The Town of East Gwillimbury (EG) has reviewed and is updating its Official Plan. For more information on the Town's current Official Plan, see our Official Plan page.

Official Plan Review

Any notices for future public engagement and updated information about the Official Plan Review will be posted here. Alternatively, you can always feel free to contact Planning staff directly with any questions or comments. 

The Updated Official Plan has been adopted and the Urban Design Manual has been endorsed

The Town's Updated Official Plan and Urban Design Manual were finalized based on the comments received from the May 11, 2022, public meeting. The documents were then adopted and endorsed at the June 21, 2022, Council meeting. The Urban Design Manual will be able to be referenced immediately, and the adopted Updated Official Plan will now be sent to the Region of York for approval. The Notice of Passing/Adoption is available here and all updates regarding the Regional approval process will also be provided on this website. For any questions please contact Planning staff

In June 2023, the Regional Municipality of York provided comments on the endorsed East Gwillimbury Official Plan.

Staff have prepared a modified Official Plan in response to the comments provided by the Regional Municipality of York and changes to Provincial legislation which is now available for review.

Adopted Updated Official Plan and Schedules

Endorsed Town-wide Urban Design Manual 

Proposed modified Official Plan

 Project history and related documents

Second draft of the Updated Official Plan is now available and was subject to a Public Meeting on May 11, 2022

The video recording of the public meeting is available here

A second draft of the Town's Updated Official Plan has been prepared based on the comments received since the release of the first draft. This second draft of the Updated Official Plan was subject to a public meeting on May 11, 2022, at 6PM and further refinements can be made to the document prior to finalization and adoption. The complete Notice for this Public Meeting is also provided below and you can view the public meeting here.

Town of East Gwillimbury Draft #2 Updated Official Plan with Schedules 

Notice of Public Meeting - May 11, 2022 at 6PM

 

In addition, a draft Urban Design Manual has also been developed. The Urban Design Manual is a non-statutory, non-operative component of the Official Plan but will be used as a reference for best practice approaches to urban design within Town. If you have any comments related to the Draft Urban Design Manual please contact Planning staff

Town of East Gwillimbury Draft Urban Design Manual 

First draft of the Town's Updated Official Plan

The first draft of the Town's Updated Official Plan is available below:

Town of East Gwillimbury Draft #1 Updated Official Plan with Schedules

A virtual public open house was also held on March 3, 2022 to review the draft Updated Official Plan. The open house meeting recording and presentation slides are available below. If you have any questions or comments you can also feel free to reach out to Planning staff at any time.

 

March 3, 2022 Virtual Open House Presentation Slides

March 3, 2022 Virtual Open House Meeting Recording

East Gwillimbury Official Plan Review Logo

This first draft of the Updated Official Plan was presented to Council on February 15, 2022, and is accompanied by a staff report, presentation, and notice for the March 3, 2022 virtual public open house. All documents are also available as part of the February 15, 2022 Council agenda. You can view the February 15, 2022 Council meeting and agenda here.

The draft Updated Official Plan builds on the engagement pursued for the project so far and will be updated based on comments received through the upcoming public engagement prior to a finalized version being prepared for Council's ultimate adoption. 

Project Timeline and Next Steps

The visual below shows the timeline for the Official Plan Review process. We have currently completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project, and are now in the third and final phase. All Phase 1 and Phase 2 materials are posted on this project webpage, and once the Draft Updated Official Plan is prepared as part of Phase 3 it will be shared publicly and will be subject to public review through Open Houses and Public Meetings. All project updates will continue to be provided on this webpage, and you can feel free to reach out to Planning staff if you have any questions. 

 

Official Plan Review Timeline

Discussion Papers and Land Needs Assessment Report

The Official Plan Review Discussion Papers and Land Needs Assessment report were received by Council on September 21, 2021. These documents were developed based on the background research and public consultation undertaken for the project to date, and are intended to inform the upcoming development of the Draft Updated Official Plan. Further Public Meetings and Open Houses will be scheduled once the Draft Updated Official Plan is prepared so that a thorough review can be had prior to Council's anticipated adoption of the Updated Official Plan in 2022. If you have any questions or comments feel free to reach out to Planning staff.

View the Discussion Papers and Land Needs Assessment materials here: 

Online Community Workshops for the Official Plan Review

Online community workshops were held on June 2 and 3, 2021 to hear feedback on the key discussion paper themes of the Town’s Official Plan Review. You can view the presentation slides and watch the recordings from these public workshops using the links below. Please contact Planning staff with any further questions or comments. 

View the Presentations: 

Watch the Meeting Recordings:

Special Meeting of Council and Policy Directions Discussion

Watch the Council meeting video from April 27, 2021: 

 

Virtual community visioning workshop

Online Community Visioning Workshops were held on October 27, 2020 to hear from members of the public about what their vision for the future of the Town is. The information received is being used to help inform the Official Plan policies to guide future community growth in a responsible manner. If you would like a summary of the information received from the virtual community visioning workshops, you can email Planning staff.  

Project background

Why update the Town's Official Plan?

The Planning Act of Ontario requires municipalities to regularly review their Official Plans to reflect updates to legislation, Provincial plans and policies, and regional government (Region of York) plans. Reviewing the Town's Official Plan ensures the document and vision for the Town remains up to date and consistent with guiding policy and legislation. 

What changes are expected in the new Official Plan?

East Gwillimbury is a growing Town expected to have over 100,000 people by 2051, with significant provincial and regional infrastructure commitments in place to support this growth. A full review of the Town of East Gwillimbury Official Plan will set out the framework for managing this growth and will address: 

  • Allocating residential and employment growth to 2051
  • Maintaining complete, vibrant, and healthy communities for residents
  • Protecting our cultural heritage assets and unique communities
  • Moving people and goods within the Town
  • Protecting and enhancing natural areas and green spaces
  • Providing municipal services to meet the needs of a growing community

Additional staff reports, presentations, notices and Council resolutions

P2020-19 Award of Contract Report

Award of Contract Report

Planning for Future Growth/Endorsement of EG Whitebelt as Urban Area

Planning for Future Growth Report

 

July 28, 2020 Provincial Growth Plan Amendment 1 Update Presentation

Growth Plan Update Presentation

Growth Plan Update Report

March 23, 2021 Growth Management OP Review and Land Needs Assessment Update

Growth Management and LNA Update Presentation 

April 27, 2021 Special Meeting of Council 

Notice of Special Meeting 

September 21, 2021 Official Plan Review Discussion Papers and Land Needs Assessment Received

Discussion Papers and LNA Staff Report (with Discussion Papers and LNA attached)

Discussion Papers and LNA Consultant Presentation

November 2, 2021 Planning for Growth to 2051 Presentation and Report - 70% Whitebelt Included as Urban Area by Regional Council 

Presentation and Report under Item N