Official Plan
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Shaping the Future of Essex
The Town of Essex is currently preparing a new Official Plan! Essex is growing and changing, and the new Official Plan will guide the Town’s growth and land use planning for the next 25 years. Essex contains highly valuable farmland and a strong agricultural economy, as well as four key urban areas (Essex, Harrow, McGregor, and Colchester), which are all experiencing development pressures. The orderly development of these communities is key to the successful growth of the Town over the next 25 years.
Review the draft of the New Official Plan
Residents, business owners, and land owners are encouraged to review the draft of the New Official Plan and Schedule Package.
View the Draft Official Plan View the Schedule Package View the Slide Presentation
Share your Feedback
Residents are encouraged to review and provide input on the Draft of the New Official Plan and Colchester Secondary Plan by completing the online feedback form, or by attending one of three Open House events (details below).
Attend a Public Open House Event
The Town of Essex is hosting three upcoming public open house events, inviting residents to review and provide input on the Draft of the New Official Plan and Colchester Secondary Plan. These drop-in style open house events are an excellent opportunity for the community to engage with the planning process and contribute to the future development of the Town.
Open House #1
Date: Wednesday, August 28th, 2024
Time: Drop in anytime 5-7pm
Location: Colchester Harbour Community Centre
(100 Jackson Street, Colchester)
*Focus on the Colchester Secondary Plan.
Open House #2
Date: Wednesday, September 4th, 2024
Time: Drop in anytime 5-7pm
Location: Essex Arena Shaheen Room
(60 Fairview Avenue West, Essex)
*Focus on the municipal-wide Official Plan.
Open House #3
Date: Wednesday September 11th, 2024
Time: Drop in anytime 5-7pm
Location: Harrow Arena Community Room
(243 McAffee Street, Harrow)
*Focus on the municipal-wide Official Plan.
What is an Official Plan?
An Official Plan provides the blueprint for the future growth and development of a municipality. It establishes goals and objectives for land use in the Town, and policies to achieve those goals, taking into consideration important social, economic and environmental factors.
Why is the Town of Essex updating the Official Plan?
The current Official Plan came into effect in 2009 and was last updated in 2017. The Planning Act requires Official Plans to be updated every five years. The Official Plan must also be consistent with Provincial policies, and conform to the County of Essex’s Official Plan. It is now time to update the Official Plan to meet the current (and future) needs of Essex residents. Developing a new Official Plan is a chance for the Essex community to provide input into creating new and innovative policies that will affect how Essex will develop into the future.
Areas of Focus
The Town of Essex Official Plan will be focused on several key areas:
 Growth Management |
 Residential Intensification and Affordable Housing |
 Source Water Protection |
|
Parks and Open Space |
Cultural, Architectural and Archaeological Heritage |
Agriculture and Specialty Crops |
|
Energy Conservation and Climate Change |
Natural Heritage |
Implementation and Interpretation |
Key Dates and Timelines
- Monday June 6, 2022 at 4pm – Special Council Meeting: Preparation of the New Official Plan.
- Watch the video recording.
- Monday October 17, 2022 at 6pm – Presentation at Regular Council Meeting: Background Review and Policy Gaps Report.
- June 26 to June 28, 2023 - Official Plan Public Focus Group. Applications will be accepted until June 18, 2023
- Summer/Fall 2024 – Public Open House and Public Meeting
- Fall 2024 – Adoption of final Official Plan
Resources
Get Involved!
We want to hear from you! The feedback you provide will help us identify your needs and priorities as the Town continues to engage with the community in a way that is open, transparent, accessible and inclusive.
There are many ways for you to get involved in the Official Plan review and share your feedback that will help inform the new Official Plan. Opportunities to provide your input at Open Houses and Public meetings will be posted on this website under 'Key Dates and Timelines' as they arise.
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