The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is undertaking an update to its Official Plan to guide development and infrastructure investment over the next 25 years. Building on the findings of the 2023 Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) – which projects our population to reach approximately 122,200 by 2051 (resulting in more than 8,200 new households) – this Official Plan Amendment (OPA) will help ensure our Municipality can efficiently accommodate both residential and employment growth. Most of the growth is forecast to occur by 2041. Careful consideration of housing needs, industrial market trends, and infrastructure will be essential, while balancing the protection and the long-term viability of agricultural areas, local food production, and the agri-food network.
To fulfill the land needs identified in the MCR, in accordance with the Provincial Planning Statement, this project will examine the need and planning justification for Settlement Area Boundary Expansions in Chatham, Tilbury, Dresden, and Blenheim, while also addressing mismatches in the location of urban land supply versus demand in Wallaceburg and other Urban Centres. An important focus of the study is ensuring Chatham-Kent remains competitive in the Highway 401 Business Corridor by strengthening its supply of strategically located employment areas. The outcome of this project will be an Official Plan Amendment so Chatham-Kent can effectively meet its long-term growth needs.
This project will be completed over the following three phases:
Announcement: Round #1 Engagement
A public open house to review growth and development options and the evaluation framework will take place at the time and place shown below:
Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Location: Municipality of Chatham-Kent Civic Centre Address: 315 King Street West, Chatham ON
Information and Providing Comment To submit a comment or question, receive additional information, or if you have accessibility requirements to participate, please contact Planning Services at 519.360.1998 or ckplanning@chatham-kent.ca
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is undertaking an update to its Official Plan to guide development and infrastructure investment over the next 25 years. Building on the findings of the 2023 Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) – which projects our population to reach approximately 122,200 by 2051 (resulting in more than 8,200 new households) – this Official Plan Amendment (OPA) will help ensure our Municipality can efficiently accommodate both residential and employment growth. Most of the growth is forecast to occur by 2041. Careful consideration of housing needs, industrial market trends, and infrastructure will be essential, while balancing the protection and the long-term viability of agricultural areas, local food production, and the agri-food network.
To fulfill the land needs identified in the MCR, in accordance with the Provincial Planning Statement, this project will examine the need and planning justification for Settlement Area Boundary Expansions in Chatham, Tilbury, Dresden, and Blenheim, while also addressing mismatches in the location of urban land supply versus demand in Wallaceburg and other Urban Centres. An important focus of the study is ensuring Chatham-Kent remains competitive in the Highway 401 Business Corridor by strengthening its supply of strategically located employment areas. The outcome of this project will be an Official Plan Amendment so Chatham-Kent can effectively meet its long-term growth needs.
This project will be completed over the following three phases:
Announcement: Round #1 Engagement
A public open house to review growth and development options and the evaluation framework will take place at the time and place shown below:
Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Location: Municipality of Chatham-Kent Civic Centre Address: 315 King Street West, Chatham ON
Information and Providing Comment To submit a comment or question, receive additional information, or if you have accessibility requirements to participate, please contact Planning Services at 519.360.1998 or ckplanning@chatham-kent.ca
Chatham-Kent's population and employment forecasts show that some Primary Urban Centres will need additional greenfield land over the next 30 years to accommodate new homes and businesses. A Settlement Area Boundary Expansion adjusts the urban boundary to include more land for development in these areas, ensuring there is enough room to grow while still planning for intensification and protecting agricultural land.
Please share your input on the proposed growth options for the Primary Urban Centres with land need. For each question, select the response that best reflects your opinion. Your responses will help inform the evaluation of growth and development options as part of Phase 2.
