Downtown Whitby Community Secondary Plan

On March 20, 2023, Council adpoted the Town-initiated Official Plan Amendment for the Downtown Whitby Community Secondary Plan (File: OPA-2020-W/03). The By-law to adopt the new Secondary Plan, including policies, land use map schedule, and building height schedule, is available on the March Council Agenda (By-law #7981-23), or the right hand side of this page.

Extensive public and stakeholder feedback from Phases 1 through 4 have informed the final plan. We kindly thank everyone who provided their important ideas and feedback, to help shape the future of Downtown Whitby.

Next Steps - The Regional Municipality of Durham is the approval authority for the Town- initiated Official Plan Amendment for the Downtown Whitby Community Secondary Plan.

If you wish to be notified of the decision of the Regional Municipality of Durham, you must make a written request to the Commissioner of Planning, Regional Municipality of Durham, 605 Rossland Road East, Box 623, Whitby, ON, L1N 6A3, or contact the Regional Planning and Economic Development Department at: 905-668-7711.

About the Downtown Whitby Community Secondary Plan

Downtown Whitby is known for its historic commercial core, surrounded by residential neighbourhoods, parks and open spaces, schools and cultural institutions. It is home to an eclectic mix of businesses and services that all contribute to the area’s uniqueness and charm.

As Whitby’s population grows, Downtown Whitby is one of several areas identified in the Town of Whitby Official Plan that will share some of that population and job growth. The Downtown Whitby Commuity Secondary Plan helps to manage growth in a manner that is specific and suitable for the downtown area. The Secondary Plan will:

guide population and job growth, land use, and development in Downtown Whitby;
maintain and enhance its unique heritage, economic strengths and sense of place;
support a range of housing options and a mix of uses;
improve access to transit and active transportation options;
enhance public open space, walkability, and the natural environment; and
promote a healthy, vibrant and sustainable downtown core, offering a high quality of life for local residents, businesses, and visitors to the area.

The Secondary Plan area is bound by the Canadian Pacific Rail line to the north, Garden Street to the east, Highway 401 to the south and Cochrane Street to the west.