Notice of Special Meeting of Council regarding the Township of Wellesley Official Plan

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL

pursuant to Section 26(3) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990

TOWNSHIP OF WELLESLEY OFFICIAL PLAN

TAKE NOTICE that the Township of Wellesley invites all interested persons to attend a Special Meeting of Council for the purpose of informing the public about the initiation of a new Official Plan for the Township of Wellesley. Public input is being sought at the initiation of the project to inform Council and the Project Team of community priorities that should be considered through the development of the new Official Plan.

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

Date: August 26, 2025

Time: 6:45 p.m.

Place: Council Chambers, 4805 William Hastings Line, Crosshill ON N0K 1L0

The meeting can be streamed live or viewed after the meeting at Township of Wellesley - YouTube.

Any member of the public or group interested in viewing, participating, or making comments at this meeting are encouraged to use the methods noted further below.

WHAT IS AN OFFICIAL PLAN?

An Official Plan is a document that guides and shapes the future of a community by identifying where, and under what circumstances, specific types of land uses can be located within the Township’s Municipal Boundary. An Official Plan applies to all lands within the Municipal Boundary.

The purpose of an Official Plan is to focus new growth in a way that makes efficient use of land and infrastructure, creates attractive and livable communities with a variety of housing options, and protects the Township’s cultural and natural heritage and agricultural lands.

WHY DO WE NEED A NEW OFFICIAL PLAN?

The Township’s current Official Plan has been in place since 2015 and is required to be periodically reviewed under the Planning Act. As a result of Bill 23 (2024), the Region of Waterloo no longer holds planning authority as an upper-tier municipality. The Regional Official Plan is now considered a local Official Plan until revoked or amended by the Township. The new Township Official Plan will reflect the Township’s growth management vision, will integrate both the Regional and Township Official Plans, and will be consistent with the new 2024 Provincial Planning Statement.

A new Official Plan will apply a fresh approach to the Township’s land use policies and mapping and will introduce new or revised policies related to housing, employment growth, agricultural land, environmental protection and many other topics.  

HAVE YOUR SAY IN WELLESEY’S FUTURE

The Official Plan affects everyone who lives, works in, or visits the Township of Wellesley. This Public Meeting, as required by the Planning Act, is an opportunity for you to participate as we develop a vision for the Official Plan. Your input is important to us, as an early guide to community priorities for the Township’s future. There will be ongoing opportunities throughout the preparation of the new Official Plan, over the next year, for continued participation and public input.

How to participate:

• Attend the public meeting virtually or in person. To participate virtually, please pre-register with the Municipal Clerk by sending an email to gkosch@wellesley.ca before Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 4:00pm. All registrants will receive instructions on how to participate using the electronic platform.
• Send written comments by mail to 4639 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements ON N0B 2M0 or email to Bobby Soosaar, Senior Planner at bsoosaar@wellesley.ca.
• Complete our surveys, polls and/or comments section throughout the term of the project on the Engage Wellesley page https://www.engagewr.ca/official-plan.

For more information, project updates, and ongoing opportunities to offer your comments during the project, please visit the Official Plan page on Engage Wellesley, available at https://www.engagewr.ca/official-plan or contact Tim Van Hinte, MCIP, RPP, Director of Development Services at (519) 699-3952 or tvanhinte@wellesley.ca.

DATED at the Township of Wellesley, Ontario this 17th day of July 2025.