I am a resident of the Town…

I am a resident of the Town of Oakville. I am extremely concerned regarding the future impact of the proposed (MZO) for the TOC in the Town of Oakville. The present TOC proposal emphasizes Mega-Density not seen in any global community housing development project. The 11 high rise towers (consisting of 45 to 59 stories) will be home to approximately 12,00 to 14,000 people on just 5 hectares of land (density levels of 2,400 to 2,800 people per hectare). I challenge the Provincial Government Staff to find this level of per hectare anywhere in the world. We are treading into unchartered territory.
It is unclear what the long term impact of this mega-density project (TOC) will have on the Town of Oakville. I implore you to use the latest technology (A Causal Prediction Model Analysis) to determine the actual long term impacts of the TOC proposal versus the community-based OPA70 proposal. This is how policy evaluations are done in evidence-based governments. This methodology was voted one of the top scientific developments in the last 100 years. It is not just a correlational model. It was designed to predict how systems will change based on any policy change. Let's be scientific about the actual impact that the proposed TOC will have on the Town of Oakville (roads, transit access, parks, municipal and community services, access to local community schools, recreation, infrastructure, local tax base burden, community well being-satisfaction-engagement, to name a few factors).
Additionally, I am concerned about the level of community engagement/involvement in this project. Partisan politics just does not work in this situation. The whole community engagement consultation process both at the Town of Oakville and the Provincial Government has been disrespectful to the citizens of the Town of Oakville. It has felt like token consultation versus real consultation where local voices are heard and respected. It is hard to sit through another consultation process where public officials are constantly distracted by their online technology screens. If you are in a meeting with concerned community representatives that have a great development plan, the best you can do is listen without distractions and with an open mind. At a recent Q & A, Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Company, reported that in his meetings he asks that all technology be turned off - this sends the message that they have his undivided attention. A lesson in leadership.
Jane Jacobs, the American-Canadian urbanist, reminds us that livable Cities have a key element of urban design: Character-a place with its own esteemed/positive identity, Inclusion of private and public spaces, Attractive and well used outdoor areas, Easy to get to and move through, Navigation -a place that is easy to navigate, Diversity-a place with variety and choice. Jacobs' most relevant quote for this consultation, "Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everyone." Community self-determinism and ownership are not just empty words or a rigid partisan political stance. In Jacobs' theory of urbanism, it is a necessary part of creating livable, responsive, and civic-minded engaged citizens. OPA70 is not against development. It is against unchartered out of control mega-density (not seen anywhere else in the world). Listen to the community voices. Their OPA70 proposal is community driven and sensible.