ECR # 025-1368 I am writing…

ECR # 025-1368
I am writing to express my strong opposition and profound concern regarding the proposed Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) and the designation of the four specified lands (217/227 Cross Ave, 571/581/587-595 Argus Rd, 157/165 Cross Ave, 166 South Service Rd E, and 590 Argus Rd) as a Transit-Oriented Community (TOC) under the Transit-Oriented Communities Act, 2020.
While I appreciate the need for increased housing and density near major transit hubs, the sheer scale of the proposed development—which includes 11 buildings up to 56 storeys tall with a combined Gross Floor Area (GFA) exceeding 537,000 square metres—will introduce an unsustainable level of intensity that will severely damage the quality of life in our community.
My primary concern is the unacceptable burden this development will place on our existing road network and local infrastructure.
1. Severe Traffic Congestion
The intersection of Speers Road and Trafalgar Road is already operating at or near failure during morning and afternoon rush hours. The current traffic volume frequently results in significant delays and driver frustration. Last week, I missed an important medical appointment after spending over 30 minutes trying to cross through this intersection.
The introduction of thousands of new residential units and commercial space will inevitably generate a massive increase in vehicle movements, even with a strong transit-oriented focus.
The immediate local roads surrounding the development (Cross Avenue, Argus Road, South Service Road East) are simply not designed to handle the volume of traffic that will be generated by 11 high-rise towers.
2. Strain on Community Infrastructure
Beyond traffic, the scale of this development will place an immense strain on other essential services:
Schools: The area schools are already at capacity or over-capacity. Where will the hundreds of new students generated by this development be accommodated?
Parkland and Public Space: High-density developments require corresponding public amenities. The proposal does not appear to adequately address the need for new parkland, community centres, or other vital public spaces to serve the thousands of new residents.
In conclusion, I support smart, responsible intensification around the GO Station. However, the proposed development is not responsible. It represents an extreme form of intensification delivered through an MZO that bypasses the local planning process and fails to mitigate its demonstrable negative effects on existing infrastructure.
I respectfully but strongly urge you to reconsider the proposed MZO and require a scaled-back development of a maximum 25 storeys, that is planned collaboratively with the Town of Oakville and its residents, ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place to support it.
Thank you for taking the time to consider the serious impact this proposal will have on our neighbourhood.