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Mario Belvedere...

Town doing 'outstanding job': CAO Town of Milton CAO Mario Belvedere tells council growth has been managed well overall
By Melanie Hennessey
News
May 09, 2008
While things may not be perfect when it comes to the timing of development and infrastructure in Milton, Town staff says that overall it's doing a good job in managing growth.

This was one of the key messages staff delivered on Monday afternoon at an information workshop for council on growth management.

CAO Mario Belvedere told council he feels that generally the Town has done an outstanding job in managing growth.

He acknowledged there might be "hiccups" when it comes to things like the timing of road construction.

"But other than that we've done a pretty darn good job," he said.

Town Director of Planning and Development Mel Iovio shared similar sentiments.

He said the planning, development phasing and financial agreements the Town has struck with developers have generally resulted in a controlled and logical growth pattern.

"I think we're in pretty good shape," he remarked.

He noted the fast rate of growth has caused some inconvenience, but on the plus side it's resulted in communities being completed much faster.

Town Director of Engineering Services Paul Cripps pointed out that some roads projects are being fast-tracked through the Accelerated Transportation Capital Program, such as the widening of Derry Road from Tremaine Road to Bronte Street.

The work wasn't slated to get underway until next year, but the timeline has now been moved up so that construction will start this spring and wrap up in the fall.

"We want to continue working with the development community to accelerate as many roads projects as we can," he said.

He went on to outline other Town and Region road works scheduled to take place from now until 2021. Within the next few years, those projects include:

 

  • 2008 -- construction of James Snow Parkway from Steeles Avenue to Boston Church Road

     

  • 2008 -- reconstruction of Thompson Road from Derry Road to Main Street

     

  • 2010 -- construction of a road underpass on Main Street at the CPR tracks

     

  • 2010 -- widening Regional Road 25 from two lanes to four between Derry and Britannia roads

    Cripps explained the timing of the projects coincides with when the "capacity crunch" will come along for those roads.

    The downside of this, he said, is the pressure the Town receives from residents who are pushing for roads to be up to par before the development boom.

    But Cripps said there's also an advantage. With the new roads coming on board after the majority of developers' heavy construction traffic has come and gone, residents will "get a brand new road with a maximum life expectancy."

    Ward 3 Councillor Cindy Lunau asked staff to keep in mind the road upgrades that are also required in the rural area. "We need to reserve a certain portion of our budget each year to maintain the quality of life in the rural area."

    Cripps said staff is mindful of the needs in rural Milton.

    The workshop also included presentations from each of the Town's senior staff members on the responsibilities and roles of their departments when it comes to planning for growth. For example, the Corporate Services department handles development charges and the financial agreements made with developers, Engineering Services looks after transportation issues and Community Services plans for facilities like arenas.

    Iovio detailed the numerous items on the Planning and Development department's plate for the coming years, including plans for the Derry Green Business Park, the next phase of residential development and the Milton Education Village, which will hopefully see Wilfrid Laurier University come to Milton.

    Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com.

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