Official Plan Review

The Town of Grimsby recognizes the unique and historic character of the Grimsby Beach community and remains committed to preserving and protecting its heritage.

As part of the Official Plan Review, the Town has received questions regarding the proposed Area Specific Policy Set for Grimsby Beach. In response, staff have prepared a Q&A to provide clarity on the intent and direction of the policy framework.

Why have the policies been updated?

Since the approval of the Grimsby Beach Secondary Plan, there have been several changes to the Planning Act and other provincial legislation that supports the planning process. At a minimum, the policies must be updated to ensure conformity and consistency with current provincial requirements.

Staff also reviewed the policies to remove duplication where appropriate. In addition, the Province has encouraged municipalities to move away from Secondary Plans in light of Bill 98, resulting in the transition to an Area Specific Policy Set.

Importantly, these updates do not change the intent of the specific policies within Grimsby Beach Secondary Plan, these policies will continue to be implemented as intended. The Town continues to be committed to protecting the historic character of Grimsby Beach.

What is the difference between an Area Specific Policy Set and a Secondary Plan?

Both are amendments to the Town’s Official Plan that provide specific policies applicable only to a defined area of the municipality.

A Secondary Plan is typically developed through a multi-phase planning process with engagement throughout. An Area Specific Policy Set can follow a similar process but is structured differently within the Official Plan.

The important collaborative work previously completed with the Grimsby Beach community enables this Area Specific Policy Set to function in the same manner as the previous Secondary Plan.

Both approaches provide the same policy protection for the Grimsby Beach area.

Will the policies continue to protect the area’s historic character and development pattern?

Yes.

The intention of the Area Specific Policy Set is to maintain the protection of the area’s historical character and development pattern. The policies will continue to ensure proper review through Planning Act applications.

The change in title does not weaken or reduce the strength of the policies or protections in place.

Will the policies ensure consistent interpretation over time?

Staff have been actively reviewing and “testing” the updated policies to ensure the framework achieves the same outcomes as the existing Secondary Plan.

The goal is to maintain consistency in how policies are interpreted and applied over time.

Will the policies address cumulative or incremental changes that could affect the overall historic integrity of the area?

The Official Plan must remain consistent with provincial policy and legislation. Staff will continue to use the policy framework to mitigate impacts and protect the character of the area through existing planning and heritage tools. Heritage protections will continue to be integrated and overlaid where applicable.

One of the most significant current challenges is the Province’s removal of the Municipal Heritage Register under Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act through Bill 23. The Municipal Register under Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act was a tool utilized as a part of the protection strategy for Grimsby Beach as it provided demolition protection to the area while guidance for change was implemented through the secondary plan. With this significant legislative change Part IV and Part V heritage designation is the only the primary tool available for long-term demolition protection. The loss of the register is occurring regardless of the Official Plan approach.

Why was consultation with the Province required?

As part of the Official Plan Review process, the Town is required to consult with provincial ministries and agencies. Following the removal of regional planning responsibilities, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is now the approval authority for the Town’s Official Plan.

Through discussions with Ministry staff during their review of the draft Official Plan, the Town was encouraged to address the Grimsby Beach policies through an Area Specific Policy Set rather than through a traditional Secondary Plan structure.

In response, staff reviewed, updated, and consolidated the existing policies to ensure the intent of the Grimsby Beach Secondary Plan remained intact within the new Official Plan framework.

The revised policy set was reviewed by Town Heritage Staff prior to release to confirm that the intent of the original Secondary Plan was maintained and that the required policies remained in place.

Town staff also met directly with Ministry representatives to discuss the Area Specific Policy Set approach. Based on those discussions, Ministry staff were generally supportive of maintaining the policies in this format in line with provincial policy and legislation.

These proactive adjustments help ensure consistency across the new Official Plan while avoiding potential conflicts or delays that could arise from reintroducing policies at a later stage.

The Town of Grimsby remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the cultural heritage, development pattern, and unique character of Grimsby Beach. Residents with additional questions are encouraged to contact staff at grimsbyop@grimsby.ca.

The third draft of the Official Plan (red line) is available now for public review. Use the link below or in the documents widget to the redline version of the revised Official Plan.

• Third Draft Grimsby Official Plan (red line)

Since the release of the second draft of the Official Plan in April, the Town has received further input regarding the contents of the Plan.

The Draft Grimsby Official Plan continues to aim to:

• Align with the priorities of Council and the community while conforming with provincial plans and policies
• Incorporate relevant policies from the Region’s Official Plan
• Make the Official Plan easier to read and use for everyone
• Plan for the way that Grimsby will grow and evolve over time

Have any comments on the Draft? Email grimsbyop@grimsby.ca before June 15, 2026 at 4:30pm.

Throughout the final phase of the Official Plan Review project, June 2026 has been projected for Council approval of the Official Plan.

Due to the continuing changes to provincial legislation and planning framework, the project timeline for the Official Plan has been extended to permit further opportunity for input on the next revised draft. On June 1^st, a third version of the Draft Official Plan will be brought to Council. This will provide another opportunity for residents, business owners and other interested persons to delegate to Council. The final version of the plan is anticipated to be brought to Council again on July 13^th for adoption.

