Intensification& Growth

As election issues they'll be dealt with in separate entries, but for this one, they're linked.  Intensification is a process mandated by the province, to put a certain amount of jobs and people per hectare in areas called UGCS, or Urban Growth Centres.  Milton's UGC stretches the length of Main St, from Bronte, on out to Thompson Road, and Ontario St as far south as Allendale.  Milton's number is to reach is 200 persons and jobs/ hectare.  Now this process is scheduled to take place between 2014-2031, and the matter returns to Council in June, 2010 for final approval.

Now onto growth- something that is happening at a near record pace in town.  At tonight's Planning and adminstration meeting, there is on the agenda an item dealing with Mattamy Homes' plan to build a new 473 new homes on the northwest corner of St. Laurent Blvd, and 25 Highway.  Also plans for two 10 storey-condos in the Fourth Line, and Derry Rd area.

In my ideal world, I'd throw up the yellow card to growth until we sort out what's going to happen with the UGC.  A portion of it, is on a floodplain- and it's my understanding certain conditions must be met in order to remove that designation.  Another issue dealing with the UGC is that great view of the escarpment. Everyone loves the view- complete with the historic buildings lining both sides of Main St.  Now how do we preserve it?  That is undecided as yet.  And this one I'd argue deals directly with proposal for the 10 storey condominiums- once those are built, how is anyone going to be able to see the escarpment from behind or beside them?

Building height is another potentially thorny issue. There was talk at the last council meeting of the concept of bonusing- in other words if builders meet certain conditions they would be allowed to add height to their building.  Exact specifics as to the conditions placed on this haven't been discussed yet. 

Discussions have started on these issues, but nothing has really been decided yet.  While we're talking about intensification, growth is still ongoing- and the pace is picking up.  I think we should slow it down for a bit- deal with intensification issues first.  Maybe instead of saying "yes" to Mattamy, Say yes, but only build half.  Maybe say yes to the 10-storey condo, but come back with the design for an 8-storey. 

I'm not against growth- it's brought many advantages to Milton, and I think if done just right intensification could make Milton even better than it is now.  But if growth is allowed to continue at such a fast pace, while the town deals with intensification; it won't be long before the town is unrecognizable, and we're all left asking the question: "How did we end up here?"