Milton Council Meeting: Official Plan 2026 Adoption and Development Decisions

Milton council observed a moment of silence for police officers shot in recent incidents across Canada, then approved the Town of Milton Official Plan 2026 and dealt with development, parking, traffic safety, and bylaw enforcement items. Debate focused on the future of employment lands, compatibility between new housing and existing industrial uses, resident concerns about Bergamont Avenue parking and bike lanes, and staffing pressures in enforcement.

Topics Discussed

1. OFFICIAL PLAN 2026

Council approved adoption of the Town of Milton Official Plan 2026 (File DS03926), which staff described as the town's first completely new official plan since the 1990s. A commissioner told council, "Tonight, council has the opportunity to adopt Milton's first completely new official plan since the 1990s. It's been more than a generation since Milton Council has had the opportunity to approve an entirely new blueprint for the future of this community."

Commissioner Jill Hogan said, "When future councils look back at the evolution of Milton, they will identify this official plan as one of the defining documents that help shape the community's future."

Delegations tied to the plan included Tracy Robinson, who said zoning changes affecting 901 Steeles Avenue East "were unintentional but have had devastating consequences for us," and agricultural delegate Mr. Offstein, who said the proposed tree definition "could be quite problematic for farmers just doing normal farmer practices."

2. 150 STEELES AND FORMER INDUSTRIAL SITE REDEVELOPMENT

Council heard reports and delegations on the 150 Steeles Inc. applications, including official plan and zoning amendments and a draft plan of subdivision. A key issue was whether the lands should still be treated as employment lands. Commissioner Hogan told council, "the subject lands were brought out of the employment area by Halton Region through regional official plan amendment 48. This council also approved their removal to align with that decision through official plan amendment number 86. So this is not a question of these lands being employment anymore."

On the former Maritor/Rockwell industrial site, council approved redevelopment with holding provisions. Staff said compatibility issues still need to be addressed. Deborah Walker told council "the proposed development does not meet MECP noise guidelines and that there would actually need to be very significant mitigation necessary." She also said CR Canada's operation is "considered a major facility" and that the applicant had not demonstrated consistency with provincial policies on land-use compatibility and mineral aggregate protection.

3. TEMPORARY LAND USE BYLAWS

Council held statutory public meetings on two temporary-use matters.

For 305 30 Side Road, council approved an extension for a garden suite temporary use bylaw to Dec. 12, 2029.

For 11179 Derry Road, council considered a temporary use bylaw to allow an existing dwelling to operate as a real estate office supporting redevelopment in the Derry Green area. Planning consultant Rob Russell said, "this is not a request to bypass the planning process," but "a request to preserve a unique opportunity for Milton to secure approximately $15 million in private investment, create jobs, activate an existing building, and deliver a community amenity that residents have been asking for." A related bylaw will return at a future meeting.

4. BERGAMONT AVENUE PARKING AND U-TURN SAFETY

Residents delegated on Bergamont Avenue parking restrictions and bike lanes, saying the no-parking rules affect visitors and service access. Councillor Sarah Marshall, who moved a motion to allow both bicycle lanes and on-street parking, said, "I do not bring this motion lightly and it is so important for these residents to balance their livability with the cycling and active transportation through our communities."

Council also discussed unsafe U-turns at intersections including Ontario/Main, Main/Bronte, and Derry Road. Councillor Colin Best said, "They're seeing people doing U-turns at any intersection no matter what time of day. And no matter how much pedestrian traffic is there and nobody expects someone to do a U-turn right across the crosswalk."

5. CAPITAL INVESTMENT, TRAFFIC SAFETY, AND ENFORCEMENT

Council discussed the Capital Investment Fund and investment of development charge reserves. The treasurer said, "We've achieved the initial investment of $20 million," and that council's approved limit allows the town "to continue to invest."

On traffic safety, Councillor Adil Khalqi said, "2026 is going to be and this summer the biggest year for traffic safety in our community," calling it "one of the very common concerns" raised by residents.

Council also approved bylaw enforcement staffing and service expansion. Commissioner Christine Scott said "the town's current staff resources are not sufficient to reliably meet not only our existing service demands," and that the recommendations were needed to close that gap and provide weekend coverage.

Motions

Passed

• Procedural motion to add delegations for Item 9.1 Make Milton Official Plan Adoption and Item 9.3 150 Steeles Inc. applications
• Adoption of the Town of Milton Official Plan 2026 (File DS03926)
• Garden suite temporary use bylaw extension for 305 30 Side Road
• Official Plan Amendment #97 and zoning bylaw amendments for the Aggerton Secondary Plan (Report DS-04126)
• Redevelopment approvals for the former Maritor/Rockwell industrial site, with holding provisions
• Motion on Bergamont Avenue to allow both bicycle lanes and on-street parking (Item 9.12)
• Parking flexibility motion increasing permit exceptions from 18 to 25 and introducing a transitional neighbourhood parking strategy
• Official Plan Amendment for 1572 Cretchen Street / Sherling Heights development (File DS-03726)
• Zoning bylaw amendment for a transportation terminal at 8465 Boston Church Road (File DS-02426)
• Tummaine Employment Secondary Plan funding agreement
• Veterans Monument project in Victoria Park (Capital Project C51020726)
• Traffic safety outreach and school-zone enforcement funding package (Item 9.8)
• Bylaw enforcement staffing and service expansion (Item 9-10)
• Participation in the naming process for the Campbellville baseball diamonds (Item 9.11)

Deferred / Future Consideration

• Temporary use bylaw for 11179 Derry Road — statutory public meeting held; related bylaw to be considered at a future meeting
• Three notices of motion for the next council meeting, including a homelessness-related motion

Rejected

• No rejected motions were clearly identified in the provided notes.

Attendees

Councillors identified in the meeting materials: - John Challinor II - Colin Best - Gordon Krantz - Sameera Ali - Rick Malboeuf - Sarah Marshall - Adil Khalqi

Also referenced: - Mayor, not identified by name in the notes - Deputy Mayor, not identified by name in the notes

Conflict of interest disclosed: - A councillor declared a potential conflict on File CO007-26 regarding the Royal Canadian Legion because they are a member of the organization.