Elgin County Official Plan Review

The County of Elgin is excited to announce that its Official Plan, adopted by County Council in 2024, has received final approval from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. This final step marks a major milestone in the County’s vision for growth, community development, and sustainable progress.

An Official Plan serves as a roadmap for the future of the County. It outlines how land will be used, where communities will grow, and how infrastructure, services, and natural spaces will be managed. With this final approval, Elgin County now has a clear framework to guide decisions on housing, business development, transportation, and environmental protection while ensuring a balance between progress and the County’s unique character.

The Official Plan update incorporated extensive public consultation, stakeholder engagement, and expert analysis, including updated population and employment projections. This ensures that the County’s growth and development reflect the needs and aspirations of residents, businesses, and visitors.

“This is an exciting day for Elgin County,” said Warden Grant Jones. “With the Official Plan now approved, we have a strong, forward-looking guide that will help our communities grow responsibly, support local businesses, and preserve the County's quality of life. It is about making thoughtful decisions today to guide a strong and sustainable future for our communities.”

The County’s planning staff will now begin implementing the Official Plan, working closely with local municipalities and community partners to ensure growth is managed strategically and sustainably. Residents and businesses can expect future development and infrastructure projects to reflect this clear vision for the County’s long-term success.

To view the Official Plan, please click here.

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.