To delegate at the June 1^st, 2026 Council meeting, please complete the delegation form available here: https://eforms.grimsby.ca/Delegation-request-form . Delegation requests must be submitted 24 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

The revised Draft Official Plan was released for continued public and stakeholder review on April 7^th 2026. Since that time, the Town has received input on the revised draft Official Plan. So far, we’ve heard:

• Clarifying the studies and plans required through the Plan.
  1. Response: Staff will continue to review and refine the studies and plans required through the Official Plan, while also considering potential changes being considered through Provincial legislation.
• The shift of the Grimsby Beach Secondary Plan to an area specific policy.
  1. Response: To address comments from the province while maintaining policy direction for Grimsby Beach, the Secondary Plan has been integrated into the plan as an area specific policy set. The policies remain to provide direction that was specific for this area of Town, particularly regarding heritage and design, and the boundary of entire area in which the area specific policy applies is shown on Schedule L. The revised policy set was reviewed by Town Heritage Staff prior to release to confirm that the intent of the Secondary Plan is maintained through the area specific policies.
• Continuing to strengthen the language of the Official Plan.
  1. Response: Staff will continue to review the plan and look for appropriate opportunities to strengthen and clarify the Official Plan.

Want to review revised Draft Official Plan (April 2026)? Use the links below to access a red line or clean version of the revised draft.

• Revised Draft Official Plan (red line version)
• Revised Draft Official Plan (clean version)

Have feedback on the revised Draft Official Plan? Email your questions and comments to grimsbyop@grimsby.ca. Staff are seeking input by May 6th, 2026.

The second draft of the Official Plan (red line) is available now for public review. Use the link below or in the documents widget to the redline version of the revised Official Plan.

• Revised Draft Official Plan (red line)

Since the release of the first draft of the Official Plan in October 2025, the Town has received input from residents, businesses, agencies, and stakeholders regarding the contents of the Plan.

The second Draft Grimsby Official Plan continues to aim to:

• Align with the priorities of Council and the community while conforming with provincial plans and policies
• Incorporate relevant policies from the Region’s Official Plan
• Make the Official Plan easier to read and use for everyone
• Plan for the way that Grimsby will grow and evolve over time

Have comments on the second draft? Email grimsbyop@grimsby.ca before May 6, 2026 at 4:30pm.

An Open House and Public Meeting have been scheduled to provide information on the Draft Official Grimsby Official Plan.

Click here to view the Notice of Statutory Open House and Public Meeting.

The Open House will take place on February 12, 2026 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Grimsby Town Hall (160 Livingston Avenue). Please note that there will be no staff presentation at the Open House and information about the Transportation Master Plan will also be available at this event.

The Public Meeting will take place on February 23, 2026 beginning at 6:00pm at Grimsby Town Hall (160 Livingston Avenue). The meeting can be attended in-person or via Zoom. If you wish to appear as a delegation in person or at the meeting via Zoom, please register with grimsbyop@grimsby.ca. Note only those individuals that register will be given the Zoom link. If you do not wish to speak, our meetings will be livestreamed at https://www.grimsby.ca/livestream/.

Please Note: Written comments are encouraged and must be submitted to Town of Grimsby, Planning Department 160 Livingston Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario L3M 0J5 or by emailing grimsbyop@grimsby.ca referencing the Official Plan Review. Unless indicated otherwise, all submissions, including personal information, will become part of the public record and will be included as an appendix to the staff recommendation report.

Due to changing weather patterns and travel conditions, the decision was made to postpone the Public Information Centre for the draft Official Plan and draft Parks Master Plan planned for this evening (January 15, 2026).

The PIC will now be held on Thursday, January 29^th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Grimsby Town Hall (160 Livingston Avenue).

Staff and consultants will be available at that time to answer questions on both projects.

The location for the Public Information Centre (PIC) has been changed to Town Hall (160 Livingston Avenue) to support a joint Public Information Centre for the Official Plan Review Project and the Parks Master Plan.

This event will take place from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on January 29, 2026. Please note that the date for this event has changed to January 29th, 2026 due to inclement weather.

Please note that due to this change, the Public Information Centre event will be relocated to Town Hall and not at held at the Carnegie Building.

Interested in learning more about the Draft Grimsby Official Plan?

Visit one of the upcoming Public Information Centres (PICs) listed below to find out what’s included in the Draft.

• December 15, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Elizabeth Street Pumphouse (447 Elizabeth Street)
• January 29, 2026 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Town Hall (160 Livingston Avenue). The location for this event has been changed to support a joint Public Information Centre for the Official Plan Review Project and the Parks Master Plan. Please note that due to this change, the Public Information Centre event will be relocated to Town Hall and not at held at the Carnegie Building. The date has also been changed for this event due to inclement weather, and will now take place on January 29th, 2026.

The statutory open house is anticipated to take place on February 12, 2026 and the statutory public meeting is anticipated to take place in February 23, 2026. Stay tuned to www.letstalkgrimsby.ca/officialplan for more information including the times and locations for these events.

Unsure where to start exploring the Draft Grimsby Official Plan?

Click the “quick reference” sheets linked below or in the Documents widget, to learn how topics like housing, workplaces, neighbourhoods and more are integrated into the Draft Grimsby Official Plan.

• Official Plan Frequently Asked Questions
• Housing & Affordability
• Work & Workplaces
• Neighbourhoods
• Community Facilities
• Focusing on the Downtown
• Protected Major Transit Station Area (PMTSA)
• Places & Spaces
• Sustainability & Climate Change
• Environment and Agriculture
• Moving Around

Have feedback on the draft Official Plan? Email your questions and comments to grimsbyop@grimsby.ca