Sifting through some of the older editions of the Milton Canadian Champion, I found this article from Tim Foran about a spirited discussion on growth a couple of town council meetings ago. Just goes to show that the battle between “growth vs no growth” still rages on in the council chambers.
I dont know about you but I really enjoy Tim’s point of view…sometimes not quite agreeing with him, but he is definitely detailed and thorough.
Cap’n Krantz spars shipmate Day on Milton’s voyage
Tim Foran, Foran Affairs
The resurrection of an old but tired battle was played out between two older but spirited warriors at Milton’s council session Monday night.
Councillor Rick Day, who’s been around more than his surname indicates, woke himself and kicked off the kerfuffle during debate of a fiscal analysis that estimates Milton’s taxes would have to rise about 1.8 per cent a year above inflation between 2021 and 2031 to pay for the growth currently being planned for that time period. That’s actually less than the 2.5 per cent increase estimated for the growth currently under construction in the southwest and west ends of town, noted the Town’s treasurer Linda Leeds.
In mischievous spirits, Day, likening the analysis to a ‘doomsday report’, put the question to Leeds:
“Are all these problems related to growth?” a question that elicited an awkward silence amongst the assembled.
Leeds, ever the civil servant, hesitated to reply, wary of feeding a political agenda.
“It’s an easy answer,” Day pushed, smiling. “One syllable; three letters, not two.”
“You’re killing me,” Leeds finally replied, laughing.
“None of us are proud to be the fastest growing municipality in Canada, we’re embarrassed by it,” Day continued, getting serious.
That shot across the bow of the good ship Milton, in particular pro-growth Cap’n Krantz, drew a proportional response.
Noting Milton’s residential property tax rate is the second lowest in the GTA after Toronto, Krantz defended the Town’s containment of service levels the past decade: “In my opinion, over the years the councils have made some pretty wise decisions.”
In reality, both men are correct.
Day’s implied position that something has been lost here beyond dollars — perhaps not the community spirit, but the small town feel — is believed by those who engage in old vs. new Milton debates.
But Krantz’s push more than a decade ago to bring up The Big Pipe — the Lake Ontario water that allowed growth — was a recognition of the inevitable expansion of Milton, though it likely moved up the process a decade or so.
It’s time though for these old foes to scabbard their swords and pull out a pen; to work on finding a way to make new Milton work as well as the old one; to stop signing off on development applications on paper and then letting the bureaucrats deal with them; to get involved in the design of these multiple thousand-home communities – from the street layout to the driveway lengths to the placement of drive-thrus, noise fences, and even a store residents can walk to for milk.
And speaking of growth, there is a public meeting at the Town Hall Chambers on November 16th at 730pm regarding the new development plan for the area east of James Snow Parkway. There are lots of changes coming down the pike and if you live in the area, like I do, its best to be informed of those changes.
You can find out more about the Derry Green Business Park proposals on the Milton website under projects. Here’s that link. The details of the public notice can be found here as well.
TOWN OF MILTON
DERRY GREEN CORPORATE BUSINESS PARK
SECONDARY PLAN & RELATED STUDIES
STATUTORY PUBLIC MEETING
1. BACKGROUND
The Town of Milton and the Region of Halton have been involved in the Halton Urban Structure Plan (HUSP) – a strategy for managing Regional and local growth for the next 20 years. In relation to the proposed growth, the Milton Official Plan provides for approximately 2000 hectares (4940 acres) of additional land for new growth, which is referred to as the “Urban Expansion Area”. Milton Council and Regional Council ratified a plan for the phasing of this new growth in May and June 1998 respectively. The first phase of employment development in the 401 Industrial/Business Park Secondary Plan Area is currently underway. The Derry Green Corporate Business Park lands (see map) represent Phase II of the proposed employment development.
In accordance with the policies of the Milton Official Plan and HUSP, the Town of Milton is currently preparing for the development of the Derry Green Corporate Business Park lands through the preparation of a secondary plan and supporting background studies.
