Whitebelt Visioning Exercise

The Whitebelt Visioning Exercise was looking at potential land use for the areas outside of the Niagara Escarpment, Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine plan areas. This represents approximately 10,500 hectares of land (15% of Caledon) where future development may be permitted.

This area is currently designated Prime Agricultural Area and Environmental Policy Area in the Town's Official Plan. Please stay tuned for future updates through the Official Plan Review.

The Province plans to build a 400-series highway through this area, known as the GTA West Highway.

Public consultation material

Throughout the visioning exercise we consulted with the public to gather feedback, conduct research and gain insight. Contact us if you would like to review materials presented during past public consultations.

The November 1, 2017 Open House was postponed to allow for consideration of the Region of Peel Growth Management reports.

Purpose of the exercise

The original focus was only on where strategic employment areas should be located. The study focus expanded, and now aims to identify:

  • Major natural and cultural heritage features for protection
  • Major concentrations of agricultural activity for protection
  • Strategic employment areas for long-term protection
  • Long-term community structure
  • Regional and local transportation corridors (existing and new) and preferred locations for additional interchanges (if needed)
  • Location of major residential and community use areas
  • Preferred sequencing of development, but no the specific timing of development

Detailed work plan

The Whitebelt Visioning Exercise workplan is divided into five phases with the intention that it will result in an amendment to the Official Plan.

Phase 1 – review of background and existing conditions

During phase one of the project, we will:

  • Review plans, policies and studies
  • Meet with the farming community and Chamber of Commerce
  • Meet with Council to review the process of this study
  • Review and assess the preferred route of the new highway

Phase 2 – preparation of land use alternatives

During phase two of the project, we will:

  • Assess the need and location requirements for all land uses
  • Review infrastructure and transportation requirements
  • Hold an interactive design-focused public workshop to establish alternatives and review factors for consideration
  • Develop a comprehensive list of factors for consideration
  • Meet with Council to discuss alternatives

Phase 3 – impact assessment

During phase three of the project, we will:

  • Assess impacts of land us alternatives and refine them
  • Hold a public open house to review impacts of land use alternatives
  • Meet with Council to review the impacts

Phase 4 –evaluation of land use alternatives

During phase four of the project, we will:

  • Evaluate the alternatives against the factors that we've developed
  • Hold a public open house to assess alternatives
  • Meet with Council to review the evaluation

Phase 5 – final land use concept

During phase five of the project, we will:

  • Refine the preferred alternative
  • Present the preferred alternative to the public
  • Present the preferred alternative to Council