City of Mississauga, Clarkson, Ratepayers, Traffic

Slow Streets have Rolled Out in Mississauga Neighbourhoods

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With COVID-19 public health protocols still in place this summer, the City has decided to move forward with expanding its Slow Streets initiative, piloted as Quiet Streets in 2020, in all City wards. Slow Streets have rolled out in neighbourhoods throughout Mississauga to give residents ample space to safely move around their neighbourhood. They will be in place until the end of October 2021, to allow time to prepare for the winter season. 

Slow Streets are a temporary traffic calming measure that involve installing road barricades and signage on neighbourhood streets. Slow Streets are intended to provide additional space for pedestrians and cyclists to move around their neighbourhood while safely maintaining physical distancing, following COVID-19 public health recommendations. Slow Streets also reduce speeding and limit traffic to local vehicles. Slow Streets will remain accessible to car traffic and two-way travel. Posted speed limits will remain the same.

Slow Streets direct drivers to slow down and share the road with other road users. By implementing Slow Streets, those walking, running, biking and using mobility devices can comfortably use the road while being able to physical distance.

Temporary barricades and signs will be installed at main vehicle entry points. This installation signals to drivers to slow down, avoid passing and take extra care if they live in the area and are navigating the road. The barricades will also allow for easy movement of essential emergency service vehicles as well as waste and road maintenance vehicles. Specific layouts will vary somewhat depending on characteristics such as road width and parking usage on each roadway.

Slow Streets are not intended for multi-lane major collector or arterial roadways or with roads that have MiWay routes. 

There are no changes to services such as waste collection. Please put your green, blue and grey carts at the curb following your regular schedule.

Learn more about the City’s road safety initiatives, visit mississauga.ca/services-and-programs/transportation-and-streets/road-safety/slow-streets/

City of Mississauga, Ratepayers

Budget Committee Meeting Scheduled for June 21, 2021

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A Budget Committee meeting is scheduled for June 21, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. where staff will report on an updated financial position for 2021 and budget outlook for 2022.

In April, staff provided an update on the impacts of COVID-19 as well as projections regarding the City of Mississauga’s Budget and Business Plan for future years.

The budget and business planning process enables the City to efficiently provide residents and businesses with municipal services, projects and programs. The City’s budget allocates the funding and resources needed to deliver services and maintain the infrastructure that residents and businesses depend on, while meeting the City’s short and long-term operational and strategic goals.

Stream the meeting day of or catch up on previous Budget Committee meetings.

Learn more about the City’s Budget and Business Plan at mississauga.ca/budget.

City of Mississauga, Development

Mississauga Official Plan Review Meetings to Discuss Housing, Growth, Transportation and Environment

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The City is hosting three virtual community meetings to discuss key directions of Mississauga’s Official Plan Review. Housing, growth, transportation and the environment will be the focus in this phase of public engagement.

Mississauga is reviewing its current Official Plan, which guides growth, to ensure it reflects the changing needs, opportunities and aspirations of the city. Since launching the Official Plan Review in June 2019, the City has conducted ongoing public consultation. Having reviewed the community feedback to date, this current phase of engagement focuses on confirming policy directions for environment, transportation and growth.  Engagement for housing options will explore ideas from the community.

What & When:

Virtual community meetings to discuss our future city:

·        What are the priorities for the environment and transportation?

Tuesday, June 15, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.  

·        Where will major growth go?

Thursday, June 17, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

·        How can we increase housing choices in our neighbourhoods? 

Wednesday, June 23, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Who:

·        Mississauga residents and property owners

·        Business owners and employees

·        Members of Council and City staff

How:

To participate:

·        Register here or call 311. Registered participants will receive meeting instructions and background materials. If you are unable to attend, the meetings will be recorded and can be viewed following the sessions.

·        Provide feedback or ask a question on the project engagement site.

To prepare for the meetings:

·        Official Plan Review: Visit the project engagement site to review the research briefs, theme summaries and project engagement to date

·        Housing: Help shape the conversation by taking the survey and sharing your ideas.Visit the Increasing Housing Choices in Neighbourhoods for more information

·        Transportation: For more information, see related studies including Changing Lanes and the Transportation Master Plan

·        Environment: For more information, see related studies including the Climate Change Action Plan  

Background:

The City’s Official Plan policies address important parts of city-building that affect how the city grows, including transportation, housing, culture and heritage, the environment and the economy.

The Official Plan addresses:

  • where housing, industry, offices, shops and roads should go
  • which services and amenities (e.g., parks, schools, transit) are needed and where they will be located
  • what parts of the city will be the focus for growth and what it will look like e.g., heights and densities
  • ways to enhance economic development and job growth

The City launched the Official Plan Review at a Special Council meeting held on June 10, 2019. For more information and to sign up for email updates, visit the public engagement page.

