaces.
Section 1.6 - Infrastructure and Public Service Facilities sets out the provincial policy
direction regarding water and sewage systems, transportation systems and corridors,
infrastructure corridors, airports and waste management. Subsection 1.6.4.2 expresses the
preference for full municipal servicing for settlement areas, and communal servicing only if
full servicing cannot be provided. Individual on-site systems would only be appropriate if
full or communal systems are not feasible. Partial services (e.g. communal water, private
septic systems) will be discouraged except where necessary to address failed services, or
because of physical constraints.
Section 1.8 – Energy and Air Quality supports energy efficiency and improved air quality
through appropriate land use and development patterns.
Section 2.1 - Natural Heritage contains policies to protect natural heritage features and areas
from incompatible development. Subsection 2.1.2 outlines the provincial interest in
maintaining, restoring or, where possible, improving the diversity and connectivity of natural
features and areas, and the long-term ecological function and biodiversity of natural heritage
systems. Subsection 2.1.3 lists features within which development and site alteration is not
permitted and Subsection 2.1.4 lists features where development and site alteration may be
permitted if “it has been demonstrated that there will be no negative impacts on the natural
features or their ecological functions …”. Subsection 2.1.5 identifies that development and
site alteration are not permitted within fish habitat except in accordance with provincial and
federal requirements. Subsection 2.1.6 permits development and site alteration on adjacent
lands if “it has been demonstrated that there will be no negative impacts on the natural
features or on their ecological functions”.
Section 2.2 –Water contains policies for the protection, improvement and restoration of
quality and quantity of water including the restriction of development and site alteration in or
near sensitive surface and groundwater features.
Section 2.3 - Agricultural Policies are designed to protect Prime Agricultural Areas. These
areas can only be re-designated for the expansion of settlement areas, subject to need and an
examination of alternatives, among others. The agricultural land in the Alton area does not
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