Special Projects

Special Projects

As part of the Town’s commitment to its corporate mission to realize the community vision through innovative leadership and strong partnerships to provide sustainable services into the future, the Town, in partnership with the community, is undertaking a number of special projects. These projects are core to building a stronger and more sustainable community.

Access to the Community of Slabtown Class EA

Reg Russwurm, Director of Engineering and Public Works 519-599-3131 ext. 260 rrusswurm@thebluemountains.ca

Engineering and Public Works Department The Blue Mountains Transportation Plan

As part of the Town of The Blue Mountains Comprehensive Transportation Strategic Plan (BMTP) this project specific website is developed to support and encourage public participation and to provide up-to-date and key information on the status of study.

This Website will be updated regularly throughout the study process. You can contact the project team at anytime.

Overview

The Town of The Blue Mountains, through their consultants Earth Tech Canada Inc. and C.C. Tatham & Associates Ltd. has initiated a Comprehensive Transportation Strategic Plan to address the short, medium and long-term transportation needs for all the Town of The Blue Mountains, County of Grey and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) roads within the Town's limits. The purpose of this project is to examine the need for improvements to roadway capacity and operations or new infrastructure, and to ensure that transportation system within the Town of The Blue Mountains provides a safe and efficient means of travel to all users.

Given the continued development of Intrawest, Blue Mountains Resort and the Villages, coupled with growth in residential developments and tourist destinations both within the Town of The Blue Mountains and surrounding communities, traffic volumes and travel demands through the area have considerably increased. A key component of this study is to develop Highway Access Management Plan (HAMP) for the section of Highway 26 within the study section to identify long term access concept as a guide for MTO, County of Grey, Town of The Blue Mountains and local agencies to address the request for property access.

This undertaking includes public and review agency consultation, an evaluation of planning network alternatives, an assessment of the anticipated effects on the environment, and identification of reasonable measures to reduce or eliminate any adverse effects.

Key components of the study will include:

  • An assessment of the road system operations around the base of Blue Mountains, given the continued development of Intrawest, Blue Mountains Resort and the Villages, particularly during the peak winter periods;
  • Supporting analysis for Development Charges, based on the information regarding growth related roads to document need for new roads/ road improvement, related costs and the share split between the current and growth related deficiencies;
  • An assessment of the typical weekday operations along Highway 26 and the need for improvements to accommodate future travel demands; and
  • Development of a Highway Access Management Plan (HAMP) for Highway 26, to identify long term access concepts as a guide for MTO, County of Grey, Town of The Blue Mountains, local agencies, property owners and developers. The HAMP will provide guidance for existing and future public road access to support land use planning and development objectives and in addressing requests for private property access.

Public Information Centres Information

As part of the study, two Public Information Centres (PICs) will be held. The first PIC will provide an opportunity for agencies and the public to review and comment on the preliminary results to date, including the problem and study area considerations. A second PIC will present the alternative solutions, the evaluation process and the recommended solutions and comments. Notices providing the date, time and location of these PICs will be published in local news papers closer to the meeting dates. Notices will also be mailed to those who have expressed an interest in being kept informed of the project.

Work Products and Publications

All the study publications including all the reports and related materials will be included as part of this website and will be updated regularly throughout the study process.

Project Contact

Jamie Powell
Project Manager
Earth Tech Canada Inc.

105 Commerce Valley Dr. W., 7th Floor
Markham, Ontario
L3T 7W3
Tel:    905.747.7582
Fax:   905.886.9494
Jamie.Powell@earthtech.ca

Michael Cullip
Deputy Project Manager
C.C. TATHAM & ASSOCIATES LTD.

115 Sandford Fleming Drive, Suite 200
Collingwood, Ontario  
L9Y 5A6
Tel: (705) 444-2565
Fax: (705) 444-2327
mcullip@cctatham.com

Our Town Hall Project

Please visit our Town Hall Project pages for current information on the progress of our new Town Hall Project!

CLICK HERE

Terrasan

Official Plan Update

The Blue Mountains is currently undertaking an Official Plan update. The Official Plan for The Blue Mountains is the primary reference tool used by the Town to manage land, resources and development.

The existing Official Plan was approved by the County of Grey in 2004 and requires updating to ensure conformity with new Provincial Policy Statements and The County of Grey Official Plan. It must also reflect the vision and goals of our community for the next 50 years.

The Official Plan update will be done through a number of Official Plan Amendments beginning in 2009 and will more effectively address the ways in which we can build a more sustainable community. Public Meeting notices will be posted to our website.

Community Improvement Plan

The Blue Mountains is developing a Community Improvement Plan for the settlement areas of Thornbury, Clarksburg and Craigleith. This plan will be rely on significant public consultation, setting a vision for each of these downtown areas and a subsequent action plan for downtown redevelopment and improvement. This Community Improvement Plan is a partnership project of The Blue Mountains, The Thornbury Business Improvement Association, The Blue Mountains Chamber of Commerce and The Clarksburg Business Association.

