Proposed Redline Revised OP

The County's new Official Plan was originally adopted by County Council in June 2022. It has been with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing awaiting approval since that time. In October 2024, a new Provincial Planning Statement (PPS 2024) took effect. This Statement replaced both the 2020 Provincial Policy Statement and the 2019 Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Since the adopted Official Plan was prepared under and heavily influenced by the Growth Plan, it is now out of date with the in-effect legislation (PPS 2024).

In December 2024 County Council provided authorization to proceed with a consultation process to update the new Official Plan with revisions which would implement the new PPS. The Official Plan Redline Revision Process report to Council provides all relevant background information.

Proposed Changes

At this time, the County is only proposing changes to policies which would bring the adopted Official Plan into alignment with the 2024 PPS. No additional or site/property specific changes will be considered. Furthermore, no mapping changes are being made at this time. Only those sections highlighted in red in the Redline Revised Version of the new Official Plan are being considered.

The endorsed modifications include changes to the Natural Core Area designation policy section, which provides modified policy based on the type of feature present on a site rather than treating all features in a restrictive manner. The Natural Heritage System is also proposed to be deferred to a later date, with the policy section being kept as a placeholder. 

Official Plan Amendments which have been approved in the interim period from June 2022 through to today have also been included in the Local Component as they have already gone through a public process, and the County is requesting that they be carried forward.

Other minor language changes have been included which provide additional clarity for the reader or reflect updates to other legislation, strategic plan(s) or transfers of service delivery from one agency to another.

Consultation and Commenting Period

The commenting period was open from January 15 to March 5, 2025. A virtual public Open House and a hybrid Public Meeting were hosted, and a Notice of Public Open House and Public Meeting was provided in accordance with the Planning Act. You can view the meetings and presentation materials at the links below.

• Open House - Tuesday February 25, 2025 - 4:00 p.m.
  • View Open House slide deck
  • View recording of Open House
• Public Meeting - Wednesday March 5, 2025 - 9:30 a.m.
  • View Council Agenda
  • View Public Meeting slide deck
  • View recording of Public Meeting (during regular meeting of County Council) 

Next Steps

All comments received during the commenting period will be reviewed and considered. A report outlining public, agency and First Nation comments was presented to County Council on May 7, 2025. With Council's endorsement, the Redline OP (and any supported changes as a result of consultation) was forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for their consideration and approval. 

The County anticipates the need for a housekeeping Official Plan Amendment to the new Official Plan once it has been approved by the Province. The housekeeping Amendment would make the necessary mapping and policy changes related to the Natural Heritage System.