The City of Pickering is taking a bold step towards addressing its housing shortage with a proposal that Meeting for Housing Development Plan in Pickering could bring as many as 70,000 new residents to the city. The city is exploring the potential of developing a 1,600-hectare area of land in northeast Pickering for long-term housing and employment opportunities. This ambitious project, known as the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan, is expected to have significant long-term effects on the city’s growth.
The City of Pickering has prepared an Official Plan Amendment for the proposed development, and residents are invited to participate in a virtual public meeting on March 2, 2026, to learn more about the project and provide feedback. The meeting will be an opportunity for the community to review the proposal and have their voices heard as the city looks to shape the vision for the area’s growth over the next 30 years.
The plan outlines the land use, transportation, placemaking, streetscape, and sustainable design principles for the area, ensuring that new developments align with the city’s long-term goals for a prosperous and sustainable future. The proposed site is bounded by Westney Road to the west, Eighth Concession to the north, Lake Ridge Road to the east, and Highway 7 to the south. This land has long been a point of contention, with local activists and residents pushing for the preservation of the area as agricultural land.
Environmental groups like Land Over Landings, who celebrated the halting of the Pickering Airport project last year, are expected to oppose the development, arguing that it would lead to the loss of valuable farmland. The group has emphasized the importance of protecting the land’s air, water, and Class 1 soil, which is crucial for growing food and maintaining the natural ecosystem.
Activist Mike Borie has expressed concerns, calling the proposal a “textbook example of urban sprawl” that would cause long-term damage to the land and local watershed. However, Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe sees the development as a “valuable opportunity” to drive long-term prosperity for Pickering and Durham Region, creating a vibrant and sustainable community for future generations.
Residents who are interested in learning more about the proposal and sharing their thoughts can attend the virtual meeting on March 2, 2026. The city has previously held public information sessions and meetings to discuss the plan, and this upcoming meeting is part of the ongoing effort to engage with the community and ensure that the development aligns with residents’ needs and values.
