Paying for growth: Oakville approves new Parks Plan and infrastructure funding tools

Following public review and input, Oakville Town Council has approved the new Parks Plan 2031 along with the associated Parkland Dedication by-law that together, will guide the town in continuing to maintain its parkland standards. This also helps establish a mechanism to ensure sufficient land and cash-in-lieu is available to support the town-wide parkland standard. Park designs, sites, sizes, distances and other details will be decided later by Council in a public process.

On September 6, 2022 Council approved a new Community Benefits Charges by-law that will help cover infrastructure costs for such amenities as parking, public art and cultural entertainment spaces, among others. 

These two by-laws, along with the Development Charges by-law approved on July 12, 2022, concludes the town’s comprehensive review of its major growth infrastructure financing tools. These will help the town plan for future growth and build complete communities by recovering infrastructure costs from developers and minimizing the impact on existing taxpayers.

In 2019 and 2020, Bills 108, the More Homes, More Choice Act, and 197, the Covid-19 Economic Recovery Act, introduced legislative changes that required municipalities to approve three major financial tools - Development Charges, Parkland Dedication, and Community Benefits Charges - before September 18, 2022.

Visit the Growth Infrastructure Financing Tools page for more information. 

“The new Parks Plan 2031, Community Benefits Charges and the community infrastructure funding measures will support responsible, long-term financial planning that ensures growth pays for growth in Oakville. These tools will help ease the tax burden for residents, and better fund the community services that enhance our livability.”

Mayor Rob Burton