New draft of Midtown Oakville plan moving forward

Town Council is moving ahead with its new plans for Midtown Oakville.

A new draft of the Official Plan Amendment (OPA) for the development went before Council on Tuesday night (Oct. 30) with Town Staff responding to questions from Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and council members.

Members of the public provided feedback on the updated draft OPA and its changes, which included updated land use policies for Midtown Oakville in the Livable Oakville Plan to 2051 and beyond.

The new OPA provides an update on how this area will grow over time and guides the development and evolution of a new liveable community in Oakville.

“Town planning staff’s new draft Official Plan Amendment blends new research with public input and Ontario legislation,” said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. “The draft reflects our town’s clear vision for livability and sustainability.”

One notable update in the new draft is the inclusion of the Community Planning Permit System (CPPS), enabling policies that allow the town and developers to work together to achieve common goals regarding mixed land use, affordable housing, and more.

Key highlights of the new Midtown OPA draft include:

• Height threshold and density management

Like the existing Official Plan policies, new development is subject to a height range in the new draft Midtown OPA. Increases to height thresholds may be considered as part of the development permit approval authorized through a Community Planning Permit System (CPPS).

• Updated population numbers

Based on current market conditions and demographic trends, the new forecast for Midtown results in a conservative estimate of 29,900 residents and jobs combined by 2051. The previous target established in the 2009 Livable Oakville Plan was 20,000 residents and jobs by 2031.The town recognizes that population forecasts are prone to fluctuations, and it is important to keep that in mind for long-term projects spanning over two to three decades.

• Community benefits

The new draft Midtown Oakville OPA continues to promote parks and open spaces and offers additional connectivity to the rest of Oakville through pedestrian, cycling, and transit improvements. Through new policies, the OPA also provides direction regarding the provision of community amenities, a broad mix of land use, and options for diverse and affordable housing.

A recommended OPA will be brought forward by staff at a statutory public meeting hosted by the Planning and Development Council in January 2025.

A decision on this is expected to be made by Oakville Council after the public meeting.

To provide comments on the new draft Midtown OPA for the council’s consideration, the public can delegate at this meeting or email [email protected].

Oakville submitted the new Draft Midtown OPA to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) for comment. The ministry’s commenting period mandates a 90-day review, followed by a 20-day public notice period before the Council hosts a statutory public meeting on the OPA.

An open house will also be held before the end of the year for members of the public to meet with town staff and ask questions on the new draft OPA.

For more information visit oakville.ca/midtown.