Public engagement is now open on the first full draft of the Town of Milton’s new Official Plan, which will guide local growth and development to 2051.

Council’s direction to engage and finalize the plan, detailed in a Dec. 8 staff report, marks a major milestone in the multi-year We Make Milton project.

The draft Official Plan reflects extensive community input and incorporates new and updated policies informed by studies of land use, transportation, housing, retail, parks, and infrastructure. It also integrates policies previously found in the Halton Region Official Plan.

Milton residents, businesses, and other stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft and share their feedback. The plan contains new objectives, updated maps, policy directions, and strategies for managing growth and change.

Key highlights

• Building complete communities
  Refines land use categories, sets performance criteria, and identifies suitable locations to support a mix of uses.
• Evaluating urban area boundary expansion
  Establishes a framework for reviewing private requests to expand Milton’s urban boundary (outside the Greenbelt and Niagara Escarpment Plan areas). Proposals must demonstrate a need for expansion, show no negative financial impact on the Town or Region, and align with policies that protect farmland and the environment.
• Introducing secondary planning processes
  Adds new policies to guide area-specific plans. These processes may be led by developers in partnership with Town staff to support phased growth in new communities.
• Encouraging affordable housing
  Sets targets for homes that are affordable to rent or buy based on population needs. These targets will guide discussions with developers and help measure progress over time.
• Protecting commercial space
  Adds flexible policies to prevent commercial areas from being converted to other uses, while supporting mixed-use retail areas and the redevelopment of older commercial sites with complementary uses.
• Planning for multi-modal transportation
  Promotes land use and density patterns that support transit. The plan includes policies requiring transit-supportive infrastructure in community planning, aligning with the Town’s transportation and transit master plans.

Engagement opportunities

Residents can attend virtual or in-person sessions to learn more and provide feedback:

Virtual (Microsoft Teams)

• Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. [Register now]
• Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, 6 - 7 p.m. [Register now]

In person

• Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, 6 - 8 p.m.
  Nassagaweya Community Centre – Brookville Hall
  2005 Cameron Dr., Milton
• Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, 6 - 8 p.m.
  Town Hall – Lobby
  150 Mary St., Milton

Visit Let’s Talk Milton to read the full draft plan, share feedback, and learn about future engagement opportunities.

Next steps

To meet Planning Act requirements, the Town will host a statutory open house and a statutory public meeting in spring 2026. Council will consider adopting the new Official Plan following those meetings. Additional details will be shared on Let’s Talk Milton as dates approach.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is inviting public feedback before approving an amendment to the Town of Milton Official Plan.

The Environmental Registry of Ontario has posted Official Plan Amendment 92 (OPA 92) for public input. This amendment introduces new policies and schedules, and updates existing ones.

This consultation closes at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

OPA 92, shaped by public feedback, includes high-level policies to support sustainable growth and livable communities. More detailed land-use policies are still in development.

The provincial consultation represents the latest step in the multi-year We Make Milton project to develop a new Official Plan that will guide growth and development in Milton to 2051.

The Town continues to invite residents to visit Let’s Talk Milton to:

• Explore documents
• Watch for engagement opportunities
• Share thoughts on any Official Plan topic at any time

The Town of Milton will hold a statutory public meeting to gather public input on the first sections of the Town’s updated Official Plan.

This represents the next step in the multi-year We Make Milton project to develop a new Official Plan that will manage local growth and development to the year 2051.

After significant public engagement, the project team has refined the first set of high-level new Official Plan policies. These sections relate to sustainable growth and livable communities, with more detailed land-use policies still in development.

Meeting details:

• This hybrid meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in Council Chambers (150 Mary Street, Milton.)
• Milton invites the community to attend and participate in this statutory public meeting, in person or electronically.
• Members of the public are also encouraged to view the meeting live stream and to view the report to Council on or after Dec. 2, 2024.
• If you wish to delegate to this Council meeting, please complete the online delegation form by noon on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.

The community can also visit Let’s Talk Milton to explore documents, watch for engagement opportunities, and share thoughts on any Official Plan topic any time.

Background

In 2021, Milton Council endorsed a modern, forward-looking land-use vision for the new Official Plan that reflects our diverse, young, and innovative community: ‘Milton 2051: Choice Shapes Us. In 2051, Milton offers a diversity of options for how and where we live, work, move and grow. As we evolve, choice is what shapes us.’

See the complete notice for this statutory public meeting.

Review the updated draft Official Plan (parts one to three).

Town File: LOPA-12/24

In accordance with the provisions of the Planning Act, this is to advise that a statutory public meeting has been scheduled by the Town of Milton’s Development Services Department for a municipally-initiated official plan amendment updating the Town’s Official Plan for all lands located within the Town of Milton.

Meeting details

Members of the public are invited to provide input at the statutory public meeting.

Date: Monday, Dec. 9, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Council Chambers, 150 Mary Street, Milton

No key map is provided as this amendment is town-wide. A decision about the application will not be made by Milton Council at this meeting.

