FAQs - Policy Framework
What is the relationship of the official plan and the secondary plans currently underway (specifically SE Georgetown)?
The Official Plan outlines the long-term vision for growth and development for all lands within the Town of Halton Hills.
Secondary plans (such as the Southeast Georgetown Secondary Plan) provide more detailed planning policies for a specific area or neighbourhood. These policies are secondary to the overarching planning goals and policies in the Official Plan.
Secondary Plans will be incorporated into the new Official Plan as they currently are. Any updates required to those plans will be completed as a separate process.
At the beginning it was stated that our official plan needs to be aligned with the Provincial Plan. With that said, how much flexibility is there, what is the Town's control, and not?
The Official Plan Review is an opportunity to refresh the vision for the community, identify existing gaps and emerging priorities, and develop policies that will help manage growth and change in the future. Official Plan policy must be consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 and must conform/not conflict with provincial plans. The Province sets housing targets that the Town must plan to accommodate through a range of housing types and options to meet different needs.
How is zoning policy being changed to allow for quicker approval of housing and commercial projects? Current system is severely broken.
Bill 17 supports the Province's goal of building more homes, businesses and infrastructure, including development near transit. It aims to speed up the development process – and proposed changes like, allowing minor changes to zoning regulations. Planning policy (which is the focus of the Official Plan Review) provides the basis for zoning regulations (which implements policy). The Town intends to complete an update to the Comprehensive Zoning By-law beginning in 2027.
Can the Town push back if the province is acting against its past legislation?
The Town is required to conform with current Provincial direction.
The two Bill 5s seem to be against everything you are trying to do.
Town staff continue to monitor impacts of both the Federal and Provincial Bill 5 through the OPR process.