The City of Vaughan is currently updating the Official Plan to guide land use and development. Vaughan is a fast-growing urban region and economic engine of Ontario that is built with vibrant complete communities for people to work, live, play, and innovate.

Separating the OPR into two parts is no longer required or preferable, therefore, the City is consolidating the Part A OPA and Part B OPA work into a single OPA to allow the project team more time to ensure the OPA conforms to all Provincial legislative and Regional policy changes. Additionally, this approach gives more opportunity for staff review and comment on draft policies and schedules, also allowing for the project team to engage with the public and stakeholders more meaningfully and receive comments on the entire OPA prior to the statutory consultation period. Draft #1 of the Comprehensive Official Plan Amendment (OPA) Draft #1 Comprehensive Official Plan Amendment (OPA) to the Vaughan Official Plan is now available for review and comment. Draft #1 of the OPA consolidates the Part A and Part B work into a single Official Plan Amendment. Some of the key changes and enhancements includes updated and new policies for climate change resilience, green infrastructure, active transportation, updated maps and schedules and more. Please review Draft #1 of the Comprehensive Official Plan Amendment ( Policies and Schedules ) to the Vaughan Official Plan and share your feedback by emailing oprmanager@vaughan.ca. Continue to check Forward Vaughan for updates on how to get involved with upcoming engagement events for the Official Plan Review! We will continue to provide updates as they become available.
Project Timeline The Official Plan Amendment to the VOP is targeted for Vaughan Council adoption in Q4 2024. Comments or questions can be submitted by sending an e-mail to oprmanager@vaughan.ca.

Getting Involved

• Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation | April 20, 2022 | Recording
• Affordable Housing | April 27, 2022 | Recording
• Placemaking | May 9, 2022 | Recording
• Healthy Communities | May 12, 2022 | part 1 Recording and part 2 Recording

Phase 2 Policy Directions

To see the engagement events completed in Phase 2 of the Official Plan Review, please check out the Phase 2 Engagement Summary Report now by visiting this link here or viewing the document in the Document Library located on the right-hand side of the page.

The Project Team hosted three Virtual Public Open Houses in November 2022. Interested in viewing the Virtual Public Open House? Please follow the link here to watch a recording of the November 14, 2022 Virtual Public Open House.

• November 14, 2022, from 6pm to 8pm | Recording

Community sessions took place in all Wards throughout June in various Vaughan community centres:

• Ward 1 community session was held at the Pierre Berton Heritage Centre on Monday, June 26, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Ward 2 community session was held at the Al Palladini Community Centre on Monday, June 5, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Activity Room #1
• Ward 3 community session was held at the Vellore Village Community Centre on Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Activity Room #2
• Ward 4 Community session was held at the North Thornhill Community Centre on Monday, June 12, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Activity Room A
• Ward 5 community session was held at the Dufferin Clark Community Centre on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Activity Room #1

Part A OPA Engagement

On Sept. 26, 2023 the City hosted an Official Plan Review Open House where participants were able to speak to the City planners updating the Vaughan Official Plan. The Open House was held at the Maple Community Centre from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A notice for the Public Open House can be found here - Part A OPA Public Open House Notice.

The City of Vaughan hosted a Public Meeting for Part A OPA on Oct. 3, 2023. The Public Meeting was held at Vaughan City Hall, Council Chamber, 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive at 7 p.m.

A notice for the Public Meeting can be found here - Part A OPA Public Meeting Notice. The notice was published on September 8, 2023 and contains additional details regarding participation and the purpose of the application.

About the Project

Vaughan is Growing and Evolving

Vaughan's communities are constantly growing and changing. Vaughan is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada with a population of 340,700 people and 240,100 jobs in 2021. Vaughan's forecasted growth will account for almost one-third of the region's growth over the next three decades. It is important the City plans for new growth in a way that is strategic, thoughtful, appropriate and aligned with what our residents and businesses value most.

The Official Plan is a strategic planning document that establishes a policy framework to guide the physical, social, environmental and economic development of the city. It is a document that:

• Implements goals, objectives and land use policies to serve the city's communities
• 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 the city's long-term evolution

Updating the Vaughan Official Plan

The updated Official Plan must conform 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 York Region Official Plan which was approved by the Province on November 4, 2022.

