FAQs

The integrated approach provides an opportunity to reduce duplication by simultaneously complying with the Planning Act and Class EA processes, including public/stakeholder notification and consultation requirements, technical reports and analyses, and land use planning and environmental protection decisions.

Secondary Plans can be considered a second layer of the City-wide Official Plan. They include a land use plan with implementing policies that are adopted into the Official Plan to ensure that their intent is legally binding.

• Helps understand opportunities and address issues related to land use in certain defined geographic areas.
• Provide specific policies for those areas of the City where more detailed direction is needed for matters beyond the general framework provided by the Official Plan.
• Provide an opportunity to promote consistency in new/developing areas and compatibility within existing areas that require revitalization.

• Introduce the study to the community to get an understanding of how the residents see this area changing and growing.
• Balance the needs and wants of the community against the planning policy guiding growth or redevelopment in the City and the Province.
• To learn more about how our community grows through planning and development please watch these informative videos. 

A complete community creates and provides access to a mix of land uses including, a full range and mix of housing, including affordable housing, recreation, commerce, community and cultural facilities, health care facilities, employment, parks and open spaces distributed and connected in a coherent and efficient manner. A complete community also supports the use of public transit and active transportation, enabling residents to meet most of their daily needs within a short distance of their homes.

A healthy community provides access to clean air and water, nutritious food, a variety of employment opportunities, and safe and socially vibrant neighbourhoods. A healthy community also promotes human health and active lifestyles by providing access to community infrastructure, active transportation, parks and open space.