Council takes first solid steps on Northdale.

On Monday night many aspirations and hopes for the Northdale neighbourhood were presented to Council by 22 delegations. A common thread in what we heard was that what is happening now is not working but also that full intensification is not the answer.

Council voted to begin a land use study in the Northdale area. This will be followed by a community improvement plan. Council also directed staff to explore partnerships with the universities to develop a community outreach program.

This summer, staff will complete the terms of reference for the land use study, which included developing a Vision for the area. This will come to Council in September. It will include terms for the formation of an advisory committee of the stakeholders, and the hiring of an independent consultant to undertake the land use study.

As outlined in the report to Council on Monday night, the city does have many tools available to achieve its goals. It is now time to develop and articulate the vision, the first step in making Northdale a community that we can be proud of.