Elgin County Official Plan Review

As required by the Planning Act, on May 28, 2024, the County of Elgin issued the statutory notice of adoption for the new County of Elgin Official Plan. The Official Plan has now been submitted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval. This notice of adoption includes information on how to receive notice of the Minister’s eventual decision on the adopted Official Plan.

Please click the following link to access the Notice of Adoption of the Elgin County Official Plan.

On May 14, 2024, at the Elgin County Council Meeting, a significant milestone in Elgin County's planning journey was reached with the adoption of the new Official Plan. This achievement marks the end of an extensive review and consultation process that spanned from Winter 2021 to Spring 2024.

The newly approved Official Plan By-Law No. 24-17 is the result of collaborative efforts involving County staff, stakeholders, and community members. The Official Plan has been meticulously crafted based on expert reports and public consultations, ensuring it addresses the evolving needs and aspirations of Elgin County residents while meeting statutory requirements and aligning with the Provincial Policy Statement.

The Official Plan has been sent to the Province of Ontario for review and approval. Implementation will commence once this approval is received. With a clear focus on promoting economic vitality, environmental stewardship, and social equity, this comprehensive plan is set to guide future growth and infrastructure initiatives. By fostering a cohesive vision that balances progress with preservation, Elgin County aims to navigate urbanization and demographic shifts while safeguarding its unique identity and quality of life for generations to come.

If you missed the County Council Meeting, you can watch a recording of the meeting below.

Elgin County Council Meeting - May 14, 2024

The County of Elgin held an Official Plan Public Meeting on Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 where residents and businesses provided comments or submissions on the proposed Official Plan. If you missed the Public Meeting you can watch a recording of the meeting below.

Official Plan Public Meeting - March 26, 2024

Elgin County invites residents and businesses to attend the Official Plan Public Meeting. This meeting is intended for anyone who wishes to provide comments or submissions on the proposed Official Plan to the County.

Date: Tuesday, March 26th, 2024

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Location: Attend virtually or in person at the Elgin County Administration Building, 450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, ON

Meeting Agenda: To view the meeting agenda please click here.

Meeting Link: To join the meeting virtually please click here.

Whether you prefer attending in person or virtually, your presence and feedback are highly encouraged. For those attending virtually, please click the link provided above to access the meeting.

The County of Elgin hosted a Public Open House on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 to discuss the project process and the proposed Official Plan. If you missed the Public Open House you can watch a recording of the meeting below. You can provide comments or ask questions by emailing opreview@elgin.ca or attend the Public Meeting on Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 virtually or in person.

Official Plan Public Open House - March 19, 2024

Elgin County invites residents and businesses to attend the Official Plan Public Open House. This meeting is your opportunity to have a say in decisions that will shape the way our communities will look in the future.

Date: Tuesday, March 19th, 2024

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Location: Attend virtually or in person at the Elgin County Administration Building, 450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, ON

Meeting Agenda: To view the meeting agenda please click here.

Meeting Link: To join the meeting virtually please click here.

Whether you prefer attending in person or virtually, your presence and feedback are highly encouraged. For those attending virtually, please click the link provided above to access the meeting.

NOTE: If you are having difficulties accessing the virtual link, please email mcphail@republicurbanism.com

The County of Elgin invites you to attend a public open house and a public meeting in consideration of the County’s Official Plan Review. These meetings will be held online with an option to attend the online presentation in person.

The Public Open House is intended or anyone who wishes to learn more about the project process and the proposed Official Plan and will be held on March 19, 2024 at 5:00 pm online at https://engageelgin.ca/officialplanreview, or in person at 450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, ON

The Public Meeting is intended for anyone who wishes to provide comments or submissions on the proposed Official Plan to the County and will be held on March 26, 2024 at 5:00 pm online at https://engageelgin.ca/officialplanreview, or in person at 450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, ON

These meetings are statutory requirements under the Planning Act. A copy of the statutory notice can be accessed by clicking here.

We are pleased to announce that the Final Draft Elgin County Official Plan (OP) was endorsed by County Council in January 2024 and is now available for public review and comment, and can be accessed by clicking here.

This document contains the finalized text and schedules of the proposed Official Plan and includes revisions made as a result of the public commenting period and circulation of the document to public bodies and planning authorities conducted over the Spring of 2023.

At this time, we invite members of the public to review the Final Draft Elgin County Official Plan and provide any comments to the project team. Feedback can be submitted via email to opreview@elgin.ca or by mail to:

County of Elgin Planning Department

450 Sunset Drive

St. Thomas, ON N5R 5V1

Attn: Paul Clarke, Planning Technician

Please note that comments on the Final Draft Official Plan will be accepted until March 26, 2024. Following the public commenting period, all submissions will be reviewed and considered by the County prior to adoption by County Council, after which the plan will be forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval.

In the Summer of 2022 the County posted Discussion Paper #5 – Population, Housing and Employment Forecasts and Associated Land Needs. This report was a key background document to the Official Plan Review and provides a long-range growth outlook for the County and its lower-tier municipalities and assesses urban land requirements to 2051. As the basis for growth management policies in the County, in the Summer of 2023, County Council undertook an addendum to the report due to a major industrial announcement in the City of St. Thomas to ensure that the County properly assesses the potential impacts of this announcement on the County’s population projections and urban lands needs.

A copy of the addendum can be accessed by clicking here.

We are pleased to announce that the Draft Elgin County Official Plan (OP) was endorsed by Rural Initiatives Planning Advisory Committee in February 2023 and is now available for public review and comment.

This document is the culmination of over two years of research, analysis, and community consultation, resulting in an updated and refreshed vision for Elgin County’s future. The draft OP is built around ten strategic directions that will help to guide policies and decision-making on important matters such as but not limited to: housing; economic development; the rural area; and natural resource management. For a high-level overview of the proposed changes, please click here.

At this time, we invite all members of the public to review the Draft Elgin County Official Plan and share any comments, questions, or general feedback with the project team.

Written feedback can be submitted via email to opreview@elgin.ca or by mail to:

County of Elgin Planning Department
450 Sunset Drive
St. Thomas, ON, N5R 5V1.

The Draft Elgin County Official Plan can be accessed here.

Please note that submissions on the draft plan will be accepted until Monday, May 15, 2023.

Following the public comment period, all feedback on the draft plan will be reviewed and presented to Council for consideration. Any changes to the draft document will then be incorporated before it is presented at a statutory public meeting and subsequently to Council for a decision in Summer 2023.