The County of Essex Official Plan is a comprehensive planning document that sets out long-term goals and objectives to guide the development of the County. The Official Plan sets a framework for co-ordination and co-operation among local municipalities and the County on planning and development issues that transcend municipal boundaries. It contains specific land use policies for settlement areas, agricultural areas and the protection of the natural environment. It also includes a policy framework for resource management, growth management and the provision of physical services, such as transportation facilities. Most importantly, it provides guidance to local municipalities in the preparation of local official plans and zoning by-laws which ultimately shape the physical development of the County.
For more information regarding planning at the municipal level, check out the planning web pages for the seven local municipalities in the County of Essex:
Comprehensive Official Plan Review
The Planning Act requires the Official Plan be reviewed every five years to ensure it is up to date and reflects the Provincial Policy Statement. The County of Essex has begun the mandatory five-year review of the current Official Plan that was approved by the Province in April 2014.
There are four steps in the process:
| 1. Population, households and employment projections, and allocated land needs analysis |
| This document will provide the data to support the recommendations in the following documents. |
| 2. Regional economic development and employment lands strategy |
| This document assesses the employment lands within the County to determine if there is enough to support economic growth. |
| 3. Official Plan review background issues report |
| This document recommends the policy changes to the Official Plan. |
| 4. New Official Plan |
| This will replace the current Official Plan once it is approved. |
Keep an eye on this web page for updates, including how you can get involved and provide input on the new Official Plan.
Have questions? Contact our planning staff
County of Essex
Attn: Planning Services
360 Fairview Ave W, Suite 302
Essex, ON
N8M 1Y6
Rebecca Belanger, MCIP, RPP
Manager of Planning Services
rbelanger@countyofessex.ca
519-776-6441 ext. 1325
Daryan Branch
Senior Planner
dbranch@countyofessex.ca
519-776-6441 ext. 1329
Contact Us