Frequently Asked Questions

All reports and recommendations from the Mill Street Neighbourhood Study will be considered part of the background review for this project. While recommendations from this study can’t be directly implemented through this review, the project team will ensure that Secondary Plan policies don’t prevent these recommendations from being implemented. 

The review will also look for ways to encourage the implementation of recommendations from the Mill Street Neighbourhood Study, wherever possible.

The Provincial Policy Statement and the Growth Plan provide strong direction for increased intensification and support the close integration of transportation and land use planning through transit-supportive development in proximity to higher order transit, such as GO Transit. As a result, the Halton Regional Official Plan has identified the Georgetown GO Major Transit Station Area as an area for intensification.

The current Georgetown GO Station Area Secondary Plan, adopted in 2010, designated certain areas for high density development, including the High Density Residential/Community Facility Area in the Mill Street Corridor and the High Density Residential/Mixed Use Areas in the North Precinct, which are critical in achieving higher overall density for the Plan Area, while developing on sites already designated for high density. 

Existing designations also permit medium density uses on Guelph Street and north of the train station. These areas present opportunities to achieve gentler intensification and allow for better transition into the established low-density neighbourhoods.

In June 2020, the Town completed an Intensification Opportunities Study to develop and update policies and guidelines for intensification in the urban areas of Acton and Georgetown, outside of the Mature Neighbourhoods. 

Intensification means the development of a property, site or area at a higher density than currently exists through:

• redevelopment, including the reuse of brownfield sites locations with unused factories or commercial buildings;
• the development of vacant and/or under-utilized lots within previously developed areas;
• infill development (development in remaining empty lots in the built areas; and,
• the expansion or conversion of existing buildings.

The study assessed existing land use permissions, transportation and servicing infrastructure, and market opportunities to help identify and reassess potential intensification areas in the Town.

You can review the Results and Recommendation Report for more information.

Located along existing or planned transit corridors, Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA) generally represent a 500-800m radius around a transit station. As mandated by the Provincial Growth Plan, these areas are intended to accommodate higher density, mixed use and transit supportive development. Halton Hills currently has two MTSAs in Acton and Georgetown, which were established through Halton Region Official Plan Amendment 48. It is the responsibility of the Town to ensure MTSAs have corresponding Secondary Plans with policies to accommodate higher density, mixed use development and continuity.

Halton Region staff has provided an estimated 37 people and jobs per hectare in the Georgetown GO MTSA. The low-density estimate can be attributed to underutilized employment and commercial areas, and High Density Residential/Mixed Use Areas I and II - having yet to be developed for their intended use.

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.

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.

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.

How will parking needs be addressed as the area around the GO Station intensifies? How can one parking space per unit be accommodated?

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.

The Secondary Plan Review will not directly address ongoing issues with active construction projects. The larger scale projects underway in the Mill Street Corridor will have filed Site Plan Applications and be subject to Construction Management Plans which help anticipate which issues may present themselves over the life of a construction project and present strategies to address them. Where construction-related issues are raised by residents, Town staff are responsible for communicating concerns to the developer and seeking feedback on resolution.  Specific concerns have been raised on noise, dust and parking related to construction activities:

Noise: construction noise is permitted from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. on weekdays, and 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Noise complaints outside of these hours are handled by Town By-law Enforcement staff, who work with the developer to ensure compliance.

Dust: Town staff work with the developer to address the dust by sweeping, flushing or wetting the driveway isles.

Parking: where material deliveries for construction sites are the cause of congestion, Town staff do work with the developer on strategies to minimize impacts.

For follow-up inquiries please contact the Building Department, you can send a message electronically here, or call 905-873-2600 x2300.

Town and Halton Region staff are currently working towards establishing a density target for the Georgetown GO MTSA. The target will be based on existing population and employment estimates in the area. The target will also factor in what growth could be achieved through existing secondary plan permissions under the Halton Hills Official Plan.

Throughout the Secondary Plan Review, Town staff will work with Metrolinx to communicate ongoing issues and concerns raised by residents. Residents can also access information directly from Metrolinx through online resources including the Kitchener Expansion Preliminary Design Business Case (for end state of GO Expansion along Kitchener corridor), Kitchener Expansion website and Metrolinx blog (for ongoing progress).

Questions can also be sent directly to Town staff or though the Let’s Talk Halton Hills project page and we will contact Metrolinx staff for information and communicate back to the public.

Through the Secondary Plan Review process, the project team will consider how and where affordable housing can be incorporated into plan policies. The Review is still in its early stages and further discussion on affordable housing through committees and public engagement is needed. The project team will look into available tools and resources related to affordable housing and how they may be incorporated into the Secondary Plan.

