What? Mixed-Use Development in Oakville

Why? Facilitate development by taking advantage of the site’s close proximity transit

Big Idea: Increase density in Midtown Oakville’s Lyons District by utilizing the site’s close proximity to the Oakville GO station and the future Provincial GO RER project that will improve the area’s access.

This creates immense potential for mixed-use development that will allow the area to grow more sustainably with residential and commercial uses strategically placed to meet objectives in the Livable Oakville Official Plan.

Midtown Oakville is recognized as one of 25 Urban Growth Centres (UGC) in A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. UGCs are intended to support future intensification and “accommodate significant population and employment growth”. The Growth Plan directs the area to support a minimum of 200 people and jobs per hectare by 2031. 

We know that a significant portion of the lands around Metrolinx GO Stations are reserved for parking and thus are not being used efficiently to meet density targets. Currently, GO has approximately one parking space for every 1.4 daily riders but hopes for a ratio closer to one space for every2.5 riders by 2031. Transit-oriented development will help achieve this goal.

Why? Besides the fact that more dense forms of housing need to be built in strategic areas well served by public services and infrastructure, the promotion of transit-oriented communities represents a transition to sustainable growth that will increase urban resilience and help cities reduce their carbon emissions. 

At Oakville GO, there is golden opportunity to intensify land near a high traffic, transit area that will help prepare Oakville for a new age of city building.