Growth Management Official Plan

Project Update: Upcoming Engagement for Phase 2

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has completed Phase 1 of the Growth Management Study, which involved identifying growth and development options. Phase 2 has been underway since May 2025 and involved the need for additional study including an addendum to the land need assessments completed by Watson & Associates for commercial and employment areas, completion of a servicing study, and undertaking an Agricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) to inform the identification of Preliminary Preferred Growth Options. Phase 2 will include Round #2 Engagement, to share the Preliminary Preferred Growth Areas and get feedback from the public and stakeholders. See below for an update on details for this round of engagement.

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.

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, a new online survey will be available starting March 11, 2026, to gather feedback on the Preliminary Preferred Growth Areas. The survey will be available on March 11 until March 30, 2026.

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