The City is undertaking a study to consider expanding permitted uses in Employment Areas to include places of assembly, places of worship, and sports and recreation uses on a site or area-specific basis.
This study assess the appropriateness of locating these uses in Employment Areas, the challenges faced by existing establishments and establishments intending to locate in Employment Areas, and the potential impact on surrounding employment uses.
Please note that proposed Provincial Bill 97, Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023 introduces a new definition for “areas of employment”. Bill 97 and the new definition have implications for the course of this study. Please join the Public Open House on September 19 to learn more about what Bill 97 means for Expanding Uses in Employment Areas.
On July 19, 2022 City Council directed staff to consider potential and appropriate site or area specific Official Plan Amendment(s) that could expand permitted uses in Employment Areas to include sport facilities, places of assembly (including bingo halls and banquet halls), and places of worship (PH35.15).
This study will consider expanding permitted uses in Employment Areas to include places of assembly, places of worship, and sports and recreation uses on a site or area specific basis by assessing the appropriateness of these uses in Employment Areas the challenges faced by existing and new establishments and the potential impact on surrounding employment uses.
The Expanding Uses Survey was open from June 14 to July 14, 2023. The intention of the survey was to learn more about the benefits and challenges facing industry stakeholders, places of assembly, places of worship and sports and recreation establishments located in General Employment Areas. The following information kit provides background on the Expanding Uses Study and Survey.