Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Toronto is reviewing its Official Plan to develop a revised vision for city planning over the next 30 years.
The Province of Ontario’s Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe” came into effect in May 2019. All municipalities have until July 1, 2022 to update their Official Plans to align with directives.
“The review of the city’s Official Plan is a provincially-mandated review that looks at how the city will grow and change in the future,” said Mayor John Tory.
“The Official Plan guides where and how the city will grow, and its policies have a direct impact on our residents, businesses and visitors. I hope people will learn more about it and get involved in the public engagement campaign.”
Our Plan Toronto presents an opportunity to address growth-related challenges facing Toronto now and into the future, including housing affordability, climate change, mobility, and public health.
It is expected that by 2051 another 700,000 people will move to Toronto and an additional 450,000 jobs will be created. In total, by 2051 it is predicted that Toronto will grow to a population of 3.6 million and have a job market with more than two million jobs.
The city is launching a virtual public engagement campaign across various platforms to consult with community members over the next several months to explore key questions:
- What does this growth mean for the city?
- Where will these people and jobs be located?
- How can communities across Toronto grow while also supporting the people who live and work here today?
Part of the review includes an intensification strategy intended to direct and prioritize growth where transit and other infrastructure currently exists or is planned, including in Major Transit Station Areas, Urban Growth Centres, and other Strategic Growth Areas. These areas will be informed by local area studies that are currently being undertaken or have recently been completed and adopted by city council.
An integral component of the economic health are the 8,100 hectares of lands designated as core and general employment areas.
These two land use designations account for 13 per cent of all lands and land use policies for these areas will be reviewed to develop an employment lands strategy and explore the future of work for Toronto. The plan will also result in updated environment policies in the Official Plan.
The review will include opportunities for all Torontonians, businesses, and stakeholders, including First Nations and Métis communities to be involved through online consultation, surveys, interactive mapping and virtual meetings. Dates and times will be announced on the project webpage and on the City’s social media channels.
The Official Plan review process is mandated by the Province of Ontario to satisfy growth planning requirements set out by the Province in A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (Growth Plan 2019). The Official Plan review process is technically referred to as the “Municipal Comprehensive Review” and Growth Plan conformity exercise.
“We know that as the impacts of the pandemic begin to lessen, Toronto will continue to experience significant growth and experience increasing prosperity that must be shared by all,” said Deputy Mayor Ana Bailao.
“Our Plan Toronto’ is a roadmap outlining how and where that growth will take place. This is an important project for the future of our City, and everyone is encouraged to get involved to share their views and ensure that as a City we are moving in the right direction.”