Shaping the future of Vaughan
Draft Official Plan policy directions have been established – Get Inspired; Get Involved!
The City of Vaughan’s Official Plan Review is well underway – and the updated plan is starting to take shape! It will guide the community’s growth into 2051, and, as the review progresses, your input continues to be vital. Feedback collected to date has helped City staff identify the community’s needs, determine focus areas and establish priorities.
Read through the Policy Directions Report that your input has helped inform throughout the Official Plan Review process.
This report outlines key Official Plan policy directions organized by theme, as well as a summary of existing policies, a conformity analysis, comparing existing policies with updated Provincial and Regional policies, and a detailed breakdown of future policy directions. The information in this report will help craft the City’s updated Official Plan. An overview of these policy directions can also be viewed in this video, which was presented during the Official Plan Review Open Houses in November 2022.
If you have comments or ideas sparked by this report, or any other feedback on the Official Plan Review, please email oprmanager@vaughan.ca or share your input through the Ideas Tool to help shape future policy work.
Learn more about the City’s Official Plan Review at vaughan.ca/OPR. Answers to your frequently asked questions are also 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’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 more than 344,412 people and 240,100 jobs in 2022. Now through 2051, Vaughan will become home to 228,800 more people, bringing the total expected population to 570,400 people. Additionally, businesses in 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 the end of 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 on progress throughout the life of the project.
How can I 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.
