FAQs

Currently in Phase 2, this project will see four phases before it is complete. Moving forward, the project team will initiate required technical studies to evaluate the servicing, transportation, natural and cultural heritage, and urban design components of the Plan Area. 

The public can expect a follow-up Public Open House where policy directions for the project are presented in more detail. They will then be asked for input on the current policy framework, and what should be incorporated into a revised and updated Secondary Plan for the area.

In the third phase of the project, the team will identify a preferred land use concept based on public input, findings in the technical studies, and Provincial legislative requirements. This will be followed by the preparation of a draft Secondary Plan, which is to be presented to the public to solicit feedback before a finalized version is presented to Town Council.

While not an official designation, the ‘central hub’ for this Plan Area can be considered that which is immediately adjacent to the GO Station lands. For the Georgetown GO Station Area, this is where the most significant growth is likely to occur. Where properties are designated for High Density Uses, but do not currently host high density development, it is possible they could be redeveloped into something to match the designation in the future.

Sustainable growth is that which considers the context of the surrounding Georgetown area. This should consider the needs of current residents, while also planning to accommodate the needs of future residents. The Plan Area is well established and can only grow through redevelopment. This presents challenges as the community grows and its needs increase. Long-term sustainable growth must look for opportunities to add services that meet residents’ commercial, recreational and institutional needs, in addition to an increased housing supply.

The Metrolinx GO Rail Station Access planning process is currently considering options to add up to 199 parking spots on the north side of the station.

Parking requirements for developments around the GO Station site are likely to be evaluated as applicants go through the site-specific development application process, which are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Metrolinx has recently published a GO Rail Station Access Plan. Within this document there is a profile of Georgetown GO Station (pages 89-90). Required enhancements to the GO Station include an accessible pedestrian tunnel underneath the tracks, which is to be followed by the relocation of the current bus stop from the north side of the tracks to the south side. It is Town staff’s understanding at this time that this relocation would result in bus service in Georgetown (including stops) moving to the south side of the GO Station.

Long-term planning by Metrolinx for the Kitchener GO line (which services Georgetown) includes the development of two-way, all-day train service. The intent of this increase in train service is to better accommodate growing populations within Major Transit Station Areas along the Kitchener GO line. Plans for this are already underway and more information can be found on the Kitchener GO Line Expansion page.

The location and building of new schools is done through a process administered by the Halton School Boards and Provincial Ministry of Education. You can learn more about school construction projects by visiting Halton District School Board’s Long Term Accommodation Plan page; OR the Halton Catholic District School Board’s Long-Term Capital Plan page.

Current servicing capacity, as well as an assessment of future need will be identified in the Area Servicing Plan for this project. The preferred land use concept must consider and align with the findings of the Area Servicing Plan. As the servicing infrastructure provider for the Town, the Region of Halton is involved in the evaluation of this study.   

Much of the high-density development being contemplated through this process is within areas already designated and approved for high density development. The creation of the Georgetown GO Station Area Secondary Plan in 2010 would have also been supported by an approved Servicing Plan.

The 15-minute neighbourhood concept was recently referred to at the virtual Public Open House. The intent of this concept is to establish policies to encourage mixed-use development, providing residents greater access to employment, shopping, and recreation closer to home.

No. While the current Secondary Plan designations for these properties permit high-density, mixed-uses; any redevelopment would have to be initiated by the owners. As in many cases within the Plan Area, the uses in question (school, post office) do not match their designation as they were established long before the Secondary Plan came into effect. The potential to redevelop into higher density uses is there, however the policies of the Secondary Plan cannot force this to happen.

Yes. Where concepts presented through this process may propose to raise building heights beyond what is currently permitted, public input will be considered before any final decisions will be made.  

The Halton Hills Official Plan (section G3.1) identifies that one of the intents of a Secondary Plan should be to “establish population, housing unit and employment capacity targets, including targets for affordable housing;”. 

The review of the Georgetown GO Station/Mill Street Corridor Secondary Plan will consider where policies can be updated/revised to encourage the development of affordable housing, including requirements for subsidized units.

 Areas designated for medium and high-density residential uses are more likely to present opportunities for affordable housing through redevelopment, while low density residential areas may be able to create some affordability through the creation of accessory dwelling units.

Existing policies within the Georgetown GO Station Area Secondary Plan provide permissions for compact, mixed-use development. Through this review and feedback received, the project team will consider where and how policies can be revised to further encourage the development of such assets.

Through Provincial Bill 23, permissions for up to two additional residential units (in addition to the primary dwelling unit) were granted outright for any properties within urban areas that are connected to municipal servicing, where single, semi-detached and townhouse units are already permitted.   

This provides current residents permission to increase the number of units on their properties, subject to applicable Ontario Building Code requirements. This includes the option for one detached unit ancillary to the primary dwelling unit. This type of unit would be very similar to the ‘tiny home’ and granny flat’ concepts.

Later in 2023, Town staff will begin the process of preparing an update to Zoning By-law 2010-0050 to better reflect new Province-wide permissions for additional residential units. Units will still have to meet certain Town zoning standards related to property line setbacks and size. 

Residents with further inquiries on this are encouraged to reach out directly to Town Planning staff, or through the ‘Ask the Town’ (Questions and Comments) tool on the Let’s Talk Halton Hills project page.

Policies for High Density Residential areas will be reviewed through this process to determine whether current permissions are adequate for the Plan Area moving forward. As a part of this, the project team will consider whether policies either requiring or encouraging purpose-built rental units are appropriate and can be implemented.

Yes! All feedback received, especially at this stage, helps inform changes / refinements to the land use plan and future Secondary Plan policies. Each comment is reviewed and considered as part of this process.

The two key stakeholder groups identified for this project are the Silver Creek Neighbourhood Association and the John Street Residents Group. Town staff encourage all other groups who wish to engage in the process to do so. All feedback gathered is appreciated and will be considered as the policies are reviewed and a preferred land use concept developed.

The project team is aware of the changes introduced by Bill 23. These include changes to the Planning Act, Development Charges Act, Ontario Heritage Act, Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) and Growth Plan. The team will assess how changes will impact the Secondary Plan Review, provide an update on the impacts to the public and implement changes through the study process.