By: Christian Collington, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TheIFP.ca
There were concerns raised about traffic, infrastructure and the changing character of Halton Hills during Feb. 17 public meetings, held to discuss two development applications — one residential and the other for a commercial and industrial hub.
Residential density in Acton
The application, brought by Robert Russell Planning Consultants, is a proposal for a 0.05-hectare vacant lot at 0 Elizabeth Dr. The developer is seeking an Official Plan amendment to increase density and a rezoning from “local commercial” to “urban residential” to build a two-storey semi-detached dwelling.
Planning consultant Robert Russell said the lot, located at the northwest corner of Main Street North and Elizabeth Drive, is underutilized and that Acton’s density standards of 15 units per hectares should “catch up” to Georgetown’s, which is 20 units per hectare.
He acknowledged the site is “awkwardly configured” but maintained that current market demands make the project viable.
With driveways proposed just 25 metres from a busy intersection, Acton resident Chris Grant noted he already waits “several minutes” to exit his driveway due to traffic volume.
Resident Corey Lehman criticized the design, stating, “it looks more like a fire station than a house,” and argued that granting the amendment would suggest the Official Plan is “merely a suggestion.”
Long-time resident and former Halton Hills mayor Rick Bonnette shared a similar sentiment regarding the lot’s size and said he “never thought the place was big enough to hold a four-seater outhouse and two Volkswagen Beetles.”
He also expressed concern that the existing community mailbox on the curve would create dangerous conditions if combined with new residential traffic.
The applicant will file a second submission responding to engineering, transportation, zoning and building comments, as well as public safety and design concerns shared at the meeting.
Town staff will bring a final recommendation report to council at a future meeting.
Commercial and industrial expansion
The proposal for a massive 66-acre project, presented by Halton Hills One GP Inc/Rice Group, includes plans for 11 buildings — eight retail and three industrial — at the corner of Regional Road 25 and 5 Sideroad.
The project hinges on the town expanding its urban boundary to include the “prime agricultural” land.
Aarthi Thaya, senior development manager at Rice Group, framed the project as a major economic driver, estimating $1.65 million in annual property taxes, 948 new jobs in retail and industrial sectors, and $32.9 million in development charges for the town and Halton Region, as well as an additional $2 million in application and permit fees.
Thaya noted they have a contract with a “retail warehouse membership club” for a 167,000 square-foot building on the site, however a confidentiality agreement prevents naming the tenant.
The current proposal also includes widening Regional Road 25 to accommodate two southbound lanes and a northbound left-turn lane, with a new signalized intersection at the northern end of the property to handle truck traffic.
A second entrance on Regional Road 25 is also planned to reduce congestion.
Despite the economic lure, residents on 5 Sideroad fear the massive scale will dry up private wells and create gridlock, especially during the peak season for the nearby Chudleigh’s apple farm.
Town planner Jessica Rahim warned that the developer’s traffic study “did not sufficiently capture the broader area-wide impacts” on the transportation network.
Thaya said Rice Group is considering acoustic barriers, “dark sky” lighting and restrictions on nighttime deliveries.
The developer will review the feedback from the town and the public before re-submitting the proposal. Town staff will then prepare a final recommendation report for council to decide whether to approve or deny the urban boundary request.
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