City Council Meeting Summary

• The meeting focused on a Gaza humanitarian motion (Item 9.8) and a series of development-related items, including public-delegation input, procedural rules for fast-tracking debate, and planning amendments across several sites. Key decisions included waiving procedural rules to allow consideration of the Gaza motion at the same meeting and approving information reports while deferring final development decisions to later dates.

• Public engagement opportunities were emphasized throughout, with delegates invited to speak on Item 9.8 (contingent on waiving rules) and residents encouraged to provide written input via townclerk@milton.ca or to sign up for notices of decisions.

Five Most Important Topics Discussed

1) Advocacy for Humanitarian Action in Gaza and Procedural Waiver (Agenda Item 9.8 and 9.7) - The council discussed a motion advocating humanitarian action and federal policy reform regarding Gaza (Item 9.8). Delegates argued for urgent local action, noting that “The motion before you tonight, item 9.8, is not political. It is humanitarian,” as stated by Ibrahim Bake. To enable timely consideration, a procedural motion was introduced to waive Rule By-law 014-2024 so 9.8 could be considered that evening, with Trustee Kulk noting: “Whereas it is deemed impractical or not in the best interest of the town of Milton to delay consideration, therefore, be it resolved that the pertinent rules… be waived.” - Public comments on Gaza were linked to delegations registered to speak, with input contingent on the waiver. The motion to waive procedural rules was approved, allowing the council to proceed to debate 9.8. The next steps included potential delegations and a vote on the substance of the Gaza motion.

2) Public Engagement and Transparency in Public Meetings on Development (Public Meetings for Official Plan/Zoning amendments; Item 7.3 and related items) - The council conducted and discussed public meetings touching Official Plan amendments and zoning bylaws (e.g., the Trafalgar Secondary Plan-related proposals and Fieldgate developments). A common theme was ensuring transparency and opportunities for input, including attendance sign-ins, written submissions to the town clerk, and remote participation options (phone line 1-866-511-0021). Comments and questions from residents were documented as part of staff reporting and follow-up actions. - A representative from the planning side stressed that public input would inform later recommendations, with the procedural framework guiding what can be debated at which point. Example quotes relate to the need for buffering between land uses and the importance of community input in shaping design and density.

3) Downtown Old Milton Development: Height, Density, and Heritage Impacts - Residents opposed tall towers (16-18 stories) proposed for Old Milton, arguing such massing would erode heritage fabric and human-scale streetscapes. One speaker described the proposal as a “wall of mass” and emphasized the importance of preserving Old Milton’s character and setting a responsible built-form scale. Other speakers argued the development would overshadow heritage homes, disrupt daylight, and damage livability. - Specific points included concerns about shadowing, wind, traffic on narrow streets, and the need for more context-sensitive design. A recurring concern was that the project would set a problematic precedent for future density in the historic core.

4) Trafalgar Secondary Plan and Fieldgate Developments: Density, Height, and Infrastructure - The Trafalgar Secondary Plan and related Fieldgate submission included revisions to land use designations, with higher densities and up to 28-story aspirations anticipated in Phase 2. The plan included 1,083 homes in a phased approach with varying housing types (townhomes, mid-rise, higher-density blocks) and integrated open spaces, parks, and a school. - Key concerns highlighted: lack of timely park development, stormwater management, and the need for buffering between commercial, mixed-use, and employment areas. The applicant argued the plan reflects a staged approach intended to support transit and growth, while residents sought more deliberate phasing and community amenities.

5) Park Space, Village Squares, and Walkability in Ward 3 - A motion-focused discussion addressed the adequacy and timing of park provision in Ward 3. Councillors advocated for village squares and walkable parks to serve growing neighborhoods, noting current plans lacked sufficient small parks and open spaces to support families with young children. The aim was to link land-use changes to accessible green spaces and community gathering places, often tying park delivery to subdivision/phasing schedules and land acquisitions.

Opportunities for Public Input - Public input opportunities included submitting written comments to townclerk@milton.ca, signing an attendance sheet at public meetings, and participating remotely by phone (1-866-511-0021). Delegations were typically allotted five minutes to speak, and staff reports or by-laws were subject to review at future meetings.

Motions and Outcomes

• Motion to Waive Procedural Rules for Item 9.8 (Agenda Item 9.7)

  • Title: Procedural Motion to Waive Rules for Consideration of Advocacy for Humanitarian Action and Federal Policy Reform Regarding Gaza
  • Outcome: Passed (specific vote not provided in transcript)
  • Next Steps: The council proceeded to consider Item 9.8, with delegations anticipated for Gaza and a final decision to be made during the meeting.

• Advocacy for Humanitarian Action in Gaza (Agenda Item 9.8)

  • Title: Advocacy for Humanitarian Action and Federal Policy Reform Regarding Gaza
  • Outcome: Pending (not decided in the transcript excerpt)
  • Next Steps: Delegations would speak, and the council would vote on the motion.

• Public Meeting on Official Plan/Zoning Amendments (Fieldgate/Trafalgar-related)

  • Title: Public Meeting for Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendments
  • Outcome: No decision made in this meeting; information and public input were collected for future consideration.
  • Next Steps: Staff would prepare a technical report and bring recommendations to a future council meeting.

• Development Services Reports (DS-series items)

  • Example Title: Development Services Report DS-0602025
  • Outcome: Passed to receive for information (motion by Councillor Best, seconded by Councillor Challenger)
  • Next Steps: Staff to incorporate feedback; additional public input and subsequent by-law decisions at later meetings.

Councillors Present (names appear across sections; representative examples) - Mayor or Chair: various references (Mayor Crans/Cray/Grant in different sections) - Councillors named in the transcripts include: Ali, Best, Challiner/Chaliner, Malbuff, Marshall, Kulkkey/Kulk, Chner/Chawner, Shelder, and others referenced in different meeting excerpts. - Note: The transcripts cite multiple instances with slightly different spellings or titles for the same individuals (e.g., Ali, Challiner/Chaliner, Kulkkey/Kulk). For completeness, the meeting references a broad slate of councillors across sections, with procedural staff such as Madame Clerk/Clerk present.

Citizen Input Opportunities - Email: townclerk@milton.ca - Attendance sign-in at meetings or registration to delegate - Remote participation via phone line: 1-866-511-0021

File Numbers and Bylaws Mentioned - DS-0602025 (Development Services Report) - DS-05825 (Development Services Report reference) - Item 9.8 (Gaza humanitarian motion) - Item 9.7 (Procedural waiver to consider 9.8 that evening) - By-law 014-2024 (Rules of Procedure referenced for waiving rules) - Other section-specific references to Official Plan amendments, Trafalgar Secondary Plan, and zoning bylaw amendments

Notes - The meeting excerpts cover a wide range of municipal planning, development, humanitarian, and governance topics, with recurring themes of public input, transparency, and balancing growth with livability and heritage. - Where names vary across excerpts, the summaries note that variations exist (e.g., Mayor Crans/Cray/Grant) and provide representative examples from the text.