The Uptown Core of the Town of Oakville is bounded by Highway 5 on the north; Sixth Line to the west; and Glenashton Drive to the south. East of Trafalgar Road, the Ontario Hydro corridor is the southern boundary. The Morrison Creek East Branch and the lands to the east of the Morrison Creek (approximately midway between Trafalgar Road and Eighth Line) and a portion of land east of Postridge Drive make up the eastern boundary of this community.
The Uptown Core consists of two distinct areas. The main concentration of retail, commercial, residential and public uses will occur in the area west of Trafalgar Road. The area east of Trafalgar Road will have lower intensity residential uses and commercial uses that complement the Core. The Uptown Core will be developed over a number of years, as it will be influenced by changing economic, social and demographic conditions.
The Uptown Core is to be a regional centre with an emphasis on commercial development, both retail and office. The Core will also have a significant civic and public presence with various government, institutional, cultural, recreational and public open space uses. Mixed use development will be encouraged in the Core.
The Uptown Core will encourage a range of local and district community facilities. These may include government uses, social and cultural facilities, institutional uses and welfare, health and recreation facilities. Some of the community facilities can be accommodated in the commercial blocks, community/recreation centre or other institutional buildings.
A major transit terminal facility shall be provided in the Uptown Core.
The population of the Uptown Core in 2001 was 1,746 persons. The projected population of the Uptown Core is estimated at 3,000 persons in the year 2006, and 5,000 plus persons in 2011.
It is anticipated that the urban design plan for the Uptown Core has the capacity to generate a minimum population of 8,000 persons.
The Uptown Core has a high proportion of younger persons and a low proportion of older persons over the age of 65.
In 2001, 29.2% of the population fell between the 0-19 age groups as compared to the overall Oakville total of 28.4%. Only 4.3% of the population fell within the over-65 age group as compared to the overall Oakville total of 10.9%.
Urban Design Objectives
Urban design objectives for the Uptown Core will be considered to create the following:
Pedestrian and vehicular linkages between surrounding communities and the Uptown Core
Viable staged growth pattern
Integrated and expandable commercial component with a strong pedestrian orientation in the long term, being conscious of the impact of winter weather conditions
Clearly defined "Main Street" concept with commercial development clearly oriented
Continuous and accessible park network integrated with other uses
Attractive and varied housing environment
Major retail area that is integrated into the pattern of streets and blocks that define the Uptown Core. The structures shall generally be built out to the street edge and contain urban uses that relate to the surrounding area
Streets and public spaces that have been defined into recognizable spaces by surrounding built structures
Elimination of permanent large areas of surface parking in the ultimate built-out phase of development
Encourage pedestrian circulation along public streets and in the parks, which are to be designed to facilitate comfortable pedestrian movement in an interesting, active and well designed civic realm
The Uptown Core is intended to function as a regional commercial node, as well as a community and neighbourhood centre. An estimated 28,000 jobs are anticipated to be generated in all commercial and other land use categories.
The Uptown Core will have a comprehensive park system that will allow for a diversity of open space types.
The park system will include a naturalistic ravine-based setting along the Morrison Creek West Branch for passive recreational activities. Active recreational facilities such as an amphitheater, swimming pools, and tennis courts may also be integrated in this area.
The open space area will include two separate land parcels for use as a programmed or special park space such as a public garden and a civic plaza to be located in the Central Retail Area. The public open space may also include institutional, cultural, and government uses.
The existing water feature in the northwest corner of the Core is to be retained and integrated as a feature of the central park.
The east and west branches of the Morrison Creek are designated in the Official Plan as a Natural Environmental Area. This designation will preserve and protect the natural functions of this significant environmental area, provide opportunities for low intensity passive recreation, permit the implementation of conservation and flood control programs, and discourage excessive public use of ecologically sensitive areas.
Pedestrian linkages will be established throughout the Uptown Core particularly along major streets, the Central Retail Area, the community park, the utility corridors and along the TransCanada Pipeline.
The table land located between the Morrison Creek East Branch and Trafalgar Road and Highway 5 will be acquired as parkland to function as an open space forecourt to the Uptown Core.
The West Branch of the Morrison Creek is to be integrated in the central park block.
