GRIDS 2 and Municipal Comprehensive Review (2024)

Completion of Phase 1: Conformity Review - Urban

PROJECT UPDATE (Jan. 10, 2023):The Urban Hamilton Official Plan (UHOP) and Rural Hamilton Official Plan (RHOP) have been updated to reflect the Amendments contained in OPA 167 (Urban) and OPA 34 (Rural) as well as the modifications provided by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to the respective Official Plan Amendments.

• Expansion of the urban boundary by 2,200 gross hectares
• Development in the new expansion areas cannot proceed until Secondary Planning work is completed
• Removal of City-wide intensification and density targets (new targets to be added through a future OPA)
• Amendment to the height and density permissions in the City’s Community Nodes, including the Ancaster Community Node, to allow up to 6 storeys as-of-right, and up to 8 storeys subject to certain design policies, without amendment to the Plan
• Removal of the proposed 30 storey City-wide height limit
• Further expansions to the Urban Area of 40 hectares or less without needing a MCR

The complete MMAH approved Official Plan Amendments can be viewed through the Environmental Registry of Ontario webpage:

The City of Hamilton is updating its Growth Management Strategy, known as GRIDS 2.The City will also be completing a Municipal Comprehensive Review concurrently with GRIDS 2.

What is GRIDS?

In 2006, City Council approved the firstGrowth Related Integrated Development Strategy (GRIDS)(PDF, 27.67 MB). GRIDS was an integrated planning process that identified a broad land use structure, associated infrastructure, economic development strategy and financial implications for growth options to serve Hamilton for 30 years. GRIDS planned for growth up to 2031.

GRIDS needs to be updated to plan for the City’s population and job growth to 2051. This update is known as GRIDS 2.

The Province of Ontario provides population and employment growth forecasts for Hamilton through theGrowth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

Growth Forecast

Between the years 2021 and 2051, Hamilton is expected to grow by 236,000 people and 122,000 jobs.

Disclaimer:This video explains the GRIDS2 and MCR process but references growth forecasts to the year 2041, whereas Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan 2019 provides growth forecasts to 2051.

What is the Municipal Comprehensive Review?

A municipal comprehensive review (MCR) is a requirement of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) at the time of the City’s 5-year Official Plan review. The MCR is the process by which the City brings its Official Plans into conformity with updated policies of the various Provincial plans which apply to Hamilton (PPS, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Niagara Escarpment Plan, Greenbelt Plan). The population and job forecasts of the Growth Plan to 2051 need to be planned for and accommodated through the MCR.

Many of the studies that are required as part of the MCR are also required as part of GRIDS 2. Therefore, the City has determined that it is appropriate to combine GRIDS 2 and the MCR into one integrated process, resulting in a transparent and straightforward process in which to involve stakeholders and citizens.

One component of the MCR is theEmployment Land Reviewwhich is currently underway.

For more information on the conformity exercise and other Official Plan Policy changes, visitOfficial Plan Review.