Oakville
station district
MASTER PLAN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This document was created for the Town of Oakville and its people by Smart Density on behalf of Distrikt Developments to envision the exciting potential of the Oakville Station District.
The Story
Past
THE ROLE OF TRANSIT
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Present
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
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Future
A NEW REGIONAL TRANSIT HUB
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OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | I N T H I S D O C U M E N T
Past The Role of Transit The Oakville Station District has an important place in Canada's transportation and rail history. In 1856, the Great Western Railway was built on the same site as the current ViaRail and GO station. It was a simple structure built to service the town of Oakville's tiny population at the time - less than 2,000 people in 1869. In 1882, the Great Western Railway was merged into the much larger Grand Trunk Railway, becoming the Great Western Division.
First CPR train passing through Oakville, 8:33 am June 29, 1897 Source: Oakville Historical Society
OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | PA S T
An early postcard of Oakville station, likely from the 1890’s, shows a horse and carriage next to the station on the left, while passengers wait for the next train on the platform. Source: Toronto Railway Historical Association
The Grand Trunk replaced the old station with a new one around 1900. It was built based on a standard design that had previously been used in the replacement of a number of adjacent predecessor stations. A waiting room, a freight room, and a station master's office were all incorporated in the design. The canopy covering the platform connected to the station's west
side set this station apart from others such as Port Credit. It included a significant number of architectural features characteristic of early twentieth-century architecture, with the majority being demolished by the mid-century period. The Grand Trunk was incorporated into Canadian National Railway in 1923 due to financial difficulties.
Left: New Rail Service to Oakville, Dec 6,1855 Source: Oakville Historical Society
OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | PA S T
Milestones 1960 The Oakville station was destroyed and replaced with a new one-story structure with an all-brick façade.
1967-1978 GO Transit assumed responsibility for the station, followed by VIA Rail eleven years later in 1978.
1981
2009
Amtrak launched the Maple Leaf train between Toronto and New York City, making a stop in Oakville. This train still operates today.
The former Canadian National Railway station was restored in 2009 and continues to be utilised by GO Transit, VIA Rail, and Amtrak.
Previous Page Picture: A Canadian National passenger train pulling into the new Oakville station in 1965. Courtesy of the Oakville Public Library. Source: Toronto Railway Historical Association
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The Oakville Station District is has going through an important a period place of in transition. Canada's transportation and rail history.
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The Role of Planning forTransit the Future
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Its past has been shaped by the rail networks. In 1856, the Great Western Railway was built The present is an opportunity to redefine this on the same siteOakville’s as the current ViaRail andmixed-use GO station. It node as vibrant, thriving, was a simple structure built to service the town of regional transit hub destination and centre. Oakville's tiny population at the time - less than 2,000 people in 1869. In 1882, the Great Western Railway was merged into the much larger Grand Trunk Railway, becoming the Great Western Division.
OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | P R E S E N T
Planning for the future of the Oakville Station District is influenced by a number of policies at both the provincial and municipal level. Understanding the present state of the Oakville Station District means understanding this policy context. Let’s cover some of the main policies and discuss what they mean for you and your community.
The major policies influencing the Oakville Station District include the Provincial Policy Statement, the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Liveable Oakville (the Town of Oakville's Official Plan).
development to environmental preservation and more. But what are the most important policies and concepts influencing the Oakville Station District?
Altogether, these policies provide guidance for how to plan for the future of Oakville. They address a wide range of issues from affordable housing to economic
OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | P R E S E N T
Land Use The Land Use Map is one of the most important when it comes to planning policy because it informs what types of development can or cannot happen in a given area. GROWTH AREA BOUNDARY HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL URBAN CENTRE URBAN CORE OFFICE EMPLOYMENT NATURAL AREA PARKS AND OPEN SPACE UTILITY DISTRICT BOUNDARIES FUTURE ROADS FUTURE CUL-DE-SAC RAILWAY MAJOR TRANSIT STATION Source: Draft Midtown Oakville Official Plan Amendment (February 2021)
A Growing Population By 2046, the population of Ontario is expected to grow from 14.7 million to over 20 million people with 55% of that growth expected in the Greater Toronto Area. To help plan for this growth, provincial policies outline the concept of “Settlement Areas.” These are the areas that should be prioritised for growth and development. They include many cities, towns, villages, and hamlets across Ontario. The entire Town of Oakville is a Settlement Area, which means Oakville needs to plan for more people and more jobs. Oakville will meet these growth targets by creating a more accessible housing supply. Within Settlement Areas, provincial policy has also identified Urban Growth Centres, which is where more intense growth and development should be planned. Midtown Oakville is one of these Urban Growth Centers and is expected to accommodate 200 residents and jobs per hectare.
