Major Transit Station Areas – Area Specific Plans Planning Study update

The purpose of this staff report is to:

• provide an update on the Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) Area-Specific Plan (ASP) Project and its deliverables;
• share the findings of the MTSA ASP Planning Study, prepared by Dillon Consulting;
• provide an update on associated technical studies; and,
• identify the next steps required to complete the project.

• In accordance with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2019), planning in Burlington must have as a guiding principle the need to “integrate climate change considerations into planning and managing growth such as planning for more resilient communities and infrastructure – that are adaptive to the impacts of a changing climate – and moving towards environmentally sustainable communities by incorporating approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions” (Growth Plan 2019, s.1.2.1).
• This report transmits a planning study that contains a land use vision depicted through precinct plans as well as the initial stages of policies and policy directions which inform the creation of Official Plan policies that will shape the physical environment of the MTSAs their full build out potential.
• The MTSA ASP Planning Study builds upon the policy directions presented in the interim report by continuing to plan for higher densities that make more efficient use of land and resources including infrastructure and community services and a mix of land uses that will provide increased opportunities for people to live, work, shop, and play within the MTSA areas and beyond, reducing residents’ need to travel long distances on a daily basis.
• The MTSA Planning Study includes directions that support transportation network improvements that will support transit usage and active transportation (including walking and cycling) as alternative modes of travel to reduce reliance on private motor vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Study also plans for and provides opportunities for increased and enhanced green spaces, parks and linear parks that will help to mitigate the urban heat island effect and improve climate resiliency and overall, shifts focuses intensification within the Primary Growth areas protects rural and Greenbelt lands from urban sprawl by directing growth to existing built-up areas of the City.
• Chapter 3 of the MTSA ASP Planning Study (Appendix A) contains overarching policies and policy directions that provide direction across all of Burlington’s MTSAS and speaks to the city’s commitment to bring environmentally sustainable and climate resilient community. The policies and policy directions include guidance related to encouraging low/zero carbon energy for public and private development, ensuring vehicle and transportation electrification readiness and the exploration of incentives and tools that support the implementation of the City’s Sustainable Building and Design Guidelines, among other directions.