By Claude & Parth on 2026-03-17, City: Milton, View Transcript
Milton City Council held a packed meeting featuring five statutory public meetings under the Planning Act, addressing major development proposals including the Agretton Secondary Plan—a transformative high-density, transit-oriented development around a proposed GO station. Council rejected a controversial temporary truck parking application despite concerns about illegal parking, citing traffic congestion and environmental restrictions. The meeting also saw approval of a comprehensive Fire Master Plan requiring significant investment over four years, and discussion of a transit service contract extension that will increase costs by 54% over three years despite declining ridership. The development charge bylaw discussion was deferred to May to allow more stakeholder consultation amid economic uncertainty.
Council advanced a massive secondary plan covering 359 hectares between Highway 401 and Dairy Road, centered around a proposed Milton Trafalgar GO station. The plan targets a minimum of 14,100 residents and 17,500 jobs with a density of 180 residents and jobs per hectare. Building heights will range dramatically, with mixed-use high-density zones having no maximum height limit near the GO station, while other areas will reach up to 25 stories at the Derry and Trafalgar intersection. Commissioner Hogan emphasized: "This amendment would not change the proposed densities for the secondary plan. We're still planning at very high transit supportive densities of 180 residents and jobs per hectare." The plan eliminates single and semi-detached dwellings in medium-density areas, fundamentally transforming the area from farmland to urban development. Delegate Paul Lowes noted: "This area will transform over the coming decades. It's not something we'll see tomorrow." Council directed staff to prepare the plan for adoption expected in early summer 2026.
Council denied a temporary use bylaw for 154 commercial truck parking spaces at the former Mohawk Inn site (9230 G Line), despite the applicant's argument that it would address illegal parking issues. Councilor Best highlighted severe traffic concerns, noting the area is in the "red zone" with 13,000 vehicles per day including over 700 heavy trucks daily, and the proposal would add approximately 300 truck movements daily. The property is wholly located within the Greenbelt Plan's protected countryside designation and fully regulated by Conservation Halton. Applicant Sean Solenir, who has owned the property for 16 years, argued he was "first to do it right" by following proper process and emphasized the site's proximity to Highway 401. However, Councilor Mikakus stated: "That whole area has changed" in the past eight years, suggesting the neighborhood has evolved to make truck parking incompatible. The denial came despite support from some councilors who saw it as a temporary revenue source while the owner addresses wastewater servicing issues for future hotel redevelopment.
Council unanimously approved the 2026 Fire Master Plan covering 2026-2031, which will require substantial financial investment over the next four years. The plan includes opening Station 6 within 60-72 months and Station 7 beyond that timeline, implementing a new 300-second travel time standard, and phased hiring before new stations open. Delegate Marshall Borner warned: "The program is not cheap...I am assuming you are acknowledging that cost and will be in full support of budgeting time over the next four years to assign the necessary dollars to achieve the stated goals." He also raised concerns about the tax burden distribution, noting Milton's assessment ratio is 83% residential versus an optimal 70%, meaning "as residents, we are carrying the tax burden of the services we need." Fire Chief Peter Gel emphasized the plan's flexibility: "This one is flexible and it's meant to be flexed up or down as the community growth or as we assess community growth." The plan includes 26 observations with 37 key recommendations, focusing on risk-based service delivery, enhanced fire prevention, and sustainable operations.
Council approved a three-year transit service contract extension with Keolis-MHI Canada that will increase costs by 54% over three years (23% in 2027, 15% in 2028, 9% in 2029), despite annual ridership dropping 10% in 2025 compared to 2024. The decline was primarily attributed to federal caps on international students affecting post-secondary enrollment, with Route 1 experiencing a 22% drop. Specialized transit surged 45% in 2025, creating capacity concerns. Councilor Malibu emphasized that "fewer than 3,000 of our 140,000 residents actually use Milton Transit," questioning whether the vast majority should bear such significant cost increases. Councilor Challiner called for the province, Peel Region, and Halton Region to become "financial partners, because so far they're not," noting Milton is "operating against policy" by running what has become a regional transit system without regional funding. Staff projects ridership of "between a million and a million 1.1 million revenue passenger trips" for 2026, only slightly exceeding 2024 levels despite 21% more service hours.
Council deferred the development charge and community benefit charge bylaw decision from April to May 11, 2026, to allow more stakeholder consultation. Councilor Chower highlighted significant economic challenges: "There's a lack of confidence quite frankly in the real estate community partly as a result of the cost of a mortgage, the cost of building. The economy is very weak." He suggested delaying approval "for at least a year, maybe 18 months" due to economic conditions and requested data on whether developers are pulling back construction plans. Mayor Gord expressed "real concerns as to what may happen that could negatively impact the present day property taxpayer," indicating "tough decisions that have to be made" regarding potential negative impacts. CFO Glenn Cohen confirmed new legislation allows council to reduce or freeze development charges through an "accelerated process" without a full background study, and committed to providing "extensive information" in the May report covering rates, implementation timing, and alternative options. The current development charge bylaw expires in June.
Passed: - Motion to receive Agretton Secondary Plan boundary adjustment report for information (DS-016-26) - Motion to receive Agretton Secondary Plan public meeting report for information - Motion to deny temporary use zoning bylaw amendment for commercial truck parking at 9230 G Line (DS-019-26) - Motion to receive zoning bylaw amendment report for 7072 Sixth Line for information (DS-020-26) - Motion to receive Milton Education Village reports for information - Motion to approve Town of Milton 2026 Fire Master Plan and Community Risk Assessment - Motion to receive Transit Service Annual Report for information - Motion to approve fire apparatus vehicle purchase for $1,938,835 - Motion to approve micro-paving program contract renewal with Duncor Enterprises Inc. for $910,632 - Motion to approve transit service contract extension with Keolis-MHI Canada - Bylaws 016-2026 through 020-2026 passed
Deferred: - Presentation of proposed development charge and community benefit charge bylaws deferred to May 11, 2026 or later (ES-013-26)
Rejected: - Councilor Challiner's motion to approve temporary truck parking application (opposite of staff recommendation)
Note: Some councillor names appear with spelling variations in the transcript, making exact identification challenging.