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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday November 23, 2007 - 3 Plan with `teeth' ready by spring of 2009 By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Presents The award-winning musical Precise, clear, consistent. As the town launches into creating a new Official Plan (OP) to guide Oakville's growth for the coming years, those words keep popping up. "(Residents) are looking for some real rigour and some real teeth in this new document," says Jane Clochecy, the town's commissioner of planning. That desire is clearly echoed by town councillors, who have seen a number of their high-profile planning decisions overturned by the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) in recent years because of a lack of clarity in the town's current OP. "The precision of definitions and consistency is really essential," says Ward 5 councillor Jeff Knoll, citing an OMB decision that allowed the development of a car dealership into his ward, over the objections of council and residents. Other councillors agree terms like `compatible' need to be clearly defined to ensure developers understand what type of growth the town is willing to accept. On Wednesday night, town planning staff presented councillors with a series of draft principles to guide the development of the new OP, which should be completed by the spring of 2009. One of the key focuses of the plan will be to preserve the character of existing neighbourhoods. Jeff Knoll "The precision of definitions and consistency is really essential." Jeff Knoll, Ward 5 councillor Growth will be directed to specifically-identified areas, such as the Midtown Core, and infill development will need to be in keeping with the community surrounding it. "There is going to be some change," admitted the town's long range planner Allan Ramsay. "(Neighbourhoods) can't be static, but the nature of that change must be compatible." The principles also emphasize the importance of protecting downtown Oakville, preserving historic buildings, and maintain- ing Oakville's unique identity. Some of the draft principles are likely to be tweaked, in response to input from council. Mayor Rob Burton expressed concern about the wording of the principle which suggests downtown Oakville will be "enhanced by creating suitable opportunities for commercial, residential and cultural activities." "No one's really sure why it's the miracle that it is," he said. "It could be that touching it might break it." Councillors also commented on the need to create transition areas to buffer existing communities from residential growth and employment uses; the need to break down social and physical barriers separating north and south Oakville; and the need to ensure the diversity of the community is reflected in all of its planning decisions. Although the draft principles may appear rather broad and general, Clocehcy assured councillors that they will be supported with very specific guidelines within the new OP. "We need to have the vision first, and let it drive the policies," she said. Town staff will be presenting a series of revised principles to a public meeting at White Oaks secondary school on Dec. 5, then will be bringing them back to town council for final consideration in January. 110 in the Shade Based on the play The Rainmaker By Richard Nash Music by Harvey Schmidt Lyrics by Tom Jones Book by Richard Nash NOVEMBER 27 ­ DECEMBER 8, 2007 Call the Box Office Today! 905-815-4049 CUSTOM DESIGNED JEWELLERY Draft guiding principles for Livable Oakville plan Here are the 12 guiding principles of the proposed plan: · The character of established neighbourhoods will be preserved by directing growth to specific areas defined in the Plan. · Infill development will be permitted within established neighbourhoods on the basis that the location and nature of development is compatible with the established community character. · The vibrancy and historic character of the Old Oakville Downtown is unique and will be enhanced by creating suitable opportunities for commercial, residential and cultural activities. · Access to a full range of community facilities will be provided in neighbourhoods in order to develop a number of unique complete communities throughout the town. · Midtown Oakville will function with strong civic and cultural spaces based on high density transit-oriented development. · A town-wide sustainable transportation network that integrates land use planning and supports and promotes alternative modes of transportation such as transit, cycling and walking will be provided. · Cultural heritage resources are important community assets that will be preserved through conservation and reuse. · The town's ecological footprint will be minimized through environmental sustainability practices. · Access along the Lake Ontario waterfront will be continuously pursued with centres of activities focused on the Oakville and Bronte Harbours. · A diverse range of housing choices will be available, including affordable housing to meet the needs of the diverse mark up of the community. · Oakville's unique identity will be maintained through high quality and innovative urban design and built form. · A vigorous local economy will be maintained by providing a diverse range of employment opportunities that continue to attract a variety of high quality employers. WATERLOO OAKVILLE PLACE 905-337-9799 www.raffijewellers.ca FEATURING: CAMBRIDGE