Corridor Study - Bell Boulevard and North Front Street

About the Project

The purpose of the Corridor Study is to provide a detailed analysis that reviews and integrates planning, urban design, engineering due diligence (water, sewer, storm), and ecological due diligence of the study area. Fotenn Planning & Design have been awarded the contract to undergo the Bell Boulevard and North Front Street Corridor Study.   

The goal of the Corridor Study is to understand the specific needs and opportunities in the study area and establish a framework that gives the City direction with regard to its current and future development as a mixed use corridor. This direction will contribute to the overall planning vision for the City by helping to meet Official Plan (OP) objectives, and will help Belleville make well-informed decisions related to the development of the Bell Boulevard/North Front Street corridor.

Map of Study Area

Request a copy of the draft of the Bell Boulevard & North Front Street Corridor Study mapping. 

Project Overview and Timelines

Below are the four phases of the project with their estimated timelines.

Phase 1 – Project commencement and background review

Timeline: Fall 2021

• City Staff met with the consultant team and confirmed the study area, identified and delineated preliminary sub-areas, and provided data and relevant background information for the Study area.

Phase 2 – Inventory of existing conditions

Timeline: Fall 2021 to Winter 2022

• The consultants reviewed the current conditions of the Study area, as well as data provided, and conducted a site visit of the area to summarize their findings.

Phase 3 – Options for development

Timeline: Winter 2022 to Fall 2023

• The consultants reviewed the anticipated future conditions for the study area and presented the findings from Phase 1 and 2 a Public Information Meeting, held on April 5, 2022, and through a survey, where feedback was received from the public (refer to Public Engagement Section for further information).
• Conceptual development options were prepared for the corridor based on feedback.
• Conceptual development options and a public realm framework were presented to the public for feedback at a Public Information Meeting on September 29,,2022, and through a survey, to identify a preferred development option (refer to Public Engagement Section for further information).

Phase 4 – Strategic Framework (Current Phase)

Timeline: Spring 2022-Present

• The consultants drafted a Corridor Plan based on the preferred conceptual development.
• Conceptual development options were reviewed against Transportation and Servicing studies which were completed by TYLin in late 2024 and early 2025, as well as reviewed against the latest Provincial Planning Statement and ongoing legislative updates.
• The draft Corridor Plan will include recommended policy directions, along with draft urban design guidelines, and an implementation and phasing strategy. This Plan will form the basis for the preparation of an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) to incorporate the vision and directions of the Corridor Plan into the Official Plan, which will guide future development within these areas.

Public Engagement

Public Consultation Centre - Wednesday, June 25, 2025 

Location: Parkdale Community Centre, 119 Birch Street, Belleville

Time: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m

The purpose of this meeting was to receive feedback on the draft Corridor Plan for Bell Boulevard and North Front Street. A copy of the draft Corridor Plan, along with the Transportation Technical Report and Servicing Technical Report can be found under the 'Latest Updates and Next Steps'.

  Land Use Survey - Now Closed

A land use survey was available in 2022 for members of the public to provide input on draft land use options for these important areas of our city. The Input collected helped inform the development of a preferred land use concept and future policies for the areas. 

Public Information Meeting - Thursday, September 29, 2022

The purpose of the meeting was to receive feedback on the project including the proposed land use option and public realm framework and facilitate a working session to learn about your thoughts and preferences for the area.

Request a copy of the PIC meeting Material and the Public Engagement Summary (seen below) of the 29th Public Information Centre, presented by the Consultant.

• Public Information Presentation
• Public Information Panel
• Public Engagement Summary

Virtual Public Information Meeting - Tuesday, April 5, 2022

The purpose of the virtual meeting was to receive public input on the Corridor Study for Bell Boulevard and North Front Street.

• Virtual Public Information Notice
• Slide Deck Meeting Presentation
• A recording of the presentation can be found at youtube.com/bellevillecityhall.

Visioning Survey

A visioning survey was posted in 2022 to receive input on current conditions and the future of these key commercial areas of our city. Input collected will be used to inform the vision and future policies for the area. 

• Public Engagement Summary provides a summary of input received through Public Information Centre #1 and the visioning survey.

Request a copy of all the April 5, 2022 - PIC Meeting Material (noted above)

Latest Updates and Next Steps

Draft Corridor Plan

No, since the Corridor Plan does not affect the zoning of properties, existing uses and developments can continue to be used, operate, and expand in accordance with the Zoning By-law. This Plan would be used to guide future development or redevelopment projects. Staff will consider the existing context of the study area and transitional policies through this consultation process. 

Where are development opportunities within this proposed Corridor Plan? 

The Bell Boulevard West District has opportunities for new residential subdivisions, commercial development, and employment uses. 

The Bell Boulevard & Sidney Street Intensification District has opportunities for new mixed-use residential and stand-alone residential. 

The Quinte Mall District primarily has opportunities for commercial development and intensification for existing parking lots, and new interconnected streets. 

The North Front Street District primarily has opportunities for new mixed-use residential development. 

The Tracey Street / Fahey Street Sanitary Sewer Oversizing project is included in the City’s 10-year Capital Plan.  Upgrading North Front Street (Bell Boulevard to College Street) and widening Bell Boulevard (Wallbridge Loyalist Road to future Hamilton Road extension) are both identified projects in the City’s Transportation Master Plan. Other improvements to municipal servicing and road infrastructure can be captured in future Capital Plans or be driven by developer investment through the approvals process. 

When new development or redevelopment occurs, the City uses a range of planning tools and agreements—including Development Agreements, Subdivision Agreements, and Site Plan Control—to require the developers to fund and construct necessary infrastructure upgrades directly associated with their projects. Furthermore, Development Charges, as governed by the Ontario Development Charges Act, enable the City to recover a portion of the capital costs for growth-related infrastructure (e.g., water, wastewater, roads) from developers. 

The Corridor Plan provides a demonstration of what could happen in the study area by showing maximum potential. The intent of this plan is to provide a policy foundation to guide development for at least 30 years and encourage development and redevelopment for private landowners and capital projects in that time. 

The Loyalist (West Belleville) Secondary Plan update is currently also underway. Portions of the secondary planning area overlap with the Bell Boulevard Corridor Area. A number of public consultation sessions have taken place for the Secondary Plan Update and technical studies related to transportation and servicing are currently being completed. Upon completion of these technical studies, the City anticipates bringing forward the draft Secondary Plan for public consultation this Fall. Following the Fall consultation, the City will prepare amendments to the City's Official Plan for both the Loyalist (West Belleville) Secondary Plan and the Corridor Study and bring them forward to Council for approval by the end of 2025.