March 6, 2024 Newsletter

Find your Ward here and your Council Members here

Staff prepare zoning by-law updates for Council consideration

Watch the Planning and Development Meeting held on March 4, 2024

The Town of Oakville is proposing changes to its zoning regulations in response to the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) program initiated by the Federal Government in conjunction with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). To encourage housing supply growth and streamline development approvals, the town has prepared draft amendments that could reshape its residential landscape for public input.

In line with the HAF program, the town has developed a comprehensive Action Plan with initiatives aimed at fostering housing opportunities while ensuring sustainable urban development. These initiatives include enabling four dwelling units per property town-wide and allowing for increased density within an 800-meter radius of Sheridan College.

Following a motion passed by Council in January 2024, draft Official Plan Amendments (OPA) and Zoning By-law Amendments (ZBA) have been prepared to facilitate these changes. The proposed amendments seek to establish a policy and regulatory framework to accommodate increased housing density and building heights, particularly around Sheridan College.

The upcoming updates aim to create a more inclusive and sustainable housing environment, promoting transit-oriented development and reducing urban sprawl. They also align with the town's commitment to creating low-carbon, climate-resilient communities.

Residents and stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the proposed amendments, with a recommendation report expected at a future meeting of Planning and Development Council. This engagement process ensures that community input is considered in shaping Oakville's future development landscape. The online survey is available now until March 8, 2024

Read the full report

Federal Court halts CN project citing adverse environmental and health effects

In a recent ruling, the Federal Court has put a stop to the CN Railway project following concerns over significant adverse environmental effects, particularly on human health. The decision, which stemmed from a detailed analysis of the project's environmental assessment process, found several key shortcomings in the Minister's Referral Decision and Cabinet's subsequent Justification Decision.

The Court concluded that the Minister failed to adequately address the project's direct adverse environmental effects on human health, neglecting to consider the protection of human health as required by law. This failure was deemed unreasonable, highlighting a breach of statutory obligations under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) 2012.

Similarly, the Court found fault with Cabinet's decision-making process, asserting that it did not sufficiently address the project's adverse impacts on human health. Despite the existence of conditions in the Minister's Decision Statement, these were deemed insufficient to mitigate the project's detrimental effects adequately.

The ruling signifies a significant setback for CN Railway and underscores the importance of thorough environmental assessments in major infrastructure projects. It also emphasizes the legal obligation to prioritize human health and environmental protection in decision-making processes.

As a result of the Court's decision, the CN Railway project will remain on hold until further measures are taken to address the identified deficiencies.

Read the full judgment

March for meals

March for Meals is coming! This is an annual campaign that Oakville Meals on Wheels takes part in, and it celebrates the impact of local meals on wheels programs, raises awareness and promotes community engagement. YOU can make a difference in Oakville.

Participate by sponsoring a lunch for someone in need, purchase Purdys chocolates through their fundraiser until March 6^th, and share the messaging on your social platforms.

Encourage your followers to #SponsorLunch as well and make #MarchforMeals2024 a big success! Visit oakvillemealsonwheels.com for more information.

Calling all artists: leave your mark on Oakville streets

Do you have a passion for art and a connection to Oakville? Here's your chance to showcase your talent to the community!

The Town of Oakville is excited to announce the call for proposals for this year's Connextions exhibition. We're inviting local artists to submit their ideas for creating traffic signal cabinet wraps that will adorn intersections across Oakville. These vibrant artworks will also be featured prominently at the 2024 Culture Days Festival in September and October.

If you're a resident of Oakville or the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, we want to hear from you! Submit your proposal online before 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2024. Priority will be given to artists with a strong connection to Oakville.

Let your creativity flow! Your artwork can be in any medium, but if selected, it must be provided as high-resolution digital files suitable for large-format printing. The final design will be printed onto vinyl media and wrapped around a traffic signal cabinet, so ensure your proposal is visually captivating and reflective of our local community.

Selected artists will receive $800 for each artwork chosen. The town will cover fabrication and installation costs, so you can focus solely on your creative process.

Final designs are due by June 1, 2024, with printing and installation scheduled for the summer in preparation for the 2024 Culture Days festivities.

Submit Your Connextions Application

Patio dining pilot program becomes permanent starting May 1, 2024

To bolster local businesses and enhance the town's vibrancy, Oakville proudly announces the transition of its successful patio dining pilot program into a permanent initiative, effective May 1, 2024.

For more than a decade, Oakville has permitted patio and bistro dining on a case-by-case basis. Now, with the Seasonal Commercial Patio Program becoming a permanent fixture, the town is poised to further elevate its dining scene and community ambiance.

Under the new program, the patio dining season will span annually from May 1 to November 1. Any establishment seeking to install patios or outdoor merchandising displays on municipal property must obtain a valid permit from the town beforehand.