Midtown Destinations
The Midtown Destinations Map represents the important places near the Oakville Station District that will be more accessible and better connected through this new development.
To make room for a growing population like this, higher density communities will be essential. In the past, growth has been absorbed through urban sprawl and by building new residential neighbourhoods filled with single-detached homes. However, this method has led to a loss of valuable
agricultural land and an inefficient use of land resources. A more sustainable future will mean finding creative ways to develop higher density, mixed-use neighbourhoods that leverage existing transit infrastructure and city services.
OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | P R E S E N T
Transit-Supportive Development One approach for absorbing population growth that is outlined through municipal and provincial policies is “transit-supportive development.” This is development that is focused in areas where transit is planned, exists or may be developed. There are many benefits to transit-supportive development. For instance, having more people living and working near major transit networks reduces the reliance on cars. Less cars means less traffic, less noise, and less pollution. Additionally, transit-oriented development results in a more pedestrian-friendly environment, since roadways and intersections are no longer required to accommodate as many vehicles and less land resources and space need to be given over to parking.
Source: Midtown Information Session Presentation (June 2021)
Midtown Active Transportation
EXISTING PEDESTRAIN LINKS MIDTOWN EA PEDESTRIAN LINKS FUTURE PEDESTRAIN LINKS
The Midtown Active Transportation Map represents the many ways in which the Oakville Station District will help pedestrians and cyclists get around safely and conveniently.
GRADE SEPARATION RAILWAY GO SATATION
OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | P R E S E N T
Oakville Station District is an ideal spot for development because of its proximity to the Oakville GO Station, which serves as a hub for all sorts of transit connections within Oakville and beyond.
Midtown Transportation Network Map The Midtown Transportation Network Map shows how different road types will be used to support traffic flow and link the Oakville Station District to surrounding neighbourhoods.
W er int
tion in Ne w Y talla ork Ins Source: Draft Midtown Oakville Official Plan Amendment (February 2021)
OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | P R E S E N T
Complete Communities Another key concept influencing planning for the Oakville Station District is “complete communities.” These are mixed-use communities that accommodate the needs of people of all ages and abilities. Complete communities provide access to a mix of jobs, services, and a full range of housing options. They support a high quality of life and human health by encouraging walking and cycling and by providing ample parks and outdoor space. Complete communities are compact and use space efficiently. With all necessary services and amenities nearby, there is less need to travel long distances by car. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions and makes communities more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate.
Source: Midtown Information Session Presentation (June 2021)
Urban Structure Urban Structure represents the high-level vision for the Oakville Station District and the different components that come together to make the area a cohesive neighbourhood.
TRAFALGAR ROAD: MIXED USE CORRIDOR CROSS AVENUE: MAIN STREET GROWTH AREAS URBAN COMMONS PARKS AND OPEN SPACE HYDRO TRAIL AND SURFACE PARKING MAJOR URBAN SQUARES GATEWAYS AND EDGES MAJOR PEDESTRAIN ROADS
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TRANSIT HUBS IN THE GTA
OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | P R E S E N T
What are Transit Hubs? Transit hubs are areas well-served by transit where development has been encouraged to enable a diversity and density of residential, commercial, and office uses. Transit hubs are the outcome of successful transit-oriented development, as discussed in the Present section.
Cooksville GO, Mississauga
Vaughan Metropolitan Centre
Examples of transit hubs exist across the GTA and include the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre which is near the northwest terminus of the Line 1 YongeUniversity subway, plus areas surrounding GO stations like in Markham and Pickering. Transit hubs like these show how the GTA is responding to the need for more housing and amenities near major transit infrastructure. With the right planning and support, the Oakville Station District could soon be added to the list of exemplary transit hub examples in the GTA, in Ontario, or even in Canada.