For more information about Official Plan Review, please check out the FAQ !

The Official Plan Review Process

The Planning Act is Provincial legislation that sets out the ground rules for land use planning in Ontario. The Planning Act requires municipalities to update their official plans every five to ten years to ensure the plan implements any changes to Provincial policies and plans. The Vaughan Official Plan is being updated to conform to the updated Provincial and Regional policies and plans that direct growth and development in Ontario, including the Provincial Policy Statement, Greenbelt Plan, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and the York Region Official Plan.

In addition to updating the Official Plan to meet Provincial and Regional requirements, municipalities can also update and create policies that enhance the quality of life and better meet the needs of current and future residents, visitors, and businesses.

Policy Directions Report

In February 2023, the City released the Policy Directions Report for the Official Plan Review. The policy directions are being used to inform policy development in the updated Official Plan.

The Policy Directions Report can be reviewed via the link below. Any comments to be considered in future policy work can be submitted using the Ideas Tool, or by sending an e-mail to oprmanager@vaughan.ca. Access the Policy Directions Report February 2023 - Full Report

Background Studies

The City of Vaughan completed a series of pop-up events across the City and has released seven background papers for the Official Plan Review.

The Seven Background Papers are : Agricultural System Review; Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Framework; Commercial Land Use Review; Employment Land Use Review; Natural Heritage Network Review; Residential Growth, Intensification and Housing Needs Strategy; and Urban Design, Built Form, Compatibility and Sustainable Development Criteria Review.

The Background Papers contain research, best practices and take into account the feedback that has been received from the community regarding the vision and priorities for the City of Vaughan for the next 30 years. The Background Papers are used to inform the next Phase of the project - recommendations for the development of Official Plan policy.

In August and September of 2022, the City visited and held pop-up events at local public spaces like the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Subway Station, retail stores and the City-led Concerts in the Park events, to engage residents in the project.

You can review the 7 Background Papers by visiting the Document Library on the right-hand side of the page. If you have any comments to be considered in future policy work, please submit them using the Ideas Tool, or by sending an e-mail to oprmanager@vaughan.ca.

Staff Reports

The City of Vaughan is currently updating the Official Plan to guide land use and development. Vaughan is a fast-growing urban region and economic engine of Ontario that is built with vibrant complete communities for people to work, live, play, and innovate.

Project Status

Separating the OPR into two parts is no longer required or preferable, therefore, the City is consolidating the Part A OPA and Part B OPA work into a single OPA to allow the project team more time to ensure the OPA conforms to all Provincial legislative and Regional policy changes. Additionally, this approach gives more opportunity for staff review and comment on draft policies and schedules, also allowing for the project team to engage with the public and stakeholders more meaningfully and receive comments on the entire OPA prior to the statutory consultation period.

Draft #1 of the Comprehensive Official Plan Amendment (OPA)

Draft #1 Comprehensive Official Plan Amendment (OPA) to the Vaughan Official Plan is now available for review and comment. Draft #1 of the OPA consolidates the Part A and Part B work into a single Official Plan Amendment. Some of the key changes and enhancements includes updated and new policies for climate change resilience, green infrastructure, active transportation, updated maps and schedules and more.

Please review Draft #1 of the Comprehensive Official Plan Amendment ( Policies and Schedules ) to the Vaughan Official Plan and share your feedback by emailing oprmanager@vaughan.ca. Continue to check Forward Vaughan for updates on how to get involved with upcoming engagement events for the Official Plan Review!

We will continue to provide updates as they become available.

Project Timeline

The Official Plan Amendment to the VOP is targeted for Vaughan Council adoption in Q4 2024. Comments or questions can be submitted by sending an e-mail to oprmanager@vaughan.ca.

Getting Involved

Past Engagement

Phase 1 Visioning and Background Studies

Thank you to everyone who participated in Phase 1 of the Official Plan Review process! The feedback received will be used to guide the direction of the next phases of the Official Plan Review.

To see the engagement events completed in Phase 1 of the Official Plan Review, please check out the Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report now by visiting this link here or viewing the document in the Document Library located on the right-hand side of the page.

If you are interested in viewing recordings of the Webinar Series please see links below for the recordings.

• Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation | April 20, 2022 | Recording
• Affordable Housing | April 27, 2022 | Recording
• Placemaking | May 9, 2022 | Recording
• Healthy Communities | May 12, 2022 | part 1 Recording and part 2 Recording

Phase 2 Policy Directions

To see the engagement events completed in Phase 2 of the Official Plan Review, please check out the Phase 2 Engagement Summary Report now by visiting this link here or viewing the document in the Document Library located on the right-hand side of the page.

The Project Team hosted three Virtual Public Open Houses in November 2022. Interested in viewing the Virtual Public Open House? Please follow the link here to watch a recording of the November 14, 2022 Virtual Public Open House.

• November 14, 2022, from 6pm to 8pm | Recording

Community sessions took place in all Wards throughout June in various Vaughan community centres:

• Ward 1 community session was held at the Pierre Berton Heritage Centre on Monday, June 26, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Ward 2 community session was held at the Al Palladini Community Centre on Monday, June 5, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Activity Room #1
• Ward 3 community session was held at the Vellore Village Community Centre on Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Activity Room #2
• Ward 4 Community session was held at the North Thornhill Community Centre on Monday, June 12, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Activity Room A
• Ward 5 community session was held at the Dufferin Clark Community Centre on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Activity Room #1

Part A OPA Engagement

On Sept. 26, 2023 the City hosted an Official Plan Review Open House where participants were able to speak to the City planners updating the Vaughan Official Plan. The Open House was held at the Maple Community Centre from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A notice for the Public Open House can be found here - Part A OPA Public Open House Notice.

The City of Vaughan hosted a Public Meeting for Part A OPA on Oct. 3, 2023. The Public Meeting was held at Vaughan City Hall, Council Chamber, 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive at 7 p.m.

A notice for the Public Meeting can be found here - Part A OPA Public Meeting Notice. The notice was published on September 8, 2023 and contains additional details regarding participation and the purpose of the application.

About the Project

Vaughan is Growing and Evolving

Vaughan's communities are constantly growing and changing. Vaughan is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada with a population of 340,700 people and 240,100 jobs in 2021. Vaughan's forecasted growth will account for almost one-third of the region's growth over the next three decades. It is important the City plans for new growth in a way that is strategic, thoughtful, appropriate and aligned with what our residents and businesses value most.

The Official Plan is a strategic planning document that establishes a policy framework to guide the physical, social, environmental and economic development of the city. It is a document that:

• Implements goals, objectives and land use policies to serve the city's communities
• 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 the city's long-term evolution

Updating the Vaughan Official Plan

The updated Official Plan must conform 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 York Region Official Plan which was approved by the Province on November 4, 2022.

For more information about Official Plan Review, please check out the FAQ !

The Official Plan Review Process

The Planning Act is Provincial legislation that sets out the ground rules for land use planning in Ontario. The Planning Act requires municipalities to update their official plans every five to ten years to ensure the plan implements any changes to Provincial policies and plans. The Vaughan Official Plan is being updated to conform to the updated Provincial and Regional policies and plans that direct growth and development in Ontario, including the Provincial Policy Statement, Greenbelt Plan, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and the York Region Official Plan.

In addition to updating the Official Plan to meet Provincial and Regional requirements, municipalities can also update and create policies that enhance the quality of life and better meet the needs of current and future residents, visitors, and businesses.

Policy Directions Report

In February 2023, the City released the Policy Directions Report for the Official Plan Review. The policy directions are being used to inform policy development in the updated Official Plan.

The Policy Directions Report can be reviewed via the link below. Any comments to be considered in future policy work can be submitted using the Ideas Tool, or by sending an e-mail to oprmanager@vaughan.ca. Access the Policy Directions Report February 2023 - Full Report

Background Studies

The City of Vaughan completed a series of pop-up events across the City and has released seven background papers for the Official Plan Review.

The Seven Background Papers are : Agricultural System Review; Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Framework; Commercial Land Use Review; Employment Land Use Review; Natural Heritage Network Review; Residential Growth, Intensification and Housing Needs Strategy; and Urban Design, Built Form, Compatibility and Sustainable Development Criteria Review.

The Background Papers contain research, best practices and take into account the feedback that has been received from the community regarding the vision and priorities for the City of Vaughan for the next 30 years. The Background Papers are used to inform the next Phase of the project - recommendations for the development of Official Plan policy.