City of Mississauga

City of Mississauga Suggests Updates to the Public Tree By-law Tree

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In a corporate report presented at General Committee today, staff from the City of Mississauga’s Forestry section provided an informational overview of the suggested updates to the City’s Public Tree By-law.

“Trees play a crucial role for cities like Mississauga by improving livability. They are essential for creating and maintaining a healthy community,” said Jodi Robillos, Director, Parks, Forestry and Environment. “Over the last few years, trees within the city have come under increased threat due to disease, invasive species, climate change and human-driven damage. Through the updated Public Tree By-law, the City continues to prioritize tree health and well-being because of the endless benefits they provide. The draft Public Tree By-law clearly outlines the Tree Protection and Preservation Standards that will guide the public, development community and City staff.”

The draft Public Tree By-law will protect more than 300,000 trees on City streets and parks and was developed in response to recommendations made in the City’s Future Directions Master Plan, Urban Forest Management Plan and Natural Heritage and Urban Forest Strategy. The revised draft by-law:

·         regulates the planting, maintenance and removal of trees on public property

·         provides greater clarity on by-law violations

·         references a public tree permit process 

·         allows the City to prosecute corporations or individuals who don’t adhere to the by-law.

“The City of Mississauga enacted its first Public Tree By-law in 1975 to regulate the planting, maintenance and protection of trees and shrubs on public lands. The existing Public Tree By-law is outdated and no longer meets current standards,” said Brent Reid, Manager, Forestry. “The updated standards lay out the City expectations relating to tree protection on all projects that involve City-owned trees including tree protection fencing, securities and replacement requirements.”

Updates and improvements to the protection of City trees include:

·   Prohibiting storage of material, equipment or anything that would impede the health of a tree’s root zone

·   Requiring approval for work within the tree protection zone as identified and approved by City staff and prohibiting grade changes in the tree protection zone

·   Prohibiting dangerous liquids, gaseous or solid substances to come into contact with the tree’s root system

·   Prohibiting the removal of any woody debris that has fallen or been cut down by the City in a natural area and left

·   Prohibiting planting of trees on public land. In the event trees are planted on public land, the by-law stipulates that the subject tree becomes public and subject to the terms of the draft by-law

The draft Public Tree By-law would also introduce new permit fees for work that may impact City-owned trees.

Both the City’s draft Public Tree By-law and the Private Tree By-law will undergo community consultation this summer. Stakeholders will be asked to provide feedback about the new updates for the Public Tree By-law and submit feedback about what they would like to see changed in the Private Tree By-law.

For more information about trees in Mississauga, visit mississauga.ca/services-and-programs/forestry-and-environment/. 

Clarkson, Credit Valley Conservation

CVC Foundation partners with Timber Specialties Limited on accessible boardwalk

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Supported by a generous donation of lumber from Timber Specialties Limited, Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) plans a series of boardwalk renovations at Rattray Marsh Conservation Area throughout 2021. This includes reconstructing the conservation area’s Knoll Trail boardwalk and removing over 100 steps, making the Knoll Trail fully accessible.

“We’re beyond grateful to Timber Specialties Limited for their generous donation. We’re committed to removing barriers for people with disabilities, wherever possible, and we’re so glad that Timber Specialties Limited shares our commitment to accessibility, the environment and our local communities.”

Jon MacMull, Acting Executive Director for CVC Foundation

With limited recreation opportunities available due to the pandemic, people have rediscovered nearby conservation areas for outdoor recreation. Rattray Marsh is CVC’s most visited conservation area. 2020 saw record visitation, with over 334,000 people enjoying the boardwalks, bridges, beach and scenic vistas – a 67 per cent increase over 2019.

“We are pleased to donate Canada’s most popular, environmentally-certified MicroPro Sienna treated wood to the Knoll Trail boardwalk project,” said Brad Burmeister, Vice President, Timber Specialties Limited. ”As a company that understands and appreciates the value of quality, outdoor spaces, it’s an honour to contribute to an accessible boardwalk that will allow everyone to experience the beauty and wellness that can be found at Rattray Marsh Conservation Area.” 

Rattray Marsh is an environmental gem located in a unique natural setting within the City of Mississauga. As the last remaining lakefront marsh between Toronto and Burlington, this environmentally sensitive wetland offers a different experience for nature lovers. Not only is it a refuge for wildlife, it’s also a refuge for local residents, who are able to find comfort and solace throughout the pandemic in this unique natural setting so close to home.

CVC’s conservation areas have long relied on a healthy mix of local government support and community donations to keep them beautiful, thriving and accessible.

About Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) 
Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) is a local conservation authority established by the Ontario government in 1954 to protect, restore and enhance the natural environment of the Credit River watershed. That watershed is the area of land where all rainfall, snowmelt and runoff drains into lands and waters flowing into the Credit River. CVC creates connections between people and nature, knowledge and action. It inspires a deep appreciation for the role of nature in keeping people connected, healthy and happy. CVC is a member of Conservation Ontario.