Town of Cochrane Strategic Plan – Final Report October 2014
Cochrane’s location on Highway 11 is a day’s drive from major distribution hubs, and is therefore
well suited to develop facilities and services that leverage not only trucking, but also other forms of
transportation serving the community.
There are two tactics associated with this project:
7.3.1.1 Establish a Community Improvement Plan.
7.3.1.2 Develop amenities to attract truckers.
7.3.1.1 Establish a Community Improvement Plan
for the Hwy 11 corridor
The Community Improvement Plan program (CIP)
is a tool available to Ontario municipalities under
the Provincial Planning Act (Section 28) to support
municipal redevelopment and revitalization goals.
A CIP supports municipally-driven programs, by
providing grants and loans to the private sector to:
• Stimulate private investment.
• Promote place making to attract
business development.
• Promote
brownfield
cleanup
or
redevelopment.
• Make more effective use of existing
community infrastructure.
• Develop public space, parks, signage
and landscaping improvements.
CIPs must specify the areas of the community that
are included in the CIP (although entire
communities can be designated). We recommend
that Cochrane consider revitalizing the Highway
11 corridor, the planned Lake Commando
improvements and the downtown core.
Cochrane’s Competitive Advantages
as a Transport Trucking Centre
Cochrane is well positioned to establish itself
as a major truck stop centre because:
• It is a day’s drive –approximately 8-10
hours from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal
and Thunder Bay– from major
distribution centres.
• It is directly on Hwy 11, the transCanada highway.
• One of the few stop signs on the
highway in this section of the Trans
Canada is in Cochrane, facilitating the
potential for a longer stop.
• There are some existing services and
amenities that support truckers.
• There is a perceived shortage of rest
stops/parking areas in Northern
Ontario.
Source: Today’s Trucking (2013) Study Highlights Lack of
Truck Stops in Canada. Available at
http://www.todaystrucking.com/study-highlights-lack-oftruck-stops-in-canada
Grant or loan programs (e.g. for façade or signage improvements, brownfield improveme nts,
energy efficiency, etc.) often form part of a CIP. The municipality should consider a Streetscape
Design Plan for Hwy 11 (or any other area considered for the CIP). Streetscape design plans set out
the guidelines for beautification, signage, street furniture, and pedestrian crossings (among other
elements). CIP grant applicants generally must conform to the Streetscape Design Plan as a
condition of grant approval.
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