A consultant has been secured and work relating to the Community Improvement Plan is now underway. Please look forward to updates which will be posted here.

Housing Needs Study

In accordance with our strategic plan to develop an action plan to support the provision of affordable and attainable housing, The Blue Mountains is retaining a Consultant to undertake a Housing Needs Study to identify the range of housing needs facing the Municipality and to recommend an affordable and attainable housing strategy to ensure a thriving and sustainable community for the future.

Our Housing Needs Study will commence in 2009. Please look forward to updates which will be posted here.

Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan

You can help The Blue Mountains develop a COMMUNITY VISION for its future economic wealth and success.

 

What is your vision for economic success in The Blue Mountains community?

The Blue Mountains is starting on a path towards a wealthy and sustainable future. As part of this exciting process, the Town is developing an Economic Development Strategy to provide a 50-year Vision, Goals, Strategies and Actions for The Blue Mountains. This Strategy will guide the Town in working towards economic success, directly dependent on our community values, natural environment and geographic location. We need your input to help us develop this forward-thinking plan.

The Blue Mountains is starting on a path towards a wealthy and sustainable future.

As part of this exciting process, the Town is developing an Economic Development Strategy to provide a 50-year Vision, Goals, Strategies and Actions for The Blue Mountains. This Strategy will guide the Town in working towards economic success, directly dependent on our community values, natural environment and geographic location.

Today, the economy of The Blue Mountains is largely determined by tourism, agriculture and small boutique style shopping.

The short-term impacts of the Global Recession have not yet been identified in our local community, however local observations suggest that because of its diverse economy, The Blue Mountains is relatively strong, and has positive prospects in the short-term and a strong and healthy economic future in the longer-term.

What are the Requirements?

Developing a successful economic strategy requires:

·    An evaluation of economic activity and the local economy in the community;

·    A widely shared vision of the local economy, which should include the community at large as well as community leaders involved in economic development (e.g., Government, development organizations, chamber of commerce, major employers); and

·    Selecting the strengths and weaknesses of the community and comparing them to its objectives.

What are the Objectives?

This visionary project will meet three objectives:

Objective #1: Develop a 50-year Plan that will guide the decisions and programs of The Blue Mountains over the next 50 years.

Objective #2: Conduct a community engagement program, including local and neighbouring businesses, economic development groups, and regional and provincial agencies, along with a thorough consultation with neighbouring municipalities (i.e. Town of Wasaga Beach, Township of Clearview, Town of Collingwood, Municipality of Grey Highlands, Municipality of Meaford, and City of Owen Sound).

Objective #3: Align the work of the Economic Development Strategy with the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP). An ICSP is the consideration and combination of people, place and economy in a long-term plan.

How can you get involved?

If you live, work or play in The Blue Mountains we want to hear from you!

You can get involved in three ways:

1.    We will be holding meetings throughout the project. If you are interested in meeting with us to discuss your ideas - please let us know.

2.    An Open House will be held during this project - dates and locations will be available shortly.

3.    Fill out the Economic Development Strategy Survey below in hard copy.

4.    Send comments and questions directly to the Project Team by contacting (also please let us know if you would like to be on our contact list):
Rob Potter
Communications and Economic Development Coordinator
The Blue Mountains
Phone: 519-599-3131 ext. 282
Email: rpotter@thebluemountains.ca

The Blue Mountains Economic Development Strategy - Survey

Help The Blue Mountains define its future economic strategy by answering the QUESTIONS BELOW!

1.    What is your VISION for economic success in The Blue Mountains community?


2.    What needs to be IMPROVED in order to increase economic prosperity in The Blue Mountains?


3.    What is CURRENTLY WORKING WELL with respect to economic prosperity in the Blue Mountains?


4.    What do you think are the MOST IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITIES for economic success in the future?


5.    How would you rate the following sectors with respect to economic success in The Blue Mountains? Please rate them on a scale from 1 to 5. 1 meaning “brings little or no economic prosperity to the community” and 5 meaning “brings a great deal of economic prosperity to the community”.

a. Industry and Manufacturing (e.g. construction, electronics, engineering, metalworking, automobile, plastics, textiles)        
b. Tourism (e.g. ski, golf, hike, cycle)         
c. Agriculture (e.g. fruit, vegetable, cereal, beef, poultry, honey, flower nursery)         
d. Retail (e.g. clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, antiques, arts and crafts)         
e. Food and Beverage (e.g. restaurant, café, candy store, ice cream shop, winery, brewery) 
f. Green Business (e.g. environmental consulting, native plant landscaping, eco-friendly dry cleaner, organic food store)        

Thank you for participating!

 

download the free adobe pdf reader at get.adobe.com/readerdownload the free Adobe pdf reader at get.adobe.com/reader
All documents found on our website are also available in hard copy by contacting the Town Hall.