Resident can expect several more opportunities to have their say on Bradford’s proposed growth-management plan.
Consultants WSP are helping the town go above and beyond the minimum requirements in the Planning Act, with a consultation strategy that “encourages idea sharing, pursues a diversity of viewpoints, respects differences, and inspires dialogue,” which was detailed in a report from Mana Masoudi, senior planner for the town, as part of the regular council meeting on Sept. 3.
Ward 5 Coun. Peter Ferragine lauded the guiding principals of the consultation strategy — including transparency, inclusiveness, respect, open communication and collaboration — and noted no one would be able to claim they didn’t have a chance to participate.
“I love it,” he said. “We want to hear from you. Everybody get out here, everybody say what you have to say, because that’s what shapes our community.”
Bradford is in the process of creating a growth plan to accommodate roughly an additional 40,000 people and 19,000 jobs expected by 2051, as part of the town’s ongoing efforts to update its official plan — which helps determine, among other things, the future locations for homes, schools, parks and businesses.
To accomplish this, the growth plan is broken into two parts, with work expected to be carried out on both simultaneously over about 18 months — Part 1, intensification, and Part 2, settlement boundary expansion.
In addition to the public meeting held June 25, WSP recommends the town hold a visioning workshop with the public and reach out directly to Indigenous communities, stakeholders, agencies, the development community and council committees such as the accessibility advisory committee as well as the diversity, equity and inclusiveness advisory committee.
Once growth plan policies are drafted, WSP recommends the town consult with stakeholders and agencies, hold one or more public information open houses for each part of the plan, and hold at least one more public meeting for each part of the plan.
“It’s good that we’re going to have a lot of input,” Mayor James Leduc said.
He also asked that reports to members of internal working groups be provided more than one day in advance to allow more time to “read it and digest it.”
WSP suggests the town create a dedicated website about the project, including meeting dates and updates, as well as communicate to the public through digital and printed media.
Exact dates have yet to be determined, but a rough timeline anticipates public open houses starting this fall with reports to council and public meetings continuing through to fall 2025.