Application details

• The Corporation of the Town of Milton is updating and amending the Town’s Official Plan under Sections 17 and 26 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended. The Official Plan is a long-range planning policy document that manages land use, growth and development over a 25-year time horizon. Milton is updating and amending the Official Plan to support its land use planning vision and manage growth in our community to the year 2051.
• The Official Plan affects everyone in Milton. Your feedback and input are important for the Town to consider in the New Official Plan. Public consultation provides the opportunity to participate in shaping the Town’s New Official Plan.

View the report to Council on or after December 2, 2024 at www.milton.ca/CouncilAgenda.

Get involved

The community is invited to attend and participate in the statutory public meeting. This meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting with members of the public having the opportunity to participate in-person at Town Hall or electronically. At this time, members of the public are encouraged to continue to view the meeting by watching the live stream. Should you wish to delegate to a Council meeting please complete the online delegation form at https://forms.milton.ca/Community/Delegate-Request-Application by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.

If you wish to be notified of the decision of Milton Council on the proposed amendment, you must make a written request to the Town Clerk, 150 Mary St., Milton ON L9T 6Z5 or email townclerk@milton.ca. For a copy of the documents, contact planning@milton.ca.

The Town of Milton is dedicated to meeting the needs of all members of the public. For documents in an alternative format such as braille, large print, electronic or plain language, contact the Town Clerk at townclerk@milton.ca.

Contact

Any questions or concerns relating to this application, including information about appeal rights, contact wemakemilton@milton.ca

Legal notices required under the Planning Act

If a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of Milton Council to the Ontario Land Tribunal but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Town of Milton before the by-law is passed, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, or make written submissions to Milton Council before the by-law is passed, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to do so.

Personal information is collected under the authority of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P. 13 and may be contained in an appendix to a staff report, published in the meeting agenda, delegation list and/or the minutes of the public meeting and made part of the public record. The Town of Milton collects this information in order to make informed decisions on the relevant issues and to notify interested parties of Council’s decisions. It may also be used to serve notice of Ontario Land Tribunal hearing. Names and addresses contained in submitted correspondence and other information will be available to the public, unless the individual expressly requests the Town to remove their personal information. The disclosure of this information is governed by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.M. 56. Questions about this collection and disclosure should be directed to the Planner listed above.

Jill Hogan, Commissioner
Town of Milton Development Services Department
150 Mary Street, Milton, Ontario L9T 6Z5

Dated: November 19, 2024

The Town of Milton invites residents and interested parties to learn about and provide input on the draft new Official Plan, which will shape the future of our town.

Public engagement is at the heart of We Make Milton, the new Official Plan project that will manage growth and development in the community to the year 2051.

The draft new Official Plan includes context and sections on sustainable growth and livable communities. It proposes that Milton will:

• Focus future population and job growth in strategic areas with a mix of uses
• Make downtown a lively and distinct destination for the entire community
• Create Uptown as an innovative centre that supports transit and pedestrians with a mix of amenities, jobs, homes, land uses and transportation
• Protect farmlands and operations, as well as the growth and vitality of hamlets
• Systematically protect and enhance its natural environment
• Ensure everyone has accessible and convenient transportation options
• Support housing choices that meet the diverse needs of current and future residents
• Welcome a wide variety of job types

This draft provides a first set of high-level new Official Plan policies. More detailed land-use policies are still in development.

Following this consultation, the draft document will be finalized with revisions. The final draft will be presented to a Statutory Public Meeting later this year.

Attend an engagement session on the draft new Official Plan:

Online:

• Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 11 a.m. Presentation followed by time for questions. Register in advance for Zoom webinar.

In person:

• Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 6 p.m. Milton Town Hall. Milton Room. Presentation followed by a group workshop to explore questions. No pre-registration required.

Other ways to get involved:

The community can visit Let’s Talk Milton to engage in a variety of ways:

• Read the Draft Official Plan.
• Share your thoughts on any Official Plan topic any time in the Feedback Forum.

Background

In 2021, Milton Council endorsed a modern, forward-looking land-use vision for the new Official Plan that reflects our diverse, young, and innovative community: ‘Milton 2051: Choice Shapes Us. In 2051, Milton offers a diversity of options for how and where we live, work, move and grow. As we evolve, choice is what shapes us.’

The Town of Milton has prepared draft Official Plan policies as a part of the ‘We make Milton’ project, which will be part of future engagement opportunities.

On June 24, Council asked staff to consult on the first phase of new Official Plan policies. The draft policies provide overarching land use planning directions.

These policies form the framework for managing growth. Once the Town confirms the overarching policy direction, detailed implementation policies will be developed.

• View the Council report for the Draft Policies

Watch for future opportunities to provide your input.

We Make Milton, the Town of Milton’s Official Plan project, took another step forward as Council endorsed policy directions for the Growing in Milton theme that will help shape the future of Milton.

At its meeting on Nov. 13, 2023, Council discussed and supported policy directions for the Growing in Milton theme, which will help inform land-use decisions that affect Milton’s future growth.

The Growing in Milton topic papers explore policy options for:

• Promoting a local approach to growth.
• Establishing Milton’s future land use structure.
• Managing growth within the settlement areas.
• Envisioning growth and promoting good practice.
• Promoting resource and environmental protection.
• Delivering infrastructure and community services.

