Official Plan talks continue with focus on employment, communication with residents

With the Town of Caledon's Official Plan needing to be finalized by the end of the year, Town Staff met with Council for an update on the Official Plan and where things stand in the process of planning for the future. 

The session was intended to be an engaged, open dialogue with Councillors regarding key aspects of the Official Plan Review.  

The Town is currently in Phase 2 of the Official Plan Review, which is the preparation of proposed policy directions report. Phase 1 focused on background and visioning—and it's expected to be completed by the end of Q1 in 2022 (Phase 3 will be the draft of the Official Plan and Phase 4 the finalization of the plan which is expected by the end of 2022).

Acting Chief Planning Officer Ed Sajecki and Senior Planner Bailey Loverock first provided an update to Council regarding the progress Staff has made on the Official Plan.

“The purpose of the policy directions report is to provide direction that the new Official Plan will take based on all information and feedback received to date (from agencies, stakeholders, and the public) since early 2019,” Loverock said. “It's also informed by provincial legislation and the direction coming from the Region of Peel through their Official Plan Review. This report helps provide an understanding of the strategies that the Official Plan will employ to address the substantial challenges of growth and change that Caledon will be addressing over the next 30 years.”

There are five overarching lenses that have been considered in the development of these key policy directions. The lenses are Climate change, equity and inclusion, protection, rural community preservation, and urban growth management.