The Official Plan is a general policy document that establishes a long range planning blueprint for land uses and resource management within the municipality.
Land uses are identified by designations, under which specific policy direction is given to deal with such matters as type of use, density, massing, community design, and development criteria. In addition, policies related to park systems, transportation, servicing and implementation are outlined within the Official Plan. New developments that do not conform to the plan must seek approval of an Official Plan Amendment.
Official Plan Text & Maps
- Official Plan 2051 (December 2023)
- Appendix 1: Conservation Authority Areas
- Appendix 2: Phasing Plan
- Map 1: Community Structure
- Map 2: Land Use Designations
- Map 3: Natural Heritage Protection Overlays
- Map 4A: Mobility Network
- Map 4B: Mobility Network
- Map 5: Right-of-Way Widths
- Map 6: Greenspace Network
- Map 7: Drinking Water System Vulnerable Areas
- Map 8: Cultural City Features
Background
The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved the City of Barrie's Official Plan 2051, with 73 modifications, on April 11, 2023. For more information on the approval, visit the Environmental Registry of Ontario.
The 73 modifications to the Official Plan policies and maps were made to address provincial policy direction related to land use compatibility, source water protection, and government priorities related to housing and streamlining development process, among other matters, including site specific changes.
On October 23, 2023, the new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Paul Calandra announced that he would be reviewing the changes to official plans made by the previous minister. The Minister provided impacted municipalities 45 days to submit changes and updates to those plans to the ministry.
On December 6, 2023, Mayor Nuttall submitted the City of Barrie’s recommendations on the Official Plan to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The City’s submission includes feedback received from the public by email and at a November 22 Town Hall meeting.
On December 6, 2023, Bill 150, Planning Statue Law Amendment Act, 2023 received royal assent, reversing the Provincial modifications to the City of Barrie’s Official Plan. This legislation brings into effect the Official Plan as adopted by Council on March 7, 2022, with one modification which was made to align with provincial regulation.
Provincial modification number 66 is being retained:
6.5.1.3.j) a new policy is added to read: “Where their activity would cause a significant drinking water threat, uses outlined in Policy LUP-1 of the South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Protection Plan shall not be permitted in vulnerable areas.”