Collingwood Lifts Development Moratorium, Approves Growth Plan Through 2051

The Town of Collingwood's new Official Plan, adopted by council in December 2023, received approval from the County of Simcoe on September 24, 2024, setting the framework for long-term growth and land use changes through 2051. However, the plan remains subject to 16 areas under appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) under case number OLT-24-001113. For Collingwood residents, this means the blueprint for future housing, parks, and commercial development in the community is now largely in place, though some disputes over specific parcels continue.

What the Official Plan Means for Local Residents

The new Official Plan, passed by Collingwood Council via By-law No. 2023-095, is intended to manage growth over the next quarter-century. For residents, the plan will influence everything from where new subdivisions and apartment buildings can be built to how much green space is preserved. One notable project already moving forward is the 'Panorama North' Plan of Subdivision at 295 Mountain Road, which received draft approval on June 5, 2023, for 126 single detached lots and 474 multi-unit dwelling units. That approval is set to lapse on June 5, 2026, unless extended, meaning local families could see new homes in that area in the near term, depending on final approvals and infrastructure capacity.

End of the Development Moratorium

Collingwood's two-year development moratorium, enacted through an interim control bylaw, is expected to be lifted by the end of June 2026. According to town officials, the lift will occur once the final two appeals to the interim control bylaw at the OLT are resolved and withdrawn. For homeowners and prospective buyers, this change matters directly: once the bylaw is lifted, developers will no longer need to apply for exemptions to build. However, a new zoning bylaw amendment will require that confirmed water and wastewater capacity be in place before building permits are issued. This means that even as the moratorium ends, new construction will still be tied to the town's ability to provide essential services-a key concern for residents worried about infrastructure strain.

The combination of the new Official Plan and the end of the development pause gives Collingwood residents a clearer picture of what to expect. The town will continue to process development applications under the updated rules, with the OLT appeals potentially shaping final decisions on some properties. For now, local families and businesses can expect a gradual resumption of building activity, but only where water and sewer capacity has been verified, ensuring that growth does not outpace essential infrastructure. The lifting of the moratorium removes a major barrier for new housing, which could help address supply concerns, but the requirement for confirmed utility capacity adds a layer of oversight that aims to balance development with community needs.