Whitby Official Plan Review

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The Town of Whitby is undertaking its five-year Official Plan Review, which will help set policies that manage how Whitby should grow between now and 2051 - and we want to hear from you.

Have Your Say!

Community engagement is an important part of the Official Plan Review. We thank everyone who provided feedback and ideas through our past Community Open Houses and online surveys.

As a next step, the Town is holding a Statutory Public Meeting under the Planning Act for Draft Proposed Amendments to the Official Plan related to the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area and other Strategic Growth Areas, Nodes and Corridors, which are planned for intensification and transit-supportive development.

  • Meeting Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
  • Meeting Time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Files: OPA-2024-W/04 and OPA-2024-W/05
  • Meeting Location: In-Person - Town Hall Council Chambers, 575 Rossland Road East, Whitby, ON L1N 2M8. (View online at: whitby.ca/LiveStream)

A copy of the agenda and Public Meeting staff report will be available on the Town’s website Council Meeting Calendar typically the week prior to the above meeting date. During the meeting, a brief overview presentation will be provided. More information can be found in our Public Meeting Notices.

Looking for other ways to provide feedback? Email your written comments to the Official Plan Review Team at: officialplanreview@whitby.ca or speak to someone by calling 905-430-4306.

Want to Learn More?

Visit our Interactive Story Map to learn more about the Whitby Official Plan Review. Don't forget to view the documents and videos on this page for more detailed information.

What is an Official Plan?

The Town's Official Plan guides where and how land in our municipality should be used. More specifically, the Official Plan sets out:

  • where different types of development like housing, offices, shops, and roads will be located
  • where community uses like parks, trails, and schools will be needed, and
  • what should be protected, such as the natural environment, historic properties, and other special places, like Whitby’s waterfront and downtowns.

Land use planning in Ontario occurs in a “policy-led” system that consists of a series of documents that inform one another. Whitby's Official Plan is informed by provincial direction found in the Ontario Planning Act and regional plans, like the Region of Durham’s new Regional Official Plan – Envision Durham.

Why are we reviewing the Official Plan now?

Whitby's population is forecasted to grow to approximately 240,000 by 2051. By 2031 alone, the Province of Ontario has mandated the Town to support the construction of 18,000 new homes in Whitby. This growth needs to be planned in a sustainable manner for today and future generations. Fortunately, Whitby already has a comprehensive Official Plan that was updated last in 2018.

This next review will focus on updating key areas to plan for more housing and jobs, while also updating the existing Official Plan to align with recent changes made by both the Province and the Region of Durham’s new Regional Official Plan – Envision Durham.

What does this Official Plan Review include?

Building upon the 2018 Official Plan, this next review will focus on four key project areas:

  1. General Official Plan updates, as required by Provincial legislation and policy, and the newly adopted Region of Durham Official Plan – Envision Durham
  2. Increasing the housing supply in the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area
  3. Increasing the housing supply in Strategic Growth Areas, including along major transit routes
  4. Planning for more homes and jobs in the new Brooklin Urban Expansion Area

Stay Informed

Stay informed on future community engagement opportunities:

  • click on the links below to complete the form to be added to the official Interested Party listfor each key project area. As an Interested Party, you will receive ongoing project information including notice of any Public Meetings and information on appeal rights.
  1. General Official Plan Review Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2023-W/02)
  2. Whitby Go Protected Major Transit Station Area Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2024-W/04)
  3. Strategic Growth Areas Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2024-W/05)
  4. Brooklin Urban Expansion Area Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2024-W/06)

By becoming an Interested Party, your name and address will become part of the public record and be subject to Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

The Town of Whitby is undertaking its five-year Official Plan Review, which will help set policies that manage how Whitby should grow between now and 2051 - and we want to hear from you.

Have Your Say!

Community engagement is an important part of the Official Plan Review. We thank everyone who provided feedback and ideas through our past Community Open Houses and online surveys.

As a next step, the Town is holding a Statutory Public Meeting under the Planning Act for Draft Proposed Amendments to the Official Plan related to the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area and other Strategic Growth Areas, Nodes and Corridors, which are planned for intensification and transit-supportive development.

