TOGETHER WE GROW AGAIN!!
FIVE YEAR OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW
Every five years, municipalities are required by Ontario’s Planning Act to conduct an Official Plan Review to ensure it:
- Conforms with provincial plans or does not conflict with them
- Has regard to the matters of provincial interest
- Is consistent with the provincial policy statement
- Conforms with the County of Middlesex Official Plan
This Review is a municipal-wide initiative and affects all lands within the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Thames Centre.
What is an Official Plan?
It is a statement of goals, objectives, and policies to guide and manage land use, development, and growth in the Municipality of Thames Centre for the next 25 years from 2021-2046. It applies to all lands within the jurisdiction of the Municipality being an important tool to ensure growth is appropriately managed by protecting and managing resources including agricultural land and natural areas as well as guiding development and redevelopment opportunities in conjunction with municipal infrastructure. It also forms the basis for zoning and other land use controls.
The Municipality’s current Official Plan is available to download and review - Official Plan.
Take Part in the Process
There will be several opportunities for members of the public to share their thoughts and views on the current Official Plan through this Review. Below you will find information on how you can get involved now and what opportunities you will have to get involved in the coming months!
How do I attend future meetings?
Visit our YouTube channel during the special meeting to view a live stream of the proceedings. The video will also be available on this channel at the conclusion of the meeting.
How do I participate in future meetings?
You can email your comments to the Municipality’s Clerk at tmichiels@thamescentre.on.ca ahead of a scheduled meeting.
You can also join a Zoom meeting via phone or video following the instructions below:
- Please visit the Municipality’s website at https://www.thamescentre.on.ca/registration to register as a participant.
- When a meeting is posted, you are kindly asked to register as soon as possible to provide an orderly registration process and meeting.
- Please refrain from using the “Q & A” function within Zoom since it will not be monitored.
Project Timeline
Phase 1: Project Initiation – Special Meeting of Council
Phase 2: Background Research
Phase 3: Draft Official Plan
Phase 4: Public Engagement
Phase 5: Finalize and Adopt Official Plan by Thames Centre Council
Phase 6: Approval by Middlesex County Council
Virtual Public Open House (May 11/22) & Virtual Public Meeting (May 16/22)
You are invited to attend these virtual sessions where staff will provide an overview of the Discussion Papers and recommended policy changes to the Thames Centre Official Plan. Members of the public are invited to and encouraged to provide written comments or speak at the meeting. Please refer to the link below for more detail:
May 11, 2022 & May 16, 2022 - Official Plan Open House & Public Meeting Notice
If you would like to participate in the Open House please register at the following site: Registration Site
Past Meetings
Discussion Papers and Draft Official Plan Policy Changes
Resource Documents
Municipality of Thames Centre Official Plan
https://www.thamescentre.on.ca/sites/default/files/2020-10/TC%20OP-Consolidation%20October%202020.pdf
Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update (Municipality of Thames Centre)
https://www.thamescentre.on.ca/articles/water-and-wastewater-master-plan-update
Highway 401 Corridor - Land Use Strategy
https://www.thamescentre.on.ca/documents/highway-401-corridor-study-2006
County of Middlesex Official Plan
https://www.middlesex.ca/sites/default/files/documents/misc/County%20of%20Middlesex%20Official%20Plan.pdf
Middlesex County Cycling Strategy
Middlesex Natural Heritage Systems Study (County of Middlesex)
https://www.middlesex.ca/sites/default/files/documents/misc/MNHSS%20Final%20Draft%206OCT14%20for%20County%20Council%20Approval.pdf
Planning Act (Province of Ontario)
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90p13
Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 (Province of Ontario)
https://files.ontario.ca/mmah-provincial-policy-statement-2020-accessible-final-en-2020-02-14.pdf
Guidelines on Permitted Uses in Ontario’s Prime Agricultural Areas (Province of Ontario)
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/landuse/facts/permitteduseguide.pdf
Citizens’ Guide to Land Use Planning (Province of Ontario)
https://www.ontario.ca/document/citizens-guide-land-use-planning/official-plans
For More Information
This webpage is intended to supplement the statutory notice and information requirements under the Planning Act. Should you have any questions regarding the Official Plan Review process or wish to offer comments, please contact:
Marc Bancroft, MPL, MCIP, RPP
Director of Planning and Development Services
519.268.7334 x 223
mbancroft@thamescentre.on.ca
Notice of Adoption Official Plan Amendment No. 27 - Official Plan Review