TOWN HEARS INPUT ON FUTURE OF MILL STREET

Several Halton Hills residents shared input around the draft vision, and prospective future land uses presented for the Mills Street corridor during a town open house on Feb. 27.

Town officials gathered local input through polls and Q&AS, encouraging residents to contribute to future secondary plan review process consultations.

Pointing at a "fabulous attendance" of over 100 people at the open house, Mayor Ann Lawlor said, "It is absolutely wonderful that people are so engaged and interested in this important project."

With the existing Georgetown GO / Mill Street Corridor Secondary Plan approved over a decade ago, town staff stated the need for an update to adjust to emerging issues and current provincial and regional policies while offering public opportunities to share input. The town retained Sajecki Planning Inc. and a subconsultant team for the area analysis.

The Regional Official Plan Amendment 48 (ROPA 48), approved over a year ago, resulted in 52 hectares of land being added to the east and south of the secondary plan area.

A vision statement and two potential land use options for the secondary plan review to the year 2051 were discussed in the open house.

The poll responses identified a need for additional sports facilities, a recreational centre, a community centre, and a public square as part of the secondary plan area, including enhancements to social services.

Respondents further showed interest in public realm improvements, including trail connections, connectivity to the GO station, public transit, public art, increased green spaces, and safety railings on sidewalks around hightraffic areas.

Residents also pointed at heritage homes, massive maple trees, Silver Creek ravine, GO station building, and the railroad bridge as some of the most valuable heritage features they'd like to retain through development.

Concerns were also raised around the distance of existing community amenities, which town staff say they hope to address by establishing a neighbourhood offering essential services within a 15-minute walk.

"Our goal is to improve the quality of life within the community," said town staff.

Two main activity nodes have been recognized in the secondary plan area — currently holding a density of approximately 46 people and jobs per hectare.

The two primary nodes are around the GO station and Guelph Street and Maple Avenue intersection. A secondary node is identified around the Mountain View Road North and Riverside Drive intersection.

Both land use options suggest the development of a collector road located just north of the GO station, connecting from John Street to Mountainview Road North. Expressing great difficulty "to stop on that hill during snow storms," members of the public encouraged town staff to look for potential alternatives.

Primary differences between the suggested land uses include the addition of two business parks on either side of the tracks east of the GO stations as part of Option 2, as compared to just one Commercial/industrial area under Option 1.

Option 2 suggests a slightly lower density of 96 people and jobs per hectare compared to 103 in Option 1. "The idea is to extend out from these areas," shared staff.

Mixed Use Residential allotment is slightly more significant as part of Option 1, along with different locations proposed in both options for Mixed Use Community Amenities. Staff shared that projected building heights are also marked lower on average as part of Option 2.

A resident said that construction of highrise buildings on already elevated lands around the GO station plateau could cause significant disturbances to top-storey occupants, suggesting moving construction closer to the Credit River.

Pointing to a closed landfill across the Moya Johnson Parkette on the other side of the Credit River, a resident questioned whether a cleanup would be considered under the secondary plan review.

Town staff said they would research and get back to the public with more details about the landfill.

Another resident hoped to shed more light on community well-being, asking, "Are people safe, or do we have far too many people living in one area?"