City of Peterborough Official Plan Approved By the Province

The City of Peterborough was notified on April 11 that the Province has approved the City’s new Official Plan with amendments; in effect as of April 11.

photo by Keegan Beekers.

The Plan identifies where various land uses can be located, such as residential, commercial, institutional, employment and open space, plans for the city’s infrastructure needs, identifies and protects the City’s natural heritage system and water resources, and establishes a vision and policies for growing as a complete, vibrant, sustainable, resilient and equitable city. The new Official Plan also provides a framework for future zoning by-law regulations.

It replaces the City’s current Official Plan as well as two former township Official Plans that have remained in effect in areas annexed between 1998 and 2013. 

“The Official Plan is our overarching document to guide growth and development. Our community participated in its drafting to ensure it reflects our collective goals and vision. Growth, investment, employment lands, homes, heritage, and sustainability are all part of the Official Plan,” said Mayor Jeff. “Congratulations to our community, our team at the City of Peterborough, and to the previous Councils that led the creation of this exciting plan.”

The new Official Plan was endorsed by City Council in November 2021 after extensive community consultation and work with various stakeholder groups to draft the document that sets the vision and direction for growth and development for Peterborough to the year 2051. It was submitted to the Province for approval.

“This is an exciting milestone after several years of work to craft the Official Plan with input from residents, developers and community groups. Our Official Plan serves as a foundation for growth and investment in our community. With the Plan amended and approved by the Province, people looking to invest in Peterborough have certainty on the planning direction for the City,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, chair of Council’s Planning Portfolio.

A draft of the new Official Plan was initially released in June 2019 after more than two years of consultation and activity on drafting the document.

The Province explained in its approval that it made amendments to address provincial policy direction related to growth management, housing supply, cultural heritage resources, land use compatibility and the protection of natural heritage features and drinking water.

The Province’s approval is posted online here.

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