Municipal Comprehensive Review
About the project
Durham Region is growing. Today, the region is home to 699,460 people. By the year 2051, our population is expected to grow to 1.3 million people, with over 460,000 jobs in the region. Our vision is to create healthy and complete, sustainable communities within the region, shaping Durham into a great place to live, work, play, grow and invest.
The Durham Regional Official Plan guides decisions on long-term growth and development–providing policies to ensure an improved quality of life–and securing the health, safety, convenience and well-being of present and future residents of the region.
In 2019, the Region launched Envision Durham – the Municipal Comprehensive Review of our Official Plan. This review looks at:
- How and where our cities and towns may grow.
- How to use and protect our land and resources.
- What housing types and job opportunities are needed for our residents.
- How people and goods will move across our region and beyond.
We’re planning for an attractive place to live, work, play, grow and invest–and we’re asking for your help. Watch the video below to learn more and join the conversation to have your say.
Join the conversation
It’s time to have your say about our future!
Envision Durham is an opportunity to plan for a progressive and forward-looking land use planning vision for the region to 2051.
We are currently in the Direct Stage of our project.
During this stage, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback on proposed policy directions, including some initial findings of the Growth Management Study component of Envision Durham below.
Current Engagement Opportunities
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Agricultural System - submission window now closed |
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A map identifying the draft Regional Agricultural System was available for public and agency comment from June 7 to September 9, 2022. As detailed in Report #2022-P-16, released on June 7, 2022, this map is a key component of Envision Durham and once implemented in the new Regional Official Plan will conform to planning policy set out by provincial legislation. The Agricultural System was mapped and issued by the Province in 2018. It is comprised of the agricultural land base and agri-food network, that collectively create a viable, thriving agricultural sector. The agricultural land base is comprised of Prime Agricultural Areas and rural lands in Durham. Implementing the Provincial Agricultural System is intended to protect farmland, prevent fragmentation, and maintain the viability of the agriculture and growth of the agri-food sector. For more information, please visit the OMAFRA website. Interactive Map Viewer An interactive map viewer was developed to facilitate input on the draft Regional Agricultural System. This mapping tool allowed participants to search, pan and/or zoom to identify and reference specific geographic locations, wherein users could mark with “pins” and comment directly within the map. Input on the draft Regional Agricultural System mapping was requested from June 7 to September 9, 2022. Thank you to everyone who provided input. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is an Agricultural System? An Agricultural System is an approach to maintain and enhance the geographic continuity of the agricultural land base and the functional and economic connections of the agri-food network. This includes identifying a continuous and productive land base, specifically that Prime Agricultural Areas be designated, identified and protected for long term use for agriculture. What is the Agri-Food Network and how is this related to the Agricultural System? The Agri-Food Network includes elements important to the viability of the agri-food sector such as regional infrastructure and transportation networks; on-farm buildings and infrastructure; agricultural services, farm markets, distributors, and primary processing; and vibrant, agriculture-supportive communities. Agri-food network policies will be released at a later date for consultation through the draft new Regional Official Plan. Agri-food assets are not proposed to be mapped within the Plan. Why is the Region mapping an Agricultural System? The inclusion of the Provincial Agricultural System is required for the new Regional Official Plan to be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), and to conform with provincial plans (the Growth Plan, the Greenbelt Plan and the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan). The PPS requires that prime agricultural areas be protected for long-term use for agriculture. In addition, the PPS requires planning authorities designate prime agricultural areas in accordance with provincial guidelines and municipalities are encouraged to use an agricultural system approach to maintain and enhance the geographic continuity of the agricultural land base and the functional and economic connections of the agri-food network. How was the draft Regional Agricultural System determined? The review was a combination of a desktop exercise and on-the-ground assessment of the region’s Rural Area. This work included:
