Official Plan Review 2016-2017

UPDATE:

The Draft Official Plan and Schedules are now available for review prior to the upcoming public sessions. Please see the links under the Documents sidebar.

What is an Official Plan?

An Official Plan provides a vision for future growth and generally guides where new homes, schools, businesses and parks should be located. It includes policies with respect to the construction of new services such as roads and sewers as well as protecting our natural and built heritage.

The Planning Act mandates that municipalities review and update their official plans every five years. This process at the Town got restarted earlier in 2014, and a Public Open House was held during the June 3, 2014, Town Council meeting. Staff held informal consultations in the summer of 2014; however, changes and reviews at other levels of government caused the review of the Town’s official plan to be suspended for the past few years. In 2016, the Town engaged MMM Group to carry out a phased review and update of the Town’s 2002 Official Plan.

Official Plan Review Status

The Official Plan Review is now in its third and final phase. See "Where are we now?" below for details on upcoming activities.

Select a topic for more information

Documents & Presentation Materials

Phase 3 Public Open House (Apr.10/18):

Committee Presentations (Apr.4-19/18):

Directions Report – Phase 2 Official Plan Review (Oct.3/17):

Staff Report

Recommendation Report (Feb.7/17):

BILD Presentation (Jan.27/17):

Staff Presentation

Council Update (Dec.20/16):

Staff Presentation

Public Information Meeting (Oct.4/16):

Phase 1 Public Open House (Sep.13/16):

Special Meeting of Council (Sep.6/16):

Staff Report
Staff Presentation
MMM (Consultant) Presentation
Drafts OPAs and background material

Seniors Housing: OPA | Background
Growth & Population: OPA | Background
Downtown Bradford: OPA | Background
Employment Lands: OPA | Background

Stakeholder Meetings (Aug.16-23/16):

Other:

May.3/16 - Staff Report - Official Plan Update
Jun.3/14 - Public Open House Presentation
Feb.18/14 - Staff Report - Official Plan Review Phase 1

Project Process

The Town has retained MMM Group Limited to assist in undertaking the Official Plan Review.

The Official Plan project is comprised of three stages, which generally includes the following tasks and anticipated timeframes:

Phase One: Amendments for the First Four Main Issues

Four areas were identified by Town staff as priorities to be addressed in the first stage of the review:

Employment lands review (including requests for conversion to other uses)
Growth and population distribution (e.g. housing mix forecast)
Downtown Bradford revitalization
Seniors housing options

This phase is now complete, with Official Plan Amendments adopted by Council on March 21, 2017.

Phase Two: Policy Directions Report

This phase involved review and updating of all policy areas not covered in Phase 1. This work included a community workshop and presentation to Council.

Phase Three: New Official Plan

This phase is currently underway to prepare a new Official Plan to replace the current 2002 Official Plan. Please see the sections below for opportunities to provide input.

Where are we now?

Below is a list of project milestones, with completed items marked:

PHASE 1
Stakeholder Meetings	Growth & Population / Downtown Bradford August 16, 2016, 2-6 p.m.	DONE
	Employment Lands August 18, 2016, 2-6 p.m.	DONE
	Seniors Housing Forum August 23, 2016, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.	DONE
Special Meeting of Council	September 6, 2016, 7 p.m. BWG Public Library	DONE
Public Open House	September 13, 2016, 4 - 6 p.m., 7 - 9 p.m.	DONE
Public Meeting	October 4, 2016, 7 p.m. BWG Public Library	DONE
Status Update to Council	December 20, 2016, 7 p.m. BWG Public Library	DONE
Staff Report to Council	February 7, 2017, 7 p.m. BWG Public Library	DONE
By-laws Enacted	March 21, 2017, 7 p.m. BWG Public Library	DONE
PHASE 2
Community Workshop	June 8, 2017, 3 p.m. Bradford & District Memorial Community Centre	DONE
Staff Report to Council	October 3, 2017, 7 p.m. BWG Public Library	DONE
PHASE 3
Public Open Houses	April 10, 2018 4-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. BWG Public Library	DONE
Public Meeting	April 30, 2018, 7 p.m. BWG Public Library

We want to hear from you!

You are encouraged to provide comments throughout the Official Plan review process. Reports and materials will continue to be posted on this site for your review.

If you wish to discuss the OP in person you may come to the Planning office at 305 Barrie St, Unit 2 (No Frills Plaza). We recommend calling ahead to ensure someone will be available (905-778-2055).

Verbal consultations DO NOT become part of the public record. For your comments to be included in the public record, they must be received in writing.

For inclusion in the public record

If you want your comments to be included in the official report to be reviewed by Council, you MUST:
- submit your comments in writing (not verbally)
- provide your complete name and contact information
- begin your message with
"Attention Mayor and Council of the Town of BWG"
- mail OR email it to:
   Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
  c/o Municipal Clerk
   100 Dissette St., P.O. Box 100
   Bradford, ON L3Z 2A7
click to send by email

To ask questions or make comments to Town staff

If your letter/email is NOT addressed to the Mayor and Council, it will be reviewed by staff in the Office of Community Planning only and not made part of the official public record.
- Contact Town staff at: 905-778-2055 ext.1404 or
- click to send an email to the Office of Community Planning

Public Comments

We are compiling all comments received in writing and at public meetings; they will be posted here as received. Project milestones are also indicated:

First Section 26 Notice - June 23, 2016