Official Plan Review

The Official Plan is our City's key land use document. It describes what kind of community we want to become in the future. It sets goals, objectives, and policies which guide our land use planning decisions. Everything the City does relating to land use needs to conform to the Plan. The City is currently undertaking an Official Plan Update as required by the Planning Act.

Who is Consulting?

Watson & Associates Economists Limited completed the Municipal Comprehensive Review, and Dillon Consulting Limited will be updating the City of Belleville Official Plan.

Public Consultation

The City has received community input from local organizations, developers, businesses, and the broader community.

A Public Information Centre (PIC) was held on June 3^rd, 2019.

Four Phases of Official Plan Update

Phase One: Review and Analysis of Land Requirements

The ‘Final Report, Municipal Comprehensive Review of Urban Serviced Area, Official Plan Update' was updated according to relevant comments received at the Public Information Centre (PIC) and Public Presentation held June 3, 2019. This update to the report has not changed the conclusions for urban land needs as determined by the consultants. The analysis undertaken by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. has determined that the City has sufficient residential, commercial, community facility, and employment lands for the next 20 years within its urban boundary.

There is no requirement to change the urban boundary of the City with the exception of the proposed land swap of the majority of lands located in the Cannifton East Industrial Area for the expropriated lands adjacent to the North East Industrial Park.

For a copy of the ‘Final Report, Municipal Comprehensive Review of Urban Serviced Area, Official Plan Update' please contact planning@belleville.ca .

Phase Two: Policy Recommendations

Comments, feedback, and proposals that have been provided to the City in writing during the review of the Municipal Comprehensive Review phase but related to the policy development stage will be considered at this future phase. Individuals that have submitted comments will also have the opportunity to provide further feedback once the updated Official Plan is prepared and a future Statutory Public Meeting is held.

Phase Three: Policy Development

The first step toward the development of updated policies is the preparation of a Technical Brief to support the Official Plan Update titled ‘Emerging Policy Issues' which outlines Emerging Policy Issues along with recommendations for updating the Official Plan.

The Planning Advisory Committee considered an information report from Staff on the Technical Brief September 3, 2019 (Report No. PP-2019-59).

The Terms of Reference for the Official Plan Update was expanded as a result of Council's priorities identified through the City Housing Summit including modernizing housing policies, intensification policies and mixed use policies in order to increase the supply of lands available for medium and high density residential development which will ultimately increase the supply of rental units in the City of Belleville. Other issues are also required to be addressed as required by the Provincial Policy Statement to ensure the Updated Official Plan is approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

For a copy of the ‘Emerging Policy Issues Technical Brief' please contact planning@belleville.ca .

Phase Four: Implementation through an Official Plan Amendment

The City will receive a few stages of the draft Official Plan allowing comments to be provided to the consultants before a final version will be provided to Council for adoption. Once adopted by Council, approval from the Ministry of Municipal affairs will be required.

Draft Official Plan

Draft Document

The draft Official Plan has been provided from the consultant for review and comment before being recommended to Council by Staff. Below please find the draft Official Plan and Schedules.

Draft Official Plan
Schedule A - Land Use Plan (Rural Area)
Schedule B - Land Use Plan (Urban Serviced Area)
Schedule C - Road System Plan
Schedule D - Cycling and Trails Plan
Schedule E - Detailed Planning Areas
Schedule E2 - City Centre Intensification Plan
Schedule F - Natural Hazard Features
Schedule G - Constraint Areas
Appendix A - Additional Intensification Areas
Appendix B - Wildland Fire Hazard Areas
Appendix C - Natural Heritage Features

The Schedules above do not include Official Plan amendment #28, 29, 30, 31 or 32. For more information on these amendments please contact planning@belleville.ca.

*Please be advised that these documents will be provided in an accessible format upon request, in a timely manner, and at a cost no more than the regular price as noted in the appropriate schedule of the Fees and Charges By-law.

Public Consultation (Virtual PIC and Virtual Public Meeting)

A Virtual Public Information Centre (PIC) will be held on Monday, November 30, 2020 from 4:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. to allow the public to address any question they may have regarding the Draft Official Plan to our consultants.

The draft Official Plan will be introduced at a public meeting on December 7, 2020. The meeting will be streamed live on the City’s Youtube channel.

For more information on how to participate in the virtual Public Information Centre or the public meeting, click here.

Providing Comments

Comments can be provided by participating in the public meeting or by filling out a comment form and e-mailing it to planning@belleville.ca or mail to 169 Front Street, Belleville, Ontario K8N 2Y8 (Attention: Policy Planning Division).

For more information about the Official Plan Update, or if you wish to be included on the Interested Parties List and notified of upcoming meetings, please complete the Notification Form and e-mail to planning@belleville.ca or mail to 169 Front Street, Belleville, Ontario K8N 2Y8 (Attention: Policy Planning Division).

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