As Huntsville continues to see strong growth and an increased need for affordable and attainable housing options, the Town is proposing amendments to the Huntsville Official Plan and the Community Planning Permit By-law.
The proposed amendments would enable increased height and density, if and where appropriate, and assist in managing guidelines and requirements for these new housing projects.
Using specific evaluation criteria, the Town will ensure new multi-residential and mixed-use developments don’t compromise the natural environment, or the significant views and beauty residents cherish. The goal of the policy is to support more housing choices and affordability, while making sure new development continues to fit with Huntsville’s character.
“With more developers submitting applications for taller and denser buildings, it’s essential to have clear expectations in place, so decisions are consistent, transparent, and aligned with what the community values,” says Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock. “By planning thoughtfully now, the Town can support responsible growth while ensuring new development continues to reflect Huntsville’s unique character and long-term vision.”
What’s New?
Summary of proposed amendments:
- Updated height definition
- An increased height allowance of 15m in highly suitable areas
- Landscape and visual impact study requirements
- Landscaping standards
- Revegetation guide
- Community Benefits Analysis
Full details can be found by reviewing the proposed amendments and draft Height and Density Review Guide on myHuntsville.ca.
As part of the background work for the proposed amendments, a Suitability Map was created to identify where increased height and density are most appropriate in the urban area. This map will help the public, developers, staff, and Council clearly identify suitable locations for these types of development projects.
The Suitability Map was created using resident feedback, resulting in the identification of twenty-three Significant Views. These views were incorporated into a suitability analysis to help understand how future development might affect key views valued by the community. The identification of these views serves as a tool to shape building orientation, scale, and setbacks, ensuring that development decisions respond appropriately to the visual landscape.
Existing height and density standards are contained within the Community Planning Permit Bylaw (CPPBL). These standards implement the height and density policies associated with residential and mixed-use designations as outlined in the Town’s Official Plan.
Public Information Session
In advance of the May 13 Planning Council meeting, the Town is inviting the community to attend a public information session on April 29, 2026 where they can learn more about the proposed amendments to the Huntsville Official Plan and Community Planning Permit By-law changes. Town Planning staff will be available to share what the proposed amendments include, what it means for residents and developers, and answer any questions.
Details:
Date: April 29, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Partners Hall, Main Floor, Algonquin Theatre
37 Main Street East
Huntsville ON, P1H 1A1
Community input is a key factor when the Town considers implementing or updating policies, and we encourage anyone interested to attend and provide feedback. Registration is not required, and comments received will be considered as we move forward.
The proposed amendments will provide Huntsville with a detailed set of criteria and guidelines to determine appropriate areas for taller and denser buildings. It will be a tool to help developers prepare proposals that will minimize impacts, achieve community benefits, and reduce review times to address current housing needs.
Members of the public are encouraged to review the project details and proposed amendments at myHuntsville.ca.
For full details about Planning Council meetings and how you can participate, visit the Planning Notices page.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
What would be considered for some is not attainable to everyone
Would also be interesting to see the photos people sent in re: special favourite views. It is too bad most summer residents will be not likely to attend the April 29 meeting to provide input to or ask questions. Also wondering if the provincial priorities will override any attempts re: comunity interests, landscaping. density and heights esp with strong chair appointed for unknown term.
Regarding new rules, good. It just seems late. “Ensuring that development decisions respond appropriately to the visual landscape”: what response can there be to the wiped-out forests stacked with houses and above tree line apartment buildings? What response to the long-standing Home Depot visible from across Lake Vernon? That was the start of the changes. I know more people continue to arrive, they need places to live, but statements such as: “making sure new development continues to fit with Huntsville’s character”, calling for “Landscape and visual impact study requirements; Landscaping standards; Revegetation guide” just sound hollow given how things look now. Where were these rules and regulations up until now? They evidently did not exist or were not followed. If the rules are serious, call the rule; if not, discard the rule. “Community input is a key factor”, public meeting is April 29, 5pm at Partner’s Hall.
Maybe after taller buildings and smaller lots get approval our council can vote on a name change, from Huntsville to little barrie.
The last twenty years of council decisions have taken Huntsville from a nice cottage town to a smaller version of barrie.. Next time your shopping take note, do you see anyone you know ? Unlike when we were still a small community
This is insane since we are having a muncipal election shortly as well as this council and Mayor have done NOTHING to protect Huntsville and Muskoka. Requesting a change to the official plan is council’s standard response while to me it reflects the incompetence of council. We cannot continue to accept this miss-management and lack of leadership. WE just need to look at the disaster Muskoka Chair Lehman created in Barrie to know the current direction for Hunttsville is squaller. WE need to wait until our election and vote in qualified leadership and those that want to maintain Muskoka/Huntsville as an iconic tourist destintation.