Study Area:
The purpose and current status of the various studies is as follows:
The Study Area includes the area within the Milton Urban Expansion Area, bounded by Highway 401, the Middle Branch of Sixteen Mile Creek (west edge of floodplain); Sixth Line; Centre Tributary of the Middle Branch of the Sixteen Mile Creek (north edge of floodplain); and James Snow Parkway. Derry Green Corporate Business Park Secondary Plan
The Derry Green Corporate Business Park Secondary Plan is being carried out in accordance with Sections 17 and 21 of the
Planning Act, and the policies of the Town of Milton and Region of Halton Official Plans. A draft secondary plan has been prepared for public review which provides detailed policies on matters such as land use, urban form and design, transportation, servicing including stormwater management, and other related issues. Master Transportation/Transit Plan
The Derry Green Corporate Business Park Master Transportation/Transit Plan (MTTP) is being prepared in conjunction with the Derry Green Corporate Business Park Secondary Plan and related studies. The Master Transportation/Transit Plan is being carried out in accordance with approved procedures contained in the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Road Projects. The MTTP defines a functional road network with the study area, provides long-term need and justification for major transportation improvements serving the study area, and identifies transit opportunities and major transportation improvements for implementation over the next 15 to 20 years.
Sixteen Mile Creek Subwatershed Update Study and Functional Stormwater and Environmental Management Strategy
The above-noted studies are being carried out in accordance with approved procedures contained in the MEA Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Sewage and Water Projects, June 2000 as Updated 2007. These studies which have been prepared in draft for public review provide general guidance with respect to stormwater and environmental management. They provide an evaluation of various stormwater management and servicing strategies for the Secondary Plan area, and recommend a preferred environmental and stormwater management servicing plan.Study Area
: The study area for the subwatershed and environmental studies includes the secondary planning area, as well as the external area draining to it and the downstream part of the associated subwatersheds. The study area includes the East Branch of the Sixteen-Mile Creek. See map attached showing the East Branch of the Sixteen-Mile Creek and the Functional Stormwater and Environmental Strategy area under study within this secondary planning exercise. Functional Water and Wastewater Servicing Master Plan
The Functional Water and Wastewater Servicing Master Plan is being carried out in accordance with approved procedures contained in the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Sewage and Water Projects. The purpose of the study is to prepare a detailed Functional Water and Wastewater Servicing Master Plan, which in conjunction with the Secondary Plan will be used as a basis for development in the Derry Green Corporate Business Park Secondary Plan area.
2. PUBLIC INPUT
Public consultation is an essential component of the preparation of the secondary plan and related studies. Members of the public wishing to obtain further information with respect to the secondary plan preparation and background studies should contact the Planning & Development Department at 905-878-7252 x2398.
Copies of the draft secondary plan and draft information related to the background studies will be available for review as of Members of the public, who wish to participate in these undertakings and require notification of future public meetings or other matters related to the study, should contact Bronwyn Parker, Policy Planner at (905) 878-7252 x2307 or at the address noted below. Written submissions regarding the draft Secondary Plan and Related Studies should be submitted to the Town prior to
Ms. Barbara Koopmans, Senior Manager of Planning Policy
Planning and Development Department
150 Mary Street, Milton, Ontario L9T 6Z5
Tel: 905-878-7252 ext. 2304 Fax: 905-876-5024
E-mail:
3. STATUTORY PUBLIC MEETING – DERRY GREEN CORPORATE BUSINESS PARK SECONDARY PLAN & RELATED STUDIES
October 26, 2009 in the Planning & Development Department, (2nd Floor, Town Hall East), 150 Mary Street, at the Milton Public Library or on-line at www.milton.ca under the “Business Park II” link off the ‘Projects’ page (draft secondary plan is the only document available on-line). November 24, 2009 and should be directed to: Barb Koopmans The public is invited to attend a statutory public meeting as follows:
Place: Milton Town Hall, 150 Mary Street, Milton
Date: Monday, November 16, 2009
Time: Public Meeting 7:30 p.m. (Council Chambers)
Purpose of Meeting:
The meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to review and discuss the draft Secondary Plan & Related Studies formally with Town staff, the consultants and Council. Secondary Plan and Supporting Studies Available For Review:
Copies of the draft Secondary Plan and background papers completed to date will be available for review as of October 26, 2009, in the Planning & Development Department, (2nd Floor, Town Hall East), 150 Mary Street, at the Milton Public Library or on-line at www.milton.ca under the ‘Projects’ page, “Business Park II” link. Written Submissions:
Written submissions should be made prior to November 24, 2009 to the attention of Ms. Barbara Koopmans as noted above.
Anthony reminded me yesterday that hes beginning to write up a list for Christmas. I thought at first…Christmas? Yikes.