Policy directions were developed based on community and stakeholder input, provincial, regional, and local legislation and guidance, and current planning best practices.

We Make Milton, the new Official Plan project, has previously engaged the public on living, moving and working in Milton.

In 2021, Milton Council endorsed a modern, forward-looking land-use vision for the new Official Plan that reflects our diverse, young and innovative community: ‘Milton 2051: Choice Shapes Us. In 2051, Milton offers a diversity of options for how and where we live, work, move and grow. As we evolve, choice is what shapes us.’

Quotes

“As growth continues, these Council-endorsed policy directions for the new Official Plan will help us align how and where Milton grows with the Council vision for the Town. This will help us continue to make Milton a Place of Possibility.”

- Mayor Gord Krantz, Town of Milton

“Engagement is crucial to We Make Milton, our new Official Plan project. Thank you to everyone who provided input, which has informed these policy directions that will help us manage change and achieve our land-use vision, Choice Shapes Us.”

- Jill Hogan, Commissioner, Development Services, Town of Milton

As part of the ‘We Make Milton’ project, Council will consider policy directions on how and where future growth may shape the community through Milton’s new Official Plan.

At its meeting Monday, Nov. 13, Council will discuss and consider policy directions for the Growing in Milton theme, which will help inform land-use decisions that affect Milton’s future growth.

• View the Council report for We Make Milton – Growing in Milton.

Policy directions were developed based on community and stakeholder input, provincial, regional, and local legislation and guidance, and current planning best practices.

We Make Milton, the new Official Plan project, previously engaged the public on living, moving and working in Milton.

In 2021, Milton Council endorsed a modern, forward-looking land-use vision for the new Official Plan that reflects our diverse, young and innovative community: ‘Milton 2051: Choice Shapes Us. In 2051, Milton offers a diversity of options for how and where we live, work, move and grow. As we evolve, choice is what shapes us.’

Get involved with the new Official Plan project:

• Visit the Let’s Talk Milton project page.
• Attend the Council meeting in person or watch the live webcast: milton.ca/Watch
• Register to speak at the meeting by submitting a Delegate Request Form by noon on Friday, Nov. 10: milton.ca/Delegate

There is still time to have your say on how and where future growth may shape the community through Milton’s new Official Plan.

Public engagement is at the heart of We Make Milton, the new Official Plan project that will manage growth and development in the community to the year 2051.

The Growing in Milton step of the project explores policy options regarding:

• Promoting a local approach to growth.
• Establishing Milton’s future land use structure.
• Managing growth within the settlement areas.
• Envisioning growth and promoting good practice.
• Promoting resource and environmental protection.
• Delivering infrastructure and community services.

Complete the survey and get involved:

The community can visit Let’s Talk Milton to engage in a variety of ways:

• Complete the survey before September 29.
• Read the draft background and policy considerations reports.
• Attend an information session online or in person.
  1. Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023 at 10 a.m. Register for Zoom webinar.
  2. Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 at 7 p.m. Milton Town Hall. Milton Room. No pre-registration required.
• Share your thoughts on any Official Plan topic any time in the Feedback Forum.

Background

A report with policy recommendations is expected to go to Milton Council for approval in November.

In 2021, Milton Council endorsed a modern, forward-looking land-use vision for the new Official Plan that reflects our diverse, young and innovative community: ‘Milton 2051: Choice Shapes Us. In 2051, Milton offers a diversity of options for how and where we live, work, move and grow. As we evolve, choice is what shapes us.’

The Town of Milton invites residents and interested parties to attend engagement sessions on how and where future growth may shape the community through Milton’s new Official Plan.

Public engagement is at the heart of We Make Milton, the new Official Plan project that will manage growth and development in the community to the year 2051.

The Growing in Milton step of the project explores policy options regarding:

• Promoting a local approach to growth.
• Establishing Milton’s future land use structure.
• Managing growth within the settlement areas.
• Envisioning growth and promoting good practice.
• Promoting resource and environmental protection.
• Delivering infrastructure and community services.

Attend a Growing in Milton engagement session:

Online:

• Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 7 p.m. Register for Zoom webinar.
• Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 3 p.m. Register for Zoom webinar.
• Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 10 a.m. Register for Zoom webinar.

In person:

• Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 7 p.m. Milton Town Hall. Milton Room. No pre-registration required.

Other ways to get involved:

The community can visit Let’s Talk Milton to engage in a variety of ways:

• Read the draft background and policy considerations reports.
• Complete the survey before September 29.
• Attend an information session online or in person.
• Share your thoughts on any Official Plan topic any time in the Feedback Forum.

Background

A report with policy recommendations is expected to go to Milton Council for approval in November.

In 2021, Milton Council endorsed a modern, forward-looking land-use vision for the new Official Plan that reflects our diverse, young and innovative community: ‘Milton 2051: Choice Shapes Us. In 2051, Milton offers a diversity of options for how and where we live, work, move and grow. As we evolve, choice is what shapes us.’