City of Burlington - Approval to amend a municipality’s official plan

On June 27, 2024, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing received for a decision the City of Burlington’s proposed Official Plan Amendment (OPA) No. 2 (By-law 45-2024), which was adopted by the City’s Council on June 18, 2024.

The More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23) made changes that will when in effect remove statutory powers under the Planning Act from seven upper-tier municipalities identified in the legislation. The effective date for Halton Region is July 1, 2024. As such, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is now the approval authority for official plans and official plan amendments for lower-tier municipalities in Halton Region.

The Ministry will review the matter for consistency and conformity with applicable provincial land use policies and plans and will consider all feedback received before presenting any potential modifications to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for a decision in accordance with section 17 of the Planning Act.

The proposed OPA No. 2 contains detailed land use policies to support implementation of Protected Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) in three locations in the City of Burlington. If approved, the proposed amendment would apply to all lands within the three Protected MTSAs.

If approved, proposed OPA No. 2 will apply to the following areas:

Burlington Urban Growth Centre/Burlington GO Major Transit Station Area:

Lands within an approximate 800m radius of the Burlington GO Station, as shown on Attachment 1 to OPA No. 2.

Aldershot GO Major Transit Station Area:

Lands within an approximate 800m radius of the Aldershot GO Station, as shown on Attachment 2 to OPA No. 2.

Appleby GO Major Transit Station Area:

Lands within an approximate 800m radius of the Appleby GO Station, as shown on Attachment 3 to OPA No. 2.

The proposed OPA No. 2 outlines policies which, if approved, would allow the City to implement a Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) within the Protected MTSAs. The CPPS policies would provide guidance and requirements for density targets, complete communities, a range and mix of housing options (e.g., affordable housing requirements), among other matters.