Whitby Official Plan Review
The Town of Whitby is undertaking its five-year Official Plan Review, which will help to set policy direction for how Whitby should grow between now and 2051 - and we want to hear from you.
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:
- General Official Plan updates, as required by Provincial legislation and policy, and the newly adopted Region of Durham Official Plan – Envision Durham
- Increasing the housing supply in the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area
- Increasing the housing supply in Strategic Growth Areas, including along major transit routes
- Planning for more homes and jobs in the new Brooklin Expansion Area
Have Your Say
Community engagement will play an important role in the Official Plan Review.
The first Community Open House and Special Meeting of Council for the project will be held on May 29, 2024 as follows:
When: Wednesday, May 29
- Community Open House: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Presentation to Council: 7 p.m.
Where: Attend the meeting in-person at Whitby Council Chambers (575 Rossland Road East) or tune in online at whitby.ca/CouncilCalendar
What: this meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the Official Plan Review process and key project study areas, ask questions, and learn how to stay informed on upcoming engagement opportunities.
How to participate:
To speak virtually during the Special Meeting of Council, please submit a Delegation Request Form online by 10 a.m. on the day of the meeting (Wednesday, May 29). Those wishing to speak in-person are encouraged to submit a Delegation Request Form, but are not required to pre-register in order to speak at the meeting.
To submit written correspondence, please email your correspondence to the Office of the Town Clerk at clerk@whitby.ca by noon on the day of the meeting (Wednesday, May 29). Correspondence must include your full name, address, and the item on the agenda that your correspondence is related to.
Residents can also livestream the meeting online or watch a recording of the meetings at a time that's convenient through archived video.
Stay Informed
Stay informed on future community engagement opportunities:
- follow the project from this page or,
- click on the links below to complete the form to be added to the official Interested Party list for 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.
- General Official Plan Review Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2023-W/02)
- Whitby Go Protected Major Transit Station Area Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2024-W/04)
- Strategic Growth Areas Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2024-W/05)
- Brooklin 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.