  • Meeting Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
  • Meeting Time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Files: OPA-2024-W/04 and OPA-2024-W/05
  • Meeting Location: In-Person - Town Hall Council Chambers, 575 Rossland Road East, Whitby, ON L1N 2M8. (View online at: whitby.ca/LiveStream)

A copy of the agenda and Public Meeting staff report will be available on the Town’s website Council Meeting Calendar typically the week prior to the above meeting date. During the meeting, a brief overview presentation will be provided. More information can be found in our Public Meeting Notices.

Looking for other ways to provide feedback? Email your written comments to the Official Plan Review Team at: officialplanreview@whitby.ca or speak to someone by calling 905-430-4306.

Want to Learn More?

Visit our Interactive Story Map to learn more about the Whitby Official Plan Review. Don't forget to view the documents and videos on this page for more detailed information.

What is an Official Plan?

The Town's Official Plan guides where and how land in our municipality should be used. More specifically, the Official Plan sets out:

  • where different types of development like housing, offices, shops, and roads will be located
  • where community uses like parks, trails, and schools will be needed, and
  • what should be protected, such as the natural environment, historic properties, and other special places, like Whitby’s waterfront and downtowns.

Land use planning in Ontario occurs in a “policy-led” system that consists of a series of documents that inform one another. Whitby's Official Plan is informed by provincial direction found in the Ontario Planning Act and regional plans, like the Region of Durham’s new Regional Official Plan – Envision Durham.

Why are we reviewing the Official Plan now?

Whitby's population is forecasted to grow to approximately 240,000 by 2051. By 2031 alone, the Province of Ontario has mandated the Town to support the construction of 18,000 new homes in Whitby. This growth needs to be planned in a sustainable manner for today and future generations. Fortunately, Whitby already has a comprehensive Official Plan that was updated last in 2018.

This next review will focus on updating key areas to plan for more housing and jobs, while also updating the existing Official Plan to align with recent changes made by both the Province and the Region of Durham’s new Regional Official Plan – Envision Durham.

What does this Official Plan Review include?

Building upon the 2018 Official Plan, this next review will focus on four key project areas:

  1. General Official Plan updates, as required by Provincial legislation and policy, and the newly adopted Region of Durham Official Plan – Envision Durham
  2. Increasing the housing supply in the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area
  3. Increasing the housing supply in Strategic Growth Areas, including along major transit routes
  4. Planning for more homes and jobs in the new Brooklin Urban Expansion Area

Stay Informed

Stay informed on future community engagement opportunities:

  • click on the links below to complete the form to be added to the official Interested Party listfor each key project area. As an Interested Party, you will receive ongoing project information including notice of any Public Meetings and information on appeal rights.
  1. General Official Plan Review Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2023-W/02)
  2. Whitby Go Protected Major Transit Station Area Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2024-W/04)
  3. Strategic Growth Areas Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2024-W/05)
  4. Brooklin Urban Expansion Area Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2024-W/06)

By becoming an Interested Party, your name and address will become part of the public record and be subject to Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

  • CLOSED: This survey has now concluded. Next engagement survey coming soon!

    Poll #1: Whitby Today and Tomorrow: What Matters to You?

    Welcome! This quick poll is designed for you to share your perspectives on what you think are the key priorities for Whitby in planning for growth and development over the next 30 years, as part of the Official Plan Review update. The poll will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

    Share Poll #1: Whitby Today and Tomorrow: What Matters to You? on Facebook Share Poll #1: Whitby Today and Tomorrow: What Matters to You? on Twitter Share Poll #1: Whitby Today and Tomorrow: What Matters to You? on Linkedin Email Poll #1: Whitby Today and Tomorrow: What Matters to You? link
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Poll #2: Planning for Growth in Key Areas of Whitby

    Whitby's population is expected to grow from about 150,000 to 190,000 by 2031, and the Town has committed to a provincial housing target of building 18,000 new homes by 2031. The Town's population is then forecasted to grow to 244,000 by 2051 (as noted in Envision Durham – Regional Official Plan).

    Community engagement is an important part of how we plan for this future growth. Have your say on growth in Whitby in three identified areas. Survey closes September 13, 2024.

    Share Poll #2: Planning for Growth in Key Areas of Whitby on Facebook Share Poll #2: Planning for Growth in Key Areas of Whitby on Twitter Share Poll #2: Planning for Growth in Key Areas of Whitby on Linkedin Email Poll #2: Planning for Growth in Key Areas of Whitby link
Page last updated: 08 Oct 2024, 11:38 AM