The TOC
This section has been created to offer readers information and updates on the TOC (Transit Oriented Community) Program initiated by the Province.
At Council's Planning & Development meeting held Monday, July 8, CAO Clohecy provided an update on the Transit Oriented Community Program (TOC) . In this video clip Ms. Clohecy outlines various aspects of the TOC such as the Confidentiality Agreement required by the province, preliminary stages of the process including the establishment of a Workgroup and Steering Committee, timing for public engagement, etc.
Her remarks accompanied a written report submitted by staff which also included a copy of the letter from the Ministry of Infrastructure which is referenced in the June 3rd entry below.
Earlier, at Council’s Special Midtown Urban Growth Centre meeting on June 3rd, CAO Clohecy announced that Infrastructure Ontario had formally notified the Town of Oakville and the Region of Halton that a potential Transit-Oriented Community Program (TOC) is under exploration within our municipality and that the ministry wants to establish key principles for governance as well as next steps for engagement between the province, the town and the region.
What Does This Mean?
Infrastructure Ontario will be leading the working group, stakeholder engagement and ultimately, development permissions for the area they define as within being within the project scope. This may be a portion of Midtown or all of it. We await their direction on the boundaries to be included in the work.
What Is a TOC?
In 2020, the Government of Ontario introduced a program called Transit Oriented Communities (TOC), which it described as being designed to build vibrant, mixed-use communities that will bring more housing (including affordable housing options), jobs, retail, public amenities and entertainment within a short distance of transit stations. These transit-oriented communities, and other transit development opportunities, will be located along the province’s four subway projects, GO Transit and Light Rail Transit (LRT) projects.
It is important to know that the Government of Ontario is in control of the TOC. The province provides oversight to Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx, the agency partners working to deliver these transit projects.
The rules, roles and responsibilities include the following:
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the province will decide the boundaries of the TOC. (In the case of Midtown, it could range from a small area immediately adjacent to the GO Station, or a much wider scope that would encompass much of the current Midtown delineation).
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the province spearheads the negotiations and selection of the third-party developer and acts as the single commercial interface at the TOC site.
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the province requires Oakville and Halton Region to enter into a Mutual Confidentiality Agreement and Non-Disclosure Agreement with the province. Only approved information may be shared with municipal councils or the general public.
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the public engagement process, when undertaken is under the control of the province.
Reaction From Residents
As we await further information and action from the Province, there is action from residents associations across Oakville under the We Love Oakville banner.
The Province continues to work on their TOC ( Transit Oriented Community) with one developer in Midtown. We do not see why this extra level of effort has been implemented by the province as it is a duplication of the Town's planning efforts.
Equally important is that Oakville knows Oakville best! Our provincial population mandates will be achieved. We will deliver on our housing pledge and we will build a great community that people will want to call home, with the high quality of life that the Provincial Planning Statement requires.
To learn more about We Love Oakville and how you can help Save Midtown see below.
The We Love Oakville website offers extensive background, information and answers on the TOC from a residents' perspective including facts, discussions, recent community video footage, and the Letter Writing Campaign mentioned in the Residents Letter pictured.