How can I provide feedback on the draft Regional Agricultural System? Comments on the draft Regional Agricultural System mapping were requested from June 7 to September 9, 2022. How will my comments on the draft Regional Agricultural System be addressed? Your comments will help inform the final draft Regional Agricultural System that will be presented through the draft Regional Official Plan. Regional staff will respond to the submissions received through a future Envision Durham report to Planning and Economic Development Committee. How can I stay updated on this project? To ensure you receive the most up to date project information – including notices related to the Agricultural System mapping exercise – you are encouraged to subscribe directly through this project web page. Please click on the blue "Receive email updates" button at the bottom of this page. After signing up you should receive an email from noreply@www.durham.ca requiring you to verify/confirm your request. If you encounter any issues joining our interested parties list, please let us know at EnvisionDurham@durham.ca. |
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Regional Natural Heritage System (NHS) – submission window now closed |
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A map identifying the draft Regional Natural Heritage System (NHS) was available for public and agency comment from March 1 to May 2, 2022. As detailed in Report #2022-P-7, released on March 1, 2022, this map is a key component of Envision Durham and once implemented in the new Regional Official Plan will conform to planning policy set out by provincial legislation. An NHS, which includes key natural features and areas, play a significant environmental, social and economic role in the region. Natural heritage planning best practices recognize the strategic importance of a systems-based approach to protecting, restoring and enhancing the natural environment not only by considering core natural features, but also the connections between them. Interactive Map Viewer An interactive map viewer was developed to facilitate input on the draft Regional NHS. This mapping tool allowed participants to search, pan and/or zoom to identify and reference specific geographic locations, wherein users could mark with “pins” and comment directly within the map. In addition to the interactive map viewer, a supplemental PDF map displayed Enhancement Opportunity Areas. Enhancement Opportunity Areas are areas where restoration, stewardship and other efforts could positively contribute to the health of the Regional NHS. They are not part of the Regional NHS, but provide helpful information for municipalities, landowners, conservation authorities and environmental agencies when restoration or stewardship initiatives are contemplated. Input on the draft Regional NHS mapping was requested from March 1 to May 2, 2022. Thank you to everyone who provided input. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is an NHS? The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) defines an NHS as a system made up of natural heritage features and areas, and linkages intended to provide connectivity (at the regional or site level) and support natural processes which are necessary to maintain biological and geological diversity, natural functions, viable populations of indigenous species, and ecosystems. These systems can include natural heritage features and areas, federal and provincial parks and conservation reserves, lands that have been restored or have the potential to be restored to a natural state, areas that support hydrologic functions and working landscapes that enable ecological functions to continue. Why is the Region mapping an NHS? The PPS requires that natural features and areas be protected for the long term. As part of this requirement, municipalities in Ecoregions 6E and 7E, which includes Durham, must identify natural heritage systems. The inclusion of the NHS is required for the Regional Official Plan to be consistent with the PPS, and to conform with provincial plans such as the Growth Plan, the Greenbelt Plan and the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP). How was the draft Regional NHS determined? The approach taken to identify the draft Regional NHS for the new Regional Official Plan largely relies on existing provincial and area municipal datasets, as well as consultation with staff at the conservation authorities and area municipalities. The draft Regional NHS builds on existing information collected at the Provincial level through the Greenbelt Plan, ORMCP and Growth Plan and at the local level through conservation authority and area municipal datasets, with consideration and refinements to identify additional features, where necessary and appropriate. The process to develop the draft Regional NHS has been collaborative, with assistance and extensive input from the Conservation Authority and Area Municipal Working Groups formed for Envision Durham. How can I provide feedback on the draft Regional NHS? Comments on the draft Regional NHS were requested from March 1 to May 2, 2022. How will my comments on the draft Regional NHS be addressed? Your comments will help inform the final draft Regional NHS that will be presented through the draft Regional Official Plan. Regional staff will respond to the submissions received through a future Envision Durham report to Planning and Economic Development Committee. How can I stay updated on this project? To ensure you receive the most up to date project information – including notices related to the draft Regional NHS mapping exercise – you are encouraged to subscribe directly through this project web page. Please click on the blue "Receive email updates" button at the bottom of this page. After signing up you should receive an email from noreply@www.durham.ca requiring you to verify/confirm your request. If you encounter any issues joining our interested parties list, please let us know at EnvisionDurham@durham.ca. |
