An Official Plan is a document that sets out the land use policy directions for long-term growth and development in a municipality.
The Minister of Municipal Affairs approved the Oshawa Official Plan on February 12, 1987.
The Plan is regularly reviewed to ensure that it continues to meet the changing economic, social and environmental needs of the City. Changes to the Official Plan are sometimes required to allow new development or redevelopment proposals. Opportunities for public review and input are provided through the Official Plan Amendment process.
To apply for an amendment to the Oshawa Official Plan, complete the Application for an Official Plan Amendment and submit to the Planning Services Branch.
The process required to amend the City of Oshawa Official Plan is described below. Please note that, depending upon the proposal, an application may also be required to amend the Region of Durham Official Plan and/or the City of Oshawa Zoning By-law. Approved amendments to the Official Plan are incorporated tri-annually.
Step 1 - Pre-consultation |
Prior to submission of an application to amend the Official Plan you must review your application with staff of the Planning Services Branch - Development and Urban Design Division. This process is called Pre-Consultation. |
Step 2 - Submission of Application |
Applicant submits a copy of a completed Application for an Official Plan Amendment to Planning Services. Supporting documentation and fee must be submitted with the application. In accordance with the Planning Act, the applicant must indicate whether the proposal conforms to the Provincial Policy Statement and applicable Provincial Plans. Staff review the application and within 30 days advise the applicant whether or not it is complete. A "Public Notice" sign advising that an official plan amendment has been applied for is posted on the property by the applicant. The wording for the sign will be prepared by staff and provided to the applicant. The application is circulated to various agencies, City and Regional departments for review and comment (e.g., Conservation Authority, Regional Municipality of Durham, and Engineering Services). It is during this process that the Region of Durham determines whether the proposed Amendment is "exempt" and only subject to final approval by the City of Oshawa, or "non-exempt" and subject to final approval by the Region of Durham. |
Step 3- Review and Report |
Staff evaluate the application and review comments submitted by agencies and departments. A Public Meeting Report is prepared for submission to the Development Services Committee. |
Step 4 - Notification of Public Meeting |
Notice of the application and a Public Meeting to consider the application is sent to all property owners within 120 metres (400 ft.) of the subject property at least 20 days prior to the meeting date and within 15 days of the application being determined to be complete. In addition, notice of the meeting is placed in the two local newspapers and on the City of Oshawa website. A Public Meeting is held by the Development Services Committee to consider the application and the Public Meeting Report. At the Public Meeting, any person, including the applicant, has the opportunity to express concerns or opinions regarding the application to the Development Services Committee. At the conclusion of the Public Meeting, the Development Services Committee refers the application back to staff to consider, amongst other matters, the comments heard at the Public Meeting. |
Step 5 - Council Decision |
Staff further evaluate the application and consider comments expressed by the applicant and the public. Staff prepares a second report for the Development Services Committee's consideration recommending that the application be approved or denied. The Development Services Committee considers the second report and makes a recommendation to Council to approve or deny the application. The Development Services Committee may hear from any person or the applicant before making its recommendation. City Council considers the recommendation of the Development Services Committee and makes a decision on the application. City Council may hear from the applicant and any other person before making its decision. If the application is approved, see Step 6. If the application is denied, the applicant may appeal Council's decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), see Step 8. The applicant will be notified of the denial and the reasons within 15 days of the decision. |
Step 6 - Preparation and Circulation of By-law |
City staff prepare an Official Plan Amendment to be passed by City Council. Once City Council passes the Official Plan Amendment, the City Clerk gives notice to property owners within 120 metres (400 ft.) of the subject property that the Official Plan Amendment has been passed. If no appeal is filed with the City Clerk within the time period specified in the notice, the Official Plan Amendment is deemed to have come into force on the day it was passed by Council. |
Step 7 - Consideration by Region of Durham |
The Council of the Region of Durham is the approval authority for Oshawa Official Plan amendments unless the amendment is exempt from Regional approval. If the amendment is not exempt, the Region may approve, modify or refuse to approve the amendment. |
Step 8 - Appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) |
If an applicant or any person or public body is not satisfied with the decision, it may appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) within the time period specified in the notice. Only persons who made oral submissions at the public meeting or written submissions to Council before adoption may appeal. If an appeal is received, the OLT will generally hold a hearing and make a final decision to approve or deny the application. |