Envision Durham

The Housing Policy Planning Discussion Paper was released on December 3, 2019. Comments are requested by March 2, 2020.

Discussion papers contain questions, with a supplemental workbook (Appendix A), to help facilitate discussion and input.

Responses can be submitted via email to EnvisionDurham@durham.ca or be sent to the attention of: Envision Durham, c/o The Regional Municipality of Durham, Planning and Economic Development Department, 605 Rossland Road East, PO Box 623, Whitby, Ontario, L1N 6A3.

Additional theme-based Discussion Papers released include:

• Agriculture and Rural System - released March 5, 2019.
• Climate Change and Sustainability - released May 7, 2019.
• Growth Management, including but not limited to reports on:
  • The Urban System - released June 4, 2019. Supplemental information on the 2018 Employment Lands Inventory is also available on our Planning for Growth page, under Employment, business and land inventory.
  • Land Needs Assessment (LNA) and related technical studies.
  • Additional feasibility studies, if required based on the results of the LNA.
• Environment and Greenlands System - released September 3, 2019. Click the following link to access the covering Commissioner's Report #2019-P-36.
• Transportation System - released October 1, 2019. Comments requested by December 30, 2019.
• Housing Policy Planning - released December 3, 2019. Comments requested by March 2, 2020.

Paper copies and accessible formats are available upon request by contacting EnvisionDurham@durham.ca. Reference copies are also available for viewing at local library branches.

The Envision Durham public opinion survey is now closed.

The Public Opinion Survey Summary, which includes an overview of the related activities undertaken during the launch of Envision Durham, was released on September 3, 2019.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

• 2018–Background Work
• 2019–Initiating Engagement
  • Discover Stage – Public engagement launch and release of Public Opinion Survey
  • Discuss Stage – Release of theme-based Discussion Papers
• 2020–Direct Stage
  • Initiate release of Growth Management Study consultants' reports
  • Release Policy Directions Report
• 2021–Drafting the Plan
  • Statutory Public Meetings and Open Houses
  • Presenting a draft Plan to Regional Council for adoption
• 2022–Finalizing the Plan
• Submitting a final Plan to the Ministry for approval
• New Official Plan

• Authorization to proceed with Envision Durham - Report #2018-COW-93 (May 2, 2018)
• Public engagement launch - Report #2019-P-4 (February 5, 2019)
• Agriculture and Rural System Discussion Paper - Report #2019-P-12 (March 5, 2019)
• Award of Growth Management Study consulting services (RFP-1087-2018) - Report #2019-P-19 (April 2, 2019)
• Climate Change and Sustainability Discussion Paper - Report #2019-P-26 (May 7, 2019)
• Growth Management - Urban System Discussion Paper  - Report #2019-P-31 (June 4, 2019)
• Engagement and Outreach - Public Opinion Survey Summary - Report #2019-P-35 (September 3, 2019)
• Environment and Greenlands System Discussion Paper - Report #2019-P-36 (September 3, 2019)
• Transportation System Discussion Paper - Report #2019-P-41 (October 1, 2019)
• Advancing Rapid Transit Implementation and Transit Oriented Development in Durham Region - Report #2019-COW-26 (November 13, 2019)
• Housing Policy Planning Discussion Paper - Report #2019-P-47 (December 3, 2019)

What is “Envision Durham”?

“Envision Durham” is the Municipal Comprehensive Review of the Durham Regional Official Plan.

Envision Durham is an opportunity to plan for change, by replacing the current Regional Official Plan and establishing a progressive and forward-looking planning vision for the region to 2041.

What is a Municipal Comprehensive Review?

A Municipal Comprehensive Review refers to an official plan review by the Region, or an official plan amendment which is led by the Region, working with the area municipalities.

In Durham, a “Municipal Comprehensive Review” also refers to a Municipal Comprehensive Review as defined in the Growth Plan, i.e. a new official plan, or an official plan amendment, initiated by the Region under section 26 of the Planning Act that comprehensively applies the policies and schedules of the Growth Plan.  

What is the Regional Official Plan?

The Durham Regional Official Plan (ROP) guides decisions on how and where our cities and towns grow, and how best to protect and enhance the region's rural and natural environments.

As Council’s core planning document, guiding Regional decision-making on long-term growth and development, the ROP provides policies to ensure an improved quality of life. 

Why are we reviewing the Regional Official Plan?

Under the Planning Act, we are required to review the existing Durham Regional Official Plan (ROP) every five years. Since the approval of the last ROP update (January 2013), the Province has completed several significant Provincial policy initiatives, including the coordinated review and update to Ontario’s:

• Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2017 (Growth Plan);
• Greenbelt Plan, 2017;
• Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, 2017 (ORMCP).

The Planning Act requires the Region to complete a Provincial Plan conformity exercise to amend the ROP to conform with Provincial Plans and Policy Statements. 

This Municipal Comprehensive Review will form a Provincial Plan conformity exercise and five-year review of the ROP, satisfying these Provincial requirements.