| Land Need Scenarios – Regional Recommendations (as Amended) |
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The Growth Management Study (GMS) is a key component of Envision Durham. The first phase of the GMS is the preparation of a Land Needs Assessment (LNA). The LNA is a detailed review of the Region’s land base to determine how much of the Growth Plan population and employment forecasts for Durham can be accommodated within existing urban areas, in the built-up area, and the designated greenfield area. Any growth that cannot be accommodated within existing urban areas would trigger a requirement for additional urban land by means of a Settlement Area Boundary Expansion. Please review the Regional Staff Recommendation on a Land Need Scenario (Report #2022-P-11), initially published for early release on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. Please note that Regional Council, at its meeting held on May 25, 2022, adopted the amended recommendations of the Planning & Economic Development Committee. A copy of this Regional Council Correspondence is available here. In addition, a recording of the Regional Council Meeting is accessible here. Based upon the recommended land need scenario referenced within the Regional Council Correspondence, the GMS will proceed to evaluate the most suitable locations for Settlement Area Boundary Expansion (i.e. Phase 2 of the process). Background During the summer and early fall of 2021, four Technical Reports constituting the LNA were released in draft format for public review and comment. In response to comments received on the draft LNA, Regional Planning staff agreed at the October 5, 2021, Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting to run modelling and assess an appropriate range of alternative land need scenarios. The Alternative Land Need Scenarios Report (#2022-INFO-9), released on February 11, 2022, identifies additional land need scenarios intended to respond to comments and present a fulsome range of alternatives to inform the decision on how the Region should grow during the 2022 to 2051 timeframe. Five Community Area land need scenarios explore at a region-wide scale how housing and population growth could be accommodated, and two scenarios explore Employment Area density targets. On March 11, 2022, alternative scenario modelling outcomes and assessment were released through Report #2022-INFO-19. For additional details, please review the Growth Management Study consultant's Alternative Land Need Scenarios Assessment Summary Report. An updated Appendix A has been prepared and replaces the Appendix A included in the above noted March 2022 Alternative Land Need Scenarios Assessment Summary Report. The updated Appendix A corrects a typo in the previous version and also provides some additional detailed tables. The following infographic describes each key component and illustrates how the various elements of the Alternative Scenarios work together. To zoom-in on this infographic, click here or click the image below to open in a separate window.
Public Consultation Activities To solicit feedback on the Alternative Land Need Scenarios, stakeholders and members of the public were encouraged to participate in an online survey and Public Information Centre. The online survey is now closed (as of end of day April 14, 2022). Thank you to everyone who provided input. On March 24, 2022 (from 7:00 to 8:30 pm) the Region hosted a virtual Public Information Centre to deliver staff and consultant presentations and provide the public with the opportunity to ask questions, and to discuss the proposed land need scenarios and provide comments and feedback to staff. A copy of the Alternative Land Need Scenarios Public Information Centre presentation is accessible here. In addition, a recording of the session can be viewed below. How to Stay Updated To ensure you receive the most up to date project information, you are encouraged to subscribe directly through this project web page. Please click on the blue "Receive email updates" button at the bottom of this page. After signing up you should receive an email from noreply@www.durham.ca requiring you to verify/confirm your request. If you encounter any issues joining our interested parties list, please let us know. Questions or comments can be submitted to EnvisionDurham@durham.ca. |
| Employment Area conversion requests – Regional Recommendations (as Amended) |
