Growth Management Official Plan

Growth Management Study

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is updating 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 in Chatham by 2041.

To fulfil the land needs identified in the MCR, in accordance with the Provincial Planning Statement, this project examined 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. 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.

Phase 1 of the Growth Management Study involved identifying growth and development options. Phase 2 involved additional study including an addendum to the MCR completed by Watson & Associates for commercial and employment area land need, and completion of a servicing study to inform the identification of Preliminary Preferred Growth Options. An Agricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) was then completed on the Preliminary Preferred Growth Options.

Official Plan Amendment

Strategic policy direction is required to implement the recommendations of the Growth and Development Options analysis. This includes specific amendments to the Municipal Official Plan to align local policy with the 2051 planning horizon and documented land needs. The proposed Official Plan Amendment will:

1. Update the planning horizons and growth projections in the Official Plan.
2. Identify Southwest Chatham Secondary Plan Area in the Official Plan as a policy area to direct future growth and comprehensive planning.
3. Update policies in the Official Plan as they relate to growth management planning and third-party boundary expansion applications.
4. Update applicable intensification policies as a key component of overall growth management and minimizing impact on agricultural systems.
5. Implement Settlement Area Boundary Expansion for Tilbury.
6. Implement Settlement Area Boundary Reallocation for Wallaceburg.
7. Implement Settlement Area Boundary Expansion for Chatham.
8. Introduce phasing policies for Chatham.
9. Add policy for the Dresden settlement area to complete a Flood Risk Study and servicing feasibility and phasing analysis.

Zoning By-law Amendment

A Zoning By-law Amendment is required implement new land use regulations for the lands proposed to be included in the Settlement Area Boundary in Chatham, Tilbury, and Wallaceburg. It is proposed to amend the Zone of affected lands to Deferred Development (“D”). The Deferred Development Zone permits Buildings and Uses lawfully existing on the date of passing of the By-law, Agricultural Uses and Buildings (with exceptions), and prohibits new dwellings as-of-right.

This Zone is an appropriate transitional Zone from Agricultural (“A1”) to appropriate urban Zone Classifications for the interim period until more detailed planning is undertaken, as recommended.

Growth Management Study

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 three phases. An updated project schedule is below.

Statutory Public Meeting

Take Notice that the Council of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent will consider Chatham-Kent Official Plan Growth Management Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment, under Sections 17 and 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O.1990, c.P.13, concerning the entire Municipality of Chatham-Kent, on the following date, time and place:

Date: Monday, July 13, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Municipality of Chatham-Kent Civic Centre, Council Chambers
Address: 315 King Street West, Chatham ON

Round #2 Engagement – COMPLETE

Community Drop-in Event

A second public open house was held to present the findings from the Phase 2 analysis and gather feedback on the Preliminary Preferred Growth Areas. Event details are provided below.

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Municipality of Chatham-Kent Civic Centre
Address: 315 King Street West, Chatham ON

Online Survey

For those who were not able to attend in person, an online survey was available from March 11, 2026 to April 7, 2026. The survey was to gather feedback on the Preliminary Preferred Growth Areas.

Round #1 Engagement – COMPLETE

Community Drop-in Event

A public open house was hosted to review growth and development options, and the evaluation framework. Details of the event are 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