As part of the municipal planning circulation process under the Planning Act, we do, as a commenting agency, require submission of noise studies for development within 300 metres of our GO Transit corridors. The intent is to ensure that noise related to GO Transit rail operations – forecasting to a 10-year horizon – is correctly contemplated and appropriate mitigation introduced to achieve Ministry-mandated indoor and outdoor noise levels. These studies may also consider vibration mitigation if the development is within 75 metres of the rail line.

In regard to Metrolinx projects, if a Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) is underway we would typically complete a Noise and Vibration Assessment. This would include an assessment of future operations on the corridor (i.e., increase of trains).

Truck restrictions on Urban Area roads generally apply between Monday to Friday (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.), Saturdays (6 a.m. to 12 noon) and all Sundays, which means trucks can operate on weekdays during the day time. 

For more information you can consult the Halton Hills Truck Map.

Through the Secondary Plan Review, the project team will consider the impacts of future development on existing road networks, which would include commercial vehicle traffic, and make recommendations accordingly.

For road classifications, please consult the Halton Hills Transportation Master Plan.

Any mapping online or at our public events showing proposed connections are conceptual at this point. The purpose of this is to identify new roads that may be required to facilitate future high-density developments on the north side of the GO Station. Any extension of Stewart McLaren Road would require additional transportation and engineering studies, beyond what would be completed for the Secondary Plan Review.

 Any conceptual roads identified in the Plan Area on redevelopment sites have been identified at a high level without detailed design. The location and design of new roads required to facilitate redevelopment on large sites would be evaluated at the design stage of development, through a separate development review process (e.g. rezoning and/or site plan applications).

Through the Secondary Plan Review process, existing land use designations are reviewed and changes to the uses allowed on specific parcels might be recommended to ensure that the plan continues to reflect local priorities and changing community needs. 

Consideration will also be given to proposals ahead of drafting a final Preferred Land Use Plan as to whether proposed conversions are justified, and would benefit the Plan Area. Any conversions made through the process would apply to the Secondary Plan only. 

In most cases, site-specific rezoning would be required for a converted property to develop newly permitted uses. The rezoning process provides the Town the opportunity to properly evaluate the impacts of new development on a property that differs from what was previously permitted.

As the project moves into its third phase, the project team will draft technical studies covering key focus areas, including transportation, servicing, cultural and natural heritage. Findings and recommendations made in these studies will help further guide the Preferred Land Use Plan, and support the development of Secondary Plan policies. Finalized studies will be posted online at Let’s Talk Halton Hills for public review. 

In early 2024, staff expect to bring an updated Preferred Land Use Plan to Town Council for endorsement. This is a key project milestone, after which the project team will begin drafting policies for the updated Secondary Plan.

Another Public Open House (POH) will be held in the new year. The purpose of this event will be to present a draft updated Secondary Plan to the public for additional feedback. The timing of this POH will be determined once a Preferred Land Use Plan is endorsed by Town Council.

Following the adoption of the updated Secondary Plan by Town Council, it will need to be approved by the Province. 

Property owners who are interested in making changes (i.e. development) to their property or properties can submit a planning application at any time. The development approvals process can take anywhere from approximately 6 months to several years, depending on the nature of the proposal. Construction can only occur after planning approvals have been received, which again can vary in length depending on complexity. 

For more information on the Town’s Development Review process, please visit: https://www.haltonhills.ca/en/business/development-application-forms.aspx

According to the proposed plans, the development of the Georgetown GO Station Area / Mill Street Corridor is expected to take 25+ years and is dependant upon when private landowners submit development applications and receive their approvals. This study considers a “full-build out” growth scenario in the Secondary Plan area to the year 2051 (and beyond). Change is anticipated to occur over the short, medium and long-term. For privately-owned lands, a landowner must follow the Town’s development approvals process and can depend on other factors such as due diligence, stakeholder and public consultation and securing financing.

Yes. The Provincial Planning Statement, 2024, contains density targets for Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) which includes the area surrounding the Georgetown GO station. For areas served by commuter or regional rail, planning authorities shall plan for a minimum density target of 150 residents and jobs combined per hectare (see Section 2.4.2.2).

Under specific circumstances a municipality may request from the Province a lower minimum density target for a MTSA. Should the Town decide a lower density target is necessary for the MTSA, the request will be made to the Province when a draft Secondary Plan has been prepared.

The Halton Region 2022 Development Charges Background Study organizes “density” into four categories (low, medium, medium-high and high) which consider different unit types (including multiple-bedroom units) and assigns a people per unit ratio to each housing category. This study, and the Region’s Joint Best Planning Estimates, were considered in the density analysis undertaken for the preferred land use option. 

