The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is hosting a public meeting on May 20, 2026, to discuss proposed changes to local land use policies for business and industrial areas. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers at Town Hall and aims to bring the town’s planning documents in line with provincial requirements.
The update follows a decision by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, who deferred approval of several employment-related policies in the town’s official plan last year. The province now requires the town to implement the Provincial Planning Statement 2024, which establishes a narrower definition for what qualifies as an employment area.
Under these provincial rules, employment areas are intended to focus on activities like manufacturing, warehousing, and goods movement. Office, commercial, and retail uses that are not tied to these primary industrial activities are excluded from these designated zones. The upcoming policy review will specifically affect designated business parks and industrial areas in Stouffville, Vandorf, and Gormley.
Residents and business owners can review the proposed changes in the Draft Employment Area Discussion Paper, which is available online. Those who wish to participate in the meeting can attend in person or join electronically. To speak at the meeting, residents must register with the Town Clerk by noon on May 19, 2026.
Following the public session, staff expect to bring a final recommendation report to the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Council in June 2026 for a final decision.