To facilitate streamlined planning for on-street parking spaces converted for patio use in the upcoming 2024 season, an early application window for such conversions will run from February 26 to March 22. Applications for other patio types will be accepted starting March 22.

Since 2020, patio permit and on-street parking fees were waived as part of the COVID-19 Commercial Recovery Initiative. However, in 2024, patio permit fees will be reinstated at a partially subsidized rate to ensure the program's financial sustainability.

As part of the program, the town will introduce signage and temporary traffic calming measures near patio areas, enhancing the overall experience and safety for both drivers and diners.

Public consultation held in 2023, involving restaurant operators, patrons, staff, and business organizations, played a pivotal role in shaping the permanent patio program.

Mayor Rob Burton expressed pride in the town's ongoing support for local businesses, stating, "We are proud to continue to support our local businesses by creating a permanent patio dining program. The program has created many opportunities for our BIA areas and brought vibrancy to our commercial districts. We can all look forward to the upcoming patio season for 2024 and beyond."

Apply Here

Public Consultations

Draft plan and guidelines of Old Oakville heritage conservation district

The first draft of the new Plan and Guidelines for the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District is now available online! This document has been eagerly anticipated by many in our community, and we are eager to hear your thoughts and feedback.

The Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District holds significant cultural and historical value for our town, and it is essential that any plans for its preservation and development align with the wishes and needs of our residents. We invite you to take some time to review the draft document and share your thoughts with us.

You can access the draft plan here. We encourage you to peruse it thoroughly and provide your feedback either at the upcoming public meeting or via email.

Public Meeting Details:

Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Knox Presbyterian Church, 250 Lakeshore Road East

At the public meeting, we will also provide an update on the residential zoning by-law review, illustrating how your feedback is being incorporated into new zoning provisions for the heritage district. These two projects are interconnected, and your input is invaluable as we work to enhance and preserve the character of Old Oakville.

Read the Draft Plan

Participate in the community satisfaction survey

The Town of Oakville launched the Community Satisfaction Survey on February 13, 2024. This survey, conducted every two years, is a vital opportunity for you to voice your opinions and shape the future of our community.

The online survey is available now until March 8, 2024. Additionally, starting February 16, residents aged 18 years or older may receive a survey call from Forum Research Inc. telephone interviewers.

Your feedback is crucial in helping us understand what matters most to you and how we can improve town programs and services to better serve your needs.

Rest assured, your participation in the survey is strictly confidential, anonymous, and voluntary.

Complete the survey

Shape the future of housing in Oakville

The Town of Oakville is embarking on an important initiative to enhance housing options across our community, and we want your input!

The Town is proposing changes to Zoning By-law and Official Plan to allow for up to four housing units per residential lot for single detached homes town-wide.

Additionally, we're considering expanding housing options by permitting low-rise apartment-style buildings up to four storeys within 800 meters of Sheridan College. These changes aim to increase the availability and diversity of housing while also unlocking potential funding from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund.

Your feedback is crucial in shaping these proposed changes! We've launched an online survey, available until March 8, 2024, where you can share your thoughts and preferences regarding housing in Oakville.

By allowing for gentle density and expanding housing options near Sheridan College, we aim to create a more diverse range of low-rise housing choices throughout Oakville's residential neighborhoods. This includes "missing middle" housing such as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, laneway housing, garden suites, and basement apartments.

Complete the survey

Local News

8 elementary schools from Oakville among top in the Province

Eight elementary schools from Oakville are among the Top 100 in the province according to rankings released today.

The Fraser Institute released its annual rankings for Ontario’s elementary schools, providing a unique resource for parents to evaluate the academic achievements of schools across the province.

Score: 9.9, Top 21

Munn’s Public School
St. Luke Catholic Elementary School

Score: 9.8, Top 24

Forest Trail Public School

Score: 9.5, Top 43

St. Vincent Catholic Elementary School

Score: 9.3, Top 61

École élémentaire du Chêne

Score: 9.2, Top 75

Pilgrim Wood Public School
W.H. Morden Public School

Score: 9, Top 100

E J James Public School

Read the full story

Oakville all-girls school lockdown may be result of swatting, police say

An Oakville all-girls school was briefly placed in lockdown Wednesday possibly due to an act of swatting.

At around 11:35 a.m., Halton police posted on X, formerly Twitter, that St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School at 1080 Linbrook Rd. had been placed in lockdown for a police investigation.

Read the full story

Provincial News

First Nations and Ontario One Step Closer to Building All-Season Roads in the Ring of Fire

The Ontario government, Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation have signed an agreement to develop community infrastructure projects that could support future development opportunities in the area, including building all-seasons roads to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region.

Read the full release

Governments Helping Boost Production of Ontario Maple Syrup

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing more than $1 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to support the productivity and growth of businesses in the province’s maple syrup sector.

Read the full release