Bronte GO Major Transit Station Area Study

The Province’s Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2019), and official plan amendments brought forward as part of the town’s Urban Structure Review, have identified the Bronte GO Station as a major transit station area which needs to be studied. The study is to provide updated and new policies to delineate the boundary of the major transit station area, the mix of land uses (e.g. employment, commercial, residential) and the intensity and scale of future development.

A major transit station area is a key location which integrates the town-wide transportation system, facilitates easy access to transit and transit connections, and provides a focus for transit-supportive development and intensification. The Province’s Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2019) provides policies that local official plans must conform to when planning for MTSAs. These policies include planning for a minimum density target of residents and jobs, and the creation of complete, transit-supportive communities where people can live, work and play in one area, unless Provincial policy provides direction otherwise.

The study evaluated the lands around the Bronte GO Station to determine what lands should form part of the Major Transit Station Area (MTSA). The provincial Growth Plan states that a MTSA is generally defined as the area within an approximate 500 to 800 metre radius of a transit station, representing about a 10-minute walk. The provincial Growth Plan also states that the boundary of the MTSA must be delineated in a transit-supportive manner which maximizes the size of the area and the number of potential transit users that are within walking distance of the station.

An MTSA boundary was delineated in coordination with Halton Region as part of the study process. Halton Region is responsible for delineating the final boundary.

The study will result in an Area Specific Plan to guide how the Bronte GO Station and surrounding area will grow and change in the future. The Area Specific Plan will be supported by a number of technical studies, and will provide policy direction to inform a future official plan amendment to the Livable Oakville Plan, including:

• delineated boundary of the MTSA;
• mix of land uses, including building heights and density;
• transportation, including transit and active transportation;
• municipal infrastructure improvements including community facilities;
• urban design and public realm improvements; and,
• implementation tools.

A final report with a recommended Official Plan Amendment is anticipated to be presented to Council for approval by the end of 2021. Should Town Council adopt the Official Plan Amendment, it is then forwarded to Halton Region for final approval

March 2021 – Discussion Meeting at Planning and Development Council

The Area Specific Plan for the Bronte GO Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) was presented at  Planning and Development Council on March 8, 2021 (Agenda Item 8) . At the meeting, council directed staff to develop a town-initiated Official Plan Amendment substantially in accordance with the Area Specific Plan for the Bronte GO Major Transit Station Area, in consideration of comments received, and to report back at a future Statutory Public Meeting of Planning and Development Council.

November 2019 - Public Workshop

The town hosted a public workshop on November 20, 2019 at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. The workshop was to review the study results to date and to evaluate draft land use scenarios for the Bronte GO Major Transit Station Area. The workshop included an open house with information display boards and an overview presentation about the study and draft land use scenarios. The workshop also included an interactive and facilitated session where participants worked through a series of focus questions to evaluate draft land use scenarios. The materials presented at the workshop are provided below:

• Meeting Notice (pdf)
• Display Boards (pdf)
• Presentation Slides (pdf)
• Workshop Questions (pdf)
• Table Worksheets (pdf)
• Study Postcard (pdf)

October 2019 - Study Update

The Bronte GO Major Transit Area Study was updated at the Livable Oakville Council Subcommittee. A staff report and presentation were received by the subcommittee:

• Staff Report - Item  5 a. including Appendix A, Part A - Draft Land Use Scenario  Report from the Livable Oakville Subcommittee Agenda from October 7, 2019
• Appendix A - Part B: Technical Backgrounder (pdf)
• Subcommittee Presentation (pdf)

March/April 2019 - Online Survey

An online survey was available for two weeks following the Public Engagement Workshop #1. The survey provided members of the public an opportunity to comment on the opportunities and challenges within the study area and provide ideas for how to improve the area when planning for the future of the Bronte GO MTSA. The survey closed April 9, 2019.

March 2019 – Public Engagement Workshop #1

The Town held a public engagement workshop on March 21, 2019 at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. The session included an open house with information display boards and an overview presentation about the study and initial findings. The session concluded with an interactive workshop where participants worked together to identify opportunities and challenges within the study area and share their ideas for how to improve the area when planning for the area. The materials presented at the workshop are provided below:

Agenda (pdf)
Display Boards (pdf)
Presentation Slides (pdf)
Workshop Maps (pdf)
Comment Form (pdf)

December 2018 - Project Kick-off

Town staff and the consulting team held a project kick-off meeting. The project team went on a guided walking tour, led by town staff, of the Bronte Go Station and surrounding area.

November 2018 - Consultants Retained

The Town of Oakville retained consulting firm Sajecki Planning Inc., in association with DTAH, Wood, LURA, R.E. Millward and Associates, and N. Barry Lyon Consultants, to undertake the Bronte GO Major Transit Station Area Study and associated technical supporting studies.

June 2018 - Study Initiation

The Bronte GO Major Transit Area Study was initiated at the Livable Oakville Council Subcommittee. A staff report and presentation were received by the subcommittee:

• Staff Report
• Subcommittee Presentation (pdf)

A town-initiated Official Plan Amendment will be presented at a future Statutory Public Meeting of Planning and Development Council, in accordance with the Planning Act. This meeting will provide another opportunity to comment on the draft proposed policies. This meeting is currently anticipated in spring 2021.

A final recommendation to Council is anticipated by the end of 2021. If Council adopts the Official Plan Amendment, it will then be forwarded to Halton Region for final approval.