What is transit-oriented development?
Transit-oriented development (TOD) is a planning approach that concentrates housing, commercial spaces, and community services around high-frequency transit stops and stations. The goal is to make it easier for you to walk, cycle, or take Wrenford Transit for your daily trips, while reducing reliance on cars.
Why TOD matters for Wrenford
- More housing options: TOD creates opportunities for diverse housing types, from missing middle homes to mid-rise apartments near transit corridors.
- Easier access to services: Residents live closer to schools, healthcare, parks, and the Downtown Transit Terminal.
- Better streets and pathways: Investments in sidewalks, crosswalks, and active transportation links make neighbourhoods safer and more connected.
- Support for local businesses: Higher foot traffic around transit hubs helps downtown and neighbourhood commercial areas thrive.
- Lower carbon footprint: By prioritizing walking, cycling, and transit, TOD helps Wrenford meet its climate and sustainability targets.
- Stronger ridership: Convenient access means more people use the bus, which supports reliable service and future route expansions.
- Improved social equity: Affordable housing and transit access ensure that residents of all ages and incomes can participate fully in city life.
Where Wrenford is investing
Our Transit-Oriented Development Implementation Strategy, approved by Council in 2024, targets key hubs along Routes 1 through 14. We are prioritizing upgrades to public realm infrastructure, zoning updates, and housing incentives in these areas:
- Downtown Transit Terminal: Upgrading the plaza and surrounding blocks to support mixed-use development and pedestrian safety.
- Westbrook Community Arena area: Enhancing the streetscape and permitting mixed-use buildings within 200 metres of the transit stop to serve the Westbrook and Larch Heights neighbourhoods.
- Northgate Aquatic Centre corridor: Aligning infrastructure upgrades with new mid-density housing along Northgate Boulevard to support the growing Northgate ward population.
- Ambrel Lake Recreation Centre node: Integrating active transportation links and permitting missing middle housing near the lake and transit routes 10 and 12.
- Eastfield Twin Arenas precinct: Streamlining development approvals for housing and community facilities near the eastern transit corridor.
Aligning zoning and housing policy
TOD is supported by updates to the City of Wrenford Official Plan and Zoning By-law 2016-040. These changes enable:
- Mid- and high-rise development along main transit routes (up to six storeys within 200 metres of a hub, four storeys within 800 metres).
- Missing middle housing forms in older central neighbourhoods, such as multiplexes and low-rise apartments.
- Incremental housing diversity in established areas, allowing up to four units on lots within the intensification boundary.
- Streamlined discretionary use processes for housing-related projects, reducing approval times and increasing certainty for developers and non-profit providers.
- Conversion of underused commercial buildings to residential use where structurally feasible.
Federal funding and housing acceleration
Wrenford is participating in the federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). The fund supports our commitment to build more homes faster by removing zoning barriers and accelerating infrastructure upgrades near transit. Our HAF Action Plan outlines specific initiatives, including:
- Enabling high-density development in the City Centre.
- Aligning long-term infrastructure planning with housing growth targets.
- Updating the Development Charges Model to support sustainable growth.
- Supporting pre-development work for affordable housing projects.
- Creating a process to dispose of City-owned land for non-profit housing.
How to get involved
Residents, developers, and community organizations can engage with the TOD program through public consultations, Committee of Adjustment hearings, and Council meetings. If you have questions about zoning changes, development applications, or housing incentives near a transit hub, contact the Planning and Development team.
Contact information
Planning and Development
City Hall, Room 101
100 Mercer Street, Wrenford, ON N4Q 1A1
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 519-555-0100