Glen Williams is very familiar with the importance of protecting the character of mature neighbourhoods. Our Glen Williams Secondary Plan 2005 identifies that:

village residents have a deep sense of community, attributed largely to the distinctive rural/hamlet character of the area and sense of place.

Without any campaign to preserve that, village character can be irrevocably changed by multi-home developments, but also by the emergence of oversized additions or replacement homes on existing lots.

Concern Over Large Scale Home Rebuilds

Glen Williams is not alone in experiencing this trend. In early 2016, Council commissioned the Mature Neighbourhoods Character Study because Halton Hills is experiencing the increased pressure of large scale home rebuilds. Public concern is rising about the impact of this type of redevelopment on the character and integrity of the Town’s mature neighbourhoods.

The Town’s Planning Dept. has engaged the outside planning consulting team of MacNaughton Hermsen Britton Clarkson Planning Limited (MHBC) to examine whether the regulatory framework of the Town’s current Zoning By-law is effective in maintaining the character of mature neighbourhoods, and to propose recommendations for amendments. The areas of greatest concern are the Town’s low density residential neighbourhoods developed prior to 1990.

By-law Enacted

Council enacted Interim Control By-law 2016-0009 on February 29, 2016 to prohibit the erection of, or additions to, a single detached dwelling within defined areas of the Town of Halton Hills, that results in an increase to the Gross Floor Area of the existing dwelling by 25% or more. These restrictions are to remain in place until new directions are recommended in the Mature Neighbourhoods Character Study Final Report, due February 2017.

Mature Neighbourhoods Mapped

For purposes of the study, the mature neighbourhoods are the Georgetown GO Station District and the Georgetown Park District in Ward 3 and the Acton Downtown District in Ward 1. The three phase study includes three Public Neighbourhood Walking Tours (held June 8 & 21), two Public Workshops in October and December 2016, and the presentation of a Final Recommendation Report to Council in February 2017.

The project is coordinated by Town Planner – Policy Rukshan de Silva, telephone 905.873.2601 ext 2302; Email: rukshand@haltonhills.ca

More information about the study

Public Workshop

You can contribute by attending the first public workshop on Mon. October 3 at the Helson Gallery at the Halton Hills Cultural Centre (9 Church Street, Georgetown). Expected start time is 6:30 p.m.

The intent of this meeting is to review the Town consultant’s Background Report. This report will define neighbourhood character, provide a summary of the walking tours and stakeholder interviews, analyze residential development and market trends in the Town of Halton Hills, and review the Town’s policies as well as the practices of other municipalities. There will be a public participation component, in addition to the presentation.

Residents of Glen Williams interested in the protection of our hamlet’s unique character are encouraged to get involved in the Town’s Mature Neighbourhoods Character Study. Add your voice at the October 3 workshop. Please also mark on your calendar that the GWCA will be holding our Annual General Meeting on Wed. Nov. 23 @ 7:00pm at the Glen Williams Town Hall.

Drew Leverette, GWCA