MILTON INTENSIFICATION AND INFILL STUDY - Town of Milton

Existing Conditions
Bronte Street South
Main Street
Figure 11: Potential sites for intensification in Milton’s historic core
Figure 12: Preservation of Escarpment views is a key element of the Intensification
Vision for the historic core of Milton. This image shows how a 4-storey built form on
both sides of Main Street would still allow for views of the Escarpment, as well as a
skyline dominated by the church steeples.
Figure 13: Theoretical rendering illustrating how a potential development scheme
could integrate with its historic setting (note: this is not an actual development proposal).
INTENSIFICATION IN
MILTON’S HISTORIC
CORE
Current Land Use and Development Pattern
Milton’s historic core includes a wide range of residential, retail and employment uses.
PANEL 6
Buildings generally range in height from 1 to 3 storeys and many are of historic significance.
The most significant cultural heritage landscape in the Town of Milton is the Courthouse
Square. This four-acre space includes Victoria Park on the west of Brown Street
and, to its east, a complex of heritage buildings comprising the former Halton Court
House and Jail and former Registry Office and their associated open spaces.
The urban form is pedestrian-oriented, with wide sidewalks, pedestrian amenities such as
benches and landscaping, and buildings generally set close to the street.
Lands to the north and south of Main Street are dominated by low density housing, many
of which are of historical significance.
Mill Pond functions as a major park and amenity, drawing visitors from across the Town.
Intensification potential in the historic core is limited. Parcels are generally small,
and the proximity of low density housing and the historic 1-3 storey buildings limit opportunities
for higher density development.
The floodplain of the Sixteen Mile Creek also bisects the historic core, limiting opportunities
for redevelopment.
Factors to Consider in Developing an Intensification Vision for Milton’s
Historic Core
• One of the goals of Destiny Milton 2 is to make the Central Business District the main
focal point – administrative, cultural, entertainment, commercial, social and historic
– of the community.
• Need for new residential development to support local stores and businesses.
• Small and irregular parcel fabric.
• Abundance of historically significant buildings.
• Proximity to low density residential areas.
• Maintenance of views to the Niagara Escarpment.
• Traffic impacts, particularly along Main Street, and the provision of parking.
• Role of the historic core in establishing the identity and civic pride of Milton.
• Location of floodplain and its impact on development.
• Relatively few potential intensification parcels (less than 3 hectares in total).
Potential Elements of an Intensification Vision for Milton’s Historic Core
The following elements of an Intensification Vision for Milton’s historic core build upon
the directions of Destiny Milton 2:
• Maintain, promote and enhance the historic core as one of the primary focal points
for commerce, tourism and pedestrian-scale activity in the Town.
• Protect historic buildings and views to the Niagara Escarpment.
• Encourage the development of a range of uses that will support the historic core as
a place to live, work and play.
• Create a sense of civic identity and pride through a high standard of urban design,
public space and public art.
• Provide a full range of housing opportunities for present and future residents of all
ages and incomes.
• Carefully integrate new development into the fabric of the existing community,
through context sensitive urban design. Minimize the impacts of new development on
adjacent low-density residential neighbourhoods through the use of reduced heights
and staggered setbacks.
• Ensure that there is a strong relationship between new development and the street
and that new development is supported by improvements to the public realm.
• Enhance the western edges of the historic core as a gateway that demonstrates civic
pride and creates a sense of arrival in the heart of Milton.
• A pedestrian, cycling and transit-first community, where dependence on the private
automobile is minimized. Encourage and facilitate pedestrian and bicycle traffic
through the use of trails, paths and lanes.
pA planningAlliance