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The Blue Print | Official Plan Review

Official Plan Review

Project Update: New Staff Report Available 

Staff Report PBS.26.071 is scheduled to be presented at the September 15, 2026, Committee of the Whole meeting, providing an update on the next steps toward final approval of the Official Plan 5-Year Review.

Following Council’s initial adoption in June 2025, changes to the Planning Act required the Town to obtain authorization from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for certain policies related to complete application requirements. The Ministry has now provided the required authorization, subject to four targeted policy revisions.

The Committee voted 5-0 to adopt the Official Plan 5-Year Review incorporating the four Ministry-required revisions, with no other changes to the document previously approved by Council. This decision will return to the September 28, 2026, Council meeting for final adoption. Following Council adoption, the Official Plan will be forwarded to Grey County for final approval.

The presentation begins at the 2:06:50 mark of the meeting recording. 

View the Committee Meeting Recording

On this page: 
1. Background Information
2. Phase 1 Information
3. Phase 2 Information

At the June 23, 2025, Council Meeting, Council voted in favour of adopting the Draft Official Plan 5-Year Review and authorizing staff to submit the Official Plan to Grey County for final approval. 

View By-law 2025-35     View Notice of Adoption

Following adoption, changes to the Planning Act required the Town to obtain authorization from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for certain policies related to complete application requirements.

The Ministry has now provided the required authorization, subject to four targeted policy revisions. Staff Report PBS.26.071 will be presented at the September 15, 2026, Committee of the Whole meeting, recommending that Council adopt the Official Plan 5-Year Review incorporating the Ministry-required revisions.

Following Council adoption, the updated Official Plan will be forwarded to Grey County for final approval.

Updated Official Plan 5-Year Review Document (Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Modifications) 

Official Plan Mapping


Background Information

In 2022, the Town of The Blue Mountains began the process of updating its Official Plan. When complete, the Official Plan will guide all future land-use decisions in the Town, including residential, commercial, and other forms of development. Policies are being developed to consider how to manage growth, housing, density and intensification standards, protection of the environment, how agricultural and natural features will be protected and more. As required by the Planning Act, the Official Plan must be reviewed and updated every five years.

What is an Official Plan?

Watch our short explainer video to learn how the Official Plan impacts you and your neighbourhood! 


Phase 1

Phase 1 of the Official Plan Update was completed in 2022, which included high-level action items, including the Official Plan vision, guiding principles, goals and objectives. Growth management and changes to housing, density, height, and character, were also developed.


Phase 2 

Phase 2 of the Official Plan Review takes a closer look at topics related to the natural environment, climate change, source water protection, rural/agricultural lands, parks, and open space, servicing, commercial/employment lands, transit and transportation, and downtown area building heights.