Summer updates:
Innisfil Council updated on Mobility Orbit progress
From
https://www.barrietoday.com/local-ne...system-3914451
Council was told that work is ongoing to develop the Orbit ‘vision’ and a preliminary design for the GO station, but there is still a level of uncertainty. There is still no development agreement signed with Cortel Group, which owns the land, and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has yet to respond to the town’s request for a ministerial zoning order (MZO) to fast-track development of the land, which is located on Line 6 outside of the Alcona settlement boundary.
Councillors were told a number of planning steps are happening concurrently.
The master concept site plan, establishing the land uses, intensification and build form within the transit-oriented community zone (a circle within 225 metres of the new GO station) is under development by the Orbit technical design review team, consisting of town and agency staff, and shared consultants, while at the same time there is a review of the GO station preliminary design.
The preliminary design is expected to be completed as early as the first week in July. A complete site-plan submission is expected in the third quarter of 2021. Construction of the GO train station is set to begin in 2022, pending "other approvals."
A request for proposals (RFP) for an Orbit Potential and Innovation Plan (OPIP), spelling out means of reducing carbon emissions “from design to construction to living,” incorporating smart technology and developing affordability, walkability, and a sense of place in the Orbit, will go out this month. The work of translating the Orbit Vision into policies through the OPIP should begin this September, with completion scheduled early in 2023.
The update, presented by Orbit director Tim Cane, also introduced a “sustainability checklist” to be achieved through the site-plan review process and development agreements. The checklist includes protection of water resources, building culture and “community wellness,” creating a resilient community, focusing on sustainable management of resources, and reducing carbon use.
Third-party verification, through LEED certification or other programs, is identified as necessary for environmental quality control, “while at the same time providing the flexibility for developers to achieve these targets,” the report stated.
The process calls for a development agreement with Cortel Group to be in place prior to the design of the GO station. However, due to the complexities of the situation “no agreement has been reached to date,” council was told.
Council is also waiting on the MZO.