Executive summary
The purpose of this report is to:
- Briefly summarize the five Growth Concepts released by the Region as part of the on-going Regional Official Plan Review;
- Summarize the input received by the Town to date; and
- Provide recommendations on the scale and magnitude of growth that would be appropriate for the Town to the 2051 planning horizon.
Climate implications
- Throughout the IGMS process, the Regional Climate Emergency as declared by Halton Region Council has been considered in the development of each of the five Growth Concepts.
- The Town has identified that regardless of location, all development should be designed to be net zero (no fossil fuel energy), and all new development must follow the updated Green Building Design Standards (GDS).
- The Town also emphasizes the need to direct discussions regarding growth and development toward building complete communities and highlighted the importance of the connection between land use and transportation, particularly the need for growth to support investment in transit infrastructure. This also includes the need and benefit of providing additional local employment opportunities, hence decreasing the likelihood of out-of-town commuting and the associated greenhouse gas emissions.
- Town staff is of the opinion that drawing clear connections between land-use policies and climate change is absolutely essential and supports Regional initiatives to promote and enhance district energy, public transit, agriculture and the Natural Heritage System.