It is anticipated that the Low-Density Residential Areas will remain largely unchanged, which allows for additional dwelling units and modest infill development as-of-right.

The built-out area in the southern area of Georgetown is not within the project’s study area. A map of the study area is available here.

The purpose of the preferred land use option is to serve as the basis for developing policy in the Secondary Plan. The preferred land use option includes several schedules (or “layers”) related to land use, height, transportation and mobility, parks and open space, and a series of conceptual schedules that explore redevelopment potential throughout the study area.

The project team will continue to work closely with Town Planning and Parks staff to identify opportunities for POPS that can be addressed through policy as well as other planning tools and incentives. Landowners / developers are encouraged to design POPS that are easily accessible, located close to public right-of-way and are designed with seamless integration with the surrounding urban environment. POPS are encouraged and may count toward parkland dedication, provided they meet Council approval and have the appropriate agreements in place.

Yes, that is a key priority of the Secondary Plan Review. The density analysis undertaken for the preferred land use option considers the number of people and jobs (combined) per hectare. A greater mix of uses (such as commercial and residential) is encouraged throughout the study area. There are also opportunities to integrate more flexibility in buildings to adapt to changing market conditions in the long term.

As part of the study, a scoped Traffic Impact Study is being prepared by a transportation engineering consultant which considers the preferred land use option and technical requirements outlined in agreed upon Terms of References (TORs) by the Consultant, Town and Region. 

The Georgetown GO Station Area/Mill Street Corridor Secondary Plan addresses increased traffic through a comprehensive Traffic Impact Study (TIS). This study evaluates current traffic conditions and projects future traffic growth, considering multiple horizon years (2036 and 2051). It identifies potential capacity issues and proposes solutions, while the Town will continue to monitor traffic growth rates to ensure effective management of increased traffic in the area.

While land use policy can encourage rental housing, it can only require it in strategic areas through the use of specific tools, such as a Community Improvement Plan. The project team will work closely with staff to consider additional municipal tools and incentives that can help support more rental housing in the future.

The updated secondary plan will encourage a diverse range of housing types. By providing a greater supply of housing (and more variety), the aim is to meet the needs of people with different ages, abilities and backgrounds.  

POPS are spaces which are privately owned but can be accessed by the public. POPS can take many forms, such as courtyards, improved walkways, or gardens. They serve as places for people to relax, socialize and enjoy outdoor activities. POPS are usually negotiated with developers as part of the planning application review process. They are meant to complement, extend or integrate with public parks and plazas (such as a public square), not replace them.

The updated Secondary Plan builds on the Mill Street Neighbourhood Study by integrating updated traffic analysis and proposed improvements. It considers the findings and recommendations in the Mill Street Neighbourhood Study Preferred Design Report (2020), such as opportunities for improved conditions (triggered through new development), enhanced traffic management and improved circulation and pedestrian access throughout the area.

Currently, there are two special stakeholder groups for the project:

Neighbourhood Group: During the initial stages of the project, Town staff opted to establish a stakeholder group involving local resident associations/groups. This was done in lieu of a traditional Steering Committee due to the ongoing 2022 municipal election. The Neighbourhood Group involves members from the Silver Creek Residents Association and John Street Residents Group. Meetings with the Neighbourhood Group are identified in Phases 2, 3 and 4.

Advisory Committee (New):

An Advisory Committee will be engaged during Phase 4 of the project. Per the Town’s Steering Committee Call for Applicants document, the following eligibility criteria applies:

• Must be a resident of, or hold property within, or adjacent to, the Georgetown GO Station Area/Mill Street Corridor Plan Area in Halton Hills.
• Representatives from established neighbourhood groups and associations are welcome and encouraged to apply.
• Must be over the age of 18 years.

May not be employed by the Town of Halton Hills.

River Drive serves an important function as a Minor Arterial road, designed to accommodate heavy truck traffic. It is one of the few Credit River crossings that provide crucial access to regional markets for local businesses. The road plays a vital role in supporting commercial activities located on Armstrong Avenue, Sinclair Avenue, Todd Road, Mountainview Road, and Guelph Street (Highway 7). To maintain the Town's economic viability, it is essential to ensure 24/7 access for these businesses. Heavy trucks are integral to the operations of these commercial establishments, and restricting their movement would negatively impact local economic activity. Given these considerations and the current road network structure, River Drive will continue to function as a designated truck route. While the Town recognizes the concerns of residents, the road's classification and its significance for local commerce necessitate its continued use by heavy vehicles. These concerns are noted by Town Transportation staff and will be considered further in the Town’s ongoing Trucking Strategy Study.