Halton Hills Policy Planning…

Halton Hills Policy Planning staff took part in the Halton Area Planning Partnership (HAPP) Joint Submission process to produce joint comments on the Proposed Amendment 1. This report was lead by Region of Halton staff and submitted separately. Key comments staff would like to make (and are included in the attached report) include:

• Removal of protections for endangered species in the Growth Plan for new mineral aggregate operations: Town staff note this proposed policy change should be reconsidered given the potential for endangered species habitat to be located outside of significant wetlands and woodlands.

• Engagement with Indigenous communities: As in past Joint Submissions (i.e. PPS Review), Town staff continue to be supportive of the Provincial efforts to include stronger policy language for Indigenous community engagement. For this submission, staff noted that a Provincial guideline is still not in place for what constitutes meaningful engagement.

• Support for Mock B scenario: Town staff expressed support for the Mock B scenario (Schedule 3 showing 2051 forecasts only) with a clear objective of steady and predictable phasing in growth, accompanied by seamless servicing and allocation.

Please note that on July 27th, Halton Hills Town Council, in objection with the proposed extended planning horizon, voted to amend the recommendations made in the attached report to be worded as follows:

Amend the 2nd paragraph to read as follows;

AND FURTHER THAT Council endorse the comments contained in the Joint Submission attached as Schedule one to this report, with the exception of the Planning Horizon to 2051.

Add new paragraph..

AND FURTHER THAT Town Council’s displeasure with the Planning Horizon to 2051 is to be submitted, along with Schedule One, to the Province in advance of the commenting deadline of July 31, 2020;