Official Plan Review

Ontario's Planning Act requires municipalities to conduct an Official Plan review every five years to ensure it conforms with or does not conflict with provincial plans, has regard to matters of provincial interest and is consistent with provincial policy statements.  

The Town of St. Marys has initiated a review and update of the Official Plan in accordance with these Planning Act requirements and to support new strategic goals and community priorities with respect to growth and development in the Town. 

What is an Official Plan? 

An Official Plan is a statement of goals, objectives and policies intended to guide future land use, physical development and growth in the Town of St. Marys. The policies of the Plan are designed to: 

• Identify and promote a vision and character for the community
• Direct the future orderly and efficient growth of the Town
• Identify where municipal services and infrastructure are required
• Reflect the collective aspirations of residents and business owners
• Identify how natural, cultural and other resources should be protected
• Support healthy and sustainable community principles
• Provide a basis for the Zoning By-law and other land use controls

Draft Official Plan

An updated version of the draft amended Official Plan will be presented to Council on January 14, 2020.  Versions with and without tracked changes are provided below.

• Draft Official Plan - Track Changes Off (clean version)
• Draft Official Plan - Track Changes On (version showing edits)

Discussion papers  

A series of Discussion Papers have been prepared to address issues related to the Official Plan review. The following draft updated Discussion Papers will be presented to Council on January 14, 2020.

• Discussion paper #1: Population (DRAFT)
• Discussion paper #2: Interpret & Implement (DRAFT)
• Discussion paper #3: Transportation & Servicing (DRAFT)
• Discussion paper #4: Residential (DRAFT)
• Discussion paper #5: Rural Lands (DRAFT)
• Discussion paper #6: Extractive Industrial (DRAFT)
• Discussion paper #7: Industrial (DRAFT)
• Discussion paper #8: Recreation & Parkland (DRAFT)
• Discussion paper #9: Heritage, Design, Economic Development & Tourism (DRAFT)
• Discussion paper #10: Commercial (DRAFT)
• Discussion paper #11: Natural Heritage & Hazards (DRAFT)

Related documents 

The following documents and files are currently available for download: 

• Official Plan Review Council Presentation (September 2018)
• Draft Official Plan Council Presentation (August 2018)
• Notice of Open House - Official Plan Review (April 2018)
• Official Plan Review Public Meeting Presentation (October 2017)
• Notice of Section 26 Public Meeting (October 2017)
• Staff Report - Town of St. Marys Official Plan Review (June 2017)

To view any information or materials related to the Official Plan review project, please contact the Building and Development Department at the Town's Municipal Operations Centre, 408 James Street South, P.O. Box 998, St. Marys, ON, N4X 1B6.

We want to hear from you!

We want your input on what should be reviewed and updated in the Official Plan. You can submit your comments by mail, fax or email. 

Mail: Brent Kittmer, CAO/Clerk, Town of St. Marys, 175 Queen Street East, PO Box 998, St. Marys, Ontario N4X 1B6 
Fax: 519-284-3881
Email: bkittmer@town.stmarys.on.ca

Please note: Comments and opinions submitted on these matters, including the originator's name and address, become part of the public record, may be viewed by the general public and may be published in a Planning Report and will be included in the Council agenda and minutes. Council agenda and minutes are published on the Council calendar page of this website.