New Official Plan

Land use planning within the Town is currently governed by three separate Official Plans pertaining to the three former municipalities (the Town of Tecumseh, the Village of St. Clair Beach and the Township of Sandwich South) that amalgamated in 1999 to form the new Town of Tecumseh. These Official Plans reflect the land use objectives of their respective former municipalities. Many of the policies are dated and, in some cases, are no longer relevant. A new, town-wide Official Plan is needed to articulate a clear, cohesive vision for the amalgamated Town. This vision should include the creation of a land use policy framework that guides community decisions based on a philosophy of healthy, liveable and sustainable communities.

 The Town will prepare topic-specific discussion papers dealing with such planning issues as:

• Growth Management
• Housing and Residential Intensification
• Commercial Development
• Industrial Development
• Rural and Agricultural
• Natural Heritage Features
• Urban Design
• Transportation
• Parks and Recreation
• Community Improvement Planning
• Sustainability
 

These discussion papers and the related public consultation process will provide the basis for and guide the development of the new Official Plan. The resulting Official Plan will be a combination of policy direction from the top-down (Province/County) and local input from the ground-up, identifying the challenges, opportunities and goals for the Town over the 20-year planning horizon.

A Planning Context and Issues Report was presented to Council in March of 2010. This report is the first in a series of discussion papers that will form the basis for policy development in the new Official Plan. It provides background information and identifies relevant issues and emerging trends that will need to be addressed through policy in the new Official Plan. The report also contains a brief series of questions which seek input from Town residents and stakeholders regarding the future of our community. A copy of the report and the corresponding series of questions are available at the links below.

Planning Context and Issues Report

Planning and Context Issues Report Survey

Notice of November 8, 2010 Public Presentation/Discussion Re: Town New Official Plan