In August and September of 2022, the City visited and held pop-up events at local public spaces like the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Subway Station, retail stores and the City-led Concerts in the Park events, to engage residents in the project.

You can review the 7 Background Papers by visiting the Document Library on the right-hand side of the page. If you have any comments to be considered in future policy work, please submit them using the Ideas Tool, or by sending an e-mail to oprmanager@vaughan.ca.

Staff Reports

Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report

Share Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report on Facebook Share Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report on Twitter Share Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report on Linkedin Email Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report link

Thank you to everyone who participated in Phase 1 of the Official Plan Review process! The Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report is now available and can be viewed by visiting the Document Library on the right-hand side of the page. Stay tuned for engagement opportunities during Phase 2!

Policy Directions Report

Share Policy Directions Report on Facebook Share Policy Directions Report on Twitter Share Policy Directions Report on Linkedin Email Policy Directions Report link

The City has released the Policy Directions Report for the Official Plan Review. The Policy Directions Report presents key policy directions organized by theme, as well as a summary of existing policies, a conformity analysis, and a detailed breakdown of future policy directions. The Policy Directions Report will be used to inform the next Phase of the project, policy development for the updated Official Plan.

View the Virtual Public Open House!

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Interested in viewing the Virtual Public Open House? Please follow the link below to watch a recording of the November 14, 2022 virtual Public Open House. https://media.vaughan.ca/newsclips/VOPRWebinar-POHPolicyDirections

Public Open House

Share Public Open House on Facebook Share Public Open House on Twitter Share Public Open House on Linkedin Email Public Open House link

Register to attend the upcoming virtual Open Houses and stay engaged in your City! The Project Team will be hosting a total of three virtual Open Houses on Thursday, November 3rd, 2022, Monday, November 14th, 2022, and Thursday, November 24th, 2022. The details of the meetings will be issued publicly and via e-mail to everyone that registered on the ForwardVaughan.ca/opr website. The Project Team will be presenting policy directions and key policy areas set out in the forthcoming Policy Directions Report. The Project Team will also provide a status update on the Official Plan Review project, engagement events held to date, and provide information on how to further participate in the Official Plan Review process.

Background Papers

Share Background Papers on Facebook Share Background Papers on Twitter Share Background Papers on Linkedin Email Background Papers link

The City has released background papers for the Official Plan Review. The Seven Background Papers are: Agricultural System Review; Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Framework; Commercial Land Use Review; Employment Land Use Review; Natural Heritage Network Review; Residential Growth, Intensification and Housing Needs Strategy; and Urban Design, Built Form, Compatibility and Sustainable Development Criteria Review. The Background Papers contain research, best practices and take into account the feedback that has been received from the community regarding the vision and priorities for the City of Vaughan for the next 30 years. The Background Papers are used to inform the next Phase of the project - recommendations for the development of Official Plan policy.

Official Plan Webinars

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Join us for a webinar!
The City is hosting a series of topic-based webinars to engage the community and encourage citizens to continue providing input before Phase One of the review process is complete. Attend a webinar, or all four! Each one focuses on a different topic related to the Official Plan Review. The themes have been identified as priorities from previous engagement opportunities. The webinars will feature presenters who will share their knowledge and experiences and lead interactive question-and-answer periods. Register for the webinars today!

Climate Change Resilience & Adaptation April 20, 7:00pm Watch the webinar recording here. Affordable Housing April 27, 7:00pm Watch the webinar recording here. Placemaking May 9, 7:00pm Watch the webinar recording here. Healthy Communities May 12, 7:00pm Watch the webinar recording part 1 here and part 2 here.

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Guiding Principles of the Official Plan Review

