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The beginning of 14 new communities Groundbreaking on new development moving ahead north of Dundas By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 3 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, August 7, 2009 North Oakville may be on the verge of development, but many of its trees won't be going anywhere. Around 700-750 hectares worth of woodlots will be protected in what is planned to be one of the largest natural heritage systems in North America. Confirmation of this wide-scale preservation was made during Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony, which marked the beginning of the development of the North Oakville Communities. The woodlots will be preserved in such a way as to link the 14 neighbourhoods planned for the North Oakville area, bordered by Dundas Street, Ninth Line, Hwy. 407 and Bronte Road. Trinison President Colin McGregor noted plans for this area have been a long time in the making. "Over a decade ago Trinison Management Corp. started background studies necessary for the North Oakville expansion. In 2001, we filed this urban expansion document with the Town of Oakville and with the Region of Halton," said McGregor, during the ceremony. "As good as that vision was, the clear message from the Town and the Region of Halton was this, `We have to do better, you can do better, please go back and do better, especially in the areas of woodlots and infrastructure.'" McGregor went on to note that as painful as going back to the drawing board was, he is proud of the new plan, particularly the woodlots, which he said will soon be transferred into public ownership so future generations of Oakville residents will be able to enjoy them. Trinison Vice President Michael Telawski got this ball rolling during the groundbreaking ceremony by handing Mayor Rob Burton documentation to move the first 53 acres of the natural heritage system into public ownership. "That's a first that will live in our history," said Burton. Burton's enthusiasm over Oakville's new green space was matched only by his enthusiasm over the plan for North Oakville, which he said would be the very model of a livable community. "Oakville is full of people who aim high and know how to achieve their goals and the new communities of Oakville will be one of those goals that we reach. Walkable, transit friendly, Sign up on Line PHOTOS BY DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER PLANNING AHEAD: Above, from left, President of Trinison Management Inc. Colin McGregor, Mayor Rob Burton, Greenpark President Carlo Baldassarra and Trinison Vice President of Special Projects Michael Telawski participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of the New Oakville Communities. At left, McGregor of Trinison speaks during the ceremony as Burton looks on. new urbanist neighbourhoods that are connected by our relatively unbroken natural heritage system of parks, ravines and woodlands," said Burton. "This area is going to be renowned for its beautifully designed urban buildings and stateof-the-art community facilities." The mayor pointed to the partially constructed North Park Quad Pad as an example of such a facility. Burton went on to note the developers Trinison and the Baldassarras have taken a leadership role in the development of North Oakville and currently enjoy first place in that regard. The mayor closed with a warning to anyone else planning to develop in North Oakville. "For those who align with the Town's chosen vision of itself and its plan, you will never find a better partner," he said. "For those who seek to knock us off our puck, you will never get a tougher game." The Town's Manager of Current Planning and Urban Design Charlie McConnell said that by the time the new Oakville communities are complete, in about 25 years, the area will house 50,000 to 55,000 residents with 30,000 to 35,000 also being employed there. "It's not just a place to live, it's a place to work as well," said McConnell. "The Trafalgar Road urban core area will be the most dense and the downtown of North Oakville, so to speak. So that will accommodate mixed use, ground-floor retail, restaurants and shops and offices and retail stores with residential uses above, high rises and there will be a significant transit route as well connecting north to south, right down to the GO station." HEARING AID SPECIAL (Clients portion) *Some Conditions Apply * $ From 295 Up to 3 Year Service Warranty 60 DAY GUARANTEE: If after 60 days we have not provided you with the best hearing possible, we will give you your money back... We are an authorized clinic for DVA, WSIB, and Green Shield clients Call 905-827-7333 For a FREE Hearing Test. 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