Virtual open house to review potential boundary expansion is June 20

City seeks input from the public on possible size and location for future growth

For immediate release (May 18, 2023) – The City of Orillia is moving to the next step in its boundary review process to accommodate future growth in population and jobs to the year 2051. A virtual public open house will be held on June 20, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. Members of the community from the City of Orillia, Townships of Oro-Medonte, Severn, and Ramara, and Treaty First Nations, specifically the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, the Huron-Wendat Nation, and Métis Nation of Ontario, are invited to attend to learn more about this project.

“As we prepare for the long-term growth of Orillia, we want to hear from all stakeholders. This is the future of our community and the decisions made about the intensification and greenfield density targets will shape the type of housing available and the size of our growth in Orillia over the next 30 years. Help us plan for the City’s future by giving us your input,” said Mayor Don McIsaac.

Since 2018, the City has been completing a municipal comprehensive review and technical land evaluation to study and identify the most suitable locations for growth from a planning perspective to accommodate projected growth to the year 2051. The review process to date has also included updating the City’s land needs assessment to identify how much land Orillia will need to accommodate its forecasted population and jobs growth if various ranges of intensification rates and greenfield densities were to be pursued.

Open house attendees will receive an update on the City's land needs assessment, learn about a range of various intensification and densification targets, and learn about the findings of the technical land evaluation, as well as next steps in the process. Participants will also have the opportunity to share comments, ask questions of the project team, and provide input that will help inform future recommendations to Orillia City Council based on the findings presented.

Interested attendees can pre-register for the virtual public open house at orillia.ca/MCR. Registered participants will be able to join the virtual open house via computer or telephone. For those unable to attend the open house, a video recording and a copy of the presentation will be made available following the live event on the City’s website.

“I want to be clear that this is currently a planning process to identify the best lands from a technical perspective where future population and employment growth should be located for Orillia,” said Mayor McIsaac. “At this point we are not making any decisions, but this open house and other review opportunities will help inform the decisions we make in the future. This is an important milestone for Orillia, and we appreciate all participation.”

All of the technical land evaluation reports and the potential boundary expansion map (see map) are now available for review at orillia.ca/MCR in advance of the open house. Comments and feedback are welcome at the June 20 open house or by submitting written comments to planning@orillia.ca with the subject line “Boundary Expansion.” Written comments must be received by July 17, 2023.

The input received from the public will be taken into consideration to inform a report that is anticipated to be presented for Council’s consideration by the first quarter of 2024. Council will then determine the preferred intensification and densification targets to inform the City’s new Official Plan and the size of a potential boundary expansion, which will inform the next Official Plan and future discussions.

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Contact Information

Ian Sugden
General Manager of Development Services and Engineering
705-418-3228
isugden@orillia.ca

Melissa Gowanlock
Manager of Communications
705-330-1951 (cell)
magowanlock@orillia.ca

Attachments: 

Key Map: Preliminary Draft Concept Map
Frequently Asked Questions - May 18, 2023