Offical Plan Project Update September 2024

The Official Plan review process was initiated in October 2023. Since then, the Project Team has been hard at work preparing several reports and deliverables, engaging key stakeholders, and staying attentive to the dynamic changes happening both through the Province of Ontario and the County of Essex. We know that you are passionate and eager to help us build a healthy, resilient, and vibrant future, and we are excited to share our progress for the Official Plan Review process:

• Public Open House #1 was held on November 30, 2023. We would like to thank everyone who was able to attend and provide feedback. For those who could not make it, the information and presentation slides have been made available through Let’s Talk Leamington.
• Online Survey #1 was available from November 10, 2023, to December 7, 2023. Presently, all received responses have been reviewed. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their feedback with us.
• Individual Stakeholder Meetings were also held with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, CAO, and Municipal Councilors in July 2024. We received feedback on their vision for the Municipality of Leamington and opportunities for the new Official Plan.
• An Engagement Report was prepared by the Project Team, summarizing Public Open House #1, the Online Survey #1, and the Individual Stakeholder Meetings. A summary of these valuable insights, key opportunities, and issues are included in the Engagement Report. This report will be used as a foundation for the Policy Directions Report.
• The Background Review, Issues and Opportunities Report was prepared in Phase 1, which provides an overview of the current policy framework as well as a land needs assessment based on the findings of the County of Essex Growth Analysis Report. This report was presented to Council on September 24, 2024, and is the foundation of the Policy Directions Report to be prepared in Phase 2.
• Policy Audits were also conducted in Phase 1, comparing the current Leamington Official Plan to the Provincial Planning Statement (2020 & 2024), Bill 23 (2022), and the Draft County Official Plan (2024). These audits can be found in Appendix A of the Background Review, Issues and Opportunities Report.

We have passed the halfway point preparing the necessary materials for the creation of the new Official Plan. As we continue, we encourage you to stay tuned for the following:

1. Policy Directions Report – The Project Team will prepare recommendations for policy updates and considerations for the new Official Plan. At a minimum, the report will include direction for the Official Plan goals and objectives, growth management, the natural heritage system, land uses, climate change, and engagement.
2. Public Open House #2 – A second public open house will be held to discuss the Policy Directions Report and receive your feedback before proceeding with the preparation of the Draft Official Plan. The date of the second Public Open House will be scheduled for late 2024. Let’s Talk Leamington will be updated when a date is finalized.
3. Draft Official Plan – After the completion of the above, the Project Team will be working on the Draft Official Plan. The Draft Official Plan will be circulated for public input, and comments will inform revisions before it is brought to Council for final review.

If you require any additional information or would like to be added to the project contact list, please follow our project page. You can also reach out to the following contacts:

Information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Planning Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record and will be released, if requested, to any person.