Planning for the future, East Gwillimbury adopts an Updated Official Plan

East Gwillimbury Council adopted the Town’s Updated Official Plan (OP) at yesterday’s Council meeting. The Updated OP sets the vision and policy framework to guide growth and development in East Gwillimbury to the year 2051. The Updated OP also guides where future parks, trails, employment, housing, roads and many other services and amenities will be located.

The Town-initiated OP Review process began in 2020. Public engagement was a key aspect of this project, with numerous virtual and in-person engagement events held for stakeholders to participate and share their feedback. The Town hosted more than 30 community engagement sessions, including visioning workshops, open houses, and public meetings. The key guiding principles of the Updated OP are responsible growth management, agricultural and environmental protection, employment growth, housing, complete community development and heritage protection with high quality community design.

“According to the 2021 Census, East Gwillimbury is the fastest growing municipality in Canada. We have a responsibility to our residents, businesses, and the entire community to ensure we manage growth and do so in a responsible way,” says Mayor Virginia Hackson. “The Updated Official Plan ensures that growth in East Gwillimbury is managed proactively, responsibly, and sustainably.”

East Gwillimbury’s population is expected to grow to over 127,600 residents by 2051. The Updated OP ensures that the Town will continue to build complete communities, in a responsible manner, where residents of all abilities and backgrounds feel welcome. Other key highlights of the Updated OP are the protection of the more than 83% green space, planning for strategic employment growth, and the Town’s commitment to working with Indigenous communities towards reconciliation.

In addition to the Updated OP, the Town also developed a new Town-wide Urban Design Manual (UDM), which will be used as a reference document to guide the design of development proposals. The UDM will ensure development projects are high quality, pedestrian-oriented, sustainable, and compatible with existing neighbourhoods.

Now that the Updated OP is adopted, it will be sent to the Regional Municipality of York for final approval. The Town’s current Official Plan (2010) will remain in effect until York Region approves the Updated OP. For more information and to view the Updated OP, please visit the Official Plan Review page or contact the Planning Branch.