Pickering GO, Pickering
Unionville GO, Markham
OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | P R E S E N T
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A New Regional The Role ofDestination Transit Transit Hub The future of Station the Oakville Station Oakville District has District will respect area’s past an important placethe in Canada's and the presentand planning context. transportation rail history. The proposed development will acknowledge In 1856, the Great Railway was the important role Western that the railways havebuilt hadon the same site as the current ViaRail and GO station. It in shaping the Town of Oakville will honor was legacy a simple builtspaces to service town of that bystructure developing thatthe bring Oakville'sand tiny opportunity population at less than vibrancy to the the time area.- Future 2,000 will people in 1869. In 1882, Great Western plans embed the best thatthe planning policy Railway wasand merged into the much larger Grand has to offer will incorporate contemporary Trunk Railway, becoming the Greatexcellence Western examples of planning and design Division. from around the world.
OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | P R E S E N T
Plan View
Parkettes Parkettes small oases in the middle of the urban core and can provide more green space, room for relaxation, and a safe place for children to play.
Phasing Diagrams
Change will not happen overnight. Over the next 30 years, the Oakville Station District will see a gradual transformation from underutilized land to a vibrant new community.
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Mix of Uses
Unlike in the post-war era where residential, commercial, office, and industrial land uses were separated, planners today recognize the importance of mixed-use areas. Integrated land uses create more dynamic neighbourhoods and mean people can spend less time moving between places, and more time living.
GO Station
Retail
Daycare Parkette
Community Hub
School
Office
OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | F U T U R E
Connectivity
A good urban network uses pedestrian pathways, like a green spine through the centre of the neighbourhood and well-placed mid-block connections, to ensure seamless and convenient movement that connects people to the places they want to go.
403 Community Hub
Mid-blocks Connections
Courtyards Sixteen Mile Creek New Main Street
New Secondary Street
Retail and Active Uses Oakville GO Railways
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Build Form
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The area will be a true complete
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Block Pattern
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The incorporation of commercial space, office space, services, and amenities will cater to the daily needs of residents and commuters travelling to the area for work. The construction of a new school will welcome families into the neighbourhood and will contribute to a diverse population. There will be a community centre near the school, which will present space for community events and activities. The centre will act as a hub for residents and visitors to come together and will be flexible and responsive to changing community needs. The use of tall buildings over lowrise structures will free up significant space at ground level and allow for better urban planning; for more parks and open space for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Connectivity
Open Space
Urban Structure
Oakville Station District, 2051
The Oakville Station District is a long-term development but careful planning will ensure that the current community can benefit from the changes in the short-term, while also creating a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
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The public realm is a place for social connection, enjoyment, and recreation.
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Transportation Diversity The area accommodates a range of transportation patterns through the inclusion of pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicular pathways. Transportation diversity that considers several modes of transportation at the neighborhood and regional levels provides access to a broader scope of residents and visitors, which is integral to thriving mixed-use, complete communities.
OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | F U T U R E
Innovative landscaping throughout the public realm and open spaces will facilitate moments of recreation, relaxation, and socialization. Pedestrian networks throughout the entire district will be carefully considered to offer a convenient, connected, safe, and enjoyable experience. Multi-use pathways will also be incorporated to promote modes of active transportation, such as cycling. Easy access throughout the area and quick connections to transit will enable the area to prioritize people over automobiles.
OA K V I L L E S TAT I O N D I S T R I C T | F U T U R E
Courtyards
Courtyards between buildings act as European-inspired piazzas, offering mid-block connections and creating intimate spaces that are separated from traffic and filled with comfortable seating and even restaurants and shops.
The Oakville Station District has come a long way since 1858 when the first railway station was built. It has experienced significant change and will continue to change as time goes on. The next wave of transformation has the potential to create a community where many different people can live and work comfortably in a place that is welcoming and lively.
Oakville
station district MASTER PLAN
Join us as we re-imagine the future.