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4- The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday March 8, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Live your dream. Your RRIF to a LP to your pocket, Tax Free. Date: Thursday, March 27th at 9:30 AM Location: Harbour Lighthouse Banquet Date: and Conference Centre, Bronte Thirteen guiding principles form foundation for Oakville's Official Plan By David Lea care, community parks, playgrounds, sports fields, etc.) These facilities will be accessible and in locations within or in close proximity to existFor many residents, Town staff came up long ing neighbourhoods. This means that facilities on principles and short on substance, Thursday will be town-wide, medium sized facilities will be night, during the unveiling of 13 points proposed provided at the community level, and smaller to guide Oakville's Official Plan. facilities will be found at the neighbourhood The points are the products of numerous ses- level. Neighbourhood facilities will be in locasions undertaken in every ward at which resi- tions that encourage walking and cycling. dents were asked what makes Oakville more liv· Midtown Oakville will function as a major able and less livable. urban centre with strong civic, leisure and culThis information was then grouped into tural spaces based on high density transit and themes from which town staff were able to con- pedestrian oriented development. Midtown struct a set of guiding principles that, if accepted Oakville will serve as a town centre for Oakville. by council, will help to direct future growth in Residential and office, high density, transit and development in Oakville. pedestrian oriented development will be essential The Official Plan mission to ensure the success of statement reads as follows: Midtown. Accessible civic, "To enhance the Town's `To enhance the Town's nat- natural, cultural, social and leisure and cultural spaces to ural, cultural, social and ecomeet the needs of a diverse economic environments nomic environments ensuring community will be found in environmental sustainability, ensuring environmental Midtown. cultural vibrancy, economic sustainability, cultural · A town-wide sustainable prosperity and social well being vibrancy, economic transportation network will be are incorporated into growth prosperity and social provided that integrates land and development decisions.' use planning and supports and well being are incorporated In hopes of accomplishing promotes alternative modes of this goal the Official Plan will into growth and transportation such as walking, be driven by the following prin- development decisions." cycling and transit. A compreciples: hensive town-wide sustainable · The character of establish- Official Plan transportation network is ing and emerging neighbour- mission statement essential in order to provide for hoods will be preserved and a variety of easily accessible protected by directing growth to specific areas alternative transportation options and to mitigate defined in the plan. There are many attractive, traffic congestion. Ideally residents should have well established neighbourhoods that define the choice of alternative modes of transportation Oakville. In order to preserve and protect these and reduced dependence on privately owned neighbourhoods, residential intensification automobiles. New development along existing including buffer areas should be directed to pre- and future transit routes shall be encouraged. determined areas that are strategically located to · Cultural heritage resources throughout the accommodate high density and mixed use devel- Town are important community assets that will opment. These lands will be located where the be preserved through conservation and reuse. transportation system and urban amenities can Cultural heritage resources throughout the Town support the growth, such as, adjacent to transit are valued and will be protected, preserved and stations and along transit corridors. enhanced by ensuring new development does not · Infill development will only be permitted negatively impact existing cultural heritage within established neighbourhoods on the basis resources. Where appropriate, adaptive reuse of that the location and nature of development heritage buildings will be encouraged to ensure maintains the established community character, the existing character is protected. living environment and sense of community. A · The Town's ecological footprint will be minnumber of unique stable residential neighbour- imized through environmental sustainability hoods exist throughout the Town. Infill develop- practices and the protection, preservation and ment within these established neighbourhoods conservation of natural features and systems. The will be permitted only when it is similar to the protection, preservation and conservation of natexisting scale and built environment. ural features and systems are an integral part of · The vibrancy and historic character of the the policy framework to minimize the Town's Old Oakville Downtown is unique and its charac- ecological footprint. The Town's tree canopy will ter will be protected, preserved and enhanced by be protected and enhanced. An environmentally creating suitable opportunities for commercial, sustainable built form will be achieved through residential and leisure and cultural activities. Old high quality innovative urban design and buildOakville's historic downtown is unique and serves ing construction and development that supports as a regional destination for people to gather. alternative forms of transportation such as tranDevelopment in this area needs to protect, pre- sit, cycling and walking, including a hierarchy of serve and enhance existing conditions and create interconnecting trails. Energy efficient design, new opportunities for commercial, residential, renewable energies, alternative energy systems entertainment and cultural activities. and conservation and reduction in air and water · Access to a full range of public and private pollution and greenhouse gas emissions will be community programs, services and/or facilities encouraged. will be provided in neighbourhoods in order to · Continuous access along the Lake Ontario maintain and develop a number of unique com- Waterfront will be pursued with centres of activiplete neighbourhoods throughout the Town. ties focused on the Oakville and Bronte harbours. Existing neighbourhoods need support by provid- The Town has a strategic location on Lake ing an appropriate, full range of community facil- Ontario. A range of passive and active recreation See Oakville's page 10 ities (e.g. shopping, recreation, day cares, health OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Andrew Blanchard of IPC Securities Corporation invites you to join us for this insightful breakfast event. RSVP: Space is limited. Call today to reserve your seating! This informative seminar will only be of interest to people with total portfolios of $500,000 or more. Your Pool Is Our Reputation BOOKING SPRING INSTALLS NOW! Call for your appointment www.uniquepools.ca 905-304-4774 or 1-866-929-4774