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The Employment Strategy (Report #2021-INFO-97), released on September 24, 2021, was the third in a series of technical reports presented through the Land Needs Assessment (LNA) process. Based on the Growth Management Study consultant’s review and analysis presented within the Strategy, and any resulting meetings, submissions and comments received through the consultation period since the release of the Strategy, Regional staff’s recommendations on Employment Area conversion requests were presented to the Regional Planning & Economic Development Committee on December 7, 2021. Please review the Regional staff Recommendations on Employment Area Conversion Requests (Report #2021-P-25), initially published for early release on Friday, November 26, 2021. Please note that Regional Council, at its meeting held on December 22, 2021, adopted amended recommendations of the Planning & Economic Development Committee. A copy of this Regional Council Correspondence is available here. The Employment Area conversion requests referenced within the recommendations, as amended, have been endorsed and will be advanced through Envision Durham, and reflected in the land budget being prepared through the ongoing Land Needs Assessment, to be implemented as part of the new Regional Official Plan. For additional background information on this process, please refer to the section on Growth Management Study (Stage 3-Direct) - Employment Area conversion requests (submission window now closed). |
| Protected Major Transit Station Areas Regional Official Plan Amendment #186 – Notice of Adoption |
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The purpose and effect of this Amendment is to delineate the boundaries of Protected Major Transit Station Areas (PMTSAs) in the City of Pickering, Town of Ajax, Town of Whitby, City of Oshawa (at Thornton’s Corners and Central Oshawa), and the Municipality of Clarington (Courtice and Bowmanville). The Amendment also introduces a policy framework to support transit-oriented development and establishes a minimum density target of 150 people and jobs per hectare within these PMTSAs. Please review the recommended Durham Regional Official Plan Amendment #186 to establish the policy framework for Protected Major Transit Station Areas (Decision Meeting Report #2021-P-26), initially published for early release on Friday, November 19, 2021. Please note that Regional Council adopted Amendment #186 to the Durham Regional Official Plan by By-law #49-2021, on December 22, 2021. A copy of this Notice of Adoption, including a copy of Amendment #186 to the Durham Regional Official Plan, is available here. Written and Oral Submissions Public consultation on the application was undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act. The Region received a number of written and oral submissions on the application. All submissions were given full consideration. Further details regarding how the public input was considered is available in Commissioner’s Report #2021-P-26 and in the Planning and Economic Development Committee minutes dated December 7, 2021. |
| Land Needs Assessment (LNA) - Technical Reports (submission window now closed) |
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In undertaking the Land Needs Assessment (LNA) process, staff and the Region’s Growth Management Study consultants (Urban Strategies and Watson & Associates) are following the Provincial Land Needs Assessment Methodology for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020), established to implement A Place to Grow – Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. On September 2, 2021, the Planning & Economic Development Committee received a presentation on the Growth Management Study and LNA. In addition, for a status update on Envision Durham with a specific focus on the LNA process, please refer to Report #2021-INFO-89. LNA Technical Reports The following technical reports are being released as a component of the Growth Management Study (Stage 3-Direct) to inform the Land Needs Assessment:
*Note: Due to file size, the Technical Report is included, via hyperlink, as Attachment #1 to the Commissioner's Report. At the October 5th Planning & Economic Development Committee meeting, Regional staff committed to reviewing at least two additional LNA scenarios for Regional Council’s consideration. Details on these alternative scenarios are still being determined. The complete Land Needs Assessment, with all supporting technical reports, additional alternative scenarios and staff recommendations, will be brought forward to the Regional Planning & Economic Development Committee in 2022. |
| Proposed Policy Directions (Stage 3-Direct) - submission window now closed |
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On March 2, 2021, the Planning & Economic Development Committee received the Proposed Policy Directions (Report #2021-P-7). A video presenting the Proposed Policy Directions to the Committee can be viewed below, and is accessible here. The Proposed Policy Directions present potential additions and changes to land use planning policies, and public input is being requested. The proposed directions are not intended to be exhaustive but introduce certain directions where further input is being sought before draft policies are introduced within a proposed new Regional Official Plan. For additional details, please review the full report here. The Proposed Policy Directions were developed and informed based on best practice reviews, research, public engagement and feedback received during Stages 1 (“Discover”) and 2 (“Discuss”) of the Envision Durham process. They are also intended to respond to submissions received through Stage 2, a summary of which can be viewed here. The online survey and submission window are now closed (as of June 30, 2021). Thank you to everyone who provided input on the Proposed Policy Directions during the 120-day commenting period. The Proposed Policy Directions will be reviewed based on feedback received through the consultation process and will form the basis for the Region’s new Official Plan’s draft policies. Updates and next steps will continue to be posted to the project web page. |
| Growth Management Study (Stage 3-Direct) - Settlement Area Boundary Expansion requests (submission window now closed) |
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As a key component of Envision Durham, a Growth Management Study (GMS) is being completed in two phases. The first phase of the GMS focuses on the completion of a Land Needs Assessment (LNA). The LNA is a comprehensive review and calculation of the Region’s land base, including existing urban areas, to determine how the Growth Plan population and employment forecasts can be accommodated and how much, if any, additional urban land is required. The second phase of the GMS, if required, will focus on determining the most appropriate location for Urban Boundary expansions. Any required Settlement Area boundary expansion will be considered through the GMS (Phase 2), after the completion of the LNA. The LNA, which determines the amount of urban land required to accommodate the 2051 growth forecasts, is currently underway. To inform this work, a 90-day submission window for new and/or amended requests for Settlement Area boundary expansions took place from March 2 to May 31, 2021, to allow proponents the opportunity to respond to or address the criteria identified within Settlement Area Boundary Expansion section and Appendix C: Settlement Area Boundary Expansion – Evaluation Criteria of the Proposed Policy Directions report (released March 2, 2021). Submissions: The submission window is now closed (as of May 31, 2021). Thank you to everyone who submitted a new and/or amended Settlement Area boundary expansion request for consideration. For a status update on Settlement Area Boundary Expansion requests, please refer to Report #2021-INFO-84. |
| Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA) Proposed Policy Directions (Stage 3-Direct) - submission window now closed |
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On December 1, 2020, the Planning & Economic Development Committee received the Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA) Proposed Policy Directions (Report #2020-P-27). The MTSA Proposed Policy Directions provide an overview of the proposed MTSAs, summarizes best practices, trends and guidelines, revisits and refines certain delineations, and presents a set of draft policies for review and comment. For additional details, please review the full report here. The submission window is now closed (as of March 1, 2021). Thank you to everyone who submitted comments on the MTSA Proposed Policy Directions during the 90-day commenting period. Following a review of the feedback received on the proposed policy directions and draft delineations for existing and future MTSAs, a standalone Regional Official Plan Amendment will be formally released for public and agency review and comment later in 2021. |
| Growth Management Study (Stage 3-Direct) - Employment Area conversion requests (submission window now closed) |
| Protecting and maintaining an adequate supply of employment land is important to the economic vitality of the Region. Designated Employment Areas play a specific and unique role in attracting and accommodating businesses and creating local job opportunities.
One component of Envision Durham’s Growth Management Study is to understand the Region’s ability to accommodate the Growth Plan’s employment forecast of 460,000 jobs by 2051 and to determine where and how much Employment Area lands may potentially be re-designated to permit non-employment uses (e.g. residential). On June 24, 2020, Regional Council endorsed the Proposed Employment Area Conversion Criteria and Submission Review Process (Report #2020-P-11) which outlines an evaluation criteria and formal process for considering requests for Employment Area conversion through Envision Durham. Please note that in addition to adopting the recommendations of the report, Regional Council amended the recommendations to add "(C) That staff be directed to research and report back to Council on a specific mixed use land use designation." A copy of this Regional Council Correspondence is available here. This direction does not impact the evaluation criteria or formal process and deadline for considering Employment Area conversion requests. Submissions: The submission window is now closed (as of September 23, 2020). Thank you to everyone who submitted an Employment Area conversion request for consideration. For a status update and next steps in the evaluation of requests for Employment Area conversion through Envision Durham, please refer to Report #2020-INFO-94. |
| Discussion papers (Stage 2-Discuss) - all six papers are now available |
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Theme-based discussion papers released during the Discuss Stage included:
Each discussion paper contained questions, with a supplemental workbook (Appendix A), to help facilitate discussion and input. Responses were submitted via email to EnvisionDurham@durham.ca or 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. 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. |
| Public opinion survey (Stage 1-Discover) - survey summary now available |
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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. |
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