Who's Listening

Project Timeline

Phase 1: Background Review and Assessment

Phase 2: Policy Development

Phase 3: Statutory Approval

Phase 4: Post Adoption

Key Dates & Events

Videos

• Click here to play video Vaughan OPR Webinar - Climate Change Resilience & Adaptation On April 20, 2022 the City of Vaughan hosted a webinar to discuss climate change mitigation - including how municipalities are at the forefront of climate change policy in Canada.
• Click here to play video Vaughan OPR Webinar: Affordable Housing On April 27, 2022 the City of Vaughan hosted a webinar in support of the Official Plan Review related to Affordable Housing. The webinar, delivered by Johanna Hashim of SHS Consulting, touched on housing affordability in Vaughan including how youth can realistically afford to expand their families and how seniors can age in place.
• Click here to play video Vaughan OPR Webinar: Placemaking On May 9, 2022 the City of Vaughan hosted a webinar in support of the Official Plan Review related to Placemaking. The webinar, delivered by Anne McIlroy of Brook McIlroy discussed placemaking and urban design, including how Vaughan can create great urban spaces, parks and streetscapes through the lens of sustainability.
• Click here to play video Vaughan OPR Webinar: Healthy Communities - Part 1 On May 12th, 2022, the City of Vaughan hosted a webinar in support of the Official Plan Review related to Healthy Communities. The webinar, delivered by Antonio Gomez-Palacio of Dialog, discussed developing healthy communities - including considering accessibility, making them inclusive and fostering social cohesion through design. This is part 1 of a two part recording.
• Click here to play video Vaughan OPR Webinar: Healthy Communities - Part 2 On May 12th, 2022, the City of Vaughan hosted a webinar in support of the Official Plan Review related to Healthy Communities. The webinar, delivered by Antonio Gomez-Palacio of Dialog, discussed developing healthy communities - including considering accessibility, making them inclusive and fostering social cohesion through design. This is part 2 of a two part recording.

FAQ

• 1. What is an Official Plan?
• 2. Why is the City updating the Vaughan Official?
• 3. What role is the Province of Ontario and York Region in land use planning?
• 4. What is the Vaughan Official Plan 2010 Structure?
• 5. What difference will what I say make in how the City grows?
• 6. How will I know what happens with my feedback?
• 7. How will the updated Vaughan Official Plan address rapid growth and change?
• 8. When will the Official Plan Review be completed?
• 9. What will the Vaughan Official Plan Review Address?
• 10. Vaughan is growing now. How will growth be managed over the next two years or so while we wait for the Official Plan Review to be complete?
• 11. How is the Vaughan Official Plan different from the York Region Official Plan? Do we need both?
• 12. How does the Official Plan Review fit with other Vaughan strategic planning documents?
• 13. Why are there so many planning initiatives underway?
• 14. How will this plan respect the character of existing stable neighbourhoods?

Document Library

• Vaughan Official Plan Review - Vision Workshop Presentation (4.61 MB) (pdf)
• Employment Land Use Review (3.57 MB) (pdf)
• Residential Needs, Intensification, and Housing Needs Strategy (8.79 MB) (pdf)
• Agricultural System Review (833 KB) (pdf)
• Urban Design, Built Form, Compatability, and Sustainable Development Criteria Review (2.08 MB) (pdf)
• Natural Heritage Network Review (11.1 MB) (pdf)
• Commercial Land Use Review (8.94 MB) (pdf)
• Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Framework (3.84 MB) (pdf)
• VOPR_Policy Directions Report_February 2023.pdf (14.7 MB) (pdf)
• Phase 1 Engagement Summary March 2023.pdf (3.48 MB) (pdf)
• DRAFT Official Plan Amendment PMTSAs and Schedule 1C (5.62 MB) (pdf)
• Vaughan Official Plan Review_Part A OPA_Redline Working Document.pdf (3.01 MB) (pdf)
• Vaughan Official Plan Review_Part A OPA_ Draft Schedules.pdf (8.46 MB) (pdf)
• Notice of Public Meeting: Part A OPA (334 KB) (pdf)
• OPR Part A OPA Public Open House Notice (143 KB) (pdf)
• City of Vaughan Official Plan Review Phase 2 Engagement Summary (9.16 MB) (pdf)
• Public Notice Part A OPA - Committee of the Whole (342 KB) (pdf)
• Part A Official Plan Amendment Postponed Notice (606 KB) (pdf)
• Vaughan Official Plan Review Update Report_May 2024 (197 KB) (pdf)
• Draft #1 Comprehensive Official Plan Amendment (Policies) (3.75 MB) (pdf)
• Draft #1 Comprehensive Official Plan Amendment (Schedules) (40.6 MB) (pdf)

Quick Polls

Share Which of the following land use planning themes are you most interested in? on Facebook Share Which of the following land use planning themes are you most interested in? on Twitter Share Which of the following land use planning themes are you most interested in? on Linkedin Email Which of the following land use planning themes are you most interested in? link