Existing Official Plans

Hamilton has seven official plans currently in effect; a regional level plan (Former Region of Hamilton-Wentworth), and one plan for each of the six former area municipalities:

• Town of Ancaster
• Town of Dundas
• Town of Flamborough
• Township of Glanbrook
• City of Hamilton
• City of Stoney Creek

The seven Official Plans provide guidance to ensure that development progresses in a rational, efficient and orderly manner, while minimizing impacts on adjacent land uses and existing infrastructure systems.

Hamilton’s existing Official Plans identify the urban-rural boundaries, natural and environmentally significant areas, as well as the locations of existing and future land uses such as parks and open space, residential, commercial, industrial and institutional uses.

• The Regional Official Plan is a policy document which provides guidance from a broad perspective, dealing with regional concerns such as resource protection (agricultural, natural heritage, etc.). The Regional Official Plan delineates the regional development pattern, and outlines infrastructure provisions.
• Each former municipality Official Plan provides more specific guidance regarding such policy areas as the environment, the economy, transportation, heritage conservation, and others. The policies of each local Plan guide and direct future growth in an orderly, efficient and economical manner while providing a framework that integrates the broad concepts of the Regional Plan, Provincial and Federal legislation, and local objectives. They also provide the basis for increased co-ordination of public and private actions by defining future relationships among land uses and municipal services.

While the Official Plans provide the general policy direction, implementation of the policies contained in the Plans is done through regulations such as the Zoning By-law, other City by-laws, other activities and programs, and the private sector.