Shaping the future of Vaughan
Get Inspired; Get Involved: The
City of Vaughan’s Official Plan Review is underway and the updated plan is
starting to take shape! This updated plan will guide the community’s growth
into 2051 – and you can help define it. As the review progresses, your input
continues to be vital. The feedback provided during the first phase of the
review has helped City staff identify the community’s needs and determine focus
areas – and these will be used to help form the updated Vaughan Official Plan. Learn
more by attending upcoming virtual Open Houses and reviewing seven Background Papers
outlining the plan’s key priorities.
Interested in the progress? There are many ways to stay informed:
Review Background Papers
Seven background papers that contain research, best practices and feedback collected to date are now available for review at vaughan.ca/OPR. These papers will be used to inform the next phase of the project, which is to bring forward recommendations for the development of the Official Plan policy.
The seven Background Papers are:
- Agriculture System Review: documents existing agricultural conditions and characteristics to update the City’s agricultural policies and establish a long-term vision for Vaughan’s agricultural lands.
- Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Framework: examines actions, financial tools and programs that will improve the City’s response to climate-related impacts, such as floods, extreme weather conditions, global warming and more.
- Commercial Land Use Review: examines the City’s commercial land use requirements, including long-term economic trends in retail and commercial development.
- Employment Land Use Review: identifies key trends, opportunities and disrupters that are anticipated to influence employment growth and associated employment land requirements in Vaughan.
- Natural Heritage Network Review: examines Natural Heritage Network policies and mapping tools and outlines a way to protect, preserve and enhance Vaughan’s natural habitats.
- Residential Growth, Intensification and Housing Needs Strategy: investigates the City’s housing needs over a 2051 planning horizon, outlines an approach and confirms the City’s residential intensification targets.
- Urban Design, Built Form, Compatibility and Sustainable Development Criteria Review: documents best urban design practices and guidelines to develop criteria for built form and sustainable development, including policies related to the public realm, building typologies and land use compatibility.
Attend a virtual Open House
Three virtual Open Houses are being held on the following dates:
- Thursday, Nov. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register to attend.
- Monday, Nov. 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register to attend.
- Thursday, Nov. 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register to attend.
Participants will receive project updates, including policy recommendations, directions, key priorities and next steps. An overview of events taken place to date and upcoming engagement opportunities will also be presented.
More information about Vaughan’s Official Plan Review is below:
What is an Official Plan?
An Official Plan outlines the vision for the future of a city, including responsible governance, sustainable planning, economic leadership, transparency, accountability and inclusivity. It is a strategic planning document that establishes a policy framework to guide the physical, social, environmental and economic development of the city’s communities. The City of Vaughan’s Official Plan:
- implements goals, objectives and land use policies to serve the community.
- directs density, housing supply, protection of environmental features and agricultural areas, cultural heritage preservation and more.
- guides growth and development to implement the vision for Vaughan’s long-term evolution.
The updated Vaughan Official Plan must align with new Provincial policies and plans, including the Provincial Policy Statement, Greenbelt Plan, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and 2051 growth targets for people and jobs. It must also conform with the updated York Region Official Plan, adopted by York Region Council on June 30, 2022.
Why is the Vaughan Official Plan being reviewed?
Vaughan’s communities are constantly growing and changing. Vaughan is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada with a population of 341,600 people and 240,100 jobs in 2021. Now through 2051, Vaughan will become home to 228,800 more people, bringing the total expected population to 570,400 people. Additionally, the city will also offer 111,400 more jobs, bringing the total employment figure to approximately 351,500 jobs. This expected growth will account for almost one-third of the region’s growth over the next three decades. The City is updating the existing Vaughan Official Plan 2010 to better meet the needs of current and future citizens, workers and visitors, and help guide this expansive growth to ensure Vaughan continues to be a great place to live, work and play.
How long will the Official Plan Review take?
As a progressive and growing Greater Toronto Area municipality, Vaughan is large and complex. It is expected the Official Plan Review will be completed by Fall 2023. Time is required to review all existing policies, conform with recent changes to Provincial plans and policies and align with the updated York Region Official Plan. The City will continue to involve the community every step of the way and report back to on progress throughout the life of the project.
How can community members stay informed?
Learn more about the City’s Official Plan Review at vaughan.ca/OPR. Future public engagement opportunities will also be posted to this webpage. An Official Plan Review mailing list has also been created – visit vaughan.ca/OPR, call 905-832-2281, ext. 8699 or email oprmanager@vaughan.ca to be added.
For updates and news as they happen, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.