The Official Plan sets out the objectives and policies to guide the short-term and long-term physical development of all lands within the city. Official Plan policies reflect consideration of the following:
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the planned allocation and distribution of different land uses, such as residential, commercial and industrial;
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means to control the development and use of land (such as zoning, subdivision of land and site plan control); and
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the provision of municipal services and facilities such roads, sewers, and parks.
Policies provide for orderly growth and development, and compatibility between the many different uses of land within the Municipality. While the objectives and policies in the Official Plan primarily relate to the physical development. They also include objectives related to social, economic and environmental matters. These are implemented through polices related to such things as housing, residential intensification, the location of community facilities and open space.
The Official Plan is composed of text and maps. The text portion of the Official Plan describes the objectives and policies for these various land uses. Its Land Use map indicates the general land use designations. A land use designation describes the predominant type of development planned for an area, such as residential, although certain other types of uses are also often permitted. Other maps identify flood plains and environmental features locations and the recommended transportation network. The Official Plan is implemented by the Zoning By-Law, subdivision and site plan control, through the current and capital budgets, and by other programs of the Municipality.
Copies of the Official Plan are available in the Planning and Building Services Department, 2nd Floor, Civic Centre.