Is Bethesda Road the next high growth area in Stouffville?

Metrolinx is planning to move the Lincolnville GO station to the southwest corner of Bethesda Road and Tenth Line

Yorkregion.com
July 10, 2018
Simon Martin

Is Bethesda Road the future high growth area for Stouffville? It appears things are heading in that direction.

Metrolinx is planning to relocate the Lincolnville GO station to the southwest corner of Tenth Line and Bethesda Road. The area is designated for residential and urban medium density residential uses.

According to Metrolinx spokesperson Scott Money, the transit operator owns the land on the southwest corner and is currently in the early design phase of the project.

The new station represents a new opportunity for development in Stouffville.

Council approved the Lincolnville GO station area land use study terms of reference and directed staff to plan for a major transit station area (MTSA) within a 500-metre radius of the new GO station. Council also approved a budget of $94,000 in addition to the original budget of $75,000 in the 2018 capital budget, to undertake additional transportation, water and wastewater capacity assessments and prepare for the urban design guidelines.

Discussions between town and regional staff are leaning toward supporting the area to become a major transit station area.

The provincial growth plan requires such an area to achieve a minimum density target of 150 residents and jobs combined per hectare within a 500-metre radius. 

The town said if approved, the area will add about 5,000 residents and 750 population-serving jobs to the town’s 2031-2041 growth forecasts. If approved, staff said the area will help support a possible future extension of the all-day GO rail service from Unionville to Lincolnville.

Ward 5 Coun. Iain Lovatt said this is policy making that will have huge effect on the town in 15 years.

“It’s a really big deal. It’s actually quite exciting for us in the town,” he said.

Mayor Justin Altmann considered the move to designate Bethesda a future hub good planning. “Hardest thing in planning is looking beyond. Very impressed,” Atlmann said.

Due to the requirement for higher density for MTSAs, additional servicing capacity assessments for road, water and wastewater will be needed.

The region will work closely with all nine local municipalities in deciding each major transit station area and determining appropriate population and employment targets.