The City of Brandon is putting forth its first ever city plan, and it’s offering the public a chance to weigh in on it.
Tonight, at 7:00, the city will host a public hearing about the new document. The new plan has already been through its first reading.
According to the city’s plan, which is available on their website, they project the population of Brandon will grow as high as 65,000 by the year 2050. In order to keep up with that growth, they’ll need new infrastructure, particularly in newly developing communities on the outskirts of the city.
The document is made up of ten parts and covers everything from public transportation and roadways to employment and public safety. Environmental and economic factors are also addressed in the plan, and housing is a major part of it as well.
“Due to rising costs of construction, demolition, borrowing, as well as changes in demographics, affordability and concerns around equity,” reads a part of the plan, “Brandon has an opportunity to plan for growth that accommodates all residents through ending exclusionary zoning (zones that only permit single detached housing) and promote the idea of complete communities that have various types of housing in all neighbourhoods. this promotes inclusivity city wide.”
Previously, Brandon had been under the Brandon and Area Planning District. This new plan, which is specific to Brandon and does not include any other municipalities, is supposed to guide Brandon’s growth and policy for the next 30 years.
The next stop following this public hearing would be a second reading, followed by Ministerial/Provincial approval, and 3rd reading. The city has said they expect to be done with the process by the end of this year.
