On May 10, 2016 the province unveiled proposed versions of the four major provincial plans (details at the link here). A co-ordinated review of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Greenbelt Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan began in February 2015.
The proposed minimum intensification target in the Growth Plan would increase from 40% to 60% and the minimum density target for “designated greenfield areas” would increase from 50 to 80 residents and jobs per hectare. In some cases, outer ring municipalities may request an alternative target. In the Greenbelt Plan update, only four areas are proposed for removal from the Greenbelt Protected Countryside. Additions to the Greenbelt Protected Countryside are proposed in Hamilton and Niagara Region. A new Urban River Valleys designation is introduced to the Greenbelt Plan to apply to certain publically owned lands.
The themes that animated the review are: (1) building complete communities; (2) supporting agriculture; (3) protecting natural heritage and water; (4) growing the Greenbelt; (5) addressing climate change; (6) integrating infrastructure; (7) improving plan implementation and (8) measuring performance, promoting awareness and increasing engagement.
Each proposed plan has been posted on the Environmental Registry for public comment. For a link to the Environmental Registry, click here. The registry numbers are as follows:
- Proposed Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2016. Notice #012-7194
- Proposed Greenbelt Plan (2016). Notice #012-7195
- Proposed Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (2016). Notice #012-7197
- Proposed Niagara Escarpment Plan (2016). Notice #012-7228
- Proposed Amendment to the Greenbelt Area Boundary Regulation. Notice #012-7198
The deadline for comment is September 30, 2016.
