Growth Management Program
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Faced with unprecedented growth - the City of Brampton stepped up to the challenge with its Growth Management Program (GMP) - a comprehensive and detailed approach to meeting the immediate and longer term needs of its new and growing communities.
There are four main initiatives within Brampton’s GMP as follows:
- Development Outlook Report
- Development Allocation Strategy
- Growth Plan Conformity
- Interim Growth Management Policies
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Development Outlook Report
The annual Development Outlook Report provides detailed short and long term population and employment forecasts and maps showing the anticipated location and timing of growth in Brampton. The Development Outlook Report consists of the following three components:
- Development Outlook Forecast: provides a single source of detailed short and long term population and employment forecasts and maps showing anticipated location and timing of growth, to be used by City Departments, the Region of Peel and other agencies for planning and budgeting purposes.
- Growth Management Objectives and Guidelines: establishes specific objectives for key infrastructure and services, such as roads and schools. Also documented are specific and required targets, thresholds and service levels measuring the effectiveness and timing of infrastructure initiatives.
- Implementation Details: documents the major elements needed to serve the projected growth and incorporates an evaluation of capital and operating budgets, ensuring a financially sound and sustainable program.
The first Development Outlook Report was approved by Council in 2004. To download the 2006 Development Outlook Report. The full report has not been updated since 2006 as detailed forecasts are being prepared as part of the Growth Plan conformity exercise. The Development Outlook Report will be prepared in 2010 after the finalization of forecasts through the Growth Plan Official Plan Amendment.
Development Allocation Strategy – Managing the Rate, Direction and Quality of Growth in Brampton
On December 12, 2005, Council approved the City’s Strategic Response to Growth: Implementation and Transition Strategy. This response includes a cap on the approval of residential development of approximately 5,500 units a year (excluding development in the Downtown and Central Area, where infill and growth are encouraged in order to maximize the use of existing infrastructure) and introduced a Block Planning process. The Block Planning process is an integral tool for implementing the annual allocation of 5,500 units, providing the City with the mechanism to ensure the infrastructure requirements are met in a timely fashion.
The 2009 Development Allocation Strategy was approved by Council on June 24th, 2009. Council approved the allocation of 5,500 new residential units for this year. To view the 2009 Development Allocation Strategy – Managing the Rate, Direction and Quality of Growth in Brampton Report.
In addition to the 2009 development allocation, given the current economic situation coupled with the on-going long-term challenges funding growth infrastructure, Council endorsed several initiatives to stimulate recovery in development activity. Details on these options can be found in the report above.
In November, Council adopted the 2009 Development Allocation Update Report, which resulted in a minor addition to the 2009 Development Allocation, click here for council resolution.
Growth Plan Conformity
Places to Grow, A Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe was adopted by the Province under the Places to Grow Act (2005) and came into effect in June, 2006. The Growth Plan establishes a number of principles and policies that provide the basis for guiding decisions on how land is developed, resources are managed and public dollars are invested. These principles have placed significant emphasis on intensification in existing areas, growing a strong and competitive economy, protecting natural resources and optimizing the use of existing and new infrastructure.
Places to Grow requires affected municipalities to implement the principles and policies of the Growth Plan in various ways. The primary means of implementation is through Official Plans, which municipalities are required to bring into conformity with the Growth Plan by June 16, 2009.
For detailed information on Brampton’s response to the Provincial Growth Plan, click here.
Interim Growth Management Policies
On October 24, 2007 Council endorsed a staff recommendation to amend both the 1993 and 2006 Brampton Official Plans to include interim growth management policies to guide decision making on certain development applications until the overall conformity amendment for the Provincial Growth Plan is complete. The interim growth management policies would guide decisions on proposals for high-density residential intensification outside of the Central Area and proposals for employment land conversions across the City.
The Official Plan Amendments have been appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.
For more information, including links to staff reports on the interim growth management policies please click here.
To have your say in Brampton's future, call 905-874-2050, or e-mail your comments to GMP@brampton.ca. For more information, access the GMP's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
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