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7 · Wednesday, December 2, 2009 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Halton OKs Livable Oakville The Halton Region signed off on Oakville's new Official Plan Monday, putting in place the blueprints that will help guide Oakville's growth over the next 20 years. Known as Livable Oakville, the plan outlines policies for growth centres such as the Midtown Core, Uptown Core and the Kerr and Bronte villages. The plan also designates and secures Oakville's employment lands and identifies areas for residential intensification. "The success of this plan is not only in the development policies that are defensible, clear and concise, but in the overwhelming involvement of stakeholders and residents in the design of the plan throughout the entire process," said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "This final approval allows us to direct growth and meet our vision of being the most livable town in Canada." Approved unanimously by Town Council in June, Town staff noted Livable Oakville will protect the character of existing neighbourhoods located in the residential intensification areas. The plan saw extensive public input utilized in its formulation. Besides two statutory public meetings in June, staff conducted five public information meetings and open houses, 15 public workshops, 19 meetings with the `Livable Volunteer, feel great! Make a difference in people's lives. "This final approval allows us to direct growth and meet our vision of being the most livable town in Canada." Mayor Rob Burton Oakville' council subcommittee, more than 20 meetings with community groups and stakeholders, as well as additional meetings with seniors' groups, the Oakville Youth Advisory Committee and the Environmental Strategic Plan Advisory Committee. Town staff noted the new plan will ensure Oakville's development into a complete community that includes a full mixture of housing types to meet the changing demographics of the town over time. Opportunities for affordable housing have also been included in this plan. A broad range of employment opportunities, including office and industrial, are worked into the plan as have a variety of commercial uses such as historic main streets, malls and large format stores. Other features include an array of community and institutional uses to serve the entire population, protection of the environ- ment and a mixture of public park and trail networks that promote active living and a transportation system that connects Oakville to the broader region. In addition to the automobile, the plan promotes the use of other modes of travel including transit, cycling and walking. "The plan provides a clear and strong direction for council to meet its employment and population needs over the next 20 years and reflects the community's input on where and how growth will occur," said Dana Anderson, director of planning and services for the Town. Town staff said the Livable Oakville Plan conforms to the Provincial Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the Provincial Policy Statement. With the plan now in place, the focus now shifts to implementation, which will be achieved over the next few years through zoning by-law updates and developing new urban design guidelines and community improvement plans. Specific studies for heritage, transportation, places of worship and special policy areas are also underway along with administration guidelines. For more information on Livable Oakville and its implementation, visit www.oakville.ca/officialplanreview.htm. www.ymcaofoakville.com This winter cozy up to a warm wood insert by Vermont castings. 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For context, the same agency states between 2,000 and 8,000 Canadians can die each year of seasonal influenza and its complications, depending on the severity of the season. "We are well past the peak (of H1N1 virus activity) as the peak was late October," said Nosal. "But the key message is there is still flu activity in Halton." Nosal said hospitals in the region admitted 13 people with influenzalike illnesses between Friday and Sunday. Join us for coffee and a tour! Stay for the "Educational Journey of a Lifetime". 1080 Linbrook Rd. Oakville · 905-845-2386 · www.smls.on.ca GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH. SHOW YOU CARE. Look for our FREE Swim or Adult Work Out Pass offer in this paper! Three special all inclusive group menus. Luncheons, dinner or cocktail appetizer parties. Speak to a manager to reserve now. East Side Mario's 905.829.3233 (By the AMC Theatres at Winston Churchill & QEW) 2035 Winston Park Dr. · Oakville www.eastsidemarios.com 905-845-3417 410 Rebecca St., Oakville, ON L6K 1K7 E-mail: customerservice@oakville.ymca.ca East Side Mario's is a registered trade-mark of PRC Trademarks Inc. Used under licence. © 2009 Prime Restaurants of Canada Inc.