Official Plan Technical Reports

Phase One

22 technical reports to help you understand the issues on growth management and land use planning in Halton from 2021 to 2031.

The Phase One technical reports are grouped into 3 categories for you:

• Evaluation Framework
• Environment
• People

Evaluation Framework

These reports look at high level growth concepts and land use options identified during Phase One of the Sustainable Halton process.

• Land Use Concepts and Evaluation Framework
  • Final Sustainable Halton Evaluation Framework (PDF file)
    This framework will be used to create a series of growth concepts and provide the tools necessary to assist in refining these concepts down to a short list of growth and land use management options.
• Working Paper #1: Land Use
  • Sustainable Halton, Working Paper #1: Locating New Urban Land (PDF file)
    This working paper outlines a process for choosing which undeveloped, urban land (Designated Greenfield Areas) inside the PSA should be developed in the future.

Environment

Environment reports focus on Halton's physical and natural environment. These reports cover information and suggest policy direction for: aggregates, agricultural needs, climate change, energy needs and options, a Natural Heritage System, land use, and fresh water needs and options.

• Aggregates
  • Aggregates Resources Strategy (PDF file)
    This report suggests direction for policy, land use, resource conservation and rehabilitation, and conformity with key provincial legislation and regional plans for shale deposits located in Halton Region's Primary Study Area.
• Agriculture
  • Agricultural Countryside Vision (PDF file)
    This report assesses the feasibility of retaining a permanent agricultural presence in the Primary Study Area and outside of the Greenbelt in Halton Region. It also describes how this goal could be achieved within a regional countryside vision.
• Climate Change
  • Climate Change (PDF file)
    This study provides an overview of current information on Climate Change. As well, it outlines how elements of the Sustainable Halton Plan might contribute to reducing the region's future greenhouse gas emissions as well as anticipating and adapting to possible changes resulting from Climate Change.
• Energy
  • Energy Demand and Supply (PDF file)
    This report focuses on existing energy supply facilities and future supply requirements. It also analyzes energy demand reduction possibilities through land use planning and housing density policies.
• Natural Environment
  • Options for A Natural Heritage System in Halton (PDF file)
    As Halton Region's population increases, we need to accommodate growth in an orderly, planned manner that maintains the quality of life, encourages healthy living and preserves our natural environment. This report outlines three options for creating a Natural Heritage System in Halton Region.
• Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
  • Water and Wastewater Infrastructure (PDF file)
    This background study provides an overview of current, planned and potential water and wastewater infrastructure for Halton Region.
  • Appendix A (PDF file)
    Current Water and Waste Water Systems In Halton Region.
  • Appendix B
    • Project Descriptions and Location of Water Capital Projects (PDF file)
    • Project Descriptions and Location of Wastewater Capital Projects (PDF file)
    Development Water and Wastewater Capital Projects (2007-2016)

People

The People section contains research reports on local archaeology, health, housing, land supply, transportation considerations and waste management.

• Archaeology
  • Archaeological Resources (PDF file)
    A total of 135 archaeological sites have been documented within or immediately adjacent to Halton Region. These sites date from circa 10,000 B.C. to the nineteenth century A.D.
    This report provides a summary of the relevant policies from the various archaeological and cultural heritage documents that should be considered as part of the planning review for the Sustainable Halton Plan.
• Health
  • Community Food Security (PDF file)
    Land use planning decisions of the Sustainable Halton process can affect the community's ability to attain and maintain community food security. Given this potential impact on food supplies, this report:
    • Reviews the importance of preserving agricultural lands for food production
    • Describes the community health benefits of a local food supply, and
    • Discusses the impact of community design on community food security including the placement of food retail outlets, planning for affordable housing, and allowing for urban agriculture.
  • Appendix One - Canada Food Guide (external link)
  • Healthy Community Principles (PDF file)
    This report describes the Healthy Communities model, its qualities and process, and details how the Healthy Communities model can be applied to land-use planning projects, especially Sustainable Halton.
  • Human Services (PDF file)
    Human services include, but are not limited to, community health and social services, schools, hospitals, police, housing providers, municipal recreation departments, and non-profit and voluntary services.
    This paper recommends an integrated approach to community and social services as part of land use planning.
  • Physical Activity and the Built Environment (PDF file)
    Our built environments - homes, schools, workplaces and communities - can either encourage or discourage physical activity. This report outlines the benefits and options to designing Complete Communities that encourage regular physical activity.
• Housing
  • Housing Directions (PDF file)
    Creating Complete Communities includes providing a range of housing to meet residents' needs over their lifetimes. This report examines housing mix options outlined in regional and provincial policy initiatives. It also offers a framework for creating a balanced mix of housing types to meet density, accessibility, affordability and other requirements.
• Land Supply
  • Land Supply Analysis (PDF file)
    This report analyzes the range of urban residential and employment land that may be required to accommodate growth in Halton to 2031.
  • Regional Land Analysis (PDF file)
    The Regional Land Analysis analyzes Halton through the lens of land use and breaks Halton Region up into five major land use types. It also provides the basis for land use analysis and definitions of key terms used in developing the Sustainable Halton plan.
    Finally, it provides an overview of what land is currently designated for environmental purposes, what is currently designated for urban use and what areas could be designated for urban use.
  • Urban Structure: Potential Long-Term Growth Areas (PDF file)
    This report discusses potential locations for new urban employment and residential areas in Halton within the Sustainable Halton Primary Study Area.
  • Towards An Intensification Strategy (PDF file)
    Housing intensification is one of the major challenges for the Sustainable Halton plan. This short report outlines the intensification strategies that will be examined later in the research process.
  • Explaining Density (PDF file)
    This report details the range of density options available to Halton Region including the Local Municipalities in Halton, and evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of the various options.
  • Effect of Demographic Change on Halton Region (PDF file)
    Halton Region's population is going to increase significantly over the next 25 years. The demographic changes that accompany this growth will change the employment and residential lands needs of the region.
    This report outlines how these changes may also significantly affect municipal and agency service delivery over the next 25 years. It shows how the primary driver of this change will likely be the distribution of the population across different age groups from pre-school to elderly (age structure) .
• Transportation
  • Transportation Infrastructure (PDF file)
  • Appendix A (PDF file)
  • Appendices B to D (PDF file)
  • Appendices E to G (PDF file)
  Transportation covers roadway improvements, transit initiatives, transportation supply management and transportation demand management. This study provides an overview of current, planned and potential transportation improvements in Halton Region and surrounding regional municipalities.
• Waste Management
  • Waste Management Facilities (PDF file)
    This report provides a review of the 2006-2010 Solid Waste Management Strategy and future potential waste management infrastructure requirements to 2031 for Halton Region. It also provides a policy framework for the management of municipal solid waste when developing future areas in Halton.