Official Plan Review
About the Official Plan Review Project
The Town of Grimsby is reviewing its Official Plan (OP). This plan will guide the growth and development for the Town of Grimsby from now to 2051, and is a key building block for how our community will be shaped over time.
Where We Are in the Process
The fourth phase of the project is about drafting and refining the Official Plan.
Figure 1: Revised Official Plan Timeline. Please note that these dates will be updated as the Official Plan process unfolds.
There have been many changes at the provincial and regional level since the Official Plan review project began. For example, Niagara Region’s role in planning changed on March 31, 2025 and has been shifted to the Town. This means that at this time Grimsby has two Official Plans (Grimsby Official Plan and the Region’s Official Plan) that will be incorporated into the Draft Official Plan.
Activities and events aimed at gathering your feedback on the draft Official Plan will be the focus of Phase 5.
Stay tuned to letstalkgrimsby.ca/officialplan to learn more!
Details of the Official Plan Review Project
The OP sets out the Town’s vision for the future, directing responsible growth and development while building on the policy directions found in the Regional Official Plan, provincial plans, and Provincial Policy Statement. It is a legally binding (statutory) document that guides Council decisions related to land use, development, infrastructure, and services, and informs all other land use plans and regulations the Town may prepare.
Municipalities periodically review their OPs to ensure they remain in alignment with internal priorities and external considerations. The Town of Grimsby is preparing a new OP to replace our existing plan, which was approved in 2012. We are also developing a new Transportation Master Plan (TMP).
Grimsby is reviewing it’s Official Plan to:
- Make sure that the Official Plan aligns with Council and Community priorities 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
The TMP will be developed concurrently with the OP and will identify considerations and future directions related to transportation management and planning that the OP must incorporate.
Throughout this process, the people of Grimsby will have multiple opportunities to inform the OP’s content.
Be sure to check back for updates and other opportunities to have your voice heard!