Re-Imagine Stouffville - Official Plan Review

The Town is currently consulting on the key issues and preliminary policy directions that will inform the preparation of the new Official Plan. Based on the community consultations undertaken in May 2021, the Town has prepared a series of revised Discussion Papers on key themes related to Complete Communities, the Natural Environment, Planning for Growth, and General Technical / Housekeeping Updates.

What Issues Need To Be Addressed in the New Official Plan?

The following revised Discussion Papers and a One-Page Summary have been prepared based on the community and stakeholder consultations:

• Planning for Growth, July 2021 (One-Page Summary)
• Planning for the Natural Environment, July 2021 (One-Page Summary)
• Planning for Complete Communities, July 2021 (One-Page Summary)
• General Technical/Housekeeping Updates, July 2021 (One-Page Summary)

A summary of the Phase 2 Consultations are included in the Phase 2 Engagement Summary Memo, June 2021.

The revised Discussion Papers will be presented to Council on July 20, 2021 for Council endorsement as part of Staff Report DS-029-21 (available on the Council Calendar after July 15, 2021).

Virtual Open Houses:

Two virtual Public Open Houses were held on May 6, 2021 to present the Draft Discussion Papers and receive feedback. A link to the Open House presentation is available here.

Other ways to Participate:

We need your input throughout the Official Plan Review process. There are a number of ways you can stay engaged, receive updates and provide your input:

• Sign-up for our Interested Parties email list at opreview@townofws.ca
• Read the Town’s On The Road Magazine for regular updates
• Follow us on Social Media:
  • Facebook - @WStouffville
  • Twitter - @TownofWS
  • Instagram - @TownofWS

The revised Discussion Papers are anticipated to be presented to Council in the summer of 2021 for endorsement.

Project Overview

The Official Plan Review is undertaken through a comprehensive review of key theme areas according to issues currently being addressed as a community. The comprehensive OPR work program includes the following phases:

• Phase 1: Visioning and Consultation – will result in a community vision and guiding principles to inform future planning directions, by establishing what the community values and how the Town is envisioned to evolve over the next 25 years.
  
  The Draft Community Vision Summary Report was presented to Council on November 3, 2020. It summarized the findings of the Phase 1 consultation activities, including a new Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles that will inform the policy directions of the new Official Plan.
  
  Based upon the comments received, including the Public Open House held on September 23, 2020, an updated Draft Community Vision Summary Report, March 2021 was prepared.
  
  
• Phase 2: Background Studies and Discussion Papers – will focus on data collection and the review of background information required to advance the OPR. This phase will also involve the preparation of various Discussion Papers to address the key themes related to growth management, the natural environment, healthy and complete communities, and general technical and housekeeping matters. This phase will culminate with a cursory review of the Secondary Plans to determine recommendations for a potential consolidation strategy.
  
  
• Phase 3: Policy Development – will involve the preparation of Policy Directions Reports and the development of new and updated Official Plan policies to implement the preferred policy directions.
  
  
• Phase 4: Draft New Official Plan – will involve the technical writing, reviewing, evaluating, and implementing policies for the new Official Plan based on work completed to-date.