What is a Regional Official Plan (ROP)?
A Regional Official Plan is a plan for the future, based on shared community values. These values are the common thread that links the goals, policies and implementation measures of this plan. The ROP outlines where we want to be and how to get there and provides a course of action to ensure the Region of Waterloo will be a great place to live, work and create twenty-five years from now. It is not intended to be a regulatory or static document and will be reviewed on a regular basis to accommodate community needs.
Why are we preparing a new ROP?
The Region of Waterloo embarked on this planning process for several reasons. In June 2003, Regional Council endorsed the Regional Growth Management Strategy, which provides direction for growth in Waterloo Region to the year 2041. The Region also incorporated the Province's planning reform initiatives and growth management objectives. The Planning Act requires municipalities to review their official plans every five years and the Provincial Places to Grow Act requires municipalities to bring their official plans into conformity with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (Growth Plan) within three years of the date the Growth Plan came into effect. Consequently, on November 10, 2004, Regional Council directed staff to initiate the preparation of a new ROP (Report P-04-115). Work to prepare the policies of the new ROP has been ongoing since 2005, including community and stakeholder consultations. For more information about the development process, please click on the Timeline.
When was our existing ROPP developed?
The original Regional Official Policies Plan was approved in 1976 and underwent a comprehensive review in the early nineties. This review resulted in a new Regional Official Policies Plan in 1995 and reflected changes in public values, better integrated land, infrastructure, environmental and social policies, and established a mechanism to monitor the success of key policies. This ROPP was last consolidated in September of 2006, and has since undergone further amendments.
How does the new ROP differ from the old ROPP?
The new ROP represents a shift from the current Regional Official Policies Plan in several specific areas. The Growth Plan and the new Provincial water protection legislation define new roles for the Region and the way in which we plan our community. In addition, the policies in the proposed new ROP also recognize the Region’s role in matters dealing with the operation of the public transit system (for which the Region assumed responsibility in 2000) and in the implementation of a Rapid Transit system, as identified in Growth Plan.
How can the new ROP make a difference in your daily life?
The ROP represents a fundamental shift in shaping Waterloo Region towards a more balanced community structure, building from a strong, long standing planning policy framework that has supported substantial historical growth and change. It is a progressive approach to growth management that will affect a broad spectrum of day-to-day activities, such as how we get around the region, the routes we take to work and how we get our water. It will promote the development of complete communities and support rapid transit, making neighbourhoods walkable, liveable and sustainable.
What does Sustainability mean in the ROP?
Sustainability involves balancing the needs of current and future generations, sustaining and enhancing the natural environment in form and function, fostering a strong sense of place and community by preserving elements of the past and providing new opportunities for cultural expression, and providing appropriate infrastructure and services to support a diverse and growing economy. A sustainable region is one that is robust, resilient and strives to live within its natural limits. For Waterloo Region to be such a community, the four related components of sustainability - cultural, economic, environmental and social - need to be balanced.
What does Liveability mean in the ROP?
A liveable community is one in which the majority of people's day-to-day housing, employment, shopping, health, transportation and recreational needs are met. Liveability can be achieved by encouraging integrated, compact, mixed-use communities with a distinct sense of place and character. The ROP aims to encourage these complete communities that provide for the needs of all residents, foster social equity, inclusion and collaboration and encourage healthy lifestyles.
How has the community been involved in the creation of the new ROP?
The Region has undertaken a broad community consultation process, which began with the circulation of the first draft of the ROP on September 30, 2008.
Key elements of the consultation process relating to the first draft of the new ROP included:
- the creation of a new dedicated ROP website www.region.waterloo.on.ca/newrop
- the holding of eight public open houses
- public meetings held on January 28 and 29, 2009
- meetings with a variety of external stakeholder groups such as planning and engineering consultants, the Waterloo Federation of Agriculture, the CTT Board of Directors, First Nations, the Waterloo Region Homebuilders’ Liaison Committee, Region of Waterloo Economic Development Liaison Committee, mineral aggregate producers, local school boards, Grand River Environmental Network and the Waterloo Region Healthy Communities Coalition
- meetings with Regional Advisory and Special Committees such as the Ecological Environmental Advisory Committee, the Heritage Planning Advisory Committee, the RGMS/RT Public Advisory Committee and the Regional Cycling Advisory Committee
- meetings with Area Municipal CAOs, Planning Heads, and local advisory committees
Key elements of the consultation process relating to the second draft of the ROP (released in April 2009) included:
- a statutory public meeting held on May 12, 2009
- further meetings with a variety of external stakeholder groups, Regional Advisory and Special Committees, and meetings with Area Municipal CAOs and Planning Heads
During the September 2008 to June 2009 time period, Regional staff has also met with individuals or groups of stakeholders and members of the public upon request. Regional staff will continue to work with stakeholders to refine the ROP through the Provincial plan approval process, as appropriate.
What will happen after new ROP is approved?
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is expected to approve the ROP in early January 2010. After the Ministry issues its Notice of Decision, there will be a 20-day appeal period. For information about the approval process, please refer to the Notice of Adoption. If there are no appeals, the new ROP will come into force and effect on the day after the appeal period expires, and the current ROPP will be repealed. If there are appeals, only those parts of the ROP that have not been appealed will come into force and effect the day after the appeal period expires. The appeals will be addressed through the Ontario Municipal Board process.
How will I be notified of approval of the ROP?
If you wish to be notified of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s decision in respect of the proposed new ROP, you must make a written request to the Ministry at the following address:
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Attention: Mr. Dwayne Evans
Municipal Service Office – Western
659 Exeter Road, 2nd Floor
London, ON N6E 1L3
Tel: 519-873-4020
Toll Free: 1-800-265-4736
Fax: 519-873-4018
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