The City Of Vaughan Revises Its Official Plan In Response To Public Input

Pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods, an urban approach to new developments, and a focus on job creation are some of the highlights of an updated version of the City of Vaughan’s Official Plan presented Monday evening, September 12 at a Special Committee of the Whole meeting.  

 

“I am pleased that our residents and businesses continue to contribute to the Official Plan process, demonstrating a strong commitment to the future of this City,” said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “The high level of participation in community forums, presentations and meetings has been impressive, and Council has responded by facilitating input and creating a clear vision of the type of urban community we want to build.”

 

The Vaughan Official Plan was adopted by Council on September 7, 2010. Subsequently, in response to public, government and agency submissions, modifications have been made to Volume 1 of the Official Plan. Volume 1 addresses City-wide policies; while Volume 2, which will be addressed later this year, includes site and area specific policies as well as five new Secondary Plans. It is expected that the Official Plan in its entirety will be reviewed and approved by the Region of York early in 2012. 

 

Vaughan’s new Official Plan conforms to provincial policies and the Region of York’s Official Plan, meeting regional targets for residential and employment growth. By 2031, the City’s population is forecast to reach 416,600 with 113,000 new jobs being created.

 

Highlights of the Official Plan include a new mixed-use downtown at the terminus of the Spadina subway; complete communities focused around heritage villages and other local centres, linked by public transit; and provisions for protecting existing residential and employment areas.

There are more than 1200 hectares of vacant Employment Lands available for development in the City of Vaughan. The new Official Plan protects these areas from being re-designated in order to ensure the City’s economic development and strong job growth.

 

To protect Vaughan’s natural areas and countryside, the City’s urban boundary will expand by only 3 per cent – the smallest urban expansion in the City’s history. The development of new community areas in the “white belt” will only proceed after the process of intensification is underway in established areas. Specifically, five required secondary plans will be “substantially advanced” before development can begin in new community areas. A minimum of 45 per cent of new development will be in the form of intensification, which will be directed to a limited number of areas. Approximately 40 per cent of Vaughan will continue to be protected as natural areas, open spaces and countryside.

 

“The new Official Plan provides a progressive planning framework for growth which will shape the future of our City by focusing on employment growth and increased land use densities while preserving our green spaces and promoting stable residential communities,” said City Manager Clayton Harris. “Over the past four years of this process, Council and staff have been meticulous in evaluating and responding to recommendations from the public, industry groups and government agencies. The result is a document that strongly reflects our commitment to balanced and sustainable growth.”

 

The Official Plan review process included extensive community engagement through community workshops, open houses, and public meetings. More than 3,000 people attended various City events. This commitment to community engagement was recognized with an Award of Excellence from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.

 

The new Official Plan is central to the City’s integrated Growth Management Strategy known as Vaughan Tomorrow. More information on the new Official Plan is available at  www.vaughantomorrow.ca.