Notice of Public Open House - New Official Plan

TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Sections 17 and 26 of the Planning Act, the Town of Essex will be holding two (2) Drop-In Style Public Open Houses for the Public to review the Town’s Draft Official Plan and Draft Colchester Secondary Plan (CSP).

Public Open House #1        

Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Essex Centre Sports Complex (Shaheen Community Room), 60 Fairview Avenue West, Essex, ON

Public Open House #2        

Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Harrow & Colchester South Community Centre (All Purpose Room), 243 McAffee Street, Harrow, ON

What is the Town’s Official Plan?

The Official Plan is a long-range planning document containing goals, objectives and policies to guide land use, development and growth in the Town.

Why is a new Official Plan being prepared?

The Town of Essex Official Plan was originally adopted in 2009 and last updated in 2015. The Town is required to review and update its Official Plan regularly under the Planning Act to ensure it is consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement (2024) and the County of Essex Official Plan.

The Draft Official Plan has been prepared based on additional technical work and community and stakeholder input following the release of the First Draft Official Plan in 2024.

We Want to Hear from You!

We encourage you to get involved and share your input. There is no better time to join important discussions that will help shape the future of our community.

The Draft Official Plan, the Draft Colchester Secondary Plan, and various background reports are available for review on the Town’s website, as well as at the Gesto Building (2610 County Road 12, Essex, ON) or Town Hall (33 Talbot Street South, Essex, ON) during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm).

A Statutory Public Meeting is targeted for late Summer 2026 to officially present the Draft Official Plan and Draft CSP to Council and provide members of the public an opportunity to make oral and written submissions of the drafts to Council.

Members of the public may submit written comments, to be on the public record, for the Draft Official Plan and Draft CSP at any time before the Official Plan and CSP’s adoption targeted for Fall 2026.

For more information about this matter, including information about appeal rights, or to submit your comments on the Draft documents, please contact:

Town of Essex Official Plan Project Team
2610 County Road 12, Essex, ON, N8M 2X6
Phone: 519.776.7336 